Macbook Air to hold me over?

[throAU]

2c: buy a macbook pro 15", and a thunderbolt display.

The imac won't be a massive amount faster, you'll get the machine now, and you also gain portability and battery backup for when the power goes out.

Hard drive is easier to swap out in the macbook pro, also.

 

[MagicThief83]

Finally!!!

After endless waiting and vacillation to no avail, I finally plunged and ordered a 2012 11.6" MBA i7 2.0GHz, 8GB RAM, and 256GB SSD. All this waiting is pure insanity and to be honest (I could be wrong), I have a feeling that Apple won't be refreshing the iMac with ML. I believe we will see a refresh sometime this year, possibly around the fall as recent rumors have alluded to. Also, we haven't had any solid rumors (i.e., hardware leaks, model and SKU leaks, etc.), especially since we are so close to the supposed refresh. The geekbench score back in May was really the only solid piece of data, and any thing else besides that is just pure speculation. I need a computer and I needed one bad (iPad can only do so much right?), so I don't feel bad about my purchase at all. It should arrive between the 16th-18th. I still plan on getting an iMac, but that probably won't happen until sometime this fall/late fall. Also, this will give me plenty of time to see what pans out in the interim. This MBA will hold me over nicely until then. I really am excited as this will be my first mac and looking foward to learning and experiencing OSX. I am elated at the fact that I am paying for current technology, and didn't cave in after WWDC and purhcase an outdated 2011 iMac. These MBAs are beasts and I'm sure it will handle most of what I will throw at it with ease. I plan on bootcamping and running D3, so the HD 4000 should help. I'll save the real gaming later for when the new iMacs are refreshed. Anyway, I just want to thank everyone for their input and I hope the wait is worth it for everyone else.

 

[mikced76]

Dont waste your money on the Air when you clearly want the iMac 2012 July looks promising, and even if it wont happend until October its still probably only a few short months away. I went through university, got my business masters degree and I did not have my own computer until the very final thesis work began. If I could do so many years using library computers you could do three months, just saying Seems like want is stronger than actual need here.

Good luck whatever you decide.

Mike

 

[MagicThief83]

Dont waste your money on the Air when you clearly want the iMac 2012 July looks promising, and even if it wont happend until October its still probably only a few short months away. I went through university, got my business masters degree and I did not have my own computer until the very final thesis work began. If I could do so many years using library computers you could do three months, just saying Seems like want is stronger than actual need here.

Good luck whatever you decide.

Mike

Great way to put it, but unfortunately, I won't have the luxury nor the time of using library computers once school starts. I work full time (12 hr shifts), and when at school, I will have clinical and classes all day, so I don't have the option of using the Library's computers. I don't see the Air as a waste; rather, it would supplement my work/school needs nicely.

 

[mikced76]

The Air is a great a computer, I got my new 13 inch the other day and couldnt be happier hope you enjoy yours as much.

Best of luck with your studies.

Mike

 

[MagicThief83]

The Air is a great a computer, I got my new 13 inch the other day and couldnt be happier hope you enjoy yours as much.

Best of luck with your studies.

Mike

Thanks! I sure will Which 13" model did you get? Curious, why did you choose the 13" over the 11.6"?

 

[macmastersam]

No rumors really, but a retina equipped MBA seems almost certain. Who knows when, but it's certain that it's coming sometime. I'm in no desire need for the computer at the moment now though, I'm just waiting for the time to come so I can make a decision.

What if apple don't go completely retina with thier MacBook airs, but just bump up the pixel density, to, let's say 1920x1080 on the 11" and 1920x1200 on the 13" MacBook airs?

 

[mikced76]

I choose the 13 inch over the 11 inch version because it functions as my main computer. In my opinion the 11 inch is fine for shorter periods of time, but to spend several hours in front of such a small creen strains my eyes.

I went with the 120 GB model but had 8Gb of RAM to future proof it just a little bit for a very small price in my opinion.

mike

 

[palenran]

I have both MBA and IPad3 and I love both

Hello everyone! i was thinking of picking up a base 128GB Macbook Air to hold me over until the new iMacs are refreshed/released etc. i am really tired of all this waiting but i am not willing to pay a pretty penny for outdated technology. i really do hope the iMacs are refreshed soon. i feel like i am wasting my summer away with all this waiting. Atleast with an Air, i can begin to enjoy the experience of OSX while waiting for new iMacs. The Air will also be my back up for when school starts (as it has flash which the iPad does not) for assignments, online work, and what have you, just in case Apple decides to delay the refresh until the fall. At the same time, i would hate to drop money on an air when i have an iPad, as the iPad (i have the zaggfolio with keyboard for it) is more than capable of handling many work/school related tasks (minus the flash which is why i'm considering an Air). i find the air more appealing than a Macbook Pro because of it's lightweight, mobility, and friendlier price tag. Anyone here find it worth owning both an iPad and Air? i also feel the Air could complement the new iMac nicely, although the iPad can do just the same. Maybe i can pick up an Air now and then sell it once the iMacs are released? Thanks guys!

To answer one of your questions, I have both a 13" 2011 MBA and an iPad3 (Or "New iPad2"...whatever it's called). I use my MBA at work and around the house. It's super light and the SSD starts up from sleep immediately. Really convenient.

I also use my iPad, while on the train, in my car, and just out and about. There are so many great Apps that only run on IOS that there is real differentiation between what you can do on an iPad (with Cell service and a data plan) and what you can do on an MBA (with Wi-Fi).

I recommend the MBA for sure. Plug in a 500GB USB drive for Time Machine, a keyboard, mouse and a cheap 22" or 24" monitor for your desk and it's a really versatile computer. For me personally, the only reason to wait for an iMac would be if I wanted to do gaming or serious graphic editing on my computer - but that's just me.

Good luck in school...

 

[MagicThief83]

To answer one of your questions, I have both a 13" 2011 MBA and an iPad3 (Or "New iPad2"...whatever it's called). I use my MBA at work and around the house. It's super light and the SSD starts up from sleep immediately. Really convenient.

I also use my iPad, while on the train, in my car, and just out and about. There are so many great Apps that only run on IOS that there is real differentiation between what you can do on an iPad (with Cell service and a data plan) and what you can do on an MBA (with Wi-Fi).

I recommend the MBA for sure. Plug in a 500GB USB drive for Time Machine, a keyboard, mouse and a cheap 22" or 24" monitor for your desk and it's a really versatile computer. For me personally, the only reason to wait for an iMac would be if I wanted to do gaming or serious graphic editing on my computer - but that's just me.

Good luck in school...

Thank you very much! I really don't like comparing the iPad to the MBA because they are both different machines, with varying functions (although there is some overlap), and it's like comparing apples (no pun intended lol ) to oranges. They each are unique in their own right, and deserve their respectful place in the consumer market. I feel it's worth to have both, and there are things the MBA does better than the iPad and vice versa. I recently sold my PS3 and don't have anymore consoles. So the iMac would be reserved for serious stationary work/gaming, etc.