Get Base 11 today or wait a week for 4GB version...

[vistokid]

Hi,

I decided the put up my base 13 for sale. The allure of the 11 is too much for me 🙂

So I've decided to go with the base 11 or base 11 with 4GB ram. The problem is 4GB is not available in store, only the ultimate that will cost me $400 more than the base.

So I can either get the base 11 today or order the base 11 with 4GB online and wait a week or so.

What to do?

This is my secondary (fun) machine. I have a 27' imac already and I'll just use this one for couch surfing, social networking, emails, and minor iPhoto.

Will the 2GB suffice or should I bite the bullet and wait a week. The $100 is no big deal at all.

Thoughts?

 

[gustav531]

WAIT THE WEEK! 🙂 When you receive it youll think its worth it.

 

[OSMac]

You have one now so just use it until the one you want arrives with 4GB of ram.

But for those uses you dont really need 4GB of ram in OSX,
but since you have one and $100 is not a big deal
just order the one you want.

 

[vistokid]

WAIT THE WEEK! 🙂 When you receive it youll think its worth it.

Seriously? Will I actually notice the difference?

 

[vistokid]

You have one now so just use it until the one you want arrives with 4GB of ram.

But for those uses you dont really need 4GB of ram in OSX,
but since you have one and $100 is not a big deal
just order the one you want.

I actually might have a buyer today.

 

[HLdan]

LOL, OP are you serious? Since you are even considering the 4GB ram upgrade (that you can't upgrade later) then go for it. You can't wait a whole week? This "Gotta have it now" madness is why the world is so impatient with everything when it pays so much more to be more patient.

 

[OSMac]

You wont notice any difference from 2 - 4GB for those uses.
Even is a swap is needed, the SSD makes it lighting fast.

Your making this complicated 🙂

Why dont you like the 13" you can see what 2GB of ram is like on it, easiest solution is to keep it?

 

[drxcm]

You have a base 13" - presumably it has 2GB RAM.

Why don't you take a look at Activity Monitor and see how much RAM you are using on day to day tasks, and let that help you make the decision.

For what you are suggesting the uses will be, 2GB will be enough. Although personally my usage is not too different, but I went with a 1.6 with 4GB 11".

I suspect the base would have suited my needs just fine, but in the end thought the extra upgrades couldn't hurt.

 

[vistokid]

You wont notice any difference from 2 - 4GB for those uses.
Even is a swap is needed, the SSD makes it lighting fast.

Your making this complicated 🙂

Why dont you like the 13" you can see what 2GB of ram is like on it, easiest solution is to keep it?

I like the 13... but I like the 11 more.

The 2GB on the 13 is no problem at all.

 

[vistokid]

LOL, OP are you serious? Since you are even considering the 4GB ram upgrade (that you can't upgrade later) then go for it. You can't wait a whole week? This "Gotta have it now" madness is why the world is so impatient with everything when it pays so much more to be more patient.

haha! For sure I want it today!!! 🙂

 

[OSMac]

I think you might notice the slower processor and shorter battery life
when you get the 11" before any ram upgrade.

Ever consider a iPad its great for surfing and half the price of the air 🙂

 

[bcaslis]

I would definitely go for the 4GB. But think, if you give it and get the 11" ultimate, you could get it from a store today! 😀

 

[ingramLee]

I have the same setup as you, 27" for work, 11" for play. I have more buyers remorse over not getting 128GB more than not getting 4GB of ram. The 2GB is super fast for email and internet surfing. You wont even know the difference. My advice, get the 11" 128GB base model.

 

[bamf]

Lion is around the corner. Wait the week and get 4GB of RAM. You may not "need" it now, but $100 is a pretty decent hedge in this case.

 

[silverblack]

Go for the base model in store, for the following reasons:

1. If you visit the other threads on 2GB vs. 4GB. You'll see the #1 reason of the 4GB buyers is "futureproof". This means they also don't see much advantage at the present time, and instead point to future needs that may or may not happen - for peace of mind 🙄

2. It's not just about waiting for a week, it's also the price difference. You seem to want to sell your MBA in 1-2 years when the new model comes. Buying base model will minimize your loss at resell. Why pay for something that you don't need, when you won't get the full upgrade value back later.

