MBA Refurb: SSD caught my eye

[zedsdead]

I have a REV A w/SSD and I have had no problems at all with core shutdowns or anything of the sort. If you are using it as a secondary computer it is perfect, but it seems you would be better off waiting and saving for a REV B or a regular Macbook.

 

[bossxii]

To the OP, as a owner of the Rev B MBA and a MB prior to that, I have to say this Rev B does everything I need vs the early 2008 MB 2.4Ghz and seems as responsive if not more so. As far as the refurbs from Apple, I'd have to agree with several other people about what you intend on using it for. I read alot of forums, tech sites, youtube reviews etc.. the Rev A seemed to be hit and miss on "heat issues".

My only advice would be to consider the cost vs time you upgrade your machines. If possible the Rev B refurb eve at say 1500 vs 1000 Rev A maybe worth while for the advances in the hardware and longer service life for such things like Snow Leapord etc..

If the budget allows the Rev B I can say I am very happy with this MBA and it has become my main/only computer. I've retired my desktop windows based machine and hope to sell it to purchase a iMac or find a used one once the new ones come out and people decide to upgrade. Good Luck.

 

[Scottsdale]

I read thee figures , and while they appear to mean a great deal , the fact is my 1.8 SSD Rev A has never let me down , performs better than the white macbook it replaced (despite costing less) and is probaly the best mac I have owned period .
Of course it isn't the most powerful - but all things considered I am happier with my Rev A air than I was with the MBP I returned in Jan .
If there were only a couple of hundred quid between the Revs I could understand the nitpicking , but when you are talking about the huge savings on the Rev A I cannot understand why anyone would want to discourage their purchase ? OK so the rev b is 'better' (anyone that knows their alphabet will have a pretty good idea that this is the case ! ) , but having used the Rev A for a month or so , I cannot understand why someone would seeming dedicate their life to discrediting a laptop that many people are happy / blown away with
OF COURSE better specced machines exist ! but that doesn't make machines with lower specs worthless , does it ?

You know, if people want to spend money on the original MBA, that is their deal. I just try to show people the truth about the original. It has serious limitations that will show effects now for some and soon for others. For some people, they don't need much power, and the original MBA will work for them. For some people, they don't want to do video or use intensive apps or demand much from their computer, and the original MBA is right. For others, they really want or need the power of a netbook and they get an amazingly designed small portable MBA and the original MBA is right. But for most, that require their MBA run as their primary Mac, or they require video capabilities, or they use intensive apps, or they just expect more without problems, the revised MBA is a much better solution.

I am glad your original MBA works for you. I did have the HDD 1.6 original MBA... I have the 1.86 GHz/SSD rev B MBA. I realize the differences between SSD and HDD are huge, but you have to admit, the actual limitations of your PATA SSD is making it slower than a rev B HDD. There are plenty of benchmarks and test that show it. As far as read/write speed and more, that PATA drive is really limited. I have used an original MBA 1.8 and SSD and it suffered the exact same problems of my 1.6 original MBA.

I am not saying to anyone go buy a new MBA every two to four months like the OP claimed. What I am saying is the contrary. While an original MBA may be tweaked and software modified to be able to do some things it previously couldn't, it is not going to stand the test of time. It may work now for some, but in the long run it is limited. No matter how many software tweaks Apple comes up with to change the MBA, the PATA drive technology, graphics, 65 NM CPU, and etc are stuck in the original MBA.

Hey, I bought the original MBA for $1799... I wish more than anyone it was capable of the tasks I had to throw at it... but it wasn't even close. It literally experienced overheating and core shutdown after 90 seconds of any video (NON-HD), it would then lock up completely. It was so slow to do standard app tasks, that I had to open and close apps to keep it moving. I had to close email to use Safari. I had to close Safari to use Word. I had to close Word to use email. And every time I had to "switch" it took nearly 30 seconds. Not to mention a 2-minute boot time. For anything else, the computer would just be so slow that it was ridiculous to waste the time. I quit using it and gave up on it. Everytime I took it out I got frustrated...

I am trying to advise people, that if they consider that they need more, and we all will need more maybe not now but in the near future, to spend a little more money now for a rev B MBA. Even with even HDD and 1.6 GHz, the rev B is simply amazing while I could never describe the original as amazing other than the display and form factor. Look, at the low-end of the rev B MBA, it has the Nvidia graphics, it has a 45 NM Penryn CPU with 6 MB L2 cache, it has 1066 MHz RAM, it has capability to drive up to a 30" Apple Cinema Display, and it will not overheat or let you down whether throwing an intensive app, 1080p HD video, or etc...

