To upgrade before 7th Sep or not...

[MrMister111]

MacBook Air hasn't really been upgrade (apart from a RAM boost) in 2 years now.

As an Apple event is coming I'm wondering wether to buy one. Obvious answer is wait...but...

There's an offer on currently for free Wireless beats (£269), with the education offer which is about 10% off an Air. Just so happens this runs out on Sep 5th....

So conundrum, but with a education discount and get free beats or wait...?

 

[44267547]

I mean, if the beats/discount are that crucial to you, then there is your answer.

But at this point in the game, it would be silly not to wait. A refresh is likely imminent.

 

[bodonnell202]

The Macbook Air refreshes are probably not showing up on the 7th anyway. It's likely to show up later this fall. If it's the Air you are interesting in I suspect it will be just a refresh with new CPUs (Skylake, which is only a modest speed boost over the current Broadwell chips anyway, but with a slightly bigger boost on the graphics front) and USB-C. If neither of those things are that important to you and you are getting a good discount (which it sounds like you are) then I would go for it now.

 

[MrMister111]

I know it's a hard question to answer really...

It's for college work ultimately but obviously if newer, will last longer.

The Beats aren't that important, but important enough to think about the discount. With those free AND a discount off the Air then it's even better.

I'm thinking of the Air purely again for price, it's cheapest MacBook available.

 

[loby]

I know it's a hard question to answer really...

It's for college work ultimately but obviously if newer, will last longer.

The Beats aren't that important, but important enough to think about the discount. With those free AND a discount off the Air then it's even better.

I'm thinking of the Air purely again for price, it's cheapest MacBook available.

If you read these forums, you will always have comments that say last year's model is slow or outdated etc. and not worth it.

But the reality and truth of the matter is that probably for the last five years, technology has reach a place where for the average user, it is more than enough.

If you are just doing homework, reports, Internet, Facebook, and on occasion simple video creation or music stuff, then you are good with the latest or even a few years back and you will not really notice much of a difference really. Go with the deal if money is a concern.

If you desire gaming or more intensive demanding apps, then you may want to wait, but again the latest is just maybe a 10% increase of CPU performance, a a slight better graphics if you want to run a 5K monitor, but may not still be 'enough' for some.

You have to be honest about what is more important to you, cost verses performance and performance will probably not be noticeable at your user demands.

Everyone always wants the cheapest with the most or latest technology. Maybe in the Windows world, but not on the mac side.

 

[infinitejest]

You have a 14 days return policy, so you can order it before the 5th (to get the free headphones) and return it, if they announce anything at the event on the 7th.

Personally, I don't believe the Air will get a big update (if at all). It's highly unlikely that they put a retina screen in the Air, since the rMB has one. A retina screen would be the only thing I'd love to have in the Air. But, as mentioned, the Broadwell chips are powerful enough for college work, so you likely wouldn't notice much difference anyway, if the Air had Skylake chips (at least in terms of processing power).
Besides that, the only rumors we got so far suggested that they put USB-C in the Air.

This basically means that you should consider what you think is missing in the Air that you would actually want or need and how likely it is that they will put it in. For me, as mentioned, it would only be the retina screen, but I highly doubt we will ever get it.

Furthermore, you can sell the Beats for around $150-$200, if you don't really need it. That makes the Air even cheaper.

 

[MrMister111]

You have a 14 days return policy, so you can order it before the 5th (to get the free headphones) and return it, if they announce anything at the event on the 7th.

Great idea, wonder if this is allowed with the free Beats offer and education, not sure on exact terms but really handy if so!

Who knows what's enough as you say. I think it will be personally, and as it's the cheapest MacBook then this is the route to take.

Furthermore, you can sell the Beats for around $150-$200, if you don't really need it. That makes the Air even cheaper.

Exactly. I think selling those for say £150, also getting the 13" Air with discount, would make the deal for the actual Air over normal shop price of about £600

 

[kiwipeso1]

MacBook Air hasn't really been upgrade (apart from a RAM boost) in 2 years now.

As an Apple event is coming I'm wondering wether to buy one. Obvious answer is wait...but...

There's an offer on currently for free Wireless beats (£269), with the education offer which is about 10% off an Air. Just so happens this runs out on Sep 5th....

So conundrum, but with a education discount and get free beats or wait...?

