• Getting a Macbook Air 11"
    29 replies, posted
Im looking at getting the 11" Macbook Air for school this year. I wanted to see if anyone had any spec recommendations? Currently I am looking at the 64GB SSD and 4GB Ram, though I understand that you can't upgrade the ram. Should I spend the extra $100 and get 8GB of ram? Also if I were to upgrade the SSD I think it should be done after the purchase. What do you guys think?
I'd get the 13" version to be honest, the 11" is simply too small in my opinion. Not only so, 64GB is not enough for a whole lot compared to the 128GB found in the 13" base model. 4GB of RAM is more than enough for a Macbook Air, since it can't really do too much resource consuming tasks to begin with.
Im not sure about the 13", I like the portability of the 11". Does anyone now the actual usable space of the 64GB SSD after the OS and all default programs are installed?
I would totally recommend going for one of the older more upgradeable units if you can afford the performance penalty.
What do you want to use it for? (and what classes are you taking)
[QUOTE=MIPS;37337678]I would totally recommend going for one of the older more upgradeable units if you can afford the performance penalty.[/QUOTE] The ones running C2D sucked in a lot of ways to be honest. [editline]21st August 2012[/editline] [QUOTE=zman115;37333604]Im not sure about the 13", I like the portability of the 11". Does anyone now the actual usable space of the 64GB SSD after the OS and all default programs are installed?[/QUOTE] The 13" model doesn't hamper portability at all, trust me. For the 64GB SSD, you'd have about 40GB of free space left, assuming you're using the stock OS X with absolutely no 3rd party software.
As a 13" ultrabook owner coming from a 10" netbook doesn't do that much to your portability, and the usability is much better.
If anything, I'd say to have a look at the 11" in person. It seems like a great idea in theory, but in practice, it's WAY too small (for my liking anyway). Then again, I lug around a 15" MBP [url=http://www.tombihn.com/laptop_bags/TB0152.html]in one of these, every day[/url]. Also with the later models, RAM and HD space are not upgradable so you're left forking out two limbs for upgrades - so don't expect that you can just leave it and upgrade them when you need the extra capacity. On that note though, OSX Mountain Lion runs beautifully on 4Gb of RAM and with 128Gb of SSD storage, I think you'd be set for the long run. 64Gb is passable though, considering you can use iCloud to store documents on since you need it for school.
I'm looking at the 2012 models, because of the performance compared to the older generations. I also have a 500GB USB powered external hard-drive for media and what-not. Still really undecided about 11" vs. 13". I have used both models in-store and my only concern is how well it is with multitasking? Because I don't do many things simultaneously, But if i'm doing research and switching between Word and safari or something I just want it to go smoothly. Also noted that I have a desktop that is more than powerful enough for all of my tasks so my only focus for the Macbook air is to have mobility that can handle all my basic tasks with ease and maybe a little Minecraft here and there. Sorry for the wall of text.
I have the 13", girlfriend has the 11". The size of the keyboards is virtually identical, however the mutli-touch pads are slightly different sizes. If you need something ultraportable, the 11" is best, if you like a bigger screen and slightly longer battery life get the 13.
the 11" has an inadequately sized wrist rest, the sharp front edge of the laptop digs into your wrists
[QUOTE=zman115;37411568]I'm looking at the 2012 models, because of the performance compared to the older generations. I also have a 500GB USB powered external hard-drive for media and what-not. Still really undecided about 11" vs. 13". I have used both models in-store and my only concern is how well it is with multitasking? Because I don't do many things simultaneously, But if i'm doing research and switching between Word and safari or something I just want it to go smoothly. Also noted that I have a desktop that is more than powerful enough for all of my tasks so my only focus for the Macbook air is to have mobility that can handle all my basic tasks with ease and maybe a little Minecraft here and there. Sorry for the wall of text.[/QUOTE] If it doesn't bother you, then why not go for the 11"? There isn't going to be a big difference, from what I've found. (Other than personally I found the 13" more comfortable) Also for reference, I did a fresh install of Mountain Lion the other day. The OS itself takes up about 11Gb giving you at least 40Gb of space on a 64Gb model.
[QUOTE=WaLLy3K;37420124]The OS itself takes up about 11Gb giving you at least 40Gb of space on a 64Gb model.[/QUOTE] Not a problem for school/college use.
