i7 vs 256gb SSD

[sukion]

Hey everyone,

I've been following the forums for a long time now and I haven't been more excited for this Air release ever since I decided to hold off since last years release.

Biggest problem now is that I'm a student who plans on only using the Air for minor purposes like Pages, email, web, possibly music as well. I own last years 15'' MBP that still serves me wonderfully but the weight really kills me so this is gonna stay at home as my "desktop" replacement.

I'm 100% certain that I want the 11'', 4gb RAM, and at least 128gb SSD model but the question is should I go for the i7 or get the 256gb SSD instead.

I need the computer to last all day long and apparently the new 11'' model doesn't last as long as last years model. I don't mind carrying the charger around but according to others here, the i7 "drains" battery just a bit more. Would the i5 meet my standards then?

As for space, I think I'm going to be constantly worried about how much space I'll have left but I have a portable hard drives (500gb) that I carry with me at all times so should I save the $300 and put it towards apple care instead?

Any opinions/input would be helpful =)

 

[accessoriesguy]

dude if i hadn't spent 500 on RAM for my MBP way back when i'd totally be with you on getting that new air for school, so much lighter...

anyways, since you got the external i would go with the i7.

I have never used more than 100GB of memory on my pro, so honestly the 11in macbook air, with the 4GB RAM and 128GB memory is perfect for me.

The only thing thats left if the performance, and for $150 (on the 11in) for the i7, damn i'd be crazy not to get so much performance out of a little bugger.

Well even if you do use more than 128GB of memory you get an extra 300GB from the external which brings you up to 400GB more than enough! If you don't use that much memory and want to pack lighter, you can get a 32GB flash drive like I do, for those emergencies. They also have 64GB flash drives now, plus there is icloud and that box thingy, memory is no longer really an issue.

 

[KPOM]

The Core i5 is a significant update from the Core 2 Duo, so if battery life is important, then the Core i5 will likely be sufficient.

That said, if you are looking to hold onto this long term, and have to choose between upgrades, then perhaps the extra $150 for the i7 may let you squeeze a few extra months out of it (though the i5 will keep up with Apple software for quite some time - look how long they got out of the Core 2 Duo). Neither the processor nor the SSD are upgradable later, but there is always the option of adding external storage through USB or eventually the Thunderbolt port.

 

[darngooddesign]

For what you plan on doing the i5 will be more than fine; however, since battery is the most important and you're willing to carry the bulk of a charger, get the 13".