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Am I crazy for having switched back to the 2017 MacBook Air?

R

rmoliv

macrumors 68000
Original poster
Dec 20, 2017
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I ditched (sold)the 2018 MacBook Air and went back to the 2017 model. Basically I missed the glowing Apple logo and classic design. Am I crazy?

I don’t notice any differences in performance to be honest but I only do rather “soft” tasks anyway, such as processing documents, web browsing, e-mail, music and video streaming.

The only two things I miss are Touch ID and the Retina display but I can do well without them.

So far I’m not regretting it.
 
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The only thing that is a deal breaker for me on the old MBA is that I find the edges are too sharp. The new MBA is much better in this regard. I don't really care about the retina display, so for me, the only other thing the new MBA has going for it is the weight.

Aside from these two things, the old MBA wins.
 
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rmoliv said:
I ditched (sold)the 2018 MacBook Air and went back to the 2017 model. Basically I missed the glowing Apple logo and classic design. Am I crazy?

I don’t notice any differences in performance to be honest but I only do rather “soft” tasks anyway, such as processing documents, web browsing, e-mail, music and video streaming.

The only two things I miss are Touch ID and the Retina display but I can do well without them.

So far I’m not regretting it.
Click to expand...
I don't think you're crazy, but there are some who do.

I did quite a bit of "heavy lifting" on my entry level 4GB/128GB 2014 11" MBA for years. (video encoding, image processing, audio encoding, VMs, etc.) When I needed to replace it recently, I had my choice of any Macbook and I chose a new 8GB/128GB 2017 i7 13" MBA.

I love the magsafe, thunderbolt, and full-size USB connectors, headphone jack, and SD card slot. The glowing logo is nice too... I applied a "watercolor" sticker custom-made for the logo to personalize it a bit.

IMO, the 2011-2017 Macbook Airs are the pinnacle of the balance of performance, ports, size, and price in a laptop.

On second thought, you might be crazy... but you're not alone. ;)
 
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rmoliv said:
I ditched (sold)the 2018 MacBook Air and went back to the 2017 model. Basically I missed the glowing Apple logo and classic design. Am I crazy?

I don’t notice any differences in performance to be honest but I only do rather “soft” tasks anyway, such as processing documents, web browsing, e-mail, music and video streaming.

The only two things I miss are Touch ID and the Retina display but I can do well without them.

So far I’m not regretting it.
Click to expand...

Not entirely relevant to the discussion here, but you will see why I am posting my experience here nonetheless. The gist is:

I had a stock top model 15" MBP I bought in 2011. Upgraded that machine to 16GB RAM and 256GB SSD after its 1 year warranty expired. Used that powerhouse a lot in its day, and loved the power on tap.

Got a 2016 13" MBP with TB when it launched. While there were some great positives to that machine, overall performance was inadequate and a keyboard failure was the final nail in the coffin. Sold that machine in September 2018 and went back to my 2011 MBP.

Six months later, got myself a display-piece MBA 2017 and could not be happier. There are noticeable everyday gains over the 2011 machine for what I use my computer for today. There are noticeable performance hits compared to 2016 MBP 13 if I try going "pro" with this machine which happens occasionally. For what I use the computer for on a daily basis, this has been a solid machine with great battery and peace of mind all-around. The hits I encounter do not bother me since that kind of usage and demand on the computer happens very infrequently for me now. In my everyday usage, this MBA 2017 shines, despite the internet leaving no stone unturned in calling this machine outdated today.

On top of that, this machine has some way to go before becoming vintage for repairs, I fancy 2022 at least. So, definitely not a bad call even today (for those use cases suited to this machine).

Outdated hardware does not mean inferior experience always, it depends on one's specific use case.

So, while I sometimes think about the Touch ID from my MBP 2016 as well as the Touch Bar and yes, the Retina display, but each time I am in front of this machine, it gets out of the way and it is just me and my work. This is more important than having the latest and greatest.

So, you are not crazy. You just went for peace of mind versus the latest and greatest.
 
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macintoshmac said:
Not entirely relevant to the discussion here, but you will see why I am posting my experience here nonetheless. The gist is:

I had a stock top model 15" MBP I bought in 2011. Upgraded that machine to 16GB RAM and 256GB SSD after its 1 year warranty expired. Used that powerhouse a lot in its day, and loved the power on tap.

Got a 2016 13" MBP with TB when it launched. While there were some great positives to that machine, overall performance was inadequate and a keyboard failure was the final nail in the coffin. Sold that machine in September 2018 and went back to my 2011 MBP.

Six months later, got myself a display-piece MBA 2017 and could not be happier. There are noticeable everyday gains over the 2011 machine for what I use my computer for today. There are noticeable performance hits compared to 2016 MBP 13 if I try going "pro" with this machine which happens occasionally. For what I use the computer for on a daily basis, this has been a solid machine with great battery and peace of mind all-around. The hits I encounter do not bother me since that kind of usage and demand on the computer happens very infrequently for me now. In my everyday usage, this MBA 2017 shines, despite the internet leaving no stone unturned in calling this machine outdated today.

