Thinking About Buying a Rev A MBA

[pellets007]

I was looking at the MBA 1.8Ghz, 64GB SSD (I've had this laptop it Vista on it for 3 years and haven't used over 50GB). My question, would an SSD with the Intel IGPU be better than the 5,400RPM and nVidia IGPU on the MacBook? I don't game at all, no Youtube videos but occasionally I'll watch Hulu, 420p. My life consists of homework and online browsing. But I would like to be able to hook up my monitor, either my 20" or 21.5" with 1080p.

To give you an idea, my current laptop has:
1.6Ghz Intel Core 2 Duo
Intel 945 IGPU
2.00 RAM

That's pretty much my only computer that I use and can handle everything decently (although on either monitor I get lines and repeated flashing that hurts my eyes. No, makes them bleed). So I'm assuming that the MBA would as well. I don't travel a lot and my only movement consists of going up and down the stairs. I would appreciate at least a 2 hour battery, as this laptop gets about 30 minutes of battery life.

If I do run into issues with the MBA within the first few days, would Apple allow me to, instead of getting a replacement MBA, get a refurbed MacBook ($1,099) with a $200 Apple gift card? Or, at least allow me to get a new MacBook instead?

Thank you.

 

[Miker2k]

My Rev A MBA does poorly after about 20-30 minutes of 420p Hulu. If I watch the same programming on ABC, or Fox they work just fine... Don't use Hulu as a measuring stick would be my advice.

I'm about a week away from my 14 day return window but my understanding is that I'll be faced with a 10% restocking fee if I want to return in lieu of a refurb MB.

 

[eVolcre]

*grabs a chair, gets popcorn ready*

 

[GoCubsGo]

*grabs a chair, gets popcorn ready*

LOL

No offense to the OP, but really, this seems to be a widely discussed topic.

Rev A: Major core shutdown issues.
Rev B: Not so much ... wait not ever to the best of my knowledge.

I would prefer the MB over the MBAir Rev A any day of the week ... even given the sh*t screen.

 

[dborja]

*grabs a chair, gets popcorn ready*

 

[pellets007]

LOL

No offense to the OP, but really, this seems to be a widely discussed topic.

Rev A: Major core shutdown issues.
Rev B: Not so much ... wait not ever to the best of my knowledge.

I would prefer the MB over the MBAir Rev A any day of the week ... even given the sh*t screen.

Sorry, I tried searching and didn't come up with much. I've heard of issues with the Air, I was just wondering if it did with a lot of issues if I could get a MacBook instead of a MBA. It's my understanding that you don't have to pay a restocking fee, right?

I don't understand the majority of the posts on here, is it an inside joke?
SSD>nvidia 9400M?

 

[mikey28]

*grabs a chair, gets popcorn ready*

yup

 

[mikey28]

Sorry, I tried searching and didn't come up with much. I've heard of issues with the Air, I was just wondering if it did with a lot of issues if I could get a MacBook instead of a MBA. It's my understanding that you don't have to pay a restocking fee, right?

I don't understand the majority of the posts on here, is it an inside joke?
SSD>nvidia 9400M?

just curious: why don't you call an Apple store and ask their return policy? (Then you would know for sure)

 

[cyberwolf777]

My partner uses a Rev. A Macbook Air, 1.6 Ghz version and is not happy. A friend of mine uses the Rev. B, 1.83 Ghz SSD version and there are WORLDS between those two.

Go with the Rev. B and the SSD. Far fewer heat issues, no core shutdowns, great graphics for videos and simple games, ultra-fast harddrive.

If money is an issue:
- Get the 1.6 Ghz version with the SSD, you'll save 200 dollars compared to the 1.83 Ghz version.
- Get a Macbook instead. The new Aluminium Macbooks are slimmer and lighter than the old plastic WhiteBooks.

But if you want to save yourself some disappointment, don't get the Rev. A Macbook Air!!!

 

[mshaf]

I am a grad student and have similar uses that you suggest. I couldnt be happier with my new Refurb Rev A with HDD. I havent had the heat issues that are so widely discussed. I have used coolbook since I received the notebook. I'm also very happy with the HDD, for the price difference the SSD doesnt add much. My programs seem to load quicker as compared with my Dell which has a 2.2 dual core. Maybe they fixed these refurbs better for core issues or I could just be a light user.

Just my 2 cents....

 

[sparkie7]

I would personally stay away from a rev A MBA. I buy mac laptops to last at least 2-3 years and my PBs are still kicking 5 yrs on. For me a macpro is next on the shopping list. And I'm waiting for a rev c MBA to be released. Can't wait

 

[Miker2k]

I was just wondering if it did with a lot of issues if I could get a MacBook instead of a MBA. It's my understanding that you don't have to pay a restocking fee, right?

I called this afternoon. 10% restocking fee. However if the unit is defective they will of course fix it for you. After a few repairs I'm sure you could make a case for complete refund.

Buy what you want the first time.

 

[pellets007]

Well, I guess I should clarify. My laptop, the one listed above has specs lower than the MBA. It runs everything I want to run fine. It has a slower processor (less cache, and slower by 200Mhz), it also has a slower and less powerful IGPU, with an Intel GMA 945, and slower clocked RAM. So, am I safe to say that the MBA should at least run on par with this laptop? Or do physical limitations prevent it? I honestly wouldn't be "upgrading" if I wasn't tired of Vista. Money is an issue, as the maximum I want to allocate for a laptop is $1300. Does the micro DVI have the same issues faced with the Mini DP (when hooking up with certain monitors?) Thank you for answering my questions so far. I'm just slightly confused because there are so many mixed reviews, "It does everything great," and "I wasn't happy."

