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Refurb Air 1.6 - 999.99 - Apple Refurb Store
- Thread starter kellen
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Granted, people are buying netbooks with a paltry 1 gig of RAM, and a single core underpowered processor.
I think a lot of MBA users fall under the category that doesn't require too much juice to get the job done.
The processor is only underpowered if you need more power!
Personally, I think the Atom processor in most netbooks has plenty of power for what they are designed for, especially given the efficiency of the chip!
The processor is only underpowered if you need more power!
Personally, I think the Atom processor in most netbooks has plenty of power for what they are designed for, especially given the efficiency of the chip!
The things you can do on the Air far exceed the power of a Netbook. However if you don't need the power then a netbook will work fine.
Well I got my MBA this morning 36 hours after placing the order (free shipping), and I couldn't be happier with this thing. I cant believe I waited this long to get a Mac, and so far my experience with Apple is stellar. I'm already shopping for my next desktop, which will be an Apple of course.
I did a clean OS install and am going to download xslimmer after OSX is done updating and I install iLife 09' (which came in the box with my MBA). The only other thing I plan on doing is getting a SSD in a year when they're cheaper, bigger and faster.
Oh btw, my serial number printed on the bottom of my MBA is not a refurbished serial #.
I did a clean OS install and am going to download xslimmer after OSX is done updating and I install iLife 09' (which came in the box with my MBA). The only other thing I plan on doing is getting a SSD in a year when they're cheaper, bigger and faster.
Oh btw, my serial number printed on the bottom of my MBA is not a refurbished serial #.
Congrats! I'm also very happy with mine. It's perfect for what I need - supplementing my iMac and mobility.
I believe the refurb model # starts with F, for example, on the white box, mine says FB003LL/A. Serial number does not have YD or F, but model imprinted on back of notebooks says A1237.
New soon to be MBA owner here. Just ordered the refurbushed MBA 1.6 HDD version. Hoping to get it soon. From what it sounds like I should be able to use it for I generally do: email, web, and microsoft office.
A couple questions:
1) Can you still convert DVDs using a program like handbrake on this machine? If so, is the MBA also capable of watching those same converted movies. Some of the discussion about the graphics card being underpowered/overheating has me worried about this function. I'm not interested in gaming but I'm pretty clueless on how much power is required to watch converted movies.
2) I've read several times that doing a clean install of OSX is recommended. Is there a thread that someone can direct me to that can help me with this process. I did a search but was unsuccessful. I am a total newbie to Mac OS so any help would be appreciated! Thanks in advance
A couple questions:
1) Can you still convert DVDs using a program like handbrake on this machine? If so, is the MBA also capable of watching those same converted movies. Some of the discussion about the graphics card being underpowered/overheating has me worried about this function. I'm not interested in gaming but I'm pretty clueless on how much power is required to watch converted movies.
2) I've read several times that doing a clean install of OSX is recommended. Is there a thread that someone can direct me to that can help me with this process. I did a search but was unsuccessful. I am a total newbie to Mac OS so any help would be appreciated! Thanks in advance
go away
Why are you here?Thanks for that video. You just confirmed my words that the MBA revA is GARBAGE since your video stuttered over 25 times
For everyone who bought this junk, please save your money and add some more to it and get the revA or go and get the Vaio TT if you need the portability.
MBA revA = sucks big time.
MBA revB = defective screeeeeeeens!
Apple = worst company when it comes to new products.
However, I still love their products and that might not last long if this continues!
Hello, i dont want to hijack, but i was wondering if the Apple Stores had a refurb section just like the online refurb Apple store? I would like to buy a MBA refurb when i go to the US on march (i live overseas), but i dunno if the store has any refurbs on stock. Is it only online? Thanks!
I can't help you with your first question. On your second one, there's a "sticky" thread at the top of this forum. Here's a link for your convenience: http://guides.macrumors.com/Complete_Steps_to_Perform_a_Clean_OS_X_Reinstall_on_Your_MacBook_Air
Good to hear I'm not the only one buying an Air as a companion to a MBP.
That makes three of us. I just got mine the other day ($1099 Canadian refurb). I'm turning my MacBook Pro into my main machine, putting my iMac in the basement for the time being until the kid gets old enough to play games on it, and using the MacBook Air when I head downtown for random meetings (I work from home so I'm usually either there or at a Starbucks).
So far, I'm loving the Air. I was originally debating a netbook and I'm so glad I didn't as I don't think I could live with anything smaller than a 13" screen. And all the keyboards I've seen on netbooks are beyond horrible.
I Would also like a answer to question 1 if possible, Handbreak or Toast Titanium thanks much.
SSD or HD
I think I am getting closer to making a decision. Currently, there is a refurb that is 1.8 64 gb SSD for 1299. I am a bit concerned that i will always be struggling with lack of storage as I would end up around 37 gb free after installation of operating system slimmed down, MS office 2008 (no entourage).
The 1.8 80 gb HDD seems to be around 12-15% slower than the SSD. It runs for $1099.
If I go the SSD route, I could end up spending $400 more for version B 1.6 with 120 gb. That version is faster than the SSD version of Rev A.
My quandry is whether that 1.8 80 gb hdd will be tolerable on speed without going to the SSD.
I have a last gen Macbook Pro and am considering the Air a secondary computer for office / web/ etc/ traveling
Any thoughts from people?
I think I am getting closer to making a decision. Currently, there is a refurb that is 1.8 64 gb SSD for 1299. I am a bit concerned that i will always be struggling with lack of storage as I would end up around 37 gb free after installation of operating system slimmed down, MS office 2008 (no entourage).
The 1.8 80 gb HDD seems to be around 12-15% slower than the SSD. It runs for $1099.