Personally speaking, Beats aren't worth it.
They were the only headphones brand that constantly got stolen from workmates, and they don't output accurately in comparison with Sony or Sennheiser.

 

[RedTomato]

Get your ducks in a row. Book time for a visit to the apple shop to return it before your 14 day period expires.

 

[Boyd01]

You have a 14 days return policy, so you can order it before the 5th (to get the free headphones) and return it, if they announce anything at the event on the 7th.

As I read the terms and conditions, you would also have to return the headphones if you do that.

https://www.apple.com/promo/pdf/US_Summer_Beats_2016_TCs.pdf

• If an Eligible Product is returned for any reason without the Promo Product, or is exchanged for a product other than an Eligible Product, the amount of your refund will be reduced by the amount of the instant credit applied to your initial purchase of the Eligible Product.
  

obviously if newer, will last longer.

If you wait until the 7th, you will get a computer that is 6 days newer. Not sure why you think that will make it last longer.

 

[infinitejest]

As I read the terms and conditions, you would also have to return the headphones if you do that.

https://www.apple.com/promo/pdf/US_Summer_Beats_2016_TCs.pdf

• If an Eligible Product is returned for any reason without the Promo Product, or is exchanged for a product other than an Eligible Product, the amount of your refund will be reduced by the amount of the instant credit applied to your initial purchase of the Eligible Product.

Of course you have to return the headphones but that's not the point. The point is that he can decide if the new MacBooks (if there are any) are worth the extra bucks. If not, he still has the headphones.

 

[Pugly]

I have this suspicion that a new MacBook Air is going to be a streamlining of the Airs. One model, no configuration... or very light configuration. With USB-C to keep it somewhat current. Perhaps USB-C will replace thunderbolt. Apple still needs a low cost configuration for education markets and entry level computer buyers. I predict the 11 inch is done, with only a lingering 13 inch. Maybe the 13 inch will go down to 899... I think Apple has a problem in making their Air too good of a value because they want to sell you an iPad instead.

This new Air will be analogous to the unibody white MacBook Apple made in 2009 while the MacBook Air was getting refined. That was only made for 2 years.

I doubt the performance will be that much better. Just a slight update to the frame and cpus.

The Air is a weird computer because it already does everything people ask of it. It did that even 3 years ago, or whenever the cpus really started to get good and the flash storage got ridiculously fast. They seem more commodity like than ever really... just get one and use it until it breaks and then get another. The latest and greatest loses it's luster when you only get 5% cpu improvements. But the Air is not flashy or impressive anymore. It's been the same for 5+ years now, which is pretty crazy in the computer world.

So getting one right now isn't the worst thing to do, if you really need a computer and can live with having old designs and nothing flashy. But if you wait you'll get a slight performance increase... that you probably will never notice in day to day use. USB-C might be good to have for the future. That port is the future and will be around a long time. So missing that could be a deal breaker...

 

[kiwipeso1]

I have this suspicion that a new MacBook Air is going to be a streamlining of the Airs. One model, no configuration... or very light configuration. With USB-C to keep it somewhat current. Perhaps USB-C will replace thunderbolt. Apple still needs a low cost configuration for education markets and entry level computer buyers. I predict the 11 inch is done, with only a lingering 13 inch. Maybe the 13 inch will go down to 899... I think Apple has a problem in making their Air too good of a value because they want to sell you an iPad instead.

This new Air will be analogous to the unibody white MacBook Apple made in 2009 while the MacBook Air was getting refined. That was only made for 2 years.

I doubt the performance will be that much better. Just a slight update to the frame and cpus.

The Air is a weird computer because it already does everything people ask of it. It did that even 3 years ago, or whenever the cpus really started to get good and the flash storage got ridiculously fast. They seem more commodity like than ever really... just get one and use it until it breaks and then get another. The latest and greatest loses it's luster when you only get 5% cpu improvements. But the Air is not flashy or impressive anymore. It's been the same for 5+ years now, which is pretty crazy in the computer world.

So getting one right now isn't the worst thing to do, if you really need a computer and can live with having old designs and nothing flashy. But if you wait you'll get a slight performance increase... that you probably will never notice in day to day use. USB-C might be good to have for the future. That port is the future and will be around a long time. So missing that could be a deal breaker...