 

[fuzzielitlpanda]

Go for the base model in store, for the following reasons:

1. If you visit the other threads on 2GB vs. 4GB. You'll see the #1 reason of the 4GB buyers is "futureproof". This means they also don't see much advantage at the present time, and instead point to future needs that may or may not happen - for peace of mind 🙄

2. It's not just about waiting for a week, it's also the price difference. You seem to want to sell your MBA in 1-2 years when the new model comes. Buying base model will minimize your loss at resell. Why pay for something that you don't need, when you won't get the full upgrade value back later.

I used to own the 11" 1.4GHz/4GB, returned it, and bought the base model with 2GB for the reasons above. In day to day use, I never use above 2GB. I've watched plenty of videos, had tons of browser tabs open, word/excel/powerpoint programs running, and even played a few games of SC2, all while keeping an eye on ram usage. As a secondary machine that is used for light work, it runs just fine with 2GB. I saved myself $100 + the waiting time.

 

[bamf]

I used to own the 11" 1.4GHz/4GB, returned it, and bought the base model with 2GB for the reasons above. In day to day use, I never use above 2GB. I've watched plenty of videos, had tons of browser tabs open, word/excel/powerpoint programs running, and even played a few games of SC2, all while keeping an eye on ram usage. As a secondary machine that is used for light work, it runs just fine with 2GB. I saved myself $100 + the waiting time.

How did you save yourself the waiting time if you already had the 4GB model then returned it? 😛

 

[fuzzielitlpanda]

How did you save yourself the waiting time if you already had the 4GB model then returned it? 😛

after returning the base 4GB, i was actually considering the 11" ultimate config before buying the base 2GB. none of the local stores had it in stock, so i would have had to order online. the point is OP can go to his/her local Apple store today and pick up the base 11" 2GB that will do everything he/she needs it to do. waiting a week for the 4GB version will just be a waste of time and money since there is no need for the extra memory for the programs listed.

 

[jayo123456]

I'm really interested in knowing as well.

I can save over $300 getting 2gb vs. 4gb, from local BNIB 13" air ads.


My mbp is at 4gb, and showing this. Very minimal apps running.

I'm using over 3gbs just for these apps. Is there something wrong with my laptop? or does the Air somehow manage memory differently?

if someone doesn't mind, can you post a screen with a handful of apps running?

 

[mcvaughan]

Wait and get what you want. 4GB is NICE!!! 🙂

 

[fuzzielitlpanda]

if someone doesn't mind, can you post a screen with a handful of apps running?

Here you go. I don't run this many programs on a normal basis, but this just shows what it takes to use up all of the memory.

 

[halledise]

4gb

but to go to 11" from 13" - are you really serious? 😱

by the time you spec up the little 11" you may as well get the 13" 1.86/4gb - same-same $ 😀

 

[jayo123456]

Here you go. I don't run this many programs on a normal basis, but this just shows what it takes to use up all of the memory.

i just tried to open all the same apps, and I'm using over 3gbs ram.
I'm guessing your system is going into page ins/outs (whatever that means I'm not sure)?


does your system feel sluggish at all with that many apps running?

 

[kp98077]

Seriously? Will I actually notice the difference?

Honestly, I did the same, got a 2gb 11" loved it super fast and took it back to get the 4 and I am here to tell you there is NO difference in any way atleast for what I do.
-lots of web surfing
-iphoto editing
-cs5
-you tube
power point.

I CAN NOT tell a difference and I am very, very picky 🙂good luck!

 

[fuzzielitlpanda]

i just tried to open all the same apps, and I'm using over 3gbs ram.
I'm guessing your system is going into page ins/outs (whatever that means I'm not sure)?


does your system feel sluggish at all with that many apps running?

even with all those apps loaded, new apps still load instantly thanks to the flash storage. expose does feel sluggish and individual app performance feels sluggish. trying to watch a 720P youtube video results in stuttering. all of this is to be expected though since the memory is being used to the max. again, this is not a real world scenario as I normally only have maybe 3-5 programs open at one time.