If I go the SSD route, I could end up spending $400 more for version B 1.6 with 120 gb. That version is faster than the SSD version of Rev A.
My quandry is whether that 1.8 80 gb hdd will be tolerable on speed without going to the SSD.
I have a last gen Macbook Pro and am considering the Air a secondary computer for office / web/ etc/ traveling
Any thoughts from people?
37GB is a lot of space. Will you really use all of it for office/web/traveling/etc?
I find the combo of a 64GB SSD + 500GH 2.5" USB HHD perfect for all my needs.
SSD and Portable HD
Sounds like you are suggesting the SSD drive is important for Rev A. I looked at what i would need on the SSD drive -Word, Excel, Powerpoint, Keynote, Things, Filemaker 10, Things, Mindmanager, VMWare - all those look like would maybe take up 2 GB.
Sounds like you have said I could have VMWare on the Air Hard Drive and install Windows on the portable drive. I would have Publisher, and a few other odd programs. Right now with my MacBook Pro, I spend about 95% of my time on the Mac side. Sounds like that would be doable.
I just read another person's post about the Rev B speed - but you are the only one with the comparison. Is the portable hard drive a Western Digital? Is running Windows slow off the portable drive.
I know part of this is a paradigm thing - addition of the SSD drive on Rev A makes things go quick like Rev B - even though the bus and memory is slower and no video card. The things above are what I would use the computer for - plus some video playback. If I had to create a video, I would do that on the MacBook Pro.
Sounds like you are suggesting the SSD drive is important for Rev A. I looked at what i would need on the SSD drive -Word, Excel, Powerpoint, Keynote, Things, Filemaker 10, Things, Mindmanager, VMWare - all those look like would maybe take up 2 GB.
Sounds like you have said I could have VMWare on the Air Hard Drive and install Windows on the portable drive. I would have Publisher, and a few other odd programs. Right now with my MacBook Pro, I spend about 95% of my time on the Mac side. Sounds like that would be doable.
I just read another person's post about the Rev B speed - but you are the only one with the comparison. Is the portable hard drive a Western Digital? Is running Windows slow off the portable drive.
I know part of this is a paradigm thing - addition of the SSD drive on Rev A makes things go quick like Rev B - even though the bus and memory is slower and no video card. The things above are what I would use the computer for - plus some video playback. If I had to create a video, I would do that on the MacBook Pro.
Maybe it's just me but I don't really understand why people are demanding a faster processor, bigger hard drive and more powerful graphics chip...
It's seem to me that the only thing Apple should really really improve for MBA is battery life. 3.5hrs of Wi-Fi productivity isn't what you promised you give us, Apple.
MBA isn't the MacBook that does it all, at least I think Apple think so, I have my desktop for my works (Photoshop, Handbrake...) and yes, it's a PC cause I can't afford a Mac Pro (and no, I wouldn't buy a MBP or even a MB, any thing that is heavier than 2kgs is not portable enough for me)
With that said, when people ask me about my MBA (because it's real sexy one when I'm working at my favourite cafe) and like pfftt at it's specs, I know they wouldn't understand what a MBA is meant to be.
I'm working daily with Coda, TextMate and Photoshop sometimes to touch up some psds for my work (web developing) and this MBA is totally capable. Although I don't use Pages, Keynote or Numbers but I believe MBA can handle them just find IMHO. Not mentioning that I always have about 20 tabs or Safari and Firefox in the background with some of them have Flash.
So, people out there who want your MBA to encoding your video, processing your photos with its tiny (yes, for this kind of work) 13.3" LCD and still fits in its form factor, welcome to several years later.
And until then, I would like to see Apple using a CPU that just as fast as current one, a hard drive with whatever space the industry can make with as less power requirement as possible and a graphics chip that on par with current Intel X3100 (and of course less power consumption as possible) to power future MBA. With 10 hrs of battery life, yes that's what I want.
A laptop with big enough monitor, full size keyboard and superb touchpad that only 3lbs is like a dream to me. Goodbye VAIO TZ and hello MBA. The only thing I missed and haven't get over with is the battery life. 9hrs of coding is just unbeatable.
It's seem to me that the only thing Apple should really really improve for MBA is battery life. 3.5hrs of Wi-Fi productivity isn't what you promised you give us, Apple.
MBA isn't the MacBook that does it all, at least I think Apple think so, I have my desktop for my works (Photoshop, Handbrake...) and yes, it's a PC cause I can't afford a Mac Pro (and no, I wouldn't buy a MBP or even a MB, any thing that is heavier than 2kgs is not portable enough for me)
With that said, when people ask me about my MBA (because it's real sexy one when I'm working at my favourite cafe) and like pfftt at it's specs, I know they wouldn't understand what a MBA is meant to be.
I'm working daily with Coda, TextMate and Photoshop sometimes to touch up some psds for my work (web developing) and this MBA is totally capable. Although I don't use Pages, Keynote or Numbers but I believe MBA can handle them just find IMHO. Not mentioning that I always have about 20 tabs or Safari and Firefox in the background with some of them have Flash.
So, people out there who want your MBA to encoding your video, processing your photos with its tiny (yes, for this kind of work) 13.3" LCD and still fits in its form factor, welcome to several years later.
And until then, I would like to see Apple using a CPU that just as fast as current one, a hard drive with whatever space the industry can make with as less power requirement as possible and a graphics chip that on par with current Intel X3100 (and of course less power consumption as possible) to power future MBA. With 10 hrs of battery life, yes that's what I want.
A laptop with big enough monitor, full size keyboard and superb touchpad that only 3lbs is like a dream to me. Goodbye VAIO TZ and hello MBA. The only thing I missed and haven't get over with is the battery life. 9hrs of coding is just unbeatable.