Refurb Air 1.6 - 999.99 - Apple Refurb Store

[Minuteman3]

I purchased a Rev A Refurb and have been extremely pleased. It's an HD/1.6 model and the performance is more than "good enough." I'm basically a Windows guy, and the MacBook does double duty with VM Ware & Windows 7. It performs well with with both OS's.

I use it primarily to connect remotely to systems that I monitor and service as well as for light word processing duty with Pages. I have not been "out and about" enough to comment on battery life, but it seems more than reasonable on a couple of "wife getting ready to go to bed" un-powered surfing sessions!!

On a recent trip to the Apple Store, I did play a bit with a Rev B SSD model. Frankly, I could tell very little difference in performance over my Rev A HD model. I suspect there may be differences at the benchmark level, but my eyes are just not quite good enough to actually SEE those differences. I did not try any video or YouTube, but I did play with Safari, Pages & Numbers and could essentially tell no difference.

Cheers!!

Ken

 

[mshaf]

Coolbook necessary for refurbs too

Still waiting for my refurb MBA 1.6/80HDD .... I've been reading a lot on the forums about issues with video and core shutdowns.

Is this still a problem for refurbs too. Should I still plan on getting coolbook?

 

[gonzo1082]

I just purchased my first mac EVER, rev a MBA 999$ and a printer, super drive from craigs for 65$. I'm excited!

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)...

I agree with him. I think some people expect the MBA to be a workhorse being capable of admirable speeds, etc. Having owned an eee pc 1000h and a lenovo x61 i can say the MBA can do what i need. Type papers, surf web, listen to music, do some java programing. I hold all my large libraries of music and movies in external usb drives, so why need more than 80 gigs or even 64(ssd)? in other words, if you want portability get a MBA or a cheap netbook, but don't expect to break world records of speed and storage.

 

[darngooddesign]

...I did not try any video or YouTube, but I did play with Safari, Pages & Numbers and could essentially tell no difference.

The biggest improvement is with playing Flash video.

 

[mshaf]

Just got my MBA refurbished 1.6/80HDD today. I did a fresh install of OSX and updated. I've run it through youtube and other flash sites and no problems. This computer is slick. What was I waiting for...

I was torn between this and a regular macbook unibody. So happy with my choice. I'm generally a casual user on my computer (email, word processing, powerpoint, basic photo and video editing) and this computer is more than adequate. Wow this screen is gorgeous. I like the backlit keyboard too which I wouldnt have gotten with the macbook (cheaper version).

I don't see the need for coolbook with the update but maybe I just got a good computer. I will try xslimmer for faster boot up times though. If you're waiting to decide I recommend pulling the trigger on this refurb at 999.99 provided that your uses parallel mine! So happy to be a new mac user!

 

[cbster]

Just got my MBA refurbished 1.6/80HDD today. I did a fresh install of OSX and updated. I've run it through youtube and other flash sites and no problems. This computer is slick. What was I waiting for...

I was torn between this and a regular macbook unibody. So happy with my choice. I'm generally a casual user on my computer (email, word processing, powerpoint, basic photo and video editing) and this computer is more than adequate. Wow this screen is gorgeous. I like the backlit keyboard too which I wouldnt have gotten with the macbook (cheaper version).

I don't see the need for coolbook with the update but maybe I just got a good computer. I will try xslimmer for faster boot up times though. If you're waiting to decide I recommend pulling the trigger on this refurb at 999.99 provided that your uses parallel mine! So happy to be a new mac user!

I whole-heartedly agree. I too recently recieved my refurbed MacBook Air, and I love it. However, I would still recommend you download CoolBook. Even after the firmware update, CoolBook is keeping my temps down 5-8 degress celcius. Anyways, congrats on the purchase!

 

[dborja]

I whole-heartedly agree. I too recently recieved my refurbed MacBook Air, and I love it. However, I would still recommend you download CoolBook. Even after the firmware update, CoolBook is keeping my temps down 5-8 degress celcius. Anyways, congrats on the purchase!

+1. I also notice longer battery time...

 

[mshaf]

I whole-heartedly agree. I too recently recieved my refurbed MacBook Air, and I love it. However, I would still recommend you download CoolBook. Even after the firmware update, CoolBook is keeping my temps down 5-8 degress celcius. Anyways, congrats on the purchase!

Good to know thank you both. Can you please send me your settings for coolbook since you have a refurb too?

Thanks,
Mike

 

[dborja]

Good to know thank you both. Can you please send me your settings for coolbook since you have a refurb too?

Thanks,
Mike

800MHz - 0.9V
1200MHz - 0.925V
1400MHz - 0.925V
1600MHz - 0.925V

I could probably tweak the voltages lower still; I'll try one of these days...

 

[mshaf]

800MHz - 0.9V
1200MHz - 0.925V
1400MHz - 0.925V
1600MHz - 0.925V

I could probably tweak the voltages lower still; I'll try one of these days...

Thanks so much!

