Should I trade MBP (SR) for 1st gen MBA?

[supernet33]

I wanted to get something smaller so I wanted to sell my MBP ( SR 2007 model)
So I put up an ad and well someone replayed back and saying they would trade there MBA they bought in nov for my MBP

Should I do it? or is the 1st gen MBA bad?

 

[mshaf]

I wanted to get something smaller so I wanted to sell my MBP ( SR 2007 model) on CL.
So I put up an ad and well someone replayed back and saying they would trade there MBA they bought in nov for my MBP

Should I do it? or is the 1st gen MBA bad?

All depends on what you use it for. A large % of people have complained about the limitations and heat/core shutdown issues with MBA rev a. I just bought a refurbished rev a (1st gen) and love it. I don't have any of the issues that others frequently complain about but my uses are pretty light except for video encoding/handbrake which it handles beautifully. performance is gonna be a huge difference between MBP and MBA though so be careful with your decision....

 

[waiwai]

I wanted to get something smaller so I wanted to sell my MBP ( SR 2007 model) on CL.
So I put up an ad and well someone replayed back and saying they would trade there MBA they bought in nov for my MBP

Should I do it? or is the 1st gen MBA bad?

if ur a casual notebook user (just checking ur email... doing word processing, surfing) sure the trade seems ok... but just understand the MBA performance wise is no where near that of your MBP. You're taking a huge hit in performance.

one thing to make sure is whether the MBA has a SSD or regular HD. Value will vary substantially based on that...

 

[Airforcekid]

I say go for it if you just do email web and small video and photos anything beyond that stick with the pro!

 

[supernet33]

Thanks.. I mainly just use it for ichat, email and surf...
Some times watch divx videos on it.

 

[timsutcliffe]

Go for it

I've recently done a similar thing. I had a MBP, which I got in August last year, but I just found it to be too big, so I decided to switch it for a Rev. A MBA (Refurb).

Things are going great so far. I don't notice any huge slowdowns, I do word processing, iPhoto, and use the internet and it's fine.

I'd say go for it, it's a real treat.

 

[jeremybuff]

No, no no no... please spare yourself. The 1st gen is riddled with hinge issues.. issues Apple will not cover (search for it on google). Mine just recently broke, and as I expected, Apple shoved it down my throat and said that I "overextended" the hinges and broke them. They admitted that the hinges are a known problem, but refuse to cover it. Hell, I still have 86 days left on my hardware warranty... and I did not "overextend it". They simply popped and broke.

If you get an air, get the 2nd gen... which seems to not have the same issues as the 1st gen. Btw, every manager at Apple adamantly refuses to admit that they should cover it and insult you by saying you broke it.

I'm going through hell right now, and if I loose, I'll have to pay $700-800 for a new screen. This machine isn't meant to last very long, as is obvious by the poor hinge design. What makes this whole issue ten times worse is that it only left my house ONCE.... and stayed on my desk 99% of the time (I got promoted to a desk job once I got it.. figures).

 

[Scottsdale]

I would stay away from the rev A at all costs. I had one and it could NOT perform at any acceptable level that most would expect from a Mac. I know Cool Book and software rewrites have helped since, but do you really want to deal with all of those problems?

Also, if you were going to "trade" you should sell your MBP, and buy a refurbished MBA instead. Will get full year warranty from Apple, can buy AppleCare. In addition, probably can get more for your MBP than the refurbished MBA would cost.

However, I really don't think the performance would be acceptable going from a MBP to an original MBA. BUT, you could sell the MBP, and buy a rev B MBA with HDD and 1.6 GHz CPU for just a little more, if you search and find a good deal on the MBA.

I use a rev B MBA as my primary computer, and it is fully capable. Also consider this, the original MBA has a PATA drive controller... even the original MBA with SSD and 1.8 GHz gets outperformed by a rev B 1.6 GHz and HDD (check xBench marks for proof or ask anyone who has owned both). Also, the rev B MBA can drive up to a 30" ACD with the Nvidia graphics. Video stuttering is fixed with better drive controller, overheating is cured by better graphics AND a 45 NM Penryn SSF CPU with 6 MB L2 Cache.

The rev B MBA is a fully capable Mac in ultra portable form. It is power and beautiful and portable combined.

Good luck with your decision.

 

[justit]

I would stay away from the rev A at all costs.

