MBA in Best Buy for 700 bucks

[ignatius345]

Perhaps Apple's marketing research concluded that the people who buy the 11" MBA would generally be satisfied with the Macbook.

Yeah, the "pros" almost all tilt toward the MBA in a comparison between the two: much better ports, better battery life, Magsafe, an actual keyboard.

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Was just at Best Buy and they were selling me hard on the 128 GB Air.

I do most of daily work in Google Docs and sheets. I’m looking for a laptop with a great keyboard and battery life, and right now it looks like the only real option is the Air. I have an external display for at home so the screen resolution is not a huge deal. The only thing holding me back are the rumors of something new coming out in June. It’s really hard to pass up on this deal though. I know I’m going to be buying a computer that fits my needs, I’m wondering how much better it’s replacement could be.

Guaranteed the replacement will have that horrible keyboard, no Magsafe and some USB-C ports so you can enjoy #donglelife for the next few years (at least) until USB-A products start actually disappearing. You'll get a retina display, a bigger trackpad and maybe it'll be a little faster. I'm not sure what else they have to offer, honestly. These are rather lean days for Apple laptop utility.

 

[Dodgeman]

Yeah, I am headed to BB in a couple of hours to snag one. It will be perfect for how I want to use it. While I am an Apple fanboy, I have never bought an Apple computer. Looking forward to it.

I couldn't pull the trigger for $700 simply due to the screen. I may got take a second look because $700 is a great price and I think tge Mag Safe charger is great as well as the extra ports but have great TV and phone & tablet screens would have me 2nd guessing myself and it is only simply because of the screen. Such a shame.

At BB they actually have the Pro 256 the same price as the smaller MacBook only difference is you get better screen, better speakers, same memory, and a bigger screen. Only reason to buy the 12 inch is simply for portability purpose.

Anyone buying the MB Air how are you guys adjusting to the non retina display?

 

[Audit13]

I have a late 2013 13" retina and early 2015 13" Air. I have no problem using the Air.

If the screen bothers you now, I recommend not buying it because it will keep bothering you.

 

[sracer]

I couldn't pull the trigger for $700 simply due to the screen. I may got take a second look because $700 is a great price and I think tge Mag Safe charger is great as well as the extra ports but have great TV and phone & tablet screens would have me 2nd guessing myself and it is only simply because of the screen. Such a shame.

At BB they actually have the Pro 256 the same price as the smaller MacBook only difference is you get better screen, better speakers, same memory, and a bigger screen. Only reason to buy the 12 inch is simply for portability purpose.

Anyone buying the MB Air how are you guys adjusting to the non retina display?

please do us all and yourself a favor and skip the Macbook Air. If the screen is an issue for YOU why does it matter what other people think? We constantly look at the screen, not the magsafe connector so the presence of magsafe should be of a lower priority.

If you review the posts in the Macbook Air sub forum, you’ll see that EVRYONE who owns one loves theirs. The only ones who don’t love ‘em are the ones who don’t own them.

I absolutely love my 2014 11” MBA. If Apple still sold them I’d go out and buy a fully maxed out version at full MSRP. But I don’t know how that helps you.

 

[0002378]

Anyone buying the MB Air how are you guys adjusting to the non retina display?

It is perfectly fine for my friend and I. The awesome value for money, 12 hr battery life, standard ports and Magsafe completely outweigh the mediocre screen. We are loving every minute of using our new MBA.

I honestly think people have gotten spoiled by the Retina screen to a point where they can't appreciate a non-Retina screen.

I'm still rockin a mid-2009 non-Retina MBP and I have not a problem in the world with this screen.

I guess I'm blessed
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It's back to 700 bucks today!

Did you mean $750 ? Or did the $700 last just a few hours and then go up to $750 ?

 

[dogslobber]

Did you mean $750 ? Or did the $700 last just a few hours and then go up to $750 ?

700 with the student deal.

 

[Dodgeman]

When it is 2018 and updates will be coming along I kind of feel like I am going backwards in technology. The air would serve my needs just fine it just the face that if you had a computer since 4 or so yeats ago maybe 5 or 6 years ago the screen wouldn't be an issue because you already have and are using the device. (Same way I feel about my ipad mini.)
Who knows I may grab the air but not 100% sure the screen is a killer it just looks so dull and knowing I am going to have the computer at least a couple/few years then I may not want retina come 2020.

 

[dogslobber]

Who knows I may grab the air but not 100% sure the screen is a killer it just looks so dull and knowing I am going to have the computer at least a couple/few years then I may not want retina come 2020.

I got a 2014 13" MBP retina and a 2017 MBA. I prefer the MBA and the screen doesn't bother me at all.

 

[Dodgeman]

I got a 2014 13" MBP retina and a 2017 MBA. I prefer the MBA and the screen doesn't bother me at all.

Why?
I won't lie apple has a way of making something for everyone. Guess it boils down to what "feature" you prefer most.

 

[dogslobber]

Why?
I won't lie apple has a way of making something for everyone. Guess it boils down to what "feature" you prefer most.

I had a 2010 MBA until Christmas when I gave it away to the outlaws. Regret it now as these computers just don't die. But MBP has a suspect battery and I've already replaced a failed trackpad once so reliability is an issue. I know what's coming from Apple in the new MBA won't be a happy experience so I see a good thing in a 650$ MBA and know this might be my final Apple laptop purchase ever. The recent MBP computers are trash and these models are the classics, IMO.

