Love my MBA 2017

[dogslobber]

I picked one up from BB last month for 650$ and must confess it's an awesome machine. I have zero regrets about buying it as I did miss my 2010 MBA that I gave to the outlaws. It gets superb battery life and I've not heard the fans come on at all. If you're on the fence about getting one then I wholeheartedly recommend picking one up. It's a steal at 650$.

 

[Macdctr]

The MBA (2013 and later) have awesome battery life and are great computers. The 2015 thru current 2.2GHz i7 8GB models are pretty much the same computer. My "2015" 13 inch MBA 2.2GHz i7 8GB says it is only 352 days old...

 

[Scepticalscribe]

I picked one up from BB last month for 650$ and must confess it's an awesome machine. I have zero regrets about buying it as I did miss my 2010 MBA that I gave to the outlaws. It gets superb battery life and I've not heard the fans come on at all. If you're on the fence about getting one then I wholeheartedly recommend picking one up. It's a steal at 650$.

The MBA (2013 and later) have awesome battery life and are great computers. The 2015 thru current 2.2GHz i7 8GB models are pretty much the same computer. My "2015" 13 inch MBA 2.2GHz i7 8GB says it is only 352 days old...

To my mind, the 2013 (and later iterations) of the MBA were close to the best computer Apple have ever made; reliable, fast, powerful, portable and offering terrific battery life.

The machine that I am penning this on is a 2014 CTO 11" MBA and I love it.

Would buy it again in a heart beat.

 

[RegularGuy09]

This is great to hear for a guy who is planning on buying new MacBook Air 13". I'm sure it will be fine for some light video editing(1080p) and coding?

 

[dogslobber]

I think for short bursts of cpu intensive work then you’d be fine. Although I’ve not coaxed the fans in my 2017 MBA to spin louder yet.

 

[Count Blah]

Bought the misses one in January. The old, upgraded 2008 MBP was not cutting it anymore. She is VERY happy with the new MBAir, especially the battery life.

It’s a great machine that still serves a purpose, in spite of Apple only giving it slightly more attention than the Mac Mini.

Just think if Apple actually gave a damn about those two product lines

 

[TomOSeven]

FFS, it's not a '2017', nothing about that computer is less than half a decade old.

 

[Macdctr]

The machine that I am penning this on is a 2014 CTO 11" MBA and I love it.

I have heard a lot about the 11-inch MBA. So much so that I just scored a 2012 11-inch MBA very cheap so I'm in the process of upgrading it with a Samsung PM981 512GB NVMe M.2 drive/Sintech 2012 M.2 adapter. Looking forward to seeing how good this 11-inch MBA is...

 

[sracer]

I have heard a lot about the 11-inch MBA. So much so that I just scored a 2012 11-inch MBA very cheap so I'm in the process of upgrading it with a Samsung PM981 512GB NVMe M.2 drive/Sintech 2012 M.2 adapter. Looking forward to seeing how good this 11-inch MBA is...

Nice. I think you'll enjoy it. For something that is about the same size as an iPad, all the power of macOS.

I have a 2014 4GB/128GB 11" MBA. Overall it is the best notebook I've owned. I bought it new at Best Buy during the Summer of 2014 when they were having insane sales and stackable coupons. $475 out-the-door including tax. Sadly, there's not much that can be done to it to upgrade it. RAM is soldered and to replace the SSD with comparable speed/reliability is prohibitively expensive. But it still chugs along... rendering videos, running VM's, and nearly everything else I use my iMac for.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

My 11" MBA is a CTO: 512 GB SSD, 8 GB Ram, and a core i7.

I ordered it in 2014, and would order its twin in a heartbeat if that computer and configuration was still available - it is easily the best, most reliable, effortlessly portable and cheerfully powerful computer I have ever owned.

 

[sracer]

My 11" MBA is a CTO: 512 GB SSD, 8 GB Ram, and a core i7.

I ordered it in 2014, and would order its twin in a heartbeat if that computer an configuration was still available - it is easily the best, most reliable, portable and powerful computer I have ever owned.

ACK! Every time I see your description of your 11" MBA, I kick myself for not having the foresight to get one maxed out like that.

That must be an amazing device.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

ACK! Every time I see your description of your 11" MBA, I kick myself for not having the foresight to get one maxed out like that. View attachment 759988 View attachment 759989

That must be an amazing device.

