Sidebar Sidebar
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

Big difference between old and new MBA? (low end models)

G

Gregintosh

macrumors 68000
Original poster
Jan 29, 2008
1,940
567
Chicago
Hey guys,

I am considering picking up a MacBook Air for basic use (web, YouTube, Hulu, text editing) and I was wondering if for these tasks is there a real world difference between the new and old MacBook air (11 inch models).

The reason I ask is because I cam get the MBA last gen for $650 or so on eBay where as the new one is at least $950. So I'm wondering if $300 is worth it for the faster processor (since they both seem to have 2Gb RAM and 64GB SSD).
 
The new ones are significantly faster but for the tasks you mentioned, it wouldn't make much of a real-world difference. I don't think $300 is worth since you'll not need it, if you're going with the 2011 models, get the $1199 one which is worth. $650 for MBA 11" 2010 is a good deal, go ahead with it:)
 
get the 2010 model. Battery life is considerably longer and for your needs, you won't notice the speed difference. You also get the option of staying with snow leopard or upgrading to lion. On the 2011 airs, you will be stuck on 10.7 with no option of going back.
 
old mba

I have the 2010 and 2011 MBA 11.6 inch - (both are low end models)

The 2010 model boots faster, loads programs faster and just "feels" faster in general (I'm still running Snow Leopard)
HOWERVER, the 2011 is does video editing much better - 10 minutes instead of ~18-22 for the same movie...

Since I don't do movies that often, I actually prefer the 2010 model - and it's available (NEW open box) from macmall for $735 shipped with full warranty... that'd be my recommendation to you.
 
for $300 more you'll have a computer that'll be way faster in processor speed and will last u longer speed wise in the long run.

i'd definitely go with the new mba.
 
toi said:
for $300 more you'll have a computer that'll be way faster in processor speed and will last u longer speed wise in the long run.

i'd definitely go with the new mba.
Click to expand...
I think for him it's way better to buy a cheaper 2010 model and buy another generation if he finds it lacking in performance after a while. Ivy Bridge is coming next year and it's going to be a big leap from the current models.
 
Gregintosh said:
So I'm wondering if $300 is worth it for the faster processor (since they both seem to have 2Gb RAM and 64GB SSD).
Click to expand...

it's not just the faster processor. It's new vs. "eBay God only knows what you're going to get".

If $300 is a big stretch for you, both models will work for you. Me, personally, would prefer the confidence of a new machine.
 
I wouldn't buy the 2GB version, particularly the 2011, as my understanding is that Lion is pretty slow wthout 4GB or more. With the 2010, 2GB is more acceptable as you can stay with Snow Leopard.

I have the 2010 4GB 128GB SSD model and it is more than adequate for similar needs and I'll wait until next year at least before upgrading.
 
mickier said:
I actually prefer the 2010 model - and it's available (NEW open box) from macmall for $735 shipped with full warranty... that'd be my recommendation to you.
Click to expand...

I couldn't find that on their website. :( Could you post a link or something..? Or just tell me where to go on their site?

This might be exactly what I've been looking for. :D
 
3dflyboy1 said:
I couldn't find that on their website. :( Could you post a link or something..? Or just tell me where to go on their site?

This might be exactly what I've been looking for. :D
Click to expand...

key factor for me is the backlight keyboard, i use it at night and couldn't live without it.
 
Wirelessly posted (Mozilla/5.0 (iPhone; U; CPU iPhone OS 4_2_10 like Mac OS X; en-gb) AppleWebKit/533.17.9 (KHTML, like Gecko) Version/5.0.2 Mobile/8E600 Safari/6533.18.5)

You can get some incredible deals on 2010 models right now. I just bought a 6 month old ultimate 11" model with extended AppleCare for $750. It looks brand new. Many people are dumping these to get i5 processors in some capacity.
 
Wirelessly posted (Mozilla/5.0 (iPhone; U; CPU iPhone OS 4_2_10 like Mac OS X; en-gb) AppleWebKit/533.17.9 (KHTML, like Gecko) Version/5.0.2 Mobile/8E600 Safari/6533.18.5)

3dflyboy1 said:
IJBrekke said:
I just bought a 6 month old ultimate 11" model with extended AppleCare for $750. It looks brand new. Many people are dumping these to get i5 processors in some capacity.
Click to expand...

WOW! :eek: ...where did you get it? ebay? craigslist? Could you point me in a direction please..? :D
Click to expand...

Scored it on Craigslist from a really nice man in north LA. He had just moved onto a MBP for video editing and found the Air redundant. He was one of the rare Craigslist gems that advertised fairly and honestly, and for a great price.

There's a lot of scams on Craigslist, but with patience the good people find each other.
 
Thanks for the advice guys, I just got the air on eBay at the gazelle store.

I was almost not going to get it but my wife insisted I buy it because she liked how happy I looked playing with it at the store.

I got the 11 model (last generation) but with 1.6Ghz, 4GB RAM and 128GB SSD for $819 (no tax, free shipping).
 
Last edited:
This thread has made me rethink my plan of a new 11" and instead perhaps getting an older 11" as a 'spare' of sorts, and to satisfy my desire of owning the 11" MBA, while getting a more powerful machine as a primary. Hmm...
 
mickier said:
I have the 2010 and 2011 MBA 11.6 inch - (both are low end models)

The 2010 model boots faster, loads programs faster and just "feels" faster in general (I'm still running Snow Leopard)
HOWERVER, the 2011 is does video editing much better - 10 minutes instead of ~18-22 for the same movie...

Since I don't do movies that often, I actually prefer the 2010 model - and it's available (NEW open box) from macmall for $735 shipped with full warranty... that'd be my recommendation to you.
Click to expand...



So me being a newbie whats the difference between high end and low end models !

Going from the macbook air model I have listed in my signature what is mine ?
 
yusukeaoki said:
Old ones have slight weak CPU than the 2011 model.
Which means it uses less power than the 2011.
Click to expand...

slightly weaker?....lol.
they are of different chipset architecture to say the least. sandy bridge doubles raw benchmark cpu speeds while losing minutes (literally. check all the online lab tests) in battery life.
common now.

...but with that said. 2010 11 inch base mba for 650-700 is quite the deal. i say go with the 2010 for your needs.
gl.
 
Gregintosh said:
Thanks for the advice guys, I just got the air on eBay at the gazelle store.

I was almost not going to get it but my wife insisted I buy it because she liked how happy I looked playing with it at the store.

I got the 11 model (last generation) but with 1.6Ghz, 4GB RAM and 128GB SSD for $819 (no tax, free shipping).
Click to expand...

That's not a bad price. Currently, I have the 13" 2011 model. However, I have had both 2010/2011 4gb/128gb models of the 11" air. The only reasons I sold them was that I liked the 13's larger palmrest, battery life, and sd slot. Yes, the larger screen is nice, but I had no problem with the 11" screen. In fact, I'm considering getting a 2gb 2010 11" air to have, as well. It was that nice. Each month, the prices are getting much lower. We'll see...
 
Last edited:
I just returned a 2010 base for a 2011 base.
The 2011 with just 2GB and lion feels much faster than the 2010.
The difference for me was just $160, more than worth it for backlit keyboard, i5 and Thunderbolt.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.
Top Bottom
Back