Looks like you purchased your Rev A before the summer 2008 silent revisions. I haven't seen any posts on any problems with a Refurb Rev A (including myself). That's a better track record.

 

[supernet33]

Looks like you purchased your Rev A before the summer 2008 silent revisions. I haven't seen any posts on any problems with a Refurb Rev A (including myself). That's a better track record.

So your saying there were revisions?
And apple fixed these problems?

 

[SeanU]

Enough with the Rev A bashing...

I got a refurb rev a 2 months ago. I paid $999 for $10 for Coolbook.

Based on the relentless comments here, you would think that the machine is going to burn up, and have the hinges pop loose as soon as you open it.

Amazingly, I can do the following things with my Rev. A 80gb (hdd):

1) Develop Xcode applications, and run the iPhone simulator
2) Watch a ripped DVD iso, while holding the air in my lap without having my pants catch fire, or seeing the movie stutter.
3) Use it on my daily train commute to read ebooks, work on documents and generally do the stuff i need to do.
4) I use it as a secondary machine at work to browse, and webex meetings, while I do other things on my main pc.

Now, I won't argue about the rev.b Air being faster, supporting higher resolutions, and having faster graphics... it's all true. *If* you need those things than go right ahead and drop the extra greenbacks.

But pleeeeeez.... can we stop acting like the rev. A can't function as a usable laptop? It can. The refurbs are a bargain if it's lower specs meet your needs. I apologize for the rant... going back to work.

 

[Scottsdale]

I got a refurb rev a 2 months ago. I paid $999 for $10 for Coolbook.

Based on the relentless comments here, you would think that the machine is going to burn up, and have the hinges pop loose as soon as you open it.

Amazingly, I can do the following things with my Rev. A 80gb (hdd):

1) Develop Xcode applications, and run the iPhone simulator
2) Watch a ripped DVD iso, while holding the air in my lap without having my pants catch fire, or seeing the movie stutter.
3) Use it on my daily train commute to read ebooks, work on documents and generally do the stuff i need to do.
4) I use it as a secondary machine at work to browse, and webex meetings, while I do other things on my main pc.

Now, I won't argue about the rev.b Air being faster, supporting higher resolutions, and having faster graphics... it's all true. *If* you need those things than go right ahead and drop the extra greenbacks.

But pleeeeeez.... can we stop acting like the rev. A can't function as a usable laptop? It can. The refurbs are a bargain if it's lower specs meet your needs. I apologize for the rant... going back to work.

So you are saying it will function well enough to run an iPhone app. Honestly, Cool Book has made it almost acceptable. However the price matches performance being refurb and drastically lowered price.

My expectation with my original MBA was for it to perform like a Mac. My original did NOT perform like I expect a Mac to perform.

Since the price is high like a luxury item, it should perform at nearly same level as MB. The original wasn't even close. The new MBA performs better than a MB if buy with SSD. Hefty price for nearly same components.

The new MBA is a fully capable Mac, while the original is not. Granted Cool Book and software has helped the little engine that could. The original MBA, at time of release should have never been sold as it didn't meet normal expectations of MOST Mac users.

At least at $999 to $1299, the original MBA is a much better value as long as buyer knows about Cool Book.

I would still never advise the average Mac user buy it. For some, it will be acceptable, but we all have different usage patterns. The original MBA is not for most Mac users.

I just fully advise people to understand issues and limitations before spending over 1,000 dollars. I believe, in the long run, the rev B MBA will be able to operate properly given our always increasing demand of larger more resource intensive apps, videos, and etc.

If an original MBA works for you, be happy!

 

[supernet33]

Well I did the trade! So far this thing seems fine ( knock on wood)
Thanks for all the replys..

Anyone have pointers to keep this thing running well?

 

[SeanU]

So, I think its safe to say, the MBA rev.a works for me, but not for you. I suspect it will also work for many others, and also will not be sufficient for some. Given the $800 difference between a new MBA rev. B and a refurb MBA rev. A, it makes sense that if it does everything that a person needs it to do... it is a perfectly usable machine.

BTW, my point about above was not that the Air can run an iPhone app, but that it can run the full XCode/iPhone development environment without *any* issues at all. For anyone looking for a very portable, lightweight Mac to do iPhone development on, I highly recommend the Rev A Macbook Air... its a bargain at $999.

 

[mshaf]

So you are saying it will function well enough to run an iPhone app. Honestly, Cool Book has made it almost acceptable. However the price matches performance being refurb and drastically lowered price.