USB-C 2 is TB3, same port & 2 connection speeds. It can also do HDMI 4k.
Of course, it would make sense to wait for a few days rather than get left behind on old MBA with questionable headphones for free.

 

[Boyd01]

I think the real question is whether you are willing to wait until sometime in October…. And then if they don't come, you can decide if you want to wait until January… or whatever.
____________

https://www.macrumors.com/2016/09/02/what-to-expect-from-apples-september-7-event/

"We're all eager to see new Macs, especially the rumored MacBook Pro that features a major design overhaul with an OLED function bar, but unfortunately, refreshed Macs are not expected at the September 7 event.

Multiple reputable sources have said the event will focus on the iPhone and Apple Watch 2, with Macs to come later in the year, perhaps as soon as October."
_____________

IMO, if you need a computer, buy it now. There is always a better one "coming real soon". I have just begun a large video project and have been using my 2013 i7/8gb/512gb MBA. Was thinking it might be time to upgrade to something a little better, perhaps a Mini. But when I compared the benchmarks I was surprised to see that the top of the line Mini is only about 10% faster than my 3 year old MBA and I would have to spend something like $1200-$1700 depending on the configuration.

So I'm just sticking with the MBA for now, perhaps I'll upgrade to something else next year if it looks worthwhile.

 

[theluggage]

USB-C 2 is TB3, same port & 2 connection speeds. It can also do HDMI 4k.

Uh, its a bit more complicated than that.

USB-C is a connector & cabling standard that can carry many different protocols including USB 1/2/3.1g1/3.1g2, DisplayPort, HDMI and Thunderbolt 3. However, not all devices with USB-C ports will support all of those, e.g. the 12" MacBook doesn't support Thunderbolt or USB 3.1gen2.

Its probably easier to say that Thunderbolt 3 is a superset of USB-C - Thunderbolt 3 ports will have the Thunderbolt logo and use the USB-C connector, and also support USB 1/2/3.1g1/3.1g2 & DisplayPort 1.2 since those are baked in to the TB3 controller chip. However (if I've got this right) there will be USB-C cables, short passive Thunderbolt cables (which I'm guessing are just USB-C cables certified for Thunderbolt) and active Thunderbolt cables (with cable controller chips in the plugs needed for top TB3 speeds & TB3 cables more than a few feet long, and which will only connect to other Thunderbolt devices). Then you get on to the distinction between USB-C DisplayPort Alt mode (which can connect directly to DP devices and potentially drive 5k displays via DisplayPort 1.3) and Thunderbolt 3's DisplayPort support (which only does DP1.2, but can drive 5k displays by cramming two DP1.2 cables' worth of data down a single TB cable... but needs a TB display at the other end) and try to decide what a TB3 port in USB-C DisplayPort Alt-mode can do... Whimper.

Also - its as clear as mud whether any existing USB-C port or TB3 port (using the current controller, or built in to forthcoming Kaby Lake CPUs) is going to be able to use the new direct USB-C-to-HDMI cables recently announced. I don't see how they can since the "HDMI alt mode for USB-C" has only just been announced... which means that some USB-C ports will need active HDMI adapters and new ones will only need passive cables.

USB-C is an exiting idea but it also has the potential to be a can of worms (I just hope that, in practice, they stick to the 3 types of cable above... I've seen talk of multiple grades of USB-C cable apart from the Thunderbolt variants).

This would be a bad year to take up IT tech support

 

[flowrider]

You have a 14 days return policy, so you can order it before the 5th (to get the free headphones) and return it, if they announce anything at the event on the 7th.

I know I'll get slammed for this, but IMHO, this kind of thinking is frivolous and short sighted. This is preciously the reason electronics cost so much. People buy, change their mind and return the product. Who bears the cost for this - the consumer.

Before I buy anything, I do research up front. I have only returned items that have been defective, never anything that worked as advertised.

infinitejest's idea is rather new to the marketplace, within the last 5 or 6 years, and is rapidly gaining acceptance particularly with younger folks. It really does no one any good and it's effect is just to raise the costs of goods.

The scheme suggested above is just an insurance policy, that the original purchaser does not pay for. The cost is borne by others.

Lou

 

[sracer]

I know I'll get slammed for this, but IMHO, this kind of thinking is frivolous and short sighted. This is preciously the reason electronics cost so much. People buy, change their mind and return the product. Who bears the cost for this - the consumer.