Space only gets used up if you're storing lots of videos/songs/games, and there's even services like google music that let you store your music online and stream it
Chuck [url=http://www.shoppingsquare.com.au/p_401365_SanDisk_Cruzer_Fit_32GB_USB_FLASH_DRIVE]one of these tiny USB drives[/url] into the right side of the MBA and you'll be absolutely set!
Might be worth checking out an external drive, too. They aren't all that expensive.
Buy dells xps ultrabook. Much better choice IMO.
[QUOTE=Relaxation;37488715]Buy dells xps ultrabook. Much better choice IMO.[/QUOTE] Gee, you'd think that, since OP wanted a Mac computer, you'd at least have the insight to recommend an alternative in the same family.
I'm just recommending what I think would be a smarter purchase considering macs are super over priced.
They are horribly overpriced, but I'm just thinking about the possibility that OP needs an OSX feature that isn't available in Windows. But yes, really just about any Windows laptop would be a smarter purchase.
I currently have a Lenovo V570 which I'm ready to sell and move to a MacBook Air. I know windows is more bang for your buck, but I like the better hardware integration that Mac has along with its ease of use on a mobile platform. I still have my Windows desktop which will be more than enough for anything more powerful I need. I understand some people think its stupid, but after making comparisons and testing both side by side I have decided that the Mac will be much easier to use for everyday tasks. Plus it's super small form factor in the 11" air makes it very easy to carry around along with the speed and power efficiency of the SSD. Also after my purchase I might make a mobile computing mega thread to help others who were in my position and do write ups from my experiences.
[QUOTE=Relaxation;37489293]I'm just recommending what I think would be a smarter purchase considering macs are super over priced.[/QUOTE] MacBook Air is the only Apple product that isn't really overpriced compared to the other alternatives, in terms of quality. Closest alternative would be the ASUS Zenbook, which is about the same range of price.
[QUOTE=ADT;37492447] Closest alternative would be the ASUS Zenbook, which is about the same range of price.[/QUOTE] Well, it's close, but still a lot cheaper. Plus, with a zenbook you get a carrying sleeve and adapters with it. With a Macbook you don't get shit
The guy wants a mac, and a macbook air is fine if you're not expecting to do serious gaming. The intel hd 4000 isn't ridiculously bad either
[QUOTE=Relaxation;37489293]I'm just recommending what I think would be a smarter purchase considering macs are super over priced.[/QUOTE] macs hold their resale value twice as long as windows laptops they aren't overpriced
[QUOTE=meppers;37497791]macs hold their resale value twice as long as windows laptops they aren't overpriced[/QUOTE] Ehh, yes they are, that just mean you can sell them on for more when the time comes. But you'll have to buy a new laptop, and chances are that that'll go towards one more Mac with a price premium. Not saying that people won't buy them for a high price, but that money is just gonna go towards buying a new one anyway. And it's not like quality Windows-based laptops lose their value immediately either.
[QUOTE=meppers;37497791]macs hold their resale value twice as long as windows laptops they aren't overpriced[/QUOTE] Having higher resale value doesn't justify overpriced retail prices.
[QUOTE=B!N4RY;37498754]Having higher resale value doesn't justify overpriced retail prices.[/QUOTE] it means you get your money back when its time to upgrade
[QUOTE=meppers;37499921]it means you get your money back when its time to upgrade[/QUOTE] Ehh, you can say "well, I can sell my MBP for half the price I orginally bought it for", but you're really missing out on that other laptops at least have some resale value. And even then, if you say "it's not overpriced, because you can just sell it" you really miss out on the fact that if you didn't sell it, you'd have a laptop to give your little-bro or whatever. And on top of that, it can't be an endless cycle, you're gonna get a MBP that you won't be able to sell again, either because you're dead or because of other stuff, you're not gonna get the price premium back on a sale there. So, whether you deduct the resale price from the original price in some illogical manner or not, it's overpriced compared to the competition. Buy it all you want if you have the money, but don't say that you're not paying a price premium.
[QUOTE=meppers;37499921]it means you get your money back when its time to upgrade[/QUOTE] thanks i didn't realize that :rolleyes:
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