 

[Dodgeman]

I had a 2010 MBA until Christmas when I gave it away to the outlaws. Regret it now as these computers just don't die. But MBP has a suspect battery and I've already replaced a failed trackpad once so reliability is an issue. I know what's coming from Apple in the new MBA won't be a happy experience so I see a good thing in a 650$ MBA and know this might be my final Apple laptop purchase ever. The recent MBP computers are trash and these models are the classics, IMO.

What year MBP did you replace? 2017 model?
[doublepost=1526213931][/doublepost]Also does the suggest the Macbook had better reliability than the Macbook Pro??

 

[dogslobber]

What year MBP did you replace? 2017 model?
[doublepost=1526213931][/doublepost]Also does the suggest the Macbook had better reliability than the Macbook Pro??

My model is from 2014 and there certainly are issues related to trackpads on some models of that era. If you research it then you start to see several issues similar to mine. In terms of reliability, as with every manufacturing process, the longer you manufacture a widget to a given spec then the higher the probability of efficiency and reliability of the widget. I think the MBA mfg process is entering its 8th year so these models are bulletproof now.

 

[sracer]

When it is 2018 and updates will be coming along I kind of feel like I am going backwards in technology. The air would serve my needs just fine it just the face that if you had a computer since 4 or so yeats ago maybe 5 or 6 years ago the screen wouldn't be an issue because you already have and are using the device. (Same way I feel about my ipad mini.)
Who knows I may grab the air but not 100% sure the screen is a killer it just looks so dull and knowing I am going to have the computer at least a couple/few years then I may not want retina come 2020.

It seems like you are trying to talk yourself into getting an MBA. In my experiences, that is usually a sign that it isn't a wise purchase. Why not simply go for the Pro that you earlier mentioned? You didn't list any negatives about it, other than a difference in portability compared to the rMacbook. Based on your comments, it seems like the decision should be between the rMacbook and a Pro.

 

[Dodgeman]

It seems like you are trying to talk yourself into getting an MBA. In my experiences, that is usually a sign that it isn't a wise purchase. Why not simply go for the Pro that you earlier mentioned? You didn't list any negatives about it, other than a difference in portability compared to the rMacbook. Based on your comments, it seems like the decision should be between the rMacbook and a Pro.

What the outcome there? Portability? Just a tough call and lots of $$

 

[sracer]

What the outcome there? Portability? Just a tough call and lots of $$

"Lots of money" for a device that you have no complaints about, or spend less and deal with the deficiencies from day-1 and every day of ownership. That's the choice.

If you spend $700 on a Macbook Air but you aren't delighted with it, then that is $700 poorly spent.

If you haven't done this yet, set up a spreadsheet and set the rows to be specific requirements, and columns to be (importance multiplier), MBA, rMB, MBP. Then plug in numbers for how important the requirement is, and 0-10 for how each of the 3 devices meets that need. Multiply and sum as required. In the end you'll get a weighted score for each which, if done with a lot of consideration, will guide you to the one that is best suited for you.

When I'm stuck deciding, that's what I do. It gets me to think about the true importance of things and helps compare options that aren't easily discernable as being better or worse.

 

[ignatius345]

Anyone buying the MB Air how are you guys adjusting to the non retina display?

I bounce back and forth between 2 Macs that have retina displays (2012 MBP and 2014 iMac 5K) and one that doesn't (MBA 11"). For writing, web stuff, general organization, etc, it honestly doesn't make a ton of difference to me. I see that the type is less sharp, but with a respectable pixel density of 135ppi, it's quite legible and your eyes fill in the details anyway. Of course it's nicer to look at the retina display, but I do not find myself dissatisfied looking at the Air's screen.

 

[Dodgeman]

I bounce back and forth between 2 Macs that have retina displays (2012 MBP and 2014 iMac 5K) and one that doesn't (MBA 11"). For writing, web stuff, general organization, etc, it honestly doesn't make a bit of difference to me. I see that the type is less sharp, but with a respectable pixel density of 135ppi, it's quite legible and your eyes fill in the details anyway. Of course it's nicer to look at the retina display, but I do not find myself dissatisfied looking at the Air's screen.

I could agree only issue I see is long term
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"Lots of money" for a device that you have no complaints about, or spend less and deal with the deficiencies from day-1 and every day of ownership. That's the choice.

If you spend $700 on a Macbook Air but you aren't delighted with it, then that is $700 poorly spent.

If you haven't done this yet, set up a spreadsheet and set the rows to be specific requirements, and columns to be (importance multiplier), MBA, rMB, MBP. Then plug in numbers for how important the requirement is, and 0-10 for how each of the 3 devices meets that need. Multiply and sum as required. In the end you'll get a weighted score for each which, if done with a lot of consideration, will guide you to the one that is best suited for you.

When I'm stuck deciding, that's what I do. It gets me to think about the true importance of things and helps compare options that aren't easily discernable as being better or worse.

For what I am doing, anything will work. I even had a Lenovo Yoga 2 n 1 cost $500 great laptop and even had the cool fingerprint scanner. Just did not want windows. Really do not know much about Mac either as last computer I had was 10 years ago and it served the purpose of a smart phone & tablet back then.
Fast forward to know with an iPad I've had for 5 years that computer was obsolete.