Toggle sidebar Toggle sidebar
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

MBA Build to Order Options

H

hellomms

macrumors regular
Original poster
13" rMBP is a disappointment - IMHO. Thinking of getting MBA instead (my first Mac). Not sure what configuration I should go for - primarily to get 3-4 good performance years out of it. Here are the options:

- upgrade base to i7 and 8gb ram ~ $1699
- upgrade base to i7 only ~ $1599
- upgrade base to 8gb ram only ~ $1299
- don't upgrade and get 4gb w/ i5 base (as it may be an obsolete in 3 years) ~ $1199

PS: I don't plan to play games, I would be using it for studying and general computing, browsing, etc. though I had heard that the new OSX was causing some lag in certain MacBooks.
 
Last edited:
Base to 8gb if you want to future proof although 4gb shoud be more than adequate for browsing and general computing.
 
I'm in college and want to carry light. First macbook and currently using a 11" netbook. I just ordered the 13" 2.8 i5 8gb/128ssd.
 
In order of priority I would say:

1) Increase RAM to 8Gb

2) Increase SSD to 256Gb

3) Increase CPU to 2Ghz i7

The CPU bump is probably the least important for most people. I went for all three, though 😀

----------
Lukewarmwinner said:
Just ordered the base with 8gb RAM. It seems to increase delivery time by a week?
Click to expand...

Its worth it
 
oxfordguy said:
In order of priority I would say:

1) Increase RAM to 8Gb

2) Increase SSD to 256Gb

3) Increase CPU to 2Ghz i7

The CPU bump is probably the least important for most people. I went for all three, though 😀

----------



Its worth it
Click to expand...

I know! Although those upgrades are expensive! 🙂. That's why I only upgraded the ram. So just to save some bucks I'll have to do with 128gb - thank god for Dropbox 🙂
 
Lukewarmwinner said:
I know! Although those upgrades are expensive! 🙂. That's why I only upgraded the ram. So just to save some bucks I'll have to do with 128gb - thank god for Dropbox 🙂
Click to expand...

Indeed, and at least with the 2012 MBA you can connect external discs with USB 3.0, which is *way* faster than USB 2.0. The RAM is not possible to extend at all, though, so is the priority over SSD capacity, if you have to make a choice.

If you do need more storage space, this new G-Tech USB 3.0 drive is nice (and pretty cheap): http://www.g-technology.com/products/g-drive-slim.cfm

(BTW USB 2.0 versions of this drive are still on sale in some places, so if you go for this drive, make sure its a USB 3.0 one!)
 
Last edited:
What and when I am facing if I dont upgrade?


I got $200 Amazon GC and wont have to pay tax either - unfortunately Amazon doesnt have a 8gb version.
 
hellomms said:
What and when I am facing if I dont upgrade?


I got $200 Amazon GC and wont have to pay tax either - unfortunately Amazon doesnt have a 8gb version.
Click to expand...

Honestly, I would just buy the non-upgraded at Amazon. But it depends on your financial situation. Money is a focus point for me, so a 200$ saving would be nice. If you do heavy tasking then you might have to plunge for a upgrade, but if you're normal user then don't
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.
Top Bottom
Back