Upgrading to 8GB for extra $100 a good idea?

[falconeight]

What's smart and not is relative to each user, for whatever task they're doing and their use case. Just because it's "not smart" for you specifically doesn't make it not smart for everyone else.

Some people might want the latest processor and a thinner form factor, in which case the MBA is perfect for this, and buying a refurb is "not smart."

Why is buying refurbed not smart? It carries the same warranty and standards as a new macbook. Besides a macbook air is supposed to be cheaper than a full fledged mac.

 

[Database]

Guys, already pulled the trigger for 256 gb ssd and 4 gig ram - couldnt justify paying 300 usd more for 4 more gigs of ram

While I too would recommend 8 gb, for that deal I don't blame you at all. And 4 GB will be fine.

 

[majkom]

While I too would recommend 8 gb, for that deal I don't blame you at all. And 4 GB will be fine.

Thx now i just hope for sammy lcd and ssd

 

[DarwinOSX]

Absolutely you should. I see a lot of rationalizations from 4 GB owners why it isn't needed but it sure is for virtualization. A lot of others would be happier in general with 8 GB and Apple should make that option more available in their stores.

I am currently thinking about buying a new 13" Air and I'd want to install Windows 7 or 8 via Parallels and also install MS Office on the Air.

Other than the MS Office, all I do on my laptop is playing HD YouTube videos.

Should I spend extra $100 for extra 4GB of memory?

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Of course it does. More ram allows more of the OS and apps to load into and run from ram instead of disk. The new SSD's may be fast but they are nowhere near as fast as ram or cache.

The amount of RAM you have doesn't correlate with speed.

In 2011 8 GB RAM probably wasn't necessary, but in 2013 and if you plan to keep this MBA for more than a few years getting 4 GB RAM would just be a bad idea

 

[scaredpoet]

Why is buying refurbed not smart?

I hate repeating myself, but I said that it wasn't smart for one particular case.

It seems like you're stuck in this notion that what's good for you is the ONLY right answer for everyone, so I'm not gonna bother continuing to debate this.