time to sell MBA?

[Franz1234]

It's just a rumor but it seems like Apple will be releasing new MBA revisions. Currently I have a 1.6Ghz/80GB MBA with Superdrive. It's only 2 Months old and before I had Macbook and Macbook Pro but I always loved that I made the switch to an Air but all those heat problems get annoying and I wish for a bigger HDD so I was looking forward in selling my Air now and then look for a new revision.

What do others say?

 

[Tallest Skil]

There won't be an update until MacWorld 2009.

 

[polar-blair]

Yeah sell your air and get one of the new macbooks

Oh i doubt a new air will be released in October, I hope it will be macbooks and Macbook pros, if they do upgrade the air instead I may just cry.

 

[Franz1234]

If the MBP's performance will be promising enough I would even *go back* to it because it was always reliable n also never left me alone with HD space. Since I'm also an occasional gamer the MBP had also its positive sides.

How much could I get for my 2 Months MBA + Superdrive?

 

[Digital Skunk]

The only thing Apple needs to upgrade right now is the Mac Mini.

Then, the GFX card selections for the Mac Pro.

 

[Franz1234]

Yea, the Mac mini is really lagging behind all the rest. Still Apple needs to stay u to date with the latest Intel Mobile Platform.

What will be the Performance Boost over the *old*,current one?

 

[Digital Skunk]

Yea, the Mac mini is really lagging behind all the rest. Still Apple needs to stay u to date with the latest Intel Mobile Platform.

What will be the Performance Boost over the *old*,current one?

It will be amazing since it's still using Core 2 Duo Yonah AFAIK, it's almost two years without an update.

 

[OSXmaniac]

i just gave my macbook pro to my service provider since it did make weird noises. I also have the air and now that my big one is gone i started working more with my air. Before I only used it for long distance travel and presentations. Its awesome! I reduced noise and heat with coolbook and fancontrol and i did not encounter any problems. The air is so quite and the power for mail, surfing and programming is just fine. i dont think that there is much u can improve except maybe the battery life.

 

[Franz1234]

Yea still with it's old GMA 950. Think they should at least lower the price !

Actually I was hoping for a slightly bigger HDD (120GB?) and that Apple tried to solve the heat problem which is rather Hardware related.

 

[Heavenkittykat]

so I just have a question to the OP? Before you made the switch from MB+MPB setup to MBA only. You already know that the MBA has limited Hard drive space right? So if you know that you are going to need more than the available HD drive that the Air can offer then why did you switch?

 

[Heavenkittykat]

Yea still with it's old GMA 950. Think they should at least lower the price !

Actually I was hoping for a slightly bigger HDD (120GB?) and that Apple tried to solve the heat problem which is rather Hardware related.

I bought my Macbook air last March but I don't have heat problems at all. I'm wondering when you say heat problems, what do you exactly mean? Are you talking about core shutdowns or just regular heating up of the MBA when watching videos?

 

[Scottsdale]

Sell now, sell later. Not too much difference in price.

You know, you should sell now just as I am. Why? Because a new MacBook Air is cooler, faster, and has more storage than an older version.

Everything we have read says a new lineup on October 14th. In addition, even if you keep it and sell after the new MBA releases on October 14th, you will likely get a similar price for it. These Macs are great assets. And historically they bring only a slightly lower price than the newer releases just after the new release.

The funny thing about my MBA is I was convinced I had to buy it for writing and vacations. However, I have fired up the Air only one time when I first got it.

That doesn't mean that I will not use the new Air though, right? I am just addicted, and I always have to have the newest Apple everything. I hate this addiction - No, I love this addiction. What a great company. And the Air is a great product if I could just put my MacBook Pro aside long enough to use the Air. I just feel the security knowing that the Air is there in its leather envelope prepared to take the challenge if ever I need it. If ever the Pro fails, the Air is ready on-deck.

So, I am selling the Air now, but only because I have that opportunity with a Pro in use. As soon as they are released, I will buy the new Pro and the new Air. Or maybe, what if the new MacBook is a better replacement for the old Air? Or, what if the new MacBook is a replacement for the Pro? Wow, what a thought.

