Is the MBA right for me?

[Bakari45]

For your needs, the MacBook Air 11” will work fine for writing papers, Internet research, etc. However, depending on what type of Keynote/Powerpoint presentations you will be doing, the small screen size may feel uncomfortable.

I layout all my Keynote presentations on my main Mac Pro computer, and then do refinements of those presentations on my MBA. Same goes for longer articles I write.

The key to using the MBA is setting a Dropbox account and working between the Air and a larger remote access computer.

If your projects are not that complex, however, the MBA will serve you well, no matter which model you get. I guarantee you that this will not be the last Mac laptop you buy, so don’t worry about buying the base model. Most Mac users end up buying faster models of Macs eventually. I hold on to my Mac hardware for about 5 years before I upgrade.

 

[AppleGirl(:]

To not spend $99 on 4GB ram is just plain foolish, period.

Skip a few trips to Starbucks and buy the ram.

Buy the Air you'll be glad you did.

Thanks for making assumptions - I don't go to Starbucks, and I'm on a really tight budget for family reasons.

 

[AppleGirl(:]

Bakari45 - Your message was very reassuring I'll be getting a real, good job in a couple of years and until then I think the MBA will last me fine. Maybe I can upgrade to the MPB after a few paychecks of that.

 

[AppleGirl(:]

I'm just saying she very likely doesn't need 4GB, at all. Maybe at times it'll be marginally slower (if it swaps, it'll just be swapping to the Air's flash RAM), and the Air is already plenty snappy to begin with.

It is true that the memory decision is kinda permanent with the Air, though.



No: It's 10% of the machine's price, and she was already upsold from an iPad to an Air. She's a high school kid. Not everyone is able or willing to spend how much you seem to on tech:

Mac Pro dual ACD | 17" MBP, 2.2, 8gb, 512ssd | 13" MBA ultimate
iPhone 4 | iPad2 3G 64gb | Apple TC | Apple TV​

It may or may not be worth it to her, but she does not need 4GB in the Air, as people here are telling her she does.

Thank you.

 

[entatlrg]

Not everyone is able or willing to spend how much you seem to on tech:
Mac Pro dual ACD | 17" MBP, 2.2, 8gb, 512ssd | 13" MBA ultimate
iPhone 4 | iPad2 3G 64gb | Apple TC | Apple TV

It may or may not be worth it to her, but she does not need 4GB in the Air, as people here are telling her she does.

Duh, did I suggest she buy the (incredible ) set up I have? No.

OP asked what we 'thought', I told her. She's asking for everyone's input, I mentioned what I thought, you did the same.

Many suggest she should get 4gb, even though it's $99, so be it.

 

[harami]

Now there's an idea... imagine how much simpler life would be.

Quote:
Originally Posted by kapolani View Post
If I loved it any more I would have to leave my wife and marry it.
Now there's an idea... imagine how much simpler life would be.

Requote:
The only thing my wife does better is "suck"...not literally but figuratively!

 

[tom.bcn]

Re: above... oh dear.

To OP: any MBA will be better for your needs than an iPad. If you can find a way of affording the 4GB, it'll be better in the long run. But if you can't, it's certainly not the end of the world. Maybe have a look for a refurb model on the Apple Store.

 

[dzigg]

Yes, I would also get the 4 GB version if you can... much better in the long run.. on my 2006 white macbook with 2 GB, I can feel the machine chug when I opened a lot of programs..

So if you're the kind that like to multi-task and open a lot of programs at the same time, the 4 GB would really help..

 

[Guscat]

I would strongly consider ordering a refurbed MacBook Air rather than ordering a new one. As presumably everyone on this site can tell you, a refurbed Mac is a great deal (I'm typing this on my refurbed iMac). If you check out their prices, you'll see that you can either order the base model with 2GB for $849 or if you really want 4GB, you can get the 1.6 GHz model with 128GB drive for $1189 which is still cheaper than a MBP.

 

[scsuh]

If this is going to be your primary computer, I really would not suggest purchasing the base 11" MBA, especially if you have a tight budget. For the same money, you could purchase a new Macbook or a refurbished 13" MBP, both of which are heavier and less "sexy" but might fit your needs a bit better. OR, you could go the PC route and save even more money.