On top of that, this machine has some way to go before becoming vintage for repairs, I fancy 2022 at least. So, definitely not a bad call even today (for those use cases suited to this machine).

Outdated hardware does not mean inferior experience always, it depends on one's specific use case.

So, while I sometimes think about the Touch ID from my MBP 2016 as well as the Touch Bar and yes, the Retina display, but each time I am in front of this machine, it gets out of the way and it is just me and my work. This is more important than having the latest and greatest.

So, you are not crazy. You just went for peace of mind versus the latest and greatest.
Click to expand...

Thanks for sharing. Yes, that’s exactly what I think and feel as well.
 
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OK, I will keep my 2017 longer... every time I tried new MBA, I can not convince myself to deal with it. So, until 2017 getting "really old". or some work I must use use new one. I will keep it.
 
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z2000 said:
OK, I will keep my 2017 longer... every time I tried new MBA, I can not convince myself to deal with it. So, until 2017 getting "really old". or some work I must use use new one. I will keep it.
Click to expand...

Yep, that’s the smart way about it. Why spend on something new unless we “need” it or if not need, know for sure that that is what we “100% want”?
 
If typing is a big part of your day, then I can see the older MBA being the superior choice unless you are one of those folks who get along with the butterfly keyboard.

The lack of retina screen resolution would be the biggest downside for me - hence why I would have gone for the 13 inch 2015 MBP. Still, my wife uses her 2014 Air every day and loves how robust it is and has no performance complaints. It's a rock solid machine.
 
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playtech1 said:
If typing is a big part of your day, then I can see the older MBA being the superior choice unless you are one of those folks who get along with the butterfly keyboard.

The lack of retina screen resolution would be the biggest downside for me - hence why I would have gone for the 13 inch 2015 MBP. Still, my wife uses her 2014 Air every day and loves how robust it is and has no performance complaints. It's a rock solid machine.
Click to expand...

I used the Retina 13 between November 2016 and September 2018. When I went back to 15” 2011 I could see the issue of non-retina versus retina. But on the 13 Air I don’t feel it as in-my-face just yet, so much happy with it.

Definitely the text looks better with retina, but on a 13” the 1440 res doesn’t pose too much of a problem to my eyes so far.
 
I was shopping for a new Apple laptop for similar use in August and had the option of the 2017 for $699.00 new, 2018 for $799.00 new or the 2019 for $899.00 new. I decided on the keyboard and Mag-Safe and went with a 2017. No regrets!
 
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Ma2k5 said:
How do you miss a glowing light you can't see while using?
Click to expand...

I can see it when I get up and leave the MacBook on. But anyway, even if I don’t see it while using it I know it’s there. And it’s so iconic I feel emotionally attached to it.
 
rmoliv said:
I can see it when I get up and leave the MacBook on. But anyway, even if I don’t see it while using it I know it’s there. And it’s so iconic I feel emotionally attached to it.
Click to expand...

...kind of like the startup chime, which I believe is also missing from Macs newer than 2016, except the 2017 Macbook Air.
 
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The 2017 MBA is like a Toyota Camry. 100% reliable as it's a mature design and the thing that'll make you the talk of the party.

Also, Apple will support the 2017 MBA until mid-2020s!
 
I replaced my trusty 2011 11" with a 2017 13" just a few months before the 'new' Air - not only because I wanted the larger screen and more local storage than my 11", but intentionally because nothing I was hearing about the upcoming version was attractive to me at all. Retina screen? Nice, but not required. 1 USB-C port? Rather a selection of ports for legacy hardware and a MagSafe. Crummy keyboard vs one that just works? No thanks.

Oh, and I bought it thru Apple's Refurb store, so with the money I saved, I picked up AppleCare essentially for 'free'.

No regrets here - and certainly not when I read the issues some owners of the new Air experience.
 
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I really like my 2014 11" MBA. Honestly, it's the screen that turns me off from it more than anything else.
 
I am actually thinking of upgrading my wife's mid 2013 to the MBA 2017 model, given Amazon's $679 deal of the day, and then upgrading the SSD. Have only a few more hours to make up my mind on that. We both like the keyboard of the prior models. I like the 11 inch form factor for mine, but both of ours 2013s have 4 gb RAM.
 
tenordrum said:
I am actually thinking of upgrading my wife's mid 2013 to the MBA 2017 model, given Amazon's $679 deal of the day, and then upgrading the SSD. Have only a few more hours to make up my mind on that. We both like the keyboard of the prior models. I like the 11 inch form factor for mine, but both of ours 2013s have 4 gb RAM.
Click to expand...
I see Amazon still has the 2017 MBA 8/128GB for $699 new. IMO, that's a very good deal. Earlier this year I upgraded my 2014 MBA 11" to a 2017 13" i7 MBA 8/128GB for $750 new from Amazon. Although I missed the portability of the MBA 11", I really appreciate the larger screen, faster processor, and SD card slot (which I didn't realize I missed as much as I did on the 11")
 
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You switched back because of a glowing logo? Really? It has no functional value. It just glows. Kinda silly if you ask me. To each their own, I guess.
 
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