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So is this a bad time to buy an Air?

S

Stonefarm

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Feb 22, 2012
2
0
Sorry if this a repeat of smth that has previously been discussed, but I just registered here...

I absolutely wanna get myself an MBA but I see you guys posting rumours about a next gen MBA, which makes me hesitant about splashing the cash right now?

- Is there any concrete evidence that an entirely new 2012 MBA will hit the shelves any time soon?

Thank you guys :)
 
2012 macbook air release...TBA.

If you want to buy a mba now, then get one. If you're willing to play the waiting game, then save your pennies for the new model in "several months". I just got a 13 inch mba i5 128gb refurb from apple and I'm not regretting my purchase nor am I looking back on it. Enjoy it if you get it. Its a beautiful machine.
 
Any new Apple computer you get will have terrific resale value, so you could just go ahead and get one now—you should be able to get a good portion of the cost back & use that to get the upgrade.

If that sounds like too much trouble, you'll just have to decide how important you think the improvements will be to you. Expect better battery life, a little faster, maybe more storage options... Hi-res display and a better camera if we're lucky.

The current MBA is great, but if those sound like things you'd be interested in, and you're not in a hurry, you might want to wait... I would guess 6-8 months, give or take.
 
Thanks guys. The high re-sale value is a good point.

I think I'll try and stick it out and wait for the next gen, thus continuing this drowsy dance with my obsolete netbook...:)
 
I think it all depends on your needs and current requirements. If you really need to buy a new MBA, then buy it now.

If you can wait until the next MBA arrives, and you really don't have the need to buy one, right now, then just simply wait.
 
NutsNGum said:
There is no bad time to buy an Air.
Click to expand...
Well, thats not true at all. Apple product pricing is pretty rigid until the next version comes out. So if the $1199 11" Air gets replaced in 2 months then that same $1199 will buy the new version while the old model gets clearances out.

Anyway, with Mountain Lion being a "Summer" release then I'd wager thats when we'll see the new Air's also. I don't think Apple will necessarily revamp the existing Air's but I think we'll see the Air family grow with at 15" Air Pro.
 
I once saw an older woman walking out of the Apple store in Soho with a brand new 17 inch Macbook pro. I knew there was a rumor of a refresh right around the corner. The Next day Apple released new models. I immediately thought of that woman. Oh well.
 
Stonefarm said:
Thanks guys. The high re-sale value is a good point.

I think I'll try and stick it out and wait for the next gen, thus continuing this drowsy dance with my obsolete netbook...:)
Click to expand...


That is a good decision. I think the whole 'high re-sale value' is pretty moot. People who paid 2600+ for Max Specced 15" Pro early 2011 can barely sell it for 1700 now. That is a $900 loss. I bought my Air for 1300. If I tried to sell it today, I would be able to sell it for around 900-1000. That is a 300-400 loss.

A couple months ago, I sold my 10 month old Thinkpad X120e for 380. I bought it for 380 after tax. It is all relative to how expensive it was to begin with. Most people complain about buying a $600 HP and not being able to resell it a couple years later, and praise the fact that their $3000 MBP can be sold for $700 after 2 years of use.

I buy and sell laptops for giggles because I am searching for the perfect laptop (Five laptops in the past year). So far, I've settled on the 13" Air, but I am eagerly waiting for Ivy Bridge / Kepler.
 
If you want/need one now then buy now. There are always going to be rumors of an update out there and if you wait you could be waiting forever. I just picked up an Air and love its great for travel super fast and a great design, overall I love it its a great alternative for when I don't want to carry around my Pro.
 
We got a 2010 Air a couple of month before the 2011s came out.

yes, its only a core2 1.6, but it is still fast for what is used on it; wake from sleep, general web stuff it is faster than my 2011 Pro, even - the on paper spec doesn't do them justice, the SSD is so much of a win.


If you're not a massive power user, i doubt you'll notice any difference between a 2011 and and the next model to be honest, unless they go retina display.
 
Bokes said:
I once saw an older woman walking out of the Apple store in Soho with a brand new 17 inch Macbook pro. I knew there was a rumor of a refresh right around the corner. The Next day Apple released new models. I immediately thought of that woman. Oh well.
Click to expand...

And I bet she doesn't give a ****!
 
I have the first $999 11" MBA. Just found out yesterday I get my bonus next week. To celebrate, I want to get myself a new MBA. I think I'm going to wait for Ivy since my current MBA is going pretty good. I think I'm going to spend another $300 this time and get the base 13" though.
 
Similar question to the OP's for those of you who pay attention to these things:
What's the likelihood of further price drops on refurbished MBAs once the 2012 model is out? The one I want (13" model from 2011) is currently $200 below retail.
 
I suffer from severe "waitfornextrelease-idous"...and played the same game before I bought my 13" Air 3 weeks ago. No regrets, start enjoying it now.

IF Ivy Bridge really compels you to upgrade, resale value of your SB Air will be decent.
 
stickybuns said:
Similar question to the OP's for those of you who pay attention to these things:
What's the likelihood of further price drops on refurbished MBAs once the 2012 model is out? The one I want (13" model from 2011) is currently $200 below retail.
Click to expand...

Usually refurbished units start at at 15% discount, and then eventually move to a 25% discount when they fall 2 generations behind.
 
KPOM said:
Usually refurbished units start at at 15% discount, and then eventually move to a 25% discount when they fall 2 generations behind.
Click to expand...

Thank you, KPOM! So, it sounds like being patient will only save me another $100. My 2008 MacBook took a bad fall and will need about $300 in DIY repairs (cracked screen, damaged optical drive, non responsive touch pad), so I may as well upgrade now and skip the bandage.
 
Bokes said:
I once saw an older woman walking out of the Apple store in Soho with a brand new 17 inch Macbook pro. I knew there was a rumor of a refresh right around the corner. The Next day Apple released new models. I immediately thought of that woman. Oh well.
Click to expand...

The Apple store has a 14-day return policy even on open items. If she was smart she would have brought it back and got the new version for free. It's very possible that she didn't know or care though.
 
This thread has been very helpful. My wife has been wanting an MBA and I had concerns about getting one now. This makes me feel more confident.
 
bobsentell said:
This thread has been very helpful. My wife has been wanting an MBA and I had concerns about getting one now. This makes me feel more confident.
Click to expand...

They really are great little computers. I'm sure she'll love it. The screen real estate (resolution) is quite a lot despite its smaller size.
 
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