Please, God, let there be a new lineup on October 14th. I just cannot wait any longer. I just have to know, Steve. Please Steve, tell us now!

 

[Heavenkittykat]

You know, you should sell now just as I am. Why? Because a new MacBook Air is cooler, faster, and has more storage than an older version.

Everything we have read says a new lineup on October 14th. In addition, even if you keep it and sell after the new MBA releases on October 14th, you will likely get a similar price for it. These Macs are great assets. And historically they bring only a slightly lower price than the newer releases just after the new release.

The funny thing about my MBA is I was convinced I had to buy it for writing and vacations. However, I have fired up the Air only one time when I first got it.

That doesn't mean that I will not use the new Air though, right? I am just addicted, and I always have to have the newest Apple everything. I hate this addiction - No, I love this addiction. What a great company. And the Air is a great product if I could just put my MacBook Pro aside long enough to use the Air. I just feel the security knowing that the Air is there in its leather envelope prepared to take the challenge if ever I need it. If ever the Pro fails, the Air is ready on-deck.

So, I am selling the Air now, but only because I have that opportunity with a Pro in use. As soon as they are released, I will buy the new Pro and the new Air. Or maybe, what if the new MacBook is a better replacement for the old Air? Or, what if the new MacBook is a replacement for the Pro? Wow, what a thought.

Please, God, let there be a new lineup on October 14th. I just cannot wait any longer. I just have to know, Steve. Please Steve, tell us now!

You sound like a complete apple fanatic. There is no assurance whatsoever that the MBA will be updated this october with the MB/MBP. Since the OP seems to only have MBA since he/she sold the MB and MBP already, then it would be unwise to sell his MBA if he is not sure when the update is really coming. Plus, it would be good to know the specs of the next gen update before even selling a product because even though there are a lot of speculations about the its specs, people who expect too much always get frustrated again and again whenever apple introduces the new update in the market.

Please tell me something. Why are you addicted in getting the latest and greatest every single time from apple? How much did you sold your MBA for and how much did you bought it? Why are proud of your so-called "addiction"?

 

[Franz1234]

so I just have a question to the OP? Before you made the switch from MB+MPB setup to MBA only. You already know that the MBA has limited Hard drive space right? So if you know that you are going to need more than the available HD drive that the Air can offer then why did you switch?

The Space is not really a problem. I have a nice 2.5" Lacie Rugged with 320GB and it serves me well but still a little more space on the Air itself would make things easier. I don't find it necessary.

Are you talking about core shutdowns or just regular heating up of the MBA when watching videos?

I never had the core shutdown issue but I experienced a lot of problems related to heat. Apple Pushed out a new update and somehow it fixed the heat issue a little bit so it went up only to about 75 Degrees. Somehow after installing the fix my CPU was fixed to 800MHz so I just decided to hand in the MBA to control. They replaced my Logical Board and the Temperature went down by 5 Degrees. The 800MHz lock was still present and I started using again to fix this by myself since it seems software related. Under heavy CPU / Graphic usage the Temperature will go up to 105 Degrees. This is slightly too hot for me.
Another thing is that the Fans are reacting way to slow to a Temp change. When I first startup the Fans run at 2500 but surely they go up very fast and reach 6200 RPM. When I idle the Laptop it takes about 1 1/2 hours to get the Fan down to at least 4000 RPM. This is way too long because 6200RMP is very noisy.

it would be good to know the specs of the next gen update before even selling a product

In case of the MBA it's not so much about Specs but about those little issues that always appear when Apple first releases their product. I think they can change a lot about their Thermal Design inside the MBA and this will lead to way lower temperatures even if the Graphics Chip is in use.

 

[mathcolo]

There won't be an update until MacWorld 2009.

Says WHO?

 

[thechidz]

prices for mba have dropped so you either sell it to get whatever value you can or hold on to it for a while

 

[gooddeal]

Price dropped?

prices for mba have dropped so you either sell it to get whatever value you can or hold on to it for a while

When? Where do you get the info.? The last price drop was about 2 months ago on the 1.8GHz w/ SSHD.

 

[thechidz]

When? Where do you get the info.? The last price drop was about 2 months ago on the 1.8GHz w/ SSHD.

i mean on used prices

 

[Digital Skunk]

i mean on used prices

AMEN!