It is; and I love it.

Actually, my iTunes library alone is well over 100 GB, and - to me - it made sense to simply max it out, more power, more stability, more speed.

I went from a 2010 MBA - the so-called 'Rev C" - (which came with 2 GB RAM and 128 GB SSD) skipping a few iterations to 8 GB RAM and 512 GB SSD. I couldn't believe the difference. My first CTO was a 13' MBA - which was stunning (same configuration - 8 GB RAM, 512 GB SSD, and Core i7).

However, while awaiting the completion of the 13" CTO - as it is a special order, they can take several weeks and, as I was working abroad at the time - I bought - as a stop-gap, an Apple refurb, a 2012 11" MBA, with 256 GB & 8 GB Ram, just to see what it was like. As a middle aged woman who travels a lot for work, portability, reliability, power and speed were of major importance.

Anyway, I was smitten by the form factor of the 11" - but knew that the 13" was on order. A colleague was awestruck, and wished to buy it from me for his wife. So, I sold him that when I went home next on leave, collected my 13" CTO MBA, and, when that period abroad finished up, I treated myself to the 11" as a travelling computer.

A sibling inherited the 13" a few years later as a birthday present - which was still in stunning shape - I used it mainly as a desktop.

 

[Starlights]

I am seriously bouncing between a current MBA (13/i7/512) or a base 2018 MBP. While I work in IT and MBP would be more horsepower than I need but I don't mind future proofing. However, having used the MBA for nearly 8 years (currently use late 2010 4gb/128mb on High Sierra - the machine runs beautiful and clean) I am hesitant to move to a different form factor (MBP) that may not be as sturdy and bullet proof as the tried and tested MBA.

As for my needs of running a couple of VMs - I think an i7 MBA will handle it just fine. I don't use laptop for photo or video work, for that I have self made high horsepower Windows Desktop with Tri-Monitor setup.

I don't really care about Retina screen, neither does Linux (VMs). Furthermore, I am honestly scared of the all glass screen of MBP. In my hands its just disaster waiting to happen.

Is MBA 2017 with i7 a good purchase for running multiple VMs, especially at 1299 sale price of BB today?

 

[TurboJobo]

The macbook air is a great laptop. They have the best battery out there! But once you get used to the macbook pro retina display i can not use the air. I wanted to go the macbook air way but could not. I got the macbook pro 13 2017 for 900 at bestbuy and is it just way faster and the screen colors are the best. I dont really care for the resolution but the air does need IPS the viewing angles are terrible, colors are washed out, and is not that bright

 

[sracer]

The macbook air is a great laptop. They have the best battery out there! But once you get used to the macbook pro retina display i can not use the air. I wanted to go the macbook air way but could not. I got the macbook pro 13 2017 for 900 at bestbuy and is it just way faster and the screen colors are the best. I dont really care for the resolution but the air does need IPS the viewing angles are terrible, colors are washed out, and is not that bright

I hope that your Macbook Pro ownership experience will be better than mine.

Over the years, we've had about 6 Macbook Pros in our household... different screen sizes, different years. All of them experienced issues that resulted in their premature demise (totally dead within 4 years). As each one died, it was replaced with a Macbook Air. These Macbook Airs are still going strong without even the slightest issue.

My experiences are just that, MY experiences. I hope your's is a long, productive, and trouble-free one.

 

[Macdctr]

ACK! Every time I see your description of your 11" MBA, I kick myself for not having the foresight to get one maxed out like that. View attachment 759988 View attachment 759989

That must be an amazing device.

You can always source an i7 2.2GHz 8GB logic board for your MBA11 from ebay and swap out the logic board. That's what I am planning to do with my MBA11. I have already done this with my MBA13 and am very pleased with the upgrades I have done so far

It's amazing just how easy it is to work on the MBA platform... I have found that the MBA11 is just as easy to work on and it is not hard to swap out the logic board.

 

[Starlights]

The macbook air is a great laptop. They have the best battery out there! But once you get used to the macbook pro retina display i can not use the air. I wanted to go the macbook air way but could not. I got the macbook pro 13 2017 for 900 at bestbuy and is it just way faster and the screen colors are the best. I dont really care for the resolution but the air does need IPS the viewing angles are terrible, colors are washed out, and is not that bright

I suppose you have a point however personally I don't care too much about the retina display. For the most part I will be using the next laptop for running Linux based Virtual Machines, such as Kali or Fedora and regular productivity stuff. I prefer to use my Tri-Monitor (Windows) Desktop for heavy lifting and imaging work.

