Are there any ways in which the original Macbook Air is better than the 2010 Macbook Airs? I've been offered a great deal on an original (but brand new) Macbook Air and I am hoping to weigh up the pros and cons. I heard the original has a backlit keyboard yet the 2010 models don't?
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Original MBA superior to 2010 MBAs
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Backlit keyboard is the only pro that I can think of. What I've heard, the old MBAs run extremely hot and their SSDs or HDs are much slower than the current ones.
I own the original MBA and the latest 11inch MBA as well. As others have stated, you did get a backlit keyboard, but otherwise there is little comparison. The newer machine with its SSD is a real speed demon that blows away the old one. Occasionally, when using the old one for lecture presentations, I find myself noticing how long it is taking for some action to occur.
My old one still works fine, and it makes a great machine for me to use in the classroom where it might get bumped or misused by a student, but for any other work, I really prefer the new 11 inch MBA.
My old one still works fine, and it makes a great machine for me to use in the classroom where it might get bumped or misused by a student, but for any other work, I really prefer the new 11 inch MBA.
i own MBA from the very first generation until the new 11" air. there is no way the previous generation being superior to the newest air except for the backlit keyboard.
anything from design, hinge, cpu temperature, slow HD or SSD, battery life, and noise, the new macbook air beats those.
the new air is so silent and so cold! when im playing a game called "Hotel's Collector" in the air on top of my bed, it's still silent, when i play the same game on my early 17" mbp with SSD on the table, the fan is kicking.
so u can have a picture about how much silent and cool the new macbook air are.
anything from design, hinge, cpu temperature, slow HD or SSD, battery life, and noise, the new macbook air beats those.
the new air is so silent and so cold! when im playing a game called "Hotel's Collector" in the air on top of my bed, it's still silent, when i play the same game on my early 17" mbp with SSD on the table, the fan is kicking.
so u can have a picture about how much silent and cool the new macbook air are.
I own both and agree. The only other thing I would add is that I think my new 11.6" MBA's fan, when it running at the slowest speed, can be heard in a very quiet room. I couldn't ever hear my Rev. A MBA (unless it was running at a faster speed than the slowest setting...which was depedent on what I was doing).
Thus, in bed, I can hear my new MBA fan. I couldn't hear the old one.
(but if the old one was challenged at all, it would be louder and it would be warm!)
weird, my 11" air is like iPad when idling, it's so silent that i have to put my ear next to the air to hear a very little sound of it.
If by original you mean 1.8GHz with 64GB SSD then reconsider. However if you mean 2.13GHz with 128GB SSD, it is a different story. Apple sells the "old" 2.13 for $1099 and I would recommended them if people didn't need 4GB of RAM. The value is better for the "old style 2.13 if between that and new 1.86 and 2GB RAM. To me the NAND flash doesn't do much better than SSD drives now. That doesn't mean driver updates cannot improve it.
I really think low end 13" buyers might enjoy the prior model's backlit keyboard, faster CPU, and actually many like the 1220x800 resolution better. I personally love the new MBA's resolution better, but I am willing to pay the extra money for the features. I would say for $1099 the prior model is still a hell of a buy. I wouldn't recommend most sell their 2.13GHz with 128GB SSD MBA unless they need 4GB RAM or 256GB SSD. And given the choice of low end current the high end former MBA for less money might be better for some.
Bottom line is don't give up on the old MBA vs. the low end new MBA.
I really think low end 13" buyers might enjoy the prior model's backlit keyboard, faster CPU, and actually many like the 1220x800 resolution better. I personally love the new MBA's resolution better, but I am willing to pay the extra money for the features. I would say for $1099 the prior model is still a hell of a buy. I wouldn't recommend most sell their 2.13GHz with 128GB SSD MBA unless they need 4GB RAM or 256GB SSD. And given the choice of low end current the high end former MBA for less money might be better for some.
Bottom line is don't give up on the old MBA vs. the low end new MBA.