I saw a base model for $1500 a few days ago and almost wet myself. Almost made it worth the price IMHO.

Always.... buy..... used...!

 

[gooddeal]

i mean on used prices

Well, I just check ebay for completed auction and it seems the cheapest is around $1380 w/ shipping. So, the price is still very good, IMO.

Actually, if you bought it through education discount with a free ipod touch and printer (All for $1700), selling it for $1400 is not a bad deal.

 

[thechidz]

AMEN!

I saw a base model for $1500 a few days ago and almost wet myself. Almost made it worth the price IMHO.

Always.... buy..... used...!

interesting, there was one on the mr marketplace recently in perfect shape. guy had trouble getting rid of it at 1150. i almost pulled the trigger

 

[Franz1234]

Well, I stay in Singapore so all this US selling Pages won't help me too much because transport and all this will probably make things complicated and add a lot cost. In Singapore you will usually just go to the sellers house and pick up what you want.
If I can't get rid of it I gotta wait until the new Model releases and stick with Apple's Trade in. Have over 10 Premium Apple Stores here so won't be too difficult. Still the offer is often rather disappointing.

I also saw the problem with the US Dollar.
In the US the Air is selling for 1799 = 2565 SGD
In Singapore the Air sells at 2999 = 2100 USD

 

[SFStateStudent]

There won't be an update until MacWorld 2009.

+1 Good call, I'll probably buy another one then...

 

[Scottsdale]

Buy mine then.

I trust that there will be a new one on October 14th. I am selling now so buy mine if you are going to buy one. I paid $1799 and bought the SuperDrive for $99. In addition, I paid nearly $180 in tax and another $1XX (I don't remember) for Office. So, I am in for nearly $2150. And, I hope to get $1500 for it. Remember it has been used once in the last three plus months, so it is essentially new with box with manuals and DVDs.

So, I lose a few hundred bucks on this one. However, I bought my Pro 18 months ago and will probably get over half my money back. I have friends that spend $500 to $800 per month on cigarettes, drinking, partying, going out to fancy restaurants, and sports events. I lose $100 per month on my Apple products to always keep up with the most current technology. What is a better deal? I have always have a nice computer, and people ask why do I spend so much to get the latest and greatest, and I always reply pointing out how they waste money on useless things - it really justifies always having the technology equipment I want. It is a fairly cheap addiction as long as I always sell the old ones. If I had kept my MacBook when I bought the Air, it would be different. Or, if I kept the current Air and Pro when I buy from the new lineup next month it would be different.

But keeping up to date is really not that expensive. Especially when the prior model brings good money when resold. And, the Air is an exception to the rule because it is brand new line of Mac. After we update in October, it will be a year for the processor upgrades and two years for any serious changes. Although we may see a tablet at some point. And note, I don't update my Pro everytime the processor is upgraded. I have a 2.33 GHz which is darn close to the 2.5 GHz out now. The Pro is super fast and super awesome. Never had a problem (knock on wood).

So, I don't think it is that expensive to be an Apple enthusiast.

Best wishes in dumping your old Macs now as it will justify buying your new ones in October. (assuming you are selling the backup Macs and not selling your primary Macs now forcing you to use a PC for a month - that would really suck).

Cheers everyone!

 

[aleksandra.]

I also saw the problem with the US Dollar.
In the US the Air is selling for 1799 = 2565 SGD
In Singapore the Air sells at 2999 = 2100 USD

You think you have a problem?
In US high-end Air is selling for $2598 = 6080 PLN.
In Poland it is 9999 PLN = $4273 (Apple's Premium Reseller's price; there're no Apple Stores here, nor Apple's online store, nor iTunes store for that matter).
There're no 65% (!) taxes as far as I know. Also all Apple computer are sold with international English keyboard layout - which is rather odd since almost every keyboard I've ever seen in Poland has US layout (and by 'almost' I mean "I think I saw that awful vertical enter some ten years ago or so...").

Sorry for all this complaining, but it's really annoying. Be glad you're not buying your Mac in Europe . I hope you're happy with whatever you do about your MBA.