SB Macbook Air or $200 off for 2010 MBA?

[MrXiro]

Just curious what the lot of you would choose.
So no "depends on your usage" answers.
I'm asking for your usage. For sake of argument they are both new.

11.6" low end.
$800 for current bottom end MBA (1.4ghz, 2gb RAM, 64gb)?
Or
$1000 for new SB MBA (SB processor, Thunderbolt, HD Facetime, 64gb, assume 2gb RAM)

 

[Thares]

I'd buy the less expensive older version as I'd use it for writing, presentations and surfing. For what would I need a SB processor?

 

[Abstract]

I'd get the new 2010 MBA because I want the better product, and when you're already paying $800, $1000 isn't much more.

My answer would be different if we were talking about a $200 difference between two cheap laptops.

 

[NurJahan]

I'd get the new 2010 MBA because I want the better product, and when you're already paying $800, $1000 isn't much more.

My answer would be different if we were talking about a $200 difference between two cheap laptops.

I think you mean to say 2011 MBA.

I would buy the 2011 MBA. My computing needs aren't too complex, but I don't know what the future computing needs may be, therefore I would like to get an "upgrade" in the case my MBA needs to do more heavy lifting.

 

[DarwinOSX]

You really do NOT want only 2GB of ram. 4GB is the way to go. The new Airs are likely to have a TB port and a notably faster SB proc and the gpu won't be better and maybe a little worse. My guess is you won't be able to go over 4 GB of ram nor will their be a backlit keyboard I would think Apple would also drop the 2GB models as that was a dumb thing to do anyway.

 

[MrXiro]

I would think Apple would also drop the 2GB models as that was a dumb thing to do anyway.

From a profit standpoint it's an ingenious thing to do. They charge you 100 more dollars to get 2 more gb... which would cost Apple what 10 bucks? They know you have nowhere else to go than to pay the extra 100 dollars. So unless they raise the price of the base model why would they not have 2gb on the low end SB models?

 

[NurJahan]

From a profit standpoint it's an ingenious thing to do. They charge you 100 more dollars to get 2 more gb... which would cost Apple what 10 bucks? They know you have nowhere else to go than to pay the extra 100 dollars. So unless they raise the price of the base model why would they not have 2gb on the low end SB models?

Exactly. It sounds like a gimmick when they say "Macbook Air. Starts at $999"

 

[calvol]

Buy the cheaper 2010 Air, and wait for the Ivy CPU next year. The 2011 SB model is an incremental upgrade at best.

 

[tungry]

No brainer! Get the SB macbook air! If you divide up that extra 200 you are putting out and divide that by the length of time you are going to use the MBA you'll realize it isn't that much money to put out over time. Also when you decide to resale for any reason you will get some of that money back.

As far as performance, if you are only buying for what you need TODAY then you'll be buying a new laptop TOMORROW.

 

[MrXiro]

No brainer! Get the SB macbook air! If you divide up that extra 200 you are putting out and divide that by the length of time you are going to use the MBA you'll realize it isn't that much money to put out over time. Also when you decide to resale for any reason you will get some of that money back.

As far as performance, if you are only buying for what you need TODAY then you'll be buying a new laptop TOMORROW.

Well being that Lion works just fine on the 2gb wouldn't you think even with a C2D you'd still easily be able to eek out 3 years on it?

 

[h00ligan]

Well being that Lion works just fine on the 2gb wouldn't you think even with a C2D you'd still easily be able to eek out 3 years on it?

I'm 3 years and 7 months into my Santa rosa 2.4 4gb. It's painfully slow to me at this point. An ssd would give me maybe another year.

 

[Dark Void]

i would probably go with the newer model because while i do enjoy gaming, i probably wouldn't use an air for anything serious in terms of playing games (not to mention the storage on the models in question). i figure that the intel graphics, although i prefer nvidia, would hold up with the sb processor better for other applications that i would intend on using the air for rather than nvidia gpu + c2d.

 

[MrXiro]

I'm 3 years and 7 months into my Santa rosa 2.4 4gb. It's painfully slow to me at this point. An ssd would give me maybe another year.

Is the current ULV C2D equivalent to a Santa Rosa C2D? I'd agree with you there though... a nearly 4 year old computer is a bit long in the tooth.

 

[macjonny1]

Is the current ULV C2D equivalent to a Santa Rosa C2D? I'd agree with you there though... a nearly 4 year old computer is a bit long in the tooth.