You are entitled to your opinion but that is NOT precisely the reason electronics cost so much... because they don't cost so much. Do you happen to know the return rate for electronics? Are they different than the return rate for other products?

Before I buy anything, I do research up front. I have only returned items that have been defective, never anything that worked as advertised.

That's good for you. Not everyone can determine the suitability of a product by doing research. In this particular situation it isn't a matter of suitability but one of timing and product secrecy. What if anything new to be announced on the 7th is an unknown. That is by design. Wise consumers work around those limitations not simply sheepishly follow.

infinitejest's idea is rather new to the marketplace, within the last 5 or 6 years, and is rapidly gaining acceptance particularly with younger folks. It really does no one any good and it's effect is just to raise the costs of goods.

The scheme suggested above is just an insurance policy, that the original purchaser does not pay for. The cost is borne by others.

Lou

That is pure conjecture. It should be no surprise that if ZERO percent of products were returned there would be no downward pressure on prices. Although companies might factor in employee theft and customer returns into the the pricing, pricing is NOT adjusted downward if return rates are below the projections used in establishing the MSRP. Unless there is hard evidence to the contrary, the return rate is not higher than projected and so don't result in higher than expected prices.

 

[flowrider]

but that is NOT precisely the reason electronics cost so much... because they don't cost so much.

I know I'd be called out on this, and you didn't let me down But it most certainly is so. Ever heard of the term "spoilage"? That is built into the price of any product you buy, and in electronics it most certainly contains returns that can not be sold as new. It's the cost of doing business and that cost is passed on to the consumer in the form of a retail price that is higher than it needs to be.

That is pure conjecture.

Conjecture it is NOT! I've been around longer than you have and was in retail for a small part of my working life. I have watched it happen and have witnessed the consequences in the marketplace.

Lou

 

[infinitejest]

That's good for you. Not everyone can determine the suitability of a product by doing research. In this particular situation it isn't a matter of suitability but one of timing and product secrecy. What if anything new to be announced on the 7th is an unknown. That is by design. Wise consumers work around those limitations not simply sheepishly follow.

Thank you @sracer, this is exactly what I was going to reply and what was the intention behind the whole return idea.

Before I buy anything, I do research up front. I have only returned items that have been defective, never anything that worked as advertised.

infinitejest's idea is rather new to the marketplace, within the last 5 or 6 years, and is rapidly gaining acceptance particularly with younger folks. It really does no one any good and it's effect is just to raise the costs of goods.

If you buy an iPhone today and Apple announces the iPhone 7 in two days, do you think they care that you bought the old one? No, they are rather happy that you bought some of their old inventory for the full price.
People have been waiting for new a MacBook Pro since the March event and Apple doesn't even give the slightest kind of information as to when it will be available. They never did. You know why? Because it would harm the sales of their current models. So do you really think they care if you buy an outdated MacBook Pro that was released over 450 days ago? They don't.

I have never returned any technology hardware. But I need a new MacBook and I want the best I can get for the money I have. So, as @sracer mentioned, this is a particular situation. And you know what? Apple knows that too. They could have ended the promotion two or three weeks earlier but they didn't.

So, please don't blame people who just want to get the best possible MacBook, hardware or whatever for the money they have, when companies do not care at all when you buy their outdated products.

 

[tentales]

MacBook Air hasn't really been upgrade (apart from a RAM boost) in 2 years now.

As an Apple event is coming I'm wondering wether to buy one. Obvious answer is wait...but...

There's an offer on currently for free Wireless beats (£269), with the education offer which is about 10% off an Air. Just so happens this runs out on Sep 5th....

So conundrum, but with a education discount and get free beats or wait...?

Do you care about walking around with the famed "b" on your ear or do you care about sound quality?
Beats are overpriced junk. In that price category you'll get much better sound quality from Sennheiser (my fav), AKG, Beyerdynamic or Audio-Technica. Those are the pro brands. Beats, Monster, Skullcandy, etc are the fashion brands.

I bought my MBA a few months ago from the refurb Apple shop. Saving 15+% I bought my Sennheiser Momentums on sale and am very happy with both decisions.

The 7th will focus on the iPhone and possibly other iOS devices. I'd be very surprised to see new MacBooks before October. When they do come, they'll have that new keyboard introduced on the new Macbook which I can't stand.
But, to each their own. YMMV.