I have seen rev B MBAs 1.6/HDD on eBay brand new for $1250 to $1500. I personally think that anyone considering an original MBA in any form, should take a step back and think about the "long-run." While the original MBA may get some tasks done for some, in the long-run it is still severely limited by its CPU, drive technology, graphics, and etc.

My rev B MBA would probably be capable of being my primary Mac for several years... maybe five. Can ANYONE say that about the original MBA? Applications, video players and programs, and entertainment software requires faster and faster computers and more and more resources (and drive space). While someone may say their needs may not change, the application updates and etc will make the original MBA obsolete MANY YEARS before the rev B MBA is obsolete. So, rather than buy a new computer more often, I am encouraging the OPPOSITE. I am encouraging that people understand why Apple had to reduce the price on the rev A MBA to $999 to $1299 even though it costs $1799 to $3099 just eight months ago.

I was/am simply trying to suggest that people think, NOT about the short term, but rather the long term when they would NOT need a new Mac if they had a rev B, while the original MBA will NOT stand the test of time.

Heck, I wish the original MBA would have been what Apple made out of the rev B... Apple learned its lesson, and again the early adopters, including me, paid the price of lessons learned so that the revised MBA owners could reap the true rewards of those lessons. My whole logic is that smart intelligent people spending this much money don't have to learn the lesson for themselves when others have learned the lesson and written about it excessively here on Mac Rumors.

I don't wish to offend anyone. I wish to help them see if the short term gain of a reduced price now on a technologically outdated (for most, already) computer is the right thing when for just a little more they can buy a rev B that is truly capable of lasting time for others.

I am sorry for anyone that has been offended that I suggest people steer away from the original... it is only because of my own stupidity that I suggest it. I was dumb for being an early adopter... it happens all of the time with Apple products. The first revision of any new Apple product always seems to be "perfect," while the original version always seems to not live up to the expectations of those who bought the original. Luckily for Apple, people like me just keep buying until Apple gets it right. Apple did everything really right with the rev B MBA.

Best wishes to all whether you own or buy a MacBook Air in any version or form.

Cheers.

 

[Carl Abudephane]

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[spencers]

I think all Air'ers, be they of the A or the B variety, should meet(virtually!)and share a big group hug!

Come what may, we have all recognised it's appeal, one that took us beyond the cost versus spec equation that many simplistically take to indicate it's lack of true worth.

What do we actually get for investing in this most singular of Macs?
One hell of an experience. It is, quite simply, a joy to use.
It really is all about the experience.

I fail to see the relevance of this to the topic.

 

[600bck]

Hey hows it going everyone?
Ive been researching this topic trying to make up my mind too and joined just to post this little qeustion.

I want to buy the refurb Mac Air but not sure if it would fit my needs.
I usually just use the internet,myspace,forums,etc. I also need music and the occasional movie. Finally, I play an online game (Soldierfront) and it'd be great if i can keep playing on the Mac.

So what do you think. Is it right for me? Thanks for any help

 

[Carl Abudephane]

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[darngooddesign]

I fail to see the relevance of this to the topic.

Your response was significantly less relevant.

 

[spencers]

Hey hows it going everyone?
Ive been researching this topic trying to make up my mind too and joined just to post this little qeustion.

I want to buy the refurb Mac Air but not sure if it would fit my needs.
I usually just use the internet,myspace,forums,etc. I also need music and the occasional movie. Finally, I play an online game (Soldierfront) and it'd be great if i can keep playing on the Mac.

So what do you think. Is it right for me? Thanks for any help

Pick up whichever Air you want. With what you are doing (internet, occasional movie), even the base model revision A would suit you fine. But if you get into playing high definition, I'd definitely suggest going with revision B.

 

[Scottsdale]

Pick up whichever Air you want. With what you are doing (internet, occasional movie), even the base model revision A would suit you fine. But if you get into playing high definition, I'd definitely suggest going with revision B.

Mine couldn't even play non-HD video for 90 seconds without totally overheating, experiencing core shutdown and completely locking up. That was my rev A, 1.6, HDD, MBA. That's the truth.