Hi Im looking to purchase a MacBook air laptop and im trying to decide between a new 2014 model and a used 2010 model - my question is, for a non-tech savy person like me, are the upgrades in the newer models worth the purchase, or is the 2010 model good enough for normal use ie web use, downloading, office work, etc etc thank you
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comparison macbook air 2010 vs 2014/ newest
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I would not choose the 2010 model. It is already quite outdated. In addition, there is talks of a new Macbook Air coming out.
How long can you hold off until you buy a new laptop?
If you can't wait, then you should buy the 2014 MBA.
If you are going to buy the 2014:
I would recommend you upgrade your storage to 256GB SSD. It'll give you more space to store your documents. Though it will cost an additional $100 or so.
Some people will suggest you upgrade your RAM, but your described usage does not seem to fit that model of thought.
For screen size, that is all your preference. 13" MBA has more battery life as well, and it may be better on your eyes than the smaller 11". But some people prefer the portability of the 11" and I can't say I would mind it.
The 2010 is functional but the 2014 model is impressive. Very fast, excellent battery life, etc.
In 4 years you will be able to sell the 2014 model for $500 and probably recoup whatever you would have saved by buying a 2010 model today.
That would be a terrible descision to go for a 2010 model, we are in 2015 and there is a new model coming soon, dont do it. OSX has come a long way since 2010 and the operating software simply requires more power to get the most out of the system, go for the 2014 model!
I have a MBA 2010 and works perfectly. For surfing the web, read your email and simple tasks, it's perfectly ok. I even run Parallels with Windows 8.1 on it. Of course the latest model is much better, it depends on your budget as well. If you can afford it, buy the latest or wait for the new model, but the 2010 is absolutely ok. I use it daily and don't feel I have to upgrade to anything else.
Is it core2 duo? If so, then the new models are going to be 2 to 3 times faster. The new models also have USB 3.0 (much faster for external drives), 802.11ac wifi (much faster, if your router is compatible), much longer battery life, much faster SSD.
Personally I wouldn't buy a 2010 machine. I have a 2008 15" MBP with a 2.4ghz Core2Duo CPU. It is a real dog compared to my 2013 MBA. The most dramatic difference is ripping a DVD in Handbrake. Takes 75 minutes on the old machine and 15 minutes on the new one.
Also consider that unless the 2010 machine has a new battery, it will probably need one soon and that costs in the neighborhood of $150 IIRC.
Personally I wouldn't buy a 2010 machine. I have a 2008 15" MBP with a 2.4ghz Core2Duo CPU. It is a real dog compared to my 2013 MBA. The most dramatic difference is ripping a DVD in Handbrake. Takes 75 minutes on the old machine and 15 minutes on the new one.
Also consider that unless the 2010 machine has a new battery, it will probably need one soon and that costs in the neighborhood of $150 IIRC.
Do not buy the 2010 model if you can afford the 2014 model.
As mentioned by the previous poster , if you buy the 2010 model you might have to replace battery since it wouldn't hold as long of a charge since it's old.
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I'd buy a new 2014 one from BBY instead.
BBY discounts Apple laptop quite a bit sometimes (look up using multiple coupons).
Thats a good way to get a good deal too plus get the reward points. I'm still very happy with the deal I got on mine its loaded (i7-8GB-500 GB SSD) and I paid 1,499 I think. Also even though it not the 2014 the only difference in the two (2013 and 2014) was a slight processor speed boost which the 2013 i7 already has. A new 2014 runs 1,749 with my specs so 250 dollars is a good savings. Did I mention that I love my Macbook Air?
