I need your support: 2011 vs 2012 11"

[EmaDaCuz]

I come straight to the point.
I have to buy a laptop, the 11" MBA will simply be the perfect choice. I just need it for light tasking, the only CPU intensive work would be some image analysis and some light statistics, something that I am already doing quite successfully (but slowly) on a 2002 P4 machine.
Now, with the price drop I can get a 2011 MBA with 128GB SSD and 4GB hard drive for 850 euros (probably a bit less), whereas the 2012 version with the same specs costs 1070 euros.

So I would save something like 200-250 euros, which is not that bad at all.
But I won't get the OS upgrade for free and I don't have the "back to school" voucher (80 euros). This means that the actual saving would be only 100-150 euros. Are the new SSD, the HD4000 and the USB 3.0 worth 150 euros?

I still think that the 2011 model would be the best choice, but I need your support!

 

[fireworksdesign]

If you have tried your applications on your old machine in the 2011 version and it runs pretty well and no need for necessary add ons/ ports etc then buy it.

If the 150 euro is not a big deal for your then take the 2012 version , which offers some improvements to the 2011 version ( like battery life and so on ).

I come straight to the point.
I have to buy a laptop, the 11" MBA will simply be the perfect choice. I just need it for light tasking, the only CPU intensive work would be some image analysis and some light statistics, something that I am already doing quite successfully (but slowly) on a 2002 P4 machine.
Now, with the price drop I can get a 2011 MBA with 128GB SSD and 4GB hard drive for 850 euros (probably a bit less), whereas the 2012 version with the same specs costs 1070 euros.

So I would save something like 200-250 euros, which is not that bad at all.
But I won't get the OS upgrade for free and I don't have the "back to school" voucher (80 euros). This means that the actual saving would be only 100-150 euros. Are the new SSD, the HD4000 and the USB 3.0 worth 150 euros?

I still think that the 2011 model would be the best choice, but I need your support!

 

[EmaDaCuz]

Got the 2011 model this morning. Got an extra discount, so it was mine for 820 euros. I couldnt say no. So far, I love this machine.

 

[jksu]

Wirelessly posted

if you can get edu discount on the 2012, know you'd pay $20 for mtn lion if you got the 2011, and definitely will be using the app store gift card then, you're right it's a very close call.

the improvements in speed (graphics, CPU, ram, SSD), energy savings, facetime 720p, and usb3 ... i'd lean towards 2012. especially if you plan to keep it a while.

if budget is the key factor, you can get much of the functionality with a used 2010 and save even more. my 2010 11" is still quite functional and 100x faster in day to day use because of its ssd compared to any of my work PC desktops/laptops or my wife's iMac.