Again, I'm sorry if this is, as one user posted, a widely discussed topic. I've searched and haven't found much. But I would prefer asking a few questions before laying down $1,300. Thank you Miker, I suppose even with the 10% restocking fee, I would gain $70 back. I tried what you mentioned for a computer that I bought from Dell and I ended up having to contact a journalist, the Attorney General, multiple stockholders, the Federal Trade Commission, and the Better Business Bureau. I honestly don't want to have to go through that again. But the moral I learned is that quality isn't expensive, it's priceless.

Thank you, again.

 

[sparkie7]

But the moral I learned is that quality isn't expensive, it's priceless.

TRY to get the Rev B MBA (the cheaper 1.6 GHz since you are on a budget). Paying just a little more will be worth it.

 

[pellets007]

TRY to get the Rev B MBA (the cheaper 1.6 GHz since you are on a budget). Paying just a little more will be worth it.

I'd love to, but $1691 is a bit much. And, I don't think that I could live with the screen. That's one of the reasons I am getting a new laptop, this one has a dead pixel; I have sensitive eyes.

 

[sparkie7]

I'd love to, but $1691 is a bit much. And, I don't think that I could live with the screen. That's one of the reasons I am getting a new laptop, this one has a dead pixel; I have sensitive eyes.

sensitive eyes? -- u mean brightness?

one dead pixel??.. is is a constant black pixel, a lot of people have dead pixels on their screens

 

[Durious]

Do not go with Rev A Macbook Air... I got it and faced core shutdown and now processor throttling. It's a nuisance and not worth it.

If you can afford Rev B do that or go another route!

 

[pellets007]

Yeah, just one black dead pixel and it bothers me to death. Not even the brightness really, the lines would just drive me insane, and I've seen them at the Apple store.

 

[spencers]

I don't game at all, no Youtube videos but occasionally I'll watch Hulu, 420p. My life consists of homework and online browsing. But I would like to be able to hook up my monitor, either my 20" or 21.5" with 1080p.

I do not recommend the MBA rev A for playback of high definition video.

Mine (1.6ghz, 80gb) stutters on Youtube HD video from the get-go.
.mkv files will play, but will stutter when the machine gets hot (this is inevitable!).

It gets worse when I hook it up to a higher resolution screen. Driving my Samsung 32" at 720p makes the MBA look ancient when I tested it with a converted to mp4 version of Star Wars Episode 3 in 720p.
My old black Macbook 2.0ghz played it without any problem, even with a high bit-rate, unconverted .mkv file AND while hooked up to the Samsung!
Heck, my AppleTV handles 720p video (converted to mp4 with VisualHub) better than my MBA.

 

[sn00pie]

I was actually VERY close to buying a Rev.A Macbook Air a few days ago for about $1100 relatively new. But I decided to hold off and wait for a new iMac!

 

[sparkie7]

yeah well, MBA vs iMac = two diff machines IMHO.

U either need (/want) portability or a desktop.

Or both: MBA (portability) or MBA + 20/24/30 display = portability + desktop = best of both worlds Just costs a bit more. But u get the flexibility

 

[mshaf]

I do not recommend the MBA rev A for playback of high definition video.

Mine (1.6ghz, 80gb) stutters on Youtube HD video from the get-go.
.mkv files will play, but will stutter when the machine gets hot (this is inevitable!).

It gets worse when I hook it up to a higher resolution screen. Driving my Samsung 32" at 720p makes the MBA look ancient when I tested it with a converted to mp4 version of Star Wars Episode 3 in 720p.
My old black Macbook 2.0ghz played it without any problem, even with a high bit-rate, unconverted .mkv file AND while hooked up to the Samsung!
Heck, my AppleTV handles 720p video (converted to mp4 with VisualHub) better than my MBA.

I have the same computer but do not have stuttering. I just received mine two weeks ago, maybe they did something new with the refurbs...

With the high resolution screen, is anyone surprised by this. The video card in Rev A was never designed to power a screen bigger than 24" i thought...

 

[Miker2k]

I have the same computer but do not have stuttering. I just received mine two weeks ago, maybe they did something new with the refurbs...

Mine only stutters about 30 minutes into an episode on Hulu. The first 30 minutes is gravy. I updated to Flash 10 and tuned Coolbook and it helped quite a bit. I was set to return the MBA, in fact I called Apple about the process to return it but after a couple more days I was satisfied enough to keep it.

 

[IgnatiusTheKing]

I have the refurb 1.6GHz, 80GB and have not noticed any stuttering or heat problems. It was totally worth the $999, but for me it's nothing more than a portable machine, not my main computer. If I'm doing something terribly intensive, I'm probably doing it on my iMac (home) or Mac Pro (work).

 

[bossxii]

If you have a $1300 budget, Unibody Macbook will give you 100x less headaches in the long run. You seem to ask for opinions, and yes the obvious answer from many people here that have seen this question asked over and over is the Rev A has heat issues, has "other" issues as well.

If your stuck on a Air then go for it as nothing anyone here will say will change your mind, but if you want a "trouble free" mac experience. The Rev A is a dice roll, sure you may get a good one... but I've read more posts of people furious with their Rev A's then I can remember.

Common sense here says Unibody MB vs Rev A MBA. (based on your budget)

I am very happy with my Rev B, but I also waited several months to save up a few bucks to afford the Rev B vs the Rev A simply to avoid the frustration.

Good Luck with whatever you decide!