I did see the MacBook Pro deal through slickdeals however if I go the MBP route I would prefer to have atleast 16gb of Ram. Additionally just the 2 USB-C ports wouldn't have worked for me.

Although I am investigating a MBP 15" with 16GB ram (waiting to see what is offered in June), I am still leaning towards the highest built MBA. If there was an option for 16GB ram on MBA then that would have been my choice, especially considering how hardy and portable it is with a bonus of multiple port options. My current MBA is Late 2010 with a measly 4GB RAM but it continues to perform flawlessly even with High Sierra.

 

[Suzatlarge]

Okay. I very much like my good old 2013 11" MBA but I now play a lot with Photoshop and Lightroom, and it's not exactly high powered. There are some good deals going on new 13" MBAs. I have a question about the two choices of chips - 1.8 i5 vs. 2.2 i7.

Right now my local MicroCenter store has a new MBA with the 1.8 i5 chip and 256GB SSD on sale for $999.

So, here's my question, fellow MBA aficionados. Does anyone know, or have a strong opinion about, how much difference in performance I'd notice between the 1.8 i5 and the 2.2 i7? There are bargains to be found if the 1.8GHz will do, but the 2.2GHz models cost significantly more. As in a few hundred bucks more. Not sure that for my use it would be worth it but I'd like to hear some informed opinions on that.

That is probably a silly question. It's not like I really need a new MBA. My little 11" MBA is still operating just fine even if it's not a powerhouse. I have a nice MBP to do the heavy lifting for my photo processing, but after my years with the 11" MBA this MBP feels so blinking heavy. It is not something I'd like to grab and go with, unless I truly need to take it to a workshop or something where I'd really need its power.

I admit, I love the MBAs, and if Apple's going to abandon them I'd like to get a new one before that happens. (EDITED this because I was mistaken last night - the 1.8GHz is an i5, not an i7. Would still like to know what people think the difference in performance would be.)

 

[Macdctr]

Okay. I very much like my good old 2013 11" MBA but I now play a lot with Photoshop and Lightroom, and it's not exactly high powered. There are some good deals going on new 13" MBAs. I have a question about the two choices of chips - 1.8 i5 vs. 2.2 i7.

Right now my local MicroCenter store has a new MBA with the 1.8 i5 chip and 256GB SSD on sale for $999.

So, here's my question, fellow MBA aficionados. Does anyone know, or have a strong opinion about, how much difference in performance I'd notice between the 1.8 i5 and the 2.2 i7? There are bargains to be found if the 1.8GHz will do, but the 2.2GHz models cost significantly more. As in a few hundred bucks more. Not sure that for my use it would be worth it but I'd like to hear some informed opinions on that.

That is probably a silly question. It's not like I really need a new MBA. My little 11" MBA is still operating just fine even if it's not a powerhouse. I have a nice MBP to do the heavy lifting for my photo processing, but after my years with the 11" MBA this MBP feels so blinking heavy. It is not something I'd like to grab and go with, unless I truly need to take it to a workshop or something where I'd really need its power.

I admit, I love the MBAs, and if Apple's going to abandon them I'd like to get a new one before that happens. (EDITED this because I was mistaken last night - the 1.8GHz is an i5, not an i7. Would still like to know what people think the difference in performance would be.)

I myself would be inclined to keep the 11" MBA and just swap out the logic board. You can easily get an i7 2.2GHz 8GB logic board much cheaper than buying a new computer and then just swap out the board as long as you have the necessary tools. The repair guides found in ifixit.com are very informative and steps you thru step-by-step on how to do this. As for where to get the logic board? I have found eBay to be a very good source. I have done this to my 2013 i5 13inch MBA and now have a 2015 i7 2.2GHz 8GB logic board for much cheaper than having to buy a brand new computer.

here is a link I found for a replacement logic board for an 11 inch MBA
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Apple-MacBook-Air-11-Early-2015-i7-8GB-Logic-Board-3-Month-Warranty-Working/253567205187?ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT&_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649

The installed storage drive and wifi/bt card will simply swap over to the new logic board.

 

[Suzatlarge]

I myself would be inclined to keep the 11" MBA and just swap out the logic board. ...

