2015 v 2018?

[Zen_Arcade]

I have a chance to get one of two MBAs.

The first is a 2015 2.2 GHz i7, 8 GB RAM, 512 GB SSD, with box, etc. It is $500, and comes a with a spare 85 watt Magsafe adapter, wireless (Magic) keyboard, trackpad, and mouse.

The second is a new refurb 2018 with 16 GB/512 GB. Military price is $1223.

Will be used for typical home stuff; nothing dramatic.

Thoughts appreciated.

 

[Shirasaki]

If you appreciate longevity and want to use a far better keyboard, go for 2015 model. Far cheaper and packs with tons of stuff.

If you want a bit of future proof and appreciate slightly more modern design, go for 2018 model.

 

[Duckhunter]

I’d go with the 2015 all day. I have a 2017 which I think is a similar design and there is no way I’d buy a new one vs the 2017 that I have. It has the MagSafe, USB port, sd port, and it does everything I need to do. I use mine around the house and also for some light accounting work.

 

[Willo34]

The 2013-2017 MacBook Airs might be the best machines Apple have made in the last 10 years......2018 machines are not.

 

[AlexJoda]

I’d go with the 2015 all day. I have a 2017 which I think is a similar design and there is no way I’d buy a new one vs the 2017 that I have. It has the MagSafe, USB port, sd port, and it does everything I need to do. I use mine around the house and also for some light accounting work.

What about the display? Don't you think that might be a reason to go for the 2018/19 MBA?

 

[Shirasaki]

What about the display? Don't you think that might be a reason to go for the 2018/19 MBA?

For most casual stuff, including watching videos, non-retina display is not that bad. I still use a 1366*768 MacBook Air 11” and i don’t find the pixelated display looking too bad. With that being said though, I do appreciate higher screen resolution for displaying more content on the screen.

 

[auxbuss]

The reason I didn't buy the old Air was the display. There's no going back once you've used a retina for a few years.

 

[AustinIllini]

Yeah, I have had way too many retina devices to go back to the non-retina MBA. Both a good choices, but I think you'd be wise to pick the one year old machine over the one that is over 4 years old.

 

[HappyIntro]

That's a good price for the 2018 Air. I'd definitely go with that due to the better screen and additional memory. The 2015 has the better keyboard and more ports/magsafe, but if it were me I'd appreciate having a like-new refurb with 16GB to get me through the next few years.

 

[torana355]

My 2011 Macbook Air was the best computer I've ever owned especially when it came to longevity but the screen on that machine is not acceptable in 2019.