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major7

macrumors member
Original poster
Oct 20, 2010
76
0
Porto, Portugal
I obviously know the 2.13 GHz is better but as i only need the 128GB of space so i'm considering the 13,3" 1.86GHz 4GB version. Will i really notice anything with a less powerfull processor?

TY
 

neteng101

macrumors 65816
Jan 7, 2009
1,148
163
Not too much so you can save but I went for the ultimate anyways - wanted the retail store experience and instant gratification. :D
 

major7

macrumors member
Original poster
Oct 20, 2010
76
0
Porto, Portugal
There should be a test of performance to both of them so people could really know the difference.

Anandtech review points out that the new 1.4GHz 11" MBA is faster than a 2008 1.86GHz 13,3" MBA so i'm wondering how important this difference really is(nt).
 

Errroneous

macrumors newbie
Oct 25, 2010
5
0
I did not pay extra.

From some of the reviews and benchmarks I found links to in this forum (I am not going to search for them) I saw very little performance increase. That coupled with how much more expensive the 2.xx processor is, I am happy saving the few hundred dollars. I have the 13 MBA 1.86 and I am happy with it.

I do not mind spending money if I can see a difference in real life performance or benchmark tests, but the difference is not worth it in this case.
 

major7

macrumors member
Original poster
Oct 20, 2010
76
0
Porto, Portugal
i'm begining to think the same way....if i dont need the extra space why spend a lot more for something slightly better? maybe 5 to 10 % faster...
 

runnin17

macrumors member
Dec 9, 2008
75
0
i'm begining to think the same way....if i dont need the extra space why spend a lot more for something slightly better? maybe 5 to 10 % faster...

Since when is $100 ($90 with education discount) a lot more for a processor upgrade? I will agree and say that if you are seriously doubting you will need the 2.13 processor then you should probably just get the 1.8GHz version.
 

thedarkhorse

macrumors 6502a
Sep 13, 2007
662
0
Canada
Since when is $100 ($90 with education discount) a lot more for a processor upgrade? I will agree and say that if you are seriously doubting you will need the 2.13 processor then you should probably just get the 1.8GHz version.

There is no processor upgrade option on the 128gb 13", he's looking at that model. To go to 2.13ghz he'd have to pay the extra $300 for the 256gb which he said doesn't need, then another $100 for the CPU upgrade. So it's a $400 difference in his case for 0.27ghz increase.
 

neteng101

macrumors 65816
Jan 7, 2009
1,148
163
Since when is $100 ($90 with education discount) a lot more for a processor upgrade?

The process upgrade is only available with the $300 SSD premium + $100 for the processor. No processor upgrade options for the 128GB SSD model.
 

KPOM

macrumors P6
Oct 23, 2010
18,308
8,320
I don't think most people would notice the CPU speed difference. It isn't like going from a Core 2 Duo to a Core i5. If you don't need 256GB, then I'd go with the 1.86GHz model.
 

Spacekatgal

macrumors regular
Jun 9, 2009
203
0
Well, here's how I feel.

I have the 1.86 model, and a friend of mine has the maxed out one. We ran Xbench and his scored 20 points higher than me, 160 to 180.

I had been coming from an 80 gig Intel SSD, so to me the lower model was already an increase in space. I didn't upgrade the processor because I think it's usually not worth it in an Apple product.

But 20 extra X-bench points was more than I would have guessed. I'd like to know what the effect is on the battery.

I think if you're using it as a secondary machine, the lower model is fine. But, if it's your main box - you should probably spring for the more expensive model. JMHO.

Bri
 

major7

macrumors member
Original poster
Oct 20, 2010
76
0
Porto, Portugal
It's going to be my main computer and i think i'll be ok with the 1.86GHz....i'll be leaving a 4ys old Asus 1.66GHz with 1GB memory....the disk has about 90GB and i'm using about half of it! The performance of this machine is very acceptable....altough i never tested it to the limits.

The main reason i think i'll be ok with 1.86GHz is because during this past year i used my laptop to work(word, excel & autocad), to navigate and ocasionally(once a month) play Counter Strike or similar with friends...im not a gamer.

And i can think on pretty good things to do with the money difference :)....maybe buy an Iphone4!
 

ufkdo

macrumors 6502
Oct 30, 2010
344
3
Turkey
If you don't need extra space, I don't think it is worth $400. Increase of performance will not be that obvious and it will make your battery last shorter :)
 

rockyroad55

macrumors 601
Jul 14, 2010
4,152
59
Phila, PA
I'm thinking about the maxed version because of the storage space. Who knows, apps might get more intensive in the future and they could function better with the 2.13 Ghz.
 

Mac Composer

macrumors member
Oct 29, 2010
94
1
I bought the maxed out 2.13 for one reason. Once I buy a machine, I keep it for at least 3 years. So for me, it's worth the extra cost over the long term.

If I was the type of person that always sold my computer after a year, just to buy the latest and greatest, then I'd go with the base model.
 

n2arkitektur

macrumors member
Jun 25, 2010
77
19
OC
It's going to be my main computer and i think i'll be ok with the 1.86GHz....i'll be leaving a 4ys old Asus 1.66GHz with 1GB memory....the disk has about 90GB and i'm using about half of it! The performance of this machine is very acceptable....altough i never tested it to the limits.

The main reason i think i'll be ok with 1.86GHz is because during this past year i used my laptop to work(word, excel & autocad), to navigate and ocasionally(once a month) play Counter Strike or similar with friends...im not a gamer.

And i can think on pretty good things to do with the money difference :)....maybe buy an Iphone4!

Will you be running AutoCAD in a VM, will you be installing the new AutoCAD for Mac, or do you remote desktop to an office PC with AutoCAD? I will be getting the new 13" MBA maxed out, and I am of two minds about whether to install a VM for AutoCAD or buy the new AutoCAD for Mac. I'd rather not have a VM if I don't need one, but I would need to figure out where to come up with $$$$ for the new AutoCAD for Mac. Just curious what your plans are. VM's are very taxing on the machine's resources, so it is something to think about.
 

major7

macrumors member
Original poster
Oct 20, 2010
76
0
Porto, Portugal
n2arkitektur,

im going to use the autocad for Mac....which i already have...i have a friend with a 2009 macbook air and it runs ok so.....dont worry! You can PM me if you want to know anyhing else about something else....:D


Mac Composer,

My Asus has 4 years with no complaints from me.....i intend to make this one last another 4 so....im pretty confident on what im doing. Next year there will probably be a 1.86 version running better than this 2.13 version....it's all relative. You know as well as i that for the same price we can get a much better machine (even in the Apple universe)...so, as i said, its all relative...
 

juuuice

macrumors newbie
Oct 27, 2010
24
0
Not too much so you can save but I went for the ultimate anyways - wanted the retail store experience and instant gratification. :D

exact same situation I was in with the same outcome. I must say this mba has handled everything i've thrown at it and i'm more than impressed with the performance..
 

Steve121178

macrumors 603
Apr 13, 2010
6,463
7,170
Bedfordshire, UK
I'm thinking about the maxed version because of the storage space. Who knows, apps might get more intensive in the future and they could function better with the 2.13 Ghz.

There's very little 'real world' difference. If apps are going to struggle on a 1.86GHz CPU then they certainly won't perform noticeably different with a 2.13GHz CPU!

For the record, my 13" MBA has coped easily with everything I've thrown at it so far...
 
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