2008 air vs 2010 air???

[scottydonald]

well i use my 2008 air as a simple travelling tool... use my main hackintosh as a computer in the home...

i have the 1.6 ssd air and looking into replacing it with a new one???

questions -

are the new ones noticeably better???

which one to get to replace it??? budget doesnt matter...

 

[bamf]

The new ones are noticeably better. If you like the 13" display, then go for the 13" model again. I've got one and love it.

As for the rest of the specs, that's really a personal choice I'm afraid. Although, if money is no object just get the top of the line 13" model...

 

[Ice Dragon]

The graphics card has gotten a nice upgrade from the Nvidia GeForce 9400M to the 320M, the SSD is also noticeably faster in the new ones, and finally you can upgrade to 4 GB of RAM.

 

[fortunecookie]

If the led-backlit keyboard is a big thing with you then you should know that the 2010 Airs don't have them.

 

[Hellhammer]

If your current MBA does its job, then I wouldn't upgrade. The new MBA is better though but I don't think it offers that much over the old one unless you need more storage, better GPU and 4GB of RAM.

It's your money and your decision. I wouldn't unless it offered me something crucial that the old one does not but I'm a person who doesn't care is it the latest or not, as long as I'm satisfied.

 

[gri]

If your current MBA does its job, then I wouldn't upgrade. The new MBA is better though but I don't think it offers that much over the old one unless you need more storage, better GPU and 4GB of RAM.

It's your money and your decision. I wouldn't unless it offered me something crucial that the old one does not but I'm a person who doesn't care is it the latest or not, as long as I'm satisfied.

I have a 1.86/128 SSD MBA (refurnished, April 2010) and was escited about the new ones - but: lack of the BL keyboard, still C2D, only 4G RAM (as BTO, not even standard). My MBA will do for now, I will see what the new MBP will bring next year or wait even longer for the next MBA...

 

[jimboutilier]

I've had a RevA 1.6/2/80 MBA and a RevC 2.13/2/128 MBA and I'd have to say my new MBA 11"/1.6/4/128 is better than either previous MBA in almost every way.

The new MBA runs faster, has faster and higher resolution graphics, more RAM, faster SSD, better battery life, smaller/lighter, and runs a LOT cooler. The additional USB port is great, as is the SD card slot on the new 13". The only downgrade is that the new ones have no backlit keyboard.

Size/weight wise the new 13" doesn't offer much difference but all the other benefits are there. And the 11" model offers even more portability at the cost of some battery life, screen size, and capacity over the new 13" (but is still faster, higher resolution, and better battery life than previous gen 13" MBAs).

Good luck with your choice. I don't think you'd be disappointed in any of them provided the backlit keyboard was not a deal-breaker (and the silvered lettering on the new keys mitigates that a bit).

 

[Beanoir]

I have a 1.86/128 SSD MBA (refurnished, April 2010)

eh?? Are they covering Macs in leather and velour these days too?

 

[scottydonald]

I've had a RevA 1.6/2/80 MBA and a RevC 2.13/2/128 MBA and I'd have to say my new MBA 11"/1.6/4/128 is better than either previous MBA in almost every way.

The new MBA runs faster, has faster and higher resolution graphics, more RAM, faster SSD, better battery life, smaller/lighter, and runs a LOT cooler. The additional USB port is great, as is the SD card slot on the new 13". The only downgrade is that the new ones have no backlit keyboard.

Size/weight wise the new 13" doesn't offer much difference but all the other benefits are there. And the 11" model offers even more portability at the cost of some battery life, screen size, and capacity over the new 13" (but is still faster, higher resolution, and better battery life than previous gen 13" MBAs).

Good luck with your choice. I don't think you'd be disappointed in any of them provided the backlit keyboard was not a deal-breaker (and the silvered lettering on the new keys mitigates that a bit).

thats interesting... since you have the 1.4 in the 11 inch and it is still faster...

i am still not sure which one to go for...

13 inch 128gig vs 13inch 256 2.16 vs 11 inch 1.6...

 

[TheMadBrewer]

I have the original MBA, 80GB rotating and the processor upgrade (was that 1.8? I don't actually remember).

I bought a maxed 11.6" and I have to say it seems much snappier, especially starting and stopping -- I never would power off the old MBA except or when I got home from a trip -- otherwise too much time waiting.

Add in the 11.6" is enough lighter and a more convenient size I take it with me when I would have left the old MBA at home.

I do miss the backlighted keyboard from time to time. I find I have to sometimes angle the screen down so I can see the keyboard

 

[jimboutilier]

thats interesting... since you have the 1.4 in the 11 inch and it is still faster...

i am still not sure which one to go for...

13 inch 128gig vs 13inch 256 2.16 vs 11 inch 1.6...

I actually have the 1.6ghz model but it does feel and benchmark faster than my previous 2.13 - particularly noticeable under load where the 2.13 would really slow down due to heat where the 1.6 does not. Either would be faster than the original 1.6.

Everyones needs are different. If you need more than128gb of storage, you only have one choice - 13". If you need longer battery life the 13" is also a better choice.

But if you want maximum portability the 11" is really great. Various tests show about a 15% speed difference between the 1.4 and 1.6 which may or may not be significant. I personally would want more than 2gb of memory but not everyone needs it. I'd like 256gb but can live with 128 given some cloud storage.

Good luck

 

[Wild-Bill]

If the led-backlit keyboard is a big thing with you then you should know that the 2010 Airs don't have them.

Hope next revision they add it back on as a "feature".