can't decide: MBA refurbish 1.86GHz vs new 2.13GHz

[moumouren]

I found a refurbished, rev B 1.8GHz with 128GB SSD. The price is $1449, compare to the new 2.13GHz that is $1699 (with student discount).

The only difference between the two are the CPU speed and that the rev B doesn't comes with the Ethernet adapter.

I am not a graphic designer, and the most CPU intensive things I do are probably watching .x264 720p HD MP4 videos, and maybe occasionally play games like Tiberium War.

Including tax and everything, the 2.13Ghz is $270 more expensive than the refurbished 1.86Ghz, my question is, does the extra 0.27GHz worth the extra money?

Thanks a lot!

 

[175170]

Well, how rich are you?

 

[moumouren]

Well, how rich are you?

Ha ha, not rich, but not poor either. $275 is not a lot of money, when I think about it, it equals to only about 6 above average dinner for me and my girlfriend, and we eat out a lot.

However,I do like a good deal and I feel like Apple's refurbished items are good bargain. And if the extra clock speed doesn't make a difference on what I usually do with the computer, then no point in spending the extra cash.

 

[entatlrg]

from reading the posts on here today I'd go with the 1.8 ... apparently the 2.1 runs noticeably hotter, that's not worth the (unnoticeable) speed you gain...

 

[Abbas]

Doesnt the new one have better battery life as well?

@

Ha ha, not rich, but not poor either. $275 is not a lot of money, when I think about it, it equals to only about 6 above average dinner for me and my girlfriend, and we eat out a lot.

However,I do like a good deal and I feel like Apple's refurbished items are good bargain. And if the extra clock speed doesn't make a difference on what I usually do with the computer, then no point in spending the extra cash.

 

[entatlrg]

Doesnt the new one have better battery life as well?

@

only by minutes more... not worth the heat...

 

[Scottsdale]

If you look at the system requirements of iTunes, you will see that minimum system requirements for HD is a 2 GHz CPU. Some other programs are similar. That's not to say it will not play on the 1.86, because I have.

Also, factor in a free iPod Touch as free with student deal. That's a $229 value!

Also figure in Ethernet, slightly better battery, better GPU performance (same GPU but not throttled down), and the fact that it's brand new!

Best wishes.

 

[norsemen]

From the other threads. it looks like you get a better graphic experience with the new one + the battery is improved.

The new one will give you slightly better HD playback, so it you plan to watch some movies, that's the better choice.