Well, that's a new thought. I haven't investigated that. Thanks for the suggestion.

The thing is, and I didn't really say it in my post last night: if I'm going to spend any time or money on a Macbook Air, I'd rather it be a 13" MBA. Much as I like the tiny size of the 11" MBA, I've used 13" notebook computers (Macs and PCs) at work, and I like the screen size better. Also, the 13" has the SD card slot, and as a photographer that's an essential for me. It's not a deal killer that I have to carry a USB card reader along with my 11", but I'd rather have it built in to the computer than not. The 13" is still a light little portable (certainly when compared to my beast of a 15" rMBA) even if bigger than the 11".

Last night I was posting when I shoulda been sleeping. I was tired and had for some reason thought the MBA's 1.8GHz chip was an i7 instead of an i5 so my searches for performance comparisons with the 2.2GHz i7 were failures. Once I entered the correct designation this morning, I found some benchgeek numbers. Depending on which set I read, there seems to be a 10% difference. I'm still not sure if I'd be fine with the 1.8 i5 or in the future would regret not spending another few hundred for the 2.2 i7.

 

[Dingster101]

I love my 2016 MBA 13 inch. Fits between my iMac and iPad 10.5 nicely.

 

[Macdctr]

... I'm still not sure if I'd be fine with the 1.8 i5 or in the future would regret not spending another few hundred for the 2.2 i7.

If you're going to pony up the cash to buy a new 13 inch MBA then I would spend a little extra up front and just buy the BTO 2.2GHz i7 8GB version.

Since I ended up getting a 2013 13 inch MBA for an incredible deal I just swapped out the i5 4GB logic board for a 2015 2.2GHz 8GB logic board and sourced a Samsung 950 PRO M.2 NVMe 512GB drive. This newly configured MBA is actually now my fastest laptop. I have incredibly long battery life (>13hrs on a full charge) and great performance.

 

[Suzatlarge]

If you're going to pony up the cash to buy a new 13 inch MBA then I would spend a little extra up front and just buy the BTO 2.2GHz i7 8GB version.

Since I ended up getting a 2013 13 inch MBA for an incredible deal I just swapped out the i5 4GB logic board for a 2015 2.2GHz 8GB logic board and sourced a Samsung 950 PRO M.2 NVMe 512GB drive. This newly configured MBA is actually now my fastest laptop. I have incredibly long battery life (>13hrs on a full charge) and great performance.

If I had the slightest confidence that I could successfully swap out a logic board in a MBA I'd be tempted to try it. But instead, this afternoon I ordered a refurb max'ed out MBA from the Apple online store. the i7 + 512GB SDD. Should be available for pickup at my local Apple store mid-week. It's not even *on* the list of things I actually need, and I may decide to cancel the order. But at least I got one at the refurb price, which is a nice little discount, and I have a few more days to think about, plus some time to try it out and then return it.

Thanks for the comments and ideas.

EDITED TO UPDATE on May 15: I canceled the order. I kept looking at my budget and list of needs (vs. wants), and just can't justify spending that amount of money for a computer that I do not actually *need.* However, all my research and these forum discussions have been valuable. I'll keep an eye out for a good deal on a used MBA i7, and now I know what can reasonably - or even unreasonably - be upgraded in the MBAs. In the meantime I'm using my 15" 2014 rMBP mostly on the desktop, driving two 25" monitors and handling Photoshop and Lightroom nicely. With this little 11" MBA as my portable option. I ran Geekbench tests on it and it scored nicely above average for its peers. Thanks to all of you for contributing here. You've helped a lot.

 

[dogslobber]

It's amazing just how easy it is to work on the MBA platform... I have found that the MBA11 is just as easy to work on and it is not hard to swap out the logic board.

Agree. The bottom cover comes off easy and the battery is not glued in. Changing out the battery is so easy my mother-outlaw could do it. Replacing the trackpad in my MBP 13" required using the hair dryer to soften the glue and there were dozens of screws of all weird lengths and it was painstaking to do. The 13" MBA in its current form, inside and out, is a winner that couldn't be improved, IMO.

 

[unagimiyagi]

I think the MBA is a great laptop, but once you see what a retina screen looks like, it's really tough to go back to a pretty pixelated screen. I realize some people simply do not see the difference, or consider it to be a minor improvement, but to me it's like night and day and I can't see why others don't agree :>