No the current 2010 MBA is much faster than the 2007 C2D. I have a 2007 MBP 17", a 2010 MBA 13" ultimate, and a 2011 MBP 17" quad. The MBA is very fast and for most general purpose use it keeps up fine with my fine quad MBP. People spend way too much time speculating about specs and not actual day to day performance. My 2007 by the way works just fine for most things I do as well, just not video editing with high def video, etc. It's still great for a backup machine though.

 

[Bear]

I'm 3 years and 7 months into my Santa rosa 2.4 4gb. It's painfully slow to me at this point. An ssd would give me maybe another year.

I don't think an SSD would speed up your system enough for it to last another year. You're better off putting the money in to a new system that will last you another 3 or 4 years.

Just curious what the lot of you would choose.
So no "depends on your usage" answers.
I'm asking for your usage. For sake of argument they are both new.

11.6" low end.
$800 for current bottom end MBA (1.4ghz, 2gb RAM, 64gb)?
Or
$1000 for new SB MBA (SB processor, Thunderbolt, HD Facetime, 64gb, assume 2gb RAM)

While in some respects it does depend on your usage, it's also what your usage will be like in the future as well. My actual suggestion is based on how long you intend to keep the system for. If it's for 3 or more years, I'd say saving the money could mean that you might need to upgrade sooner depending on where your usage goes.

Also, if you're concerned about battery life, the next Air (2011) could have even better battery life depending on what cpu Apple uses.

 

[42streetsdown]

Buy the cheaper 2010 Air, and wait for the Ivy CPU next year. The 2011 SB model is an incremental upgrade at best.

The sandy bridge models will be a big step forward for the macbook, but with that being said, i agree that the power efficiency of ivy bridge would be much more advantageous for the style of computer.

 

[42streetsdown]

Is the current ULV C2D equivalent to a Santa Rosa C2D? I'd agree with you there though... a nearly 4 year old computer is a bit long in the tooth.

the processors were released in the third quarter of 2008. so older yes, but 2 and a half years not 4

 

[rlu929s]

I'm planning for my use to be coding/web/very light image editing and that's about it. This is going to be my device I carry around through my work day to get work done and work on my side business over lunch.

I'm thinking either the 4GB C2D or a new one depending on the price break. Right now the old is about $200 off, so I'm hoping the discounts will go even deeper once the new one is released. Otherwise like others have said. If only a couple $100 bucks then I'll probably go with the 2011 for future proofing.

 

[KnightWRX]

Considering my 2008 Macbook was more machine than I needed when I upgraded to the MBA (only for the added portability), I'm safe to say I'd just save the 200$.

I don't upgrade based on computing power need anymore, haven't for the last 10 years. I upgrade on want.

 

[Scottsdale]

I would WAIT to see not just the exact specs of the 2011 MBA but also how it performs in REAL WORLD tests.

Hopefully there will be big advantages for buying the new one. I am curious to several issues with the Intel IGP as well as backlit keyboard, more RAM standard, bigger Flash storage, HD WebCam, Thunderbolt, and any other possibilities too. For me, it will take some real world positive graphics results to make it worth an upgrade even if all of the other features are upgraded.

I am going to wait and see the specs, read the reviews, search for test results, get other forum members' opinions, and finally test it myself in the store before considering one. In the past, every upgrade seemed like a big step forward, but the 2010 MBA is so good and Intel's IGP so poor, that it will take some convincing for me to make the transition.

 

[MrXiro]

the processors were released in the third quarter of 2008. so older yes, but 2 and a half years not 4

I was referring to the previous poster's comment about his '07 MB... and I said nearly 4 years old. A computer bought in 07 is nearly 4 years old now even if it came out at the end of '07.

 

[MrXiro]

I would WAIT to see not just the exact specs of the 2011 MBA but also how it performs in REAL WORLD tests.

Hopefully there will be big advantages for buying the new one. I am curious to several issues with the Intel IGP as well as backlit keyboard, more RAM standard, bigger Flash storage, HD WebCam, Thunderbolt, and any other possibilities too. For me, it will take some real world positive graphics results to make it worth an upgrade even if all of the other features are upgraded.

I am going to wait and see the specs, read the reviews, search for test results, get other forum members' opinions, and finally test it myself in the store before considering one. In the past, every upgrade seemed like a big step forward, but the 2010 MBA is so good and Intel's IGP so poor, that it will take some convincing for me to make the transition.

I can't base this on any facts, but I see no reason for Apple to put more RAM in the base MBA in coming update. It'll be 2gb no matter what. Apple has no reason to put it in because the biggest reason of all... they can charge you 100 dollars for a 5 dollar upgrade (on their end). Why kill that gold goose? They know you can't upgrade anywhere else... which also means none of the Official Apple Resellers will have it and that means even more money in their pocket.