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A Macbook Air for me?

Ironic

Ironic

macrumors 6502a
Original poster
Oct 6, 2008
652
0
In my MBA!
Hi All,
I have been reading as much as I can about the macbook Air, My only use for it would be general websurfing, mail and a trip or two a year?

The macbook is great if it comes out in Oct., but now looking at the air.

1. Will refurbs be free of scratches and other issues?
2. I have been reading alot that the fans spin all the time loudly?
3. Do you love the Air you have or do you regret buying it.

I can get base for 1699.00 ED discount or 1499.00 refurbs.

Thanks in advance.

Please let me know what you think.
 
I'd go refurb, they are cheaper and virtually brand new. No scratches and most likely a better all around product (its more heavily tested).
 
The Air is nice, but if you arent going to be traveling that much I would wait or just opt for a current macbook. The Air is a lot of money, and has a slow processor. The Update for them will also come with the Macbook updates, I would wait a couple of weeks to see what apple has in store with their Updates and Refreshes.
 
jarenado said:
The Air is nice, but if you arent going to be traveling that much I would wait or just opt for a current macbook. The Air is a lot of money, and has a slow processor. The Update for them will also come with the Macbook updates, I would wait a couple of weeks to see what apple has in store with their Updates and Refreshes.
Click to expand...

x2
 
The problem is I have a buyer for my current macbook, and have to get something buy Oct 14th either way, a pro is not for me, and i can't get another older macbook?

How is the fans on it?
 
Ironic said:
The problem is I have a buyer for my current macbook, and have to get something buy Oct 14th either way, a pro is not for me, and i can't get another older macbook?

How is the fans on it?
Click to expand...

No one really knows how many Airs have overheating issues. Well, maybe Apple does, but they aren't telling. However many people (not necessarily on this forum though) say it must have been less than 5% since Apple decided to practically ignore the problem. Also the latest Air I've heard of having this sort of problem was from June, which makes the rumors about MBA having been fixed (read: Apple having improved quality control) around July/August seem very likely.
 
Ironic said:
The problem is I have a buyer for my current macbook, and have to get something buy Oct 14th either way, a pro is not for me, and i can't get another older macbook?

How is the fans on it?
Click to expand...

My fans come on fairly often when viewing internet videos -- you tube and that sort of thing. But if you're not a big youtube user, it's not a big problem. I don't experience it with other applications.

I like the MBA a lot, but I'm not sure it's the best choice if it's your only computer. If you have a second computer that you can use for backing up files, etc. then go for it.
 
wordmunger said:
My fans come on fairly often when viewing internet videos -- you tube and that sort of thing. But if you're not a big youtube user, it's not a big problem. I don't experience it with other applications.

I like the MBA a lot, but I'm not sure it's the best choice if it's your only computer. If you have a second computer that you can use for backing up files, etc. then go for it.
Click to expand...

I dont watch videos and this will be my only computer I don't back up, never did, or will.

Just want it for daily stuff,also has anyone had the battery replaced yet?
 
Ironic said:
Hi All,
I have been reading as much as I can about the macbook Air, My only use for it would be general websurfing, mail and a trip or two a year?
Click to expand...

The Air is good enough to do those jobs. If money is an issue, you can just get a regular macbook. You don't need to worry about speed b/c you don't need it with those jobs.
 
It's worth noting that the screen on an MBA is much nicer than the MB.

Also, the fans and overheating issues seem to have been much more of a problem for the early adopters. Later built machines seem not to have these issues.
 
Having said that, i just bought my air about 2 weeks ago (Assume it was latest build) in Australia. I install quiet a number programs. Run perfectly fine (slowness is normall for a small computer like that). I installed Photoshop CS3 and office 2008, Garageband 08 and afew other stuffs, works great, but i alway keep an eye on my cpu....

All you need for this little beauty is patien.... + a smile

:)
 
So here is my question, do I go for a refurb. or a new model?
I will wait till Oct 14 and see if the new MB and MBP do come out, but will need to order that day.
 
IF your heart is set on an Air, then go the refurb route. Sold "good as new" with nice discount. But.... if you don't travel, then the Air is not designed for you (which doesn't mean it won't do what you want it to do... ) You will need a 2nd computer (borrowed or owned) or the external optical drive if you want to do anything with CDs and DVDs.
 
It's been about 2 years since i needed a drive so I am pretty sure i can live without one, everyone want me to wait for the new macbooks, but that is seeming like it will never come.
 
Ironic said:
It's been about 2 years since i needed a drive so I am pretty sure i can live without one, everyone want me to wait for the new macbooks, but that is seeming like it will never come.
Click to expand...

Yeb, the last time I used the optical drive was like 6 months ago. I only used the optical drive on my macbook once over the period of 6 months that I owned and that was to re-install OS before I sold it.

If you want to wait till Oct. 14, it's ok. However, I wouldn't wait longer than that because there's always a newer/better laptop every 6-8 months.
 
I'm on my 2nd MBA, after I sold my first one to my brother. My initial concern was the size of the hard drive, so I turned to a MBP with a 200GB HD. Now, I've gotten use to using the remote to transfer files, the 500GB external hard drive to transfer applications, music, videos, and pics, then put them back on the external HD when I'm done working with them. Never had an overheat or a core shutdown, so I'm pretty happy with my 2nd MBA. I've also got my Mac Pro as my workhorse, and together they "complete me!" LOL :p
 
SFStateStudent said:
I'm on my 2nd MBA, after I sold my first one to my brother. My initial concern was the size of the hard drive, so I turned to a MBP with a 200GB HD. Now, I've gotten use to using the remote to transfer files, the 500GB external hard drive to transfer applications, music, videos, and pics, then put them back on the external HD when I'm done working with them. Never had an overheat or a core shutdown, so I'm pretty happy with my 2nd MBA. I've also got my Mac Pro as my workhorse, and together they "complete me!" LOL :p
Click to expand...

That's awesome :D I'm glad to hear about your great experience using a MBA, and Mac Pro, as that is the set up I am shooting for as well. Personally, I think that's the ideal set up, workstation + ultra-portable. Now i'm just waiting on the 2nd revision. Hopefully soon a macbook air for me too!
 
If you're only using it for a trip once or twice a year... there's no need to blow your money on the Air. It's more expensive, slower, and has virtually no ports, etc. You'll continually kick yourself that you didn't get a plain Macbook.

Save yourself some $ and get a plain Macbook. Faster, cheaper, and still pretty damn portable.

Wait till new Macbooks come out and jump on one. You won't be disappointed, but you'll only regret it if you buy the Macbook Air. The Air is really only worth it if you have a lot of money, do a lot of travelling, and have a desktop Mac at home. It's no good as a sole computer.
 
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