Refurb 2011 i7 or 2012 i5?

[kieonsegg]

Need some people's opinion on this.
Buying an air. I use it for what any other university student uses it for. Videos, Facebook, adult content, and of course macrumors.

Both are the same price.

2012 i5 basic specs 13"
OR
Refurb mid 2011 13" 8gb ram i7 and 256gb ssd?

USB 3.0 holds no significance to me whatsoever

EDIT** I also have 50 gigs of music

What do you guys think?
Thanks!

 

[Mjmar]

You can't get 8gb of ram in last years model

 

[kieonsegg]

You can't get 8gb of ram in last years model

Yeah you're right my mistake

 

[Mjmar]

Yeah you're right my mistake

If I were you I'd try to get an Air with the 8gigs of ram so that it will last longer

 

[kieonsegg]

Anybody? Hah

 

[RocketRed]

2012 i5

 

[rygamble]

2012 i5 appears to actually be faster than 2011 i7.

 

[ancilla]

Not even a question--2012 i5!

 

[tbobmccoy]

The RAM upgrade alone is worth it. Go 2012.

 

[kieonsegg]

The RAM upgrade alone is worth it. Go 2012.

What exactly do you mean? They both have 4gb. I am going to go with the 2012 but do you think the extra 108$ is worth it to upgrade to 8 gb?

 

[AlanShutko]

What exactly do you mean? They both have 4gb. I am going to go with the 2012 but do you think the extra 108$ is worth it to upgrade to 8 gb?

For me, YES.

You may not need it now, but depending on how long you intend to keep the machine, you may need it in the future.

 

[crazyxzer0]

remember the graphics card is different on the 2012

 

[tbobmccoy]

For me, YES.

You may not need it now, but depending on how long you intend to keep the machine, you may need it in the future.

Exactly it. The upgrade to 8GB will help future proof your mac, as well as being a lot better at performance and multitasking. Plus, in integrated gfx cards, the upgraded RAM gives you upgraded Virtual Memory for your graphics to share. I think 8GB will allow 512mb of RAM to be shared, which does make a difference.

 

[kieonsegg]

Exactly it. The upgrade to 8GB will help future proof your mac, as well as being a lot better at performance and multitasking. Plus, in integrated gfx cards, the upgraded RAM gives you upgraded Virtual Memory for your graphics to share. I think 8GB will allow 512mb of RAM to be shared, which does make a difference.

Could I just void my warranty and upgrade my ram on my own if I find it too slow? (I have a feeling I read somewhere where you can't on the new airs)

 

[AlanShutko]

Could I just void my warranty and upgrade my ram on my own if I find it too slow? (I have a feeling I read somewhere where you can't on the new airs)

You can't upgrade RAM on any of the Airs (including the original). It's soldered to the motherboard.