Which Air should I buy?

[Help Please]

I'm a college student and recently bought a MacBook Pro 13, but now am returning it and getting an Air. I just need some help choosing between three different models.

I mainly use my laptop for internet browsing, school work, watching videos, music streaming, Skype, and light gaming. I will also be installing Windows 7, so I feel like the extra 2GB of RAM is needed, am I right? (tell me if I'm not)

Option 1 - NEW, 1.86GHz C2D, 4GB RAM, 128GB SSD ($1,420 after tax)
Option 2 - Refurb, 1.86GHz C2D, 2GB RAM, 256GB SSD ($1,430 after tax)
Option 3 - Refurb, 2.13GHz C2D, 4GB RAM, 256GB SSD (1,620 after tax)

Any thoughts and/or opinions are welcomed. Thanks in advance.

 

[Hellhammer]

Well, do you need the 256GB SSD or would 128GB be sufficient? Option #1 is the best deal if you are fine with the smaller SSD but if you want or need the bigger SSD, it should be worth it to pay some extra for the option #3.

 

[Scottsdale]

Add a fourth option. The same as option #1 except refurbished. It is $1189.

And if you don't need it for a few months and are buying new, wait and get the free iPod Touch, $100 off, and free printer in the back to school promotion. That is the best deal if you can wait three months.

If you cannot wait it comes down to if you need 256GB SSD. Either way get 4GB RAM and go refurbished if cannot get a deal.

 

[Hellhammer]

Add a fourth option. The same as option #1 except refurbished. It is $1189.

And if you don't need it for a few months and are buying new, wait and get the free iPod Touch, $100 off, and free printer in the back to school promotion. That is the best deal if you can wait three months.

Just to remind that refurbished Macs are not eligible for the free iPod. If OP decides to wait, he will have to get a new one, although it most likely will end up being a better deal.

 

[Help Please]

Add a fourth option. The same as option #1 except refurbished. It is $1189.

And if you don't need it for a few months and are buying new, wait and get the free iPod Touch, $100 off, and free printer in the back to school promotion. That is the best deal if you can wait three months.

If you cannot wait it comes down to if you need 256GB SSD. Either way get 4GB RAM and go refurbished if cannot get a deal.

I do need a computer now, that's the only problem. If I could wait, I totally would. The deal with the 128GB vs 256GB is I feel like if I get a 128GB, and put Windows 7 on it, and keep it for an extended period, I don't want to be constantly using an external hard drive to store all my files.

 

[Help Please]

Just to remind that refurbished Macs are not eligible for the free iPod. If OP decides to wait, he will have to get a new one, although it most likely will end up being a better deal.

I really wish I had the option of waiting, but at this point I'm kind of stuck.

 

[namtaB]

I'd never buy refurb. Get option 1.

 

[DeusInvictus7]

I'd never buy refurb. Get option 1.

Why? Apple refurbs are probably the best in the business. Mine came in flawless condition, and the battery was brand new, 0 cycles. The only thing you don't get is a fancy retail box, which just gets stored in the basement anyway.

 

[entatlrg]

Definitely get the 4gb ram and 256ssd, you'll be VERY glad you did in the long run.

I run Win7 as well and my 13" MacBook Air is my main machine, I recommend the 2.13ghz processor, not a big difference maybe but for doing the tasks you're doing plus running Win7 I'd do it. It's a few hundred dollars more yes, but you'll have a little extra power and it will help in resale value too most likely.

If you can find a 13" ultimate as a refurb grab it!

Post back a quick review once you've made your decision and picked up your new Air.

PS - what's your reasons for returning the 13" MBP for an Air?

 

[Help Please]

Definitely get the 4gb ram and 256ssd, you'll be VERY glad you did in the long run.

I run Win7 as well and my 13" MacBook Air is my main machine, I recommend the 2.13ghz processor, not a big difference maybe but for doing the tasks you're doing plus running Win7 I'd do it. It's a few hundred dollars more yes, but you'll have a little extra power and it will help in resale value too most likely.

