Scottsdale: I understand your argument, and I think if it was any other product, I would totally agree with you. For strictly my needs, a refurb Rev A was the perfect choice for me, and I was confident in that choice fully aware of the problems and "inferior" components. So far, fingers crossed, my MBA has been wonderful, the first week I had it, I didn't use Coolbook or apply Arctic Silver and it was fine, if I hadn't read about those two things, I would be none the wiser and kept on using my MBA happily. But I like to tinker and if it lowers temps a couple of degrees, that's cool with me.
So far I have used my MBA strictly for surfing the web and word processing. I stripped it of iLife and hell even iTunes. I can use pandora, and I have an iMac for the rest of my computing needs. I use it while laying in bed, on the couch, at a coffee shop and on the plane. A refurb Rev A serves my needs adequately. Given this scenario, I couldn't justify spending 80% more for a Rev B. There's a lot of better things I can do with $800 than spend it on extra computing power that overall may have little effect on my computing experience; ie a Time Capsule and an Apple TV, and still have some to take my lady out for a nice dinner, as a sign of thanks for looking the other way when I ordered my MBA.
I still have a warranty, and if I need to use it that's fine, no one makes a perfect product. I will invest in Applecare for it before my year is up, and if I do run into severe enough problems that they swap it for a Rev B; lucky me.
As I said before, any other product and I would be in total agreement. I would not of compromised if it was my iMac or if it was a MB or MBP that I would use more heavily. But laying on the couch, watching the game, and browsing MacRumors; I am in heaven.
