Should I buy 2017 MBA or wait for the new one?

[Micky Do]

The longevity of the SSD, and the build quality - the larger ones were better built - as much as the extra capacity were what persuaded me that the larger SSD drive was he way to go for me (that, and my large iTunes music library, which is well over 100GB - I'm not enamoured of the cloud renter model).

But, enjoy your MBA and the best of luck with it - it is still s superb computer.

A video here which supports your inclination toward the larger SSD, in a discussion of SSD longevity.

However, from my own usage point of view, I feel 128 GB should be adequate for work and occasional travel requirements. The real memory hogs, iTunes and Photos libraries, will remain the domain of my Mac Mini.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

A video here which supports your inclination toward the larger SSD, in a discussion of SSD longevity.

However, from my own usage point of view, I feel 128 GB should be adequate for work and occasional travel requirements. The real memory hogs, iTunes and Photos libraries, will remain the domain of my Mac Mini.

Good luck with it.

 

[Audit13]

Well, ended up having to return the MBA... I installed the Mojave beta, but then subsequently decided to go back to High Sierra. Booted from the USB installer I had previously made, erased the SSD, and started the installation, but the installer gave an error after a while (and recommended running diagnostics, which came up clean). Tried again several times, same result. The store didn't have any more in stock, so I ponied up for the MBP 13.

Weird because I have two early 13" MBA and upgraded both to beta Mojave and was able to format and re-installed Sierra on both units. Once is running an Intel 600p nvme drive and the other is running a stock Apple 256 SSD.

Maybe the install files were corrupt?

 

[mcaswell]

Weird because I have two early 13" MBA and upgraded both to beta Mojave and was able to format and re-installed Sierra on both units. Once is running an Intel 600p nvme drive and the other is running a stock Apple 256 SSD.

Maybe the install files were corrupt?

Possibly, though it didn't give any indication as to such... seemed to insist that there was something wrong with the computer (though, again, diagnostics came up clean). In hindsight, perhaps I should have tried downloading a new copy on another machine and creating a new install drive.

 

[Audit13]

Possibly, though it didn't give any indication as to such... seemed to insist that there was something wrong with the computer (though, again, diagnostics came up clean). In hindsight, perhaps I should have tried downloading a new copy on another machine and creating a new install drive.

Doesn't matter now because you still wound up with an excellent machine!

 

[Tech198]

I got my 2017 MBA last week. I would think not much huge predictions to wait for revised MBA. Just get it now... You won't see a massive change...

USB-C will be the only one really.

 

[Jacoblee23]

I got my 2017 MBA last week. I would think not much huge predictions to wait for revised MBA. Just get it now... You won't see a massive change...

USB-C will be the only one really.

Is it your primary machine or do you have other ones as well?

 

[Micky Do]

If you are going for the 'base model' MBA, I would recommend that you get 256 GB SSD at the very least.

As I have posted elsewhere and her, the MBA (post 2013) is the best computer Apple has ever made, to my mind.

Told ya so moment..... I went for the base 128 GB HDD model because I expected my Air would mainly supplement the Mac Mini on my desk. Getting the 256 GB model might have saved some hassle!

I anticipated replacing my 2009 Mini with the latest model, sooner or later. The latest, pricey iteration has turned out to be a disappointment from my point of view. It has performance beyond my needs, but comes with just 128 GB SSD, that cannot be replaced. Custom ordered with a bigger SSD adds substantially to the cost...... I don't see a new Mac Mini on my desk any time soon!

With a more itinerant phase to my life in the offing, I am not even going to have a desk for a while, so Plan B has kicked in..... Getting the Air upgraded with a 512GB SSD (@ about $US300) I can now shift everything over from the Mini.

However the 512 GB SSD leaves plenty of storage to spare, and overall works out at only about $100 more than the 256 GB model would have cost. I'm OK with that!

 

[Scepticalscribe]

Told ya so moment..... I went for the base 128 GB HDD model because I expected my Air would mainly supplement the Mac Mini on my desk. Getting the 256 GB model might have saved some hassle!

I anticipated replacing my 2009 Mini with the latest model, sooner or later. The latest, pricey iteration has turned out to be a disappointment from my point of view. It has performance beyond my needs, but comes with just 128 GB SSD, that cannot be replaced. Custom ordered with a bigger SSD adds substantially to the cost...... I don't see a new Mac Mini on my desk any time soon!

With a more itinerant phase to my life in the offing, I am not even going to have a desk for a while, so Plan B has kicked in..... Getting the Air upgraded with a 512GB SSD (@ about $US300) I can now shift everything over from the Mini.

However the 512 GB SSD leaves plenty of storage to spare, and overall works out at only about $100 more than the 256 GB model would have cost. I'm OK with that!

My current MBA - on which I am writing this post - is a maxed out CTO from 2014; that means it cam with 8 GB RAM, 512 GB SSD, and a Core i7.

In any case, 128 GB would never be enough for me - not now - not when my iTunes library is already over 100GB.

My own personal rule when buying a computer is to max out absolutely everything that can be maxed out - yes, it can be a bit expensive at the time, but it does serve to future proof it to some extent, and means that it can be used for a good number of years and still be almost contemporary in terms of specifications and use.