Please help me choose which MBA!!

[guidoverduci]

3 options....

Refurb Rev B 1.86ghz w/ 120GB HD, and replace HD with Runcore 128GB SSD for $1250 + $450 total = $1700

or

Refurb Rev C 2.13ghz w/ 128GB SSD and no runcore for $1550

or

Refurb Rev B 1.86ghz w/ 128GB SSD for $1350

what kind of performance difference am I looking at between 1.86ghz and 2.13ghz? I know itunes says it needs 2ghz for HD, that could be the deciding factor I suppose... any thoughts? Thanks!

 

[bowlerman625]

I have the refurb rev C and love it.

Thats a great option if you so choose!

 

[guidoverduci]

thanks!

 

[Scottsdale]

I have owned both 2,1 MBAs. The 1.86 GHz and the 2.13 GHz; both with 128 GB SSDs. I also upgraded on the 2.13 GHz MBA to the 128 GB Runcore SSD.

My list of importance follows with all MBAs.

1. Critical - Nvidia GPU (means v 2,1 MBAs only)
2. Needed for speed and performance - SSD (but the Runcore offers MUCH greater performance)
3. Needed for performance - CPU of 1.86 or 2.13 GHz (1.6 should be avoided)

To break it down, you already determined you're getting an Nvidia GPU and SSD. Next, the RAM performance is also determined by the drive, as swap files from/to drive transfer at MUCH higher rates with an SSD over HDD. But even faster transfer read/write from Runcore.

I would therefore identify the Runcore SSD as more important than the bump from 1.86 to 2.13 GHz. The Runcore SSD will affect the whole system performance in reality. 1.86 or 2.13 are fast enough for HD and probably are usually the same speed anyways during throttling.

If it were me, I would buy a 1.86 GHz MBA with an SSD and upgrade to the Runcore SSD. I think your price is off on the 1.86 refurbished... as for $1249 it includes the SSD doesn't it? Or maybe it's $1349 and includes SSD. Anyways, consider going that route for $100 more and sell the stock SSD on eBay for most of the cost of the Runcore. I have had several offers for my stock SSD in excess of $400. Some people just want stock, but that's crazy when the Runcore SSD is over 3X faster and affects the entire performance.

Good luck.

 

[guidoverduci]

Thanks scottsdale, that helps. What are your thoughts on keeping my 1.6ghz rev b and just replacing the 120gb HD with the runcore ssd? Is the processor a big player in the MBAs performance, because as of now, I'm not to thrilled with it.

 

[cfitz7111]

Thanks scottsdale, that helps. What are your thoughts on keeping my 1.6ghz rev b and just replacing the 120gb HD with the runcore ssd? Is the processor a big player in the MBAs performance, because as of now, I'm not to thrilled with it.

The processor is a a big player depending on what you are going to use the MBA for

 

[pukifloyd]

I have owned both 2,1 MBAs. The 1.86 GHz and the 2.13 GHz; both with 128 GB SSDs. I also upgraded on the 2.13 GHz MBA to the 128 GB Runcore SSD.

My list of importance follows with all MBAs.

1. Critical - Nvidia GPU (means v 2,1 MBAs only)
2. Needed for speed and performance - SSD (but the Runcore offers MUCH greater performance)
3. Needed for performance - CPU of 1.86 or 2.13 GHz (1.6 should be avoided)

To break it down, you already determined you're getting an Nvidia GPU and SSD. Next, the RAM performance is also determined by the drive, as swap files from/to drive transfer at MUCH higher rates with an SSD over HDD. But even faster transfer read/write from Runcore.

I would therefore identify the Runcore SSD as more important than the bump from 1.86 to 2.13 GHz. The Runcore SSD will affect the whole system performance in reality. 1.86 or 2.13 are fast enough for HD and probably are usually the same speed anyways during throttling.

If it were me, I would buy a 1.86 GHz MBA with an SSD and upgrade to the Runcore SSD. I think your price is off on the 1.86 refurbished... as for $1249 it includes the SSD doesn't it? Or maybe it's $1349 and includes SSD. Anyways, consider going that route for $100 more and sell the stock SSD on eBay for most of the cost of the Runcore. I have had several offers for my stock SSD in excess of $400. Some people just want stock, but that's crazy when the Runcore SSD is over 3X faster and affects the entire performance.

Good luck.

+1 if it has stock ssd then sell it on ebay
runcore ssd are amazing...

 

[Scottsdale]

+1 if it has stock ssd then sell it on ebay
runcore ssd are amazing...

Thanks for backing me up... please do same on my thread. People are giving me crap stating i must be affiliated with runcore because i bragged about it.

 

[Scottsdale]

Thanks scottsdale, that helps. What are your thoughts on keeping my 1.6ghz rev b and just replacing the 120gb HD with the runcore ssd? Is the processor a big player in the MBAs performance, because as of now, I'm not to thrilled with it.

For Flash and HD, the more CPU the better. I feel like 1.86 is the minimum needed moving forward. I have had excellent performance from 1.86/2.13. I have seen poor performance from 1.6. The longer you plan to have it, the more I would recommend 2.13. Think about what apps state as minimum for HD playback. I tunes says 2 GHz minimum for HD.

Good luck

 

[Daud]

3 options....

...

Refurb Rev B 1.86ghz w/ 128GB SSD for $1350

Also consider NEW MB940LL/A Rev B 1.86ghz w/ 128GB SSD for $1450 *97% (3% Bing and 1% credit card cashback) - $100 rebate +$25 shipping = $1325 final price (no tax like refurb from Apple)

http://www.pcmall.com/p/Apple-Notebook-Computers/product~dpno~7684029~pdp.fbdchbd