refurbished mac air - best value?

[nashville man]

Considering MBA... I would be a first time Mac purchaser, Not a power user (replacing 10 yr old Compaq laptop running XP with only 512 RAM, etc. Hey its 10 years old. Normal word, Excel, ppt, growing, email etc. Probably will keep some photos and music, but larger video files etc. could always be on an external drive.

$64k question...looking at Apple store Air refurb options...

(Previous version) Fall 2010 11" dual core, 2/64 config for $699 (+ tax)

(Current version) July 2011 11" i5 sandy bridge 2/64 config $849 (+ tax)

(Current version) July 2010 11" i5 sandy bridge 4/128 config $999 ( + tax)

Obviously I plan to keep this as a very useful and light portable for many years, even if I later add a iMac or MBP later. Thoughts or suggestions on best value and van for the buck??

Thanks in advance.

 

[paulrbeers]

Current 4/128 for longevity due to the 4GB of RAM and 128GB drive. 4GB of RAM is almost a must. You can upgrade the SSD later if need be, but you can't do anything about the RAM.

 

[KylePowers]

I wouldn't want to use Lion with just 2GB of RAM, unless all I was doing was staring at the desktop the whole time. So go for a model that has 4GB, would be my advice.

My vote goes for the 2011 4GB/128GB for sure.

 

[tom vilsack]

http://store.apple.com/us/product/FC969LL/A

add to cart ;-)

 

[nashville man]

I wouldn't want to use Lion with just 2GB of RAM, unless all I was doing was staring at the desktop the whole time. So go for a model that has 4GB, would be my advice.

My vote goes for the 2011 4GB/128GB for sure.

Thanks guys. Sounds like a 4/128 is the minimum recommendation.
At $999 plus tax from Apple for a refurbished 111" 2011 4/128 version, will be about $1100. That's very close to a 13" MBP refurbished.

Would you go entry MBP or 11" Air 4/128 in the $1100 price point range?

 

[doktordoris]

I wouldn't want to use Lion with just 2GB of RAM, unless all I was doing was staring at the desktop the whole time. So go for a model that has 4GB, would be my advice.

My vote goes for the 2011 4GB/128GB for sure.

I bought my MBA to just use as a Netbook, watch video, and to do the odd bit of writing so I bought the cheap 11" machine. I think Lion performs amazingly well with a feeble 2gig. However my Air isn't used as a main machine.

 

[Astrofox]

Thanks guys. Sounds like a 4/128 is the minimum recommendation.
At $999 plus tax from Apple for a refurbished 111" 2011 4/128 version, will be about $1100. That's very close to a 13" MBP refurbished.

Would you go entry MBP or 11" Air 4/128 in the $1100 price point range?

Hmm check the screen size first, if you really want 11" (which is great it's just up to your needs) go with the Air. Pros are so bulky to me now, the Air (mine's 13) is the best laptop I've ever used. You said you wanted a portable, go for the real portable.

If it's not an immediate purchase, you could chance waiting for a 2012 MBA announcement and catch an upgrade special?

 

[gentlefury]

Do NOT get a 2010 Dual Core! I have that in my Mac Mini and while it is great for my purposes (a living room media center) it is HORRIBLE as a computer! The i5 and i7 in the 2011 are wonderful AND more importantly, hyper threaded! My Mac Mini has some lag issues and is just too slow and occasionally unstable. I would never use it for more than what its used for.

 

[talmy]

The 2011 models also have backlit keyboards, which are nice. And Thunderbolt may be useful someday.