For those considering a refurb 2.13 MBA

[jennb]

I'm smitten with the new MBAs, but I wanted to share some feedback on the previous 2.13 MBA for those who might be considering it.

My year old 2.13 MBA is the living room/travel/presentation laptop. I loaned it out for a month and the MacBook I had to use in its place felt, well, heavy and clunky compared to MBA. (Probably not fair to call Mac laptops clunky, but when you compare an Air to an old black MacBook or maybe even a new MacBook, clunky comes to mind.)

When I bought my MBA (as a refurb, by the way), I wasn't sure I'd end up loving it. I thought I might even regret the trade-offs (well documented here, even with the newest models). But I have no regrets and enjoy using it more than any other laptop I've used (PC or Mac), period. It's really the best tech purchase I've ever made.

Pay attention to what you really plan to do with it: it works for everything the casual user does. Again, well documented here and in other forums. I have an older Mac Pro that I use as a "main" computer for projects that require a bigger screen, more cores, more RAM, etc. But don't delude yourself into thinking you need more than what you need. Goodness knows, I can talk myself into the 17 inch MBP in a heartbeat.

Were I buying a MBA now, I'd be hard pressed to choose between the refurb 2.13 MBA and the either of the new 13" MBAs. (Truth be told, I'd go with the new one. But I would probably spend a few weeks going back and forth. I might even wait for a new one to show up as a refurb.)

I've had zero problems so far w/my last gen MBA.

And for those worried about limited storage: I've have the OS + Office + a handful of other small applications on my MBA and I'm using almost 14GB of the 128GB SSD. If you plan on storing your media (music, movies, & photos), you'll do well to consider the new MBA w/256GB or some external drive/NAS solution.

Sorry if this post mostly reiterates what others have said elsewhere on the forum. I mostly wanted to share just how much I love my MBA. I know it's not for everyone, but it was definitely just right for me.

-Jenn

 

[davtomcol]

Thanks for your input. I actually jumped on the 1.83 for $849. I sold my Aluminum MB for $800, so I felt like $50 for a new computer and warranty wasn't a bad deal.

I know it is a 4200 RPM SATA drive, which I think will be a bummer, but I'll probably end up putting an SSD in there at some point.

 

[TheAllStar]

Thanks Jenn! I just forked over the $1099 for the refurb 2.13 revision C previous generation... I've been hitting "Track this shipment" like a raving loon every four minutes, and now it's sitting at home waiting for me to leave the office at 5.

For what I'll use it for, and what I've been using my MacBook for in the last two years, I know it will be just fine. I couldn't live without a couple of things they stripped off the new generation, and it really wasn't worth it for me.

 

[jennb]

Congrats

Happy new MBAs to you both!

Hope you both end as pleased w/your machines as I am w/mine.

 

[cleric]

I wouldn't buy a Rev B or C. there is too many little improvements that you can't understand unless you've owned both but the Rev D is much much better.

 

[Aaronm1112]

is it really though?

im not going to go for the 4gb ram so will it make a difference?
Considering that i would end up with the 1.8 core 2 model if I got a new one.

Is the 2 ghz with 2 gb ram better than the new 1.8 with 2gb what ywould you do

thanks in advance!

 

[aberrero]

is it really though?

im not going to go for the 4gb ram so will it make a difference?
Considering that i would end up with the 1.8 core 2 model if I got a new one.

Is the 2 ghz with 2 gb ram better than the new 1.8 with 2gb what ywould you do

thanks in advance!

No, the new 1.8ghz is much better. The old ones overheated and so they would end up running much slower than what they were advertised as.

 

[Scottsdale]

No, the new 1.8ghz is much better. The old ones overheated and so they would end up running much slower than what they were advertised as.

No, the original overheated, the v 2,1 MBAs are incredibly good. It's just that most haven't used them or made opinions based on the original MBA.

I think a v 2,1 MBA is incredibly similar to the new MBA/13" anyways.

For those who are comfortable with 2 GB RAM and a 128 GB SSD, I would recommend they just buy the $1099 refurbished 2.13 GHz MBA. It's a heck of a deal at that price... basically, $450 cheaper than it was refurbished just a week ago before the new MBAs were announced.

It's a heck of a computer, and I have struggled with getting rid of mine... I hate losing the backlit keyboard, and I already have enough drive space.

I am going to call a local store tomorrow and see if they have loaded versions of both 11" and 13" MBAs. I want to review them both either way and determine which is best for me. I wanted to wait and read reviews and see benchmarks before doing anything, but it all seems good so far.

One thing that stinks is my old MBA is now worth less than $1099, while I sold my other 2,1 MBA for $1500. It makes me even less likely to actually sell my v 2,1 2.13 GHz MBA... nice backup computer. It's a great Mac, and my favorite ever until the new 13", I am assuming anyways.