So, my advice, wait till after the 7th.
[doublepost=1473069010][/doublepost]

.... people who just want to get the best possible MacBook, hardware or whatever for the money they have, when companies do not care at all when you buy their outdated products.

That is very true. Especially for Apple. They run a slick refurb shop with "outdated" hardware that still sells 2012 MBPs

However, "best" isn't always equal to "newest".
Case in point: 2012 i7 MacMini vs 2014.

 

[maerz001]

With this now something like 6 years old display I so would not do it.

I have my MacBook Air 13" now for more than 4years. That would mean if u use it fore the same period it will have 10year old display technology. 10 years ago the iPhone didn't even exist. So very old

 

[kiwipeso1]

Uh, its a bit more complicated than that.

USB-C is a connector & cabling standard that can carry many different protocols including USB 1/2/3.1g1/3.1g2, DisplayPort, HDMI and Thunderbolt 3. However, not all devices with USB-C ports will support all of those, e.g. the 12" MacBook doesn't support Thunderbolt or USB 3.1gen2.

Its probably easier to say that Thunderbolt 3 is a superset of USB-C - Thunderbolt 3 ports will have the Thunderbolt logo and use the USB-C connector, and also support USB 1/2/3.1g1/3.1g2 & DisplayPort 1.2 since those are baked in to the TB3 controller chip. However (if I've got this right) there will be USB-C cables, short passive Thunderbolt cables (which I'm guessing are just USB-C cables certified for Thunderbolt) and active Thunderbolt cables (with cable controller chips in the plugs needed for top TB3 speeds & TB3 cables more than a few feet long, and which will only connect to other Thunderbolt devices). Then you get on to the distinction between USB-C DisplayPort Alt mode (which can connect directly to DP devices and potentially drive 5k displays via DisplayPort 1.3) and Thunderbolt 3's DisplayPort support (which only does DP1.2, but can drive 5k displays by cramming two DP1.2 cables' worth of data down a single TB cable... but needs a TB display at the other end) and try to decide what a TB3 port in USB-C DisplayPort Alt-mode can do... Whimper.

Also - its as clear as mud whether any existing USB-C port or TB3 port (using the current controller, or built in to forthcoming Kaby Lake CPUs) is going to be able to use the new direct USB-C-to-HDMI cables recently announced. I don't see how they can since the "HDMI alt mode for USB-C" has only just been announced... which means that some USB-C ports will need active HDMI adapters and new ones will only need passive cables.

USB-C is an exiting idea but it also has the potential to be a can of worms (I just hope that, in practice, they stick to the 3 types of cable above... I've seen talk of multiple grades of USB-C cable apart from the Thunderbolt variants).

This would be a bad year to take up IT tech support

Yes, I've said it before, and I'll say it again. I'm just not convinced that the Macbook Retina is anything other than an underpowered toy.

That said, if you are sensible enough to get a macbook air or macbook pro with kaby lake, then you should have no worries about compatibility.

 

[Left4DeadBoy]

hi Its Mac! therefore upgrade ASAP or you know you can wait!

 

[theluggage]

Yes, I've said it before, and I'll say it again. I'm just not convinced that the Macbook Retina is anything other than an underpowered toy.

I think its got a role as a "deluxe" ultraportable option for office productivity, web and email, which accounts for a massive proportion of computer use. Its more than powerful enough for that - and such users aren't going to need TB3 or USB3.1gen2 speeds.

That said, if you are sensible enough to get a macbook air or macbook pro with kaby lake, then you should have no worries about compatibility.

The only question there is going to be what catches on as the standard input for 4k high freq/5k displays - Thunderbolt 3 (dual stream DisplayPort 1.2 tunnelled over a single TB3 connection) or USB-C Alt mode(s) (Single stream using the 4 high-speed pairs of USB-C to carry raw DisplayPort 1.3 or HDMI version whatever). However, DisplayPort 1.3 seems to be having a hard time getting out of the gate anyhow, and TB3 already seems more common on PCs than TB1/2 ever was, so it might end up going to Thunderbolt.

 

[2ilent8cho]

Yes, I've said it before, and I'll say it again. I'm just not convinced that the Macbook Retina is anything other than an underpowered toy.

To me i see the rMB as for those who need the portability of the iPad but with a desktop class OS.