My expectation with my original MBA was for it to perform like a Mac. My original did NOT perform like I expect a Mac to perform.

Since the price is high like a luxury item, it should perform at nearly same level as MB. The original wasn't even close. The new MBA performs better than a MB if buy with SSD. Hefty price for nearly same components.

The new MBA is a fully capable Mac, while the original is not. Granted Cool Book and software has helped the little engine that could. The original MBA, at time of release should have never been sold as it didn't meet normal expectations of MOST Mac users.

At least at $999 to $1299, the original MBA is a much better value as long as buyer knows about Cool Book.

I would still never advise the average Mac user buy it. For some, it will be acceptable, but we all have different usage patterns. The original MBA is not for most Mac users.

I just fully advise people to understand issues and limitations before spending over 1,000 dollars. I believe, in the long run, the rev B MBA will be able to operate properly given our always increasing demand of larger more resource intensive apps, videos, and etc.

If an original MBA works for you, be happy!

If you live in a Scottsdale world where money is limitless then by all means buy the rev b version ($800 difference). I agree with others...silent revisons to Rev A refurbs appear to have made a world of difference! No heat issues, not skipping on youtube, no issues with the screen hinge...no worries what so ever!

 

[PsyD4Me]

I just put up my MBA for sale on ebay.

After owning it for 5mo the sluggish performance (after watching 40 minutes of the office in Itunes the video playback would be choppy as hell), the mediocre keyboard and battery life have made me want to go back to the MBP.
I will be getting the 17" one, because it's still pretty portable. I carry my laptops in my backpack anyway.

Besides sometimes i found the small size anoying when holding it in my lap or if i was working in bed. I need something sturdy (larger) to hang on to.

 

[Scottsdale]

If you live in a Scottsdale world where money is limitless then by all means buy the rev b version ($800 difference). I agree with others...silent revisons to Rev A refurbs appear to have made a world of difference! No heat issues, not skipping on youtube, no issues with the screen hinge...no worries what so ever!

Look at value for current and future computing power per dollar. I will take a rev B MBA at $2499 over the original at $1299 with SSD and 1.8 GHz ANY DAY OF THE WEEK. That is based on its current and FUTURE ability to perform common tasks expected of a Mac.

So, Cool Book helps, but over time, computer users require more and more power, speed, and storage space to perform "COMMON" computing tasks. I think the component revisions in the new MBA prove what it is capable of and the differences in future capabilities. My two cents.

SOME will be happy to save the money... others will see more value at a higher price point.

 

[mshaf]

Look at value for current and future computing power per dollar. I will take a rev B MBA at $2499 over the original at $1299 with SSD and 1.8 GHz ANY DAY OF THE WEEK. That is based on its current and FUTURE ability to perform common tasks expected of a Mac.

So, Cool Book helps, but over time, computer users require more and more power, speed, and storage space to perform "COMMON" computing tasks. I think the component revisions in the new MBA prove what it is capable of and the differences in future capabilities. My two cents.

SOME will be happy to save the money... others will see more value at a higher price point.

I know i just feel compelled to share my opinion every time you share your opinion on the rev a because you do it so often! The average user simply does not use their computer for such intensive tasks that you describe. I always qualify my statements by telling others that their type of use is important to inform their decision. 99% of the time I'm surfing the web or using word for documents. That's pretty typical for most. I dont even have issues encoding dvds which is fairly intensive so rev a all the way!

 

[SeanU]

Look at value for current and future computing power per dollar. I will take a rev B MBA at $2499 over the original at $1299 with SSD and 1.8 GHz ANY DAY OF THE WEEK. That is based on its current and FUTURE ability to perform common tasks expected of a Mac.

So, Cool Book helps, but over time, computer users require more and more power, speed, and storage space to perform "COMMON" computing tasks. I think the component revisions in the new MBA prove what it is capable of and the differences in future capabilities. My two cents.

SOME will be happy to save the money... others will see more value at a higher price point.

If my goal was power, and ability to perform some future tasks, surely the Macbook Pro is the machine to buy. So if you are looking for the most futureproof, expandable machine, the Macbook Air is a no-go. It's a locked down system, with no memory upgrade potential, very few options for replacement hard drives etc. etc. Those considering the Macbook air Rev. A or B, should definitely be aware of the limitations it presents.