 

[cheapa55]

800MHz - 0.9V
1200MHz - 0.925V
1400MHz - 0.925V
1600MHz - 0.925V

I could probably tweak the voltages lower still; I'll try one of these days...

thanks for sharing. I don't understand coolbook, but after watching hulu last night for 1 hr, the mba's fan was loud and it was hot!!!. Overall, I'm loving my refurb as well.

 

[cbster]

Good to know thank you both. Can you please send me your settings for coolbook since you have a refurb too?

Thanks,
Mike

800 - .90v
1200 - .90v
1400 - .90v
1600 - .9125v

throttle - medium, no temp limit, throttling active, coolbook active

 

[orrelse44]

800MHz - 0.9V
1200MHz - 0.925V
1400MHz - 0.925V
1600MHz - 0.925V

I could probably tweak the voltages lower still; I'll try one of these days...

Just curious, but are you doing these settings for adapter and battery? Same for both?

 

[cbster]

Just curious, but are you doing these settings for adapter and battery? Same for both?

Yes, I am using the same setting for both. I have had this setup for 1 week. I have not had any kernal panics or any other issues.

I also have smcFan controller set at 4000 rpms at all times.

Woops, I just realized you weren't asking me, :sorry:

 

[dborja]

Just curious, but are you doing these settings for adapter and battery? Same for both?

Right now, only for battery although I may do my adapter settings later. I use my MBA on adapter less than 10% of the time.

 

[dborja]

Yes, I am using the same setting for both. I have had this setup for 1 week. I have not had any kernal panics or any other issues.

I also have smcFan controller set at 4000 rpms at all times.

Woops, I just realized you weren't asking me, :sorry:

No worry, I'm glad you're sharing your info as well. I might try your settings this weekend to shed some more heat and gain more battery time. I also have SMCfan but I'm leaving things at default for now (2500RPM min speed).

Thanks!

 

[ravenvii]

I am wondering, in the past, will the Back to School summer deals apply to refurbished Macs as well? Or only new ones?

Based on the past summers, that is.

EDIT: I found the answer. In short: No.

 

[travis64]

they just put the 1.6 ssd on for 1199 not bad

$100 worth it for .2 ?

 

[mshaf]

they just put the 1.6 ssd on for 1199 not bad

$100 worth it for .2 ?

figures...i just got my 1.6 hdd yesterday. I don't notice a lag though with hdd. After a day I'm pretty happy with the speed coming from a 2.2 dual core on a pc. No noticeable differences so far but I'm a light user.

 

[gonzo1082]

they just put the 1.6 ssd on for 1199 not bad

$100 worth it for .2 ?

i dont think it's much of a difference IMO, i'm undervolting with coolbook in osX and NHC in windows 7 (1ghz). I just got mine yesterday and played with it literally all day. i just love the thing. the HDD is a little slow but nothing terrible, apps load a bit slower but like i said, nothing that would bother me.

so im never really running the thing at full speed because it does get hot.

 

[tomtomtom]

Hi,

I'll be buying one of these refurb macbook air revA very soon...
I was wondering what you guys thought about the 2 version I am considering:

No SSD, because I don't need it and I value 16gb more than SSD advantages
(and for $100 less...)
but my options are:

- 1.6ghz hdd 80 for $999
- 1.8ghz hdd 80 for $1099

Is it worth an extra $100? Will I lose battery life with the extra CPU?

Thanks for your help/advices, I'm really hesitating...

 

[mshaf]

Hi,

I'll be buying one of these refurb macbook air revA very soon...
I was wondering what you guys thought about the 2 version I am considering:

No SSD, because I don't need it and I value 16gb more than SSD advantages
(and for $100 less...)
but my options are:

- 1.6ghz hdd 80 for $999
- 1.8ghz hdd 80 for $1099

Is it worth an extra $100? Will I lose battery life with the extra CPU?

Thanks for your help/advices, I'm really hesitating...

Having used the computer intensely for the past two days I say pull the trigger on the cheaper model, get a superdrive (refurbished), and case for the same price!

 

[justit]

Hi,

- 1.6ghz hdd 80 for $999
- 1.8ghz hdd 80 for $1099

Haven't tested 1.8 Rev A, but on the Rev B 1.86 it's a bit of a waste as it mostly lives on 800Ghz.

https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/611606/

It will ramp up to a sustained 1.8 when ripping DVDs or encoding video. That's the only time you notice it maybe shaving off 1 minute or 2 from a 30 minute rip time.

The 1.8 though is better for reselling.

 

[sepo01]

MBA Rev 1.8 80GB

I just ordered a refurbished Rev A 1.8 w/80 GB drive for $1099 from Apple last night.

As my 3rd Mac, I hope I am happy with it. I just love the form factor of the MBA. I look forward to taking it on a work trip when I have to carry my work Dell as well.

 

[riveting]

My fan seems to ramp up a bit more often and stay a bit too long than I like. I made a thread here
https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/671871/

For those who got the refurbished Rev. A air, can you share me your experience with the fan noise/heat? How often and what task you do make the fan ramp up to 6200rpm and how long does it take it to go back to silent mode (2500 rpm) after you finish your heavy tasks?

Thanks,
rivet