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Which open-box is a better buy...11" or 13"?

Which open-box is a better buy...11" or 13"?

  • 2011 MBA 11" 4/128 for $1049.00 (w/box and charger and docs)

    Votes: 10 28.6%

  • 2011 MBA 13" 4/128 for $1079.50 (no box, just laptop and charger)

    Votes: 18 51.4%

  • Just backup most of the photos to an external drive and wait for a 2012 model

    Votes: 7 20.0%
  • Total voters
    35
dmk1974

dmk1974

macrumors 68020
Original poster
Sep 16, 2008
2,490
540
My wife has the base 2011 11" 2/64 MBA. She's been going nuts with iPhoto and that library file is nearing 15GB, leaving just over 1GB of free space on the integrated SSD drive.

At my local Best Buy, they have a couple of open-box 2011 MBAs that I was thinking to get her to replace the one she has. After tax and all, I can get:

A.) 2011 MBA 11" 4/128 for $955.75 (w/box and charger and docs)
B.) 2011 MBA 13" 4/128 for $1079.50 (no box, just laptop and charger)

I know she's content with her 11" size, but she has commented that my 13" MBA has a nice big screen. I know it seems that the 13" might be a better deal, but is it since eventually when I sell it it's without a box?

or should I go with this option:

C.) Just backup most of the photos to an external drive and wait for a 2012 model.

Thanks!
 
Last edited:
I voted option "B", but really, you should think about option "D", buy the computer refurbished from Apple.com.

The Open Box 11 is overpriced compared to Apple (1049 vs 999). The Open Box 13 isn't that good of a deal compared to Apple (1079 vs 1099) which comes with everything.
 
jdechko said:
I voted option "B", but really, you should think about option "D", buy the computer refurbished from Apple.com.

The Open Box 11 is overpriced compared to Apple (1049 vs 999). The Open Box 13 isn't that good of a deal compared to Apple (1079 vs 1099) which comes with everything.
Click to expand...

The prices I am comparing are with tax though (which is 7% by me). When I punch it into the Apple Refurb site, I still have to pay tax, so on that site options A and B would be $1069 and $1176 respectively.
 
Have you considered buying used? I bought a 2011 base 13" which was in good condition for $925 on craigslist. Saw another member on the forums buy one for $950. Just a thought.
 
The 13 has one benefit, the SD Card reader, but that may not apply for your wife. My wife has the 11 (pre thunderbolt) and loves it. She isn't a fan of photography though...
 
preisslers said:
Have you considered buying used? I bought a 2011 base 13" which was in good condition for $925 on craigslist. Saw another member on the forums buy one for $950. Just a thought.
Click to expand...

Yep, I'm checking there as well, but I have $350 in BB GCs that I was hoping ti use. Also, even though open box, the Apple warranty is a full 1-year from BB and I have 45 days to return just in case because I am a RZ Silver member.

But yes, for the right price, Craigslist, eBay, or the forums here are options as well.
 
Bestbuy has a good trade in program for your old air, even if you didn't buy from them. call and ask never hurts.
 
Since you have the gift certificates already, the BB deals are the best option for you. I'd go with the 13" even without the box if she will appreciate the extra screen space and doesn't need the portability.
 
Go with Best Buy. Before you do though, visit their website and print off this coupon (found under Shops & Deals - Deals Near Me) and get an additional $100 whatever one you choose.

http://images.bestbuy.com/BestBuy_US/en_US/images/cpns/2011/12/20111213_openBox.pdf

From that point on their website, you can also choose to see what store has what as far as open box stock. I am thinking about using the $25 tablet coupon and getting a Kindle Fire for $155 just to play with.

I just used this coupon and got essentially a brand new 11" 4/128 for $926. I believe the MBA's are still on sale right now, so get them to take the 10% off the current sale price and then discount the coupon. For example, a new 11" 4/128 is on sale for $1140, minus 10% is $1026, minus $100 coupon and you get $926. The MBA I got must have been an unwanted Christmas gift, it was literally brand new. My brother is getting an open box 13" this weekend. I too am a Silver RZ member.

