Rev A vs. Rev B - Buying Advice

[Aze]

Hello,

I've read through the forums and the other topics regarding the Rev A vs. Rev B debate. I'm considering buying a Macbook Air to replace the Acer Aspire One I just gave away. I currently own a 15" 2.4 ghz MBP (primary machine), and a 18.4 " Acer (gaming machine/impulse buy). In any event, I'm considering buying the Air mostly for travel (as I don't like to take my main MBP with me unless absolutely necessary) and for typing emails/internet on my couch when I don't feel like using my iPhone to do this. I don't really have a "need" for it, I mainly just want one for those tasks above.

HD size is not really of concern to me. From what I've gathered from reading through the forum, the general consensus is the Rev B is a superior machine on all fronts (performance, video playback, etc), while the Rev A refurbs now have a much cheaper price tag - $999.

Based on the above statements, do you think I would be best suited just taking the $999 lowest end Rev A, or would it make more sense to either get the Rev B or nothing given the differences between them and over the course of the machine's life. Again, considering my basic needs for the machine. The other consideration is whether a Macbook would be better suited (though I am strongly leaning towards the Air).

Thanks

 

[HLdan]

Wow, interesting you have so much money to throw down in this economy. I'm saying this because you said you DON'T really have a "need" for the MBA and you currently have two other expensive notebooks.
At any rate due the core shutdown and overheating issues of REV A, due yourself the favor and get REV B if you absolutely need an AIR. I recommend this because you have two other more powerful machines and the human mentality before buying is to use the AIR as just a web surfing and email machine but after buying and using it you will have a tendency to run more taxing apps on it.

 

[jackiecanev2]

If all you want to do is have a machine to dink around with when you're on the couch or on the road, the revA MBA should be perfect for you. Small, light, capable of what you want. It doesn't appear that you'll be putting any stress on the machine, and it's not your primary (or even secondary) system. Given the current price points, I'd say snap up a refurb for 1k and call it a day.

 

[EnderTW]

If all you want to do is have a machine to dink around with when you're on the couch or on the road, the revA MBA should be perfect for you. Small, light, capable of what you want. It doesn't appear that you'll be putting any stress on the machine, and it's not your primary (or even secondary) system. Given the current price points, I'd say snap up a refurb for 1k and call it a day.

I agree.

I only have a custom made PC and a rev b macbook air. It sounds like you already have another laptop. I'd probably go with the RevA, now if this was your only portable computer I'd definitely suggest Rev b, for snow leopard and other improvements.

 

[zer0tails]

was thinking of buying a netbook but for 999 the rev. A macbook air was a great price and I think it'll perform excellently as a netbook i.e. no heavy lifting.

I'll recommend that if you don't wish to spend too much $$. However, if it's going to be your main machine, then Rev. B sounds like a better option.

 

[macdent]

Hello,

I've read through the forums and the other topics regarding the Rev A vs. Rev B debate. I'm considering buying a Macbook Air to replace the Acer Aspire One I just gave away. I currently own a 15" 2.4 ghz MBP (primary machine), and a 18.4 " Acer (gaming machine/impulse buy). In any event, I'm considering buying the Air mostly for travel (as I don't like to take my main MBP with me unless absolutely necessary) and for typing emails/internet on my couch when I don't feel like using my iPhone to do this. I don't really have a "need" for it, I mainly just want one for those tasks above.

HD size is not really of concern to me. From what I've gathered from reading through the forum, the general consensus is the Rev B is a superior machine on all fronts (performance, video playback, etc), while the Rev A refurbs now have a much cheaper price tag - $999.

Based on the above statements, do you think I would be best suited just taking the $999 lowest end Rev A, or would it make more sense to either get the Rev B or nothing given the differences between them and over the course of the machine's life. Again, considering my basic needs for the machine. The other consideration is whether a Macbook would be better suited (though I am strongly leaning towards the Air).

Thanks

I went thru the same process. Went with the RevA and love it! After 7 months of use - no problems. Save the cash and go with the "A".

 

[remobot]

i just picked up the refurbished 1.6 rev a last week and i love it. i had the fans fire up while streaming an HD trailer from the apple website, but no shutdowns or anything of the sort. i even watched an episode of arrested development while sitting in bed last night, no problems at all.

anyway, if you're set on another purchase i would recommend the refurbished model and save some money.

 

[ventro]

remobot, do the fans speed up when watching youtube videos? Is there any choppiness anywhere in the UI, especially when watching HD videos or youtube videos?

 

[remobot]

im not noticing any choppiness, even with youtube hd, although the fans did jump to 6100 rpm while watching a short clip. even at such a high rate the fans are not overwhelmingly loud. nothing compared to the fans on my ps3.

i don't stream much video. i should mention that the arrested development video was a file ripped from dvd. but while i was watching the video the cpu was running at 85% - 90% idle with fans at 2400 rpm.

hopefully that answers your question, let me know if it doesn't