Size really comes down to personal preference, I have had every generation of MBA, got the 2010 11", but went with the 13" when the 2011 model came out. I just gave that to the wife for Xmas as an excuse for me to go back to an 11". She was happy as it was a huge improvement over the 13" MBP she had and we sold. If she is primarily focused on iPhoto, as mentioned before, she may love the screen of the 13" if she doesnt need the extra portability of the 11".

Hope that helps, Good Luck.
 
I got a 13" 2011 MBA for $900 when then had the coupon back in oct/nov. You may need to wait more for that price, if the $80buck difference is worth it to you.
 
Hammer97e said:
Go with Best Buy. Before you do though, visit their website and print off this coupon (found under Shops & Deals - Deals Near Me) and get an additional $100 whatever one you choose.

http://images.bestbuy.com/BestBuy_US/en_US/images/cpns/2011/12/20111213_openBox.pdf

From that point on their website, you can also choose to see what store has what as far as open box stock. I am thinking about using the $25 tablet coupon and getting a Kindle Fire for $155 just to play with.

I just used this coupon and got essentially a brand new 11" 4/128 for $926. I believe the MBA's are still on sale right now, so get them to take the 10% off the current sale price and then discount the coupon. For example, a new 11" 4/128 is on sale for $1140, minus 10% is $1026, minus $100 coupon and you get $926. The MBA I got must have been an unwanted Christmas gift, it was literally brand new. My brother is getting an open box 13" this weekend. I too am a Silver RZ member.

Size really comes down to personal preference, I have had every generation of MBA, got the 2010 11", but went with the 13" when the 2011 model came out. I just gave that to the wife for Xmas as an excuse for me to go back to an 11". She was happy as it was a huge improvement over the 13" MBP she had and we sold. If she is primarily focused on iPhoto, as mentioned before, she may love the screen of the 13" if she doesnt need the extra portability of the 11".

Hope that helps, Good Luck.
Click to expand...

Thanks. Yep, those prices were with the $100 coupon applied. I did notice however that the 11" only had 5% off and the 13" was 10% off. Maybe I'll have to haggle with them a bit if I go with the 11", but the poll here looks like the 13" even without the box is the major front runner.

For her use, the laptop never leaves the house, just desk/couch/bed for her.
 
dmk1974 said:
Thanks. Yep, those prices were with the $100 coupon applied. I did notice however that the 11" only had 5% off and the 13" was 10% off. Maybe I'll have to haggle with them a bit if I go with the 11", but the poll here looks like the 13" even without the box is the major front runner.

For her use, the laptop never leaves the house, just desk/couch/bed for her.
Click to expand...

If it never leaves the house then why does she need the 11"? I have an 11" and one thing I dislike is that it's not that comfortable in my lap since it's small. I'd still never get the 13" over the 11" because portability is important to me.
 
Well, I was able to get the 11" MBA for less than I thought at the store. I got it with tax for $955.75. I updated the original post, but I didn't see a way to edit the poll.

I can still return it though if I decide to go for the 13" version which seems to be the popular choice here.
 
dmk1974 said:
Well, I was able to get the 11" MBA for less than I thought at the store. I got it with tax for $955.75. I updated the original post, but I didn't see a way to edit the poll.

I can still return it though if I decide to go for the 13" version which seems to be the popular choice here.
Click to expand...

what was the difference for the 13"

I think the macmall deal with the 13" 256SSD may still be a better deal if what you're looking for is a storage increase. It'd be about 100 more than what you've currently paid
 
jterp7 said:
what was the difference for the 13"

I think the macmall deal with the 13" 256SSD may still be a better deal if what you're looking for is a storage increase. It'd be about 100 more than what you've currently paid
Click to expand...

The MacMall MBA is a 2010 though, right? I'd rather have the i5 and the backlit keys for her.
 
dmk1974 said:
The MacMall MBA is a 2010 though, right? I'd rather have the i5 and the backlit keys for her.
Click to expand...

Correct. I've only seen 2011 refurb models at the online Apple store and those just popped up a couple days after Xmas.
 
the macmall deals for 2010s dont have TB port either. otherwise i would go that route.
 
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