If you can find a 13" ultimate as a refurb grab it!

Post back a quick review once you've made your decision and picked up your new Air.

PS - what's your reasons for returning the 13" MBP for an Air?

Thank you very much for that insight into my situation. I will wait until at least monday to wednesday to make my final decision, but this thread will definitely help me make my decision.

As for why I am returning my new 13" MacBook Pro. Before I actually bought my Pro, I was contemplating getting the Air, but with the refresh I thought I'd go with the Pro. After about a week with it, I can not stand the 1280x800 screen resolution. I'm used to higher resolution screens, so this is a huge issue for me. Another reason, If I wanted to buy a 256GB SSD for the Pro, I'd be paying about what I would for the refurbished Ultimate, but then I'm still stuck with the poor screen. Lastly, the Intel 3000 integrated graphics gave me horrible performance. I don't know if this is true, but I heard it's because the drivers for OpenGL are a little 'lacking' right now for the Intel 3000.

I like the higher resolution screen, lighter weight, Nvidia 320M, and 256GB SSD of the Air over the Pro for what I do at this point in time.

Why? Apple refurbs are probably the best in the business. Mine came in flawless condition, and the battery was brand new, 0 cycles. The only thing you don't get is a fancy retail box, which just gets stored in the basement anyway.

I completely agree. If anyone is going to do refurbs right, it'd be Apple. I am not worried at ALL about picking up a refurbished MBA, if that's what I decide on.

Thank you Deus.

 

[namtaB]

Why? Apple refurbs are probably the best in the business. Mine came in flawless condition, and the battery was brand new, 0 cycles. The only thing you don't get is a fancy retail box, which just gets stored in the basement anyway.

B/c you don't know the history of it. There's a big difference b/w someone who returned a product b/c they didn't like it and someone who returned a product b/c of a latent defect. Under current manufacturing standards, both would go through the process of refurbishing and both would be given the label "refurbished" w/o any identifiers noting the distinction b/w the two which IMHO are vastly different products.

 

[DeusInvictus7]

I completely agree. If anyone is going to do refurbs right, it'd be Apple. I am not worried at ALL about picking up a refurbished MBA, if that's what I decide on.

Thank you Deus.

No prob! Definitely go for the refurb ultimate. I was on the fence with going with the same options you are, mainly between the base model with 4gb ram and the ultimate, and decided to go with the ultimate. And I'm glad I did, I realized I needed more than 128gb more than I first thought. The extra processing power is just an added bonus.

 

[bmat]

I have had refurbs from apple and they've been fine. Got my Mac Pro that way.

Whatever option, I'd probably spring for 4gbs, although to be honest, I rarely ever have less than 2gb free on my 4gb 11 inch ultimate.

 

[skcrane]

I would definitely get 4gb ram I think you might regret once lion is here.
128 vs 256 is up to you it is not upgradeable so you might take that into consideration. you can always get a usb portable drive.
one question is this your main computer or just your portable if it is your main then I would definitely get 256gb if not you can probably get by with the 128gb.
refurbs are fine. same warranty etc. you might consider purchasing from power max they offer no sales tax and free shipping. the price I find are about the same as refurb when sales tax put in the equation.
good luck I know you will enjoy your air we have.

 

[Help Please]

I would definitely get 4gb ram I think you might regret once lion is here.
128 vs 256 is up to you it is not upgradeable so you might take that into consideration. you can always get a usb portable drive.
one question is this your main computer or just your portable if it is your main then I would definitely get 256gb if not you can probably get by with the 128gb.
refurbs are fine. same warranty etc. you might consider purchasing from power max they offer no sales tax and free shipping. the price I find are about the same as refurb when sales tax put in the equation.
good luck I know you will enjoy your air we have.

Thanks Skscrane! I will be using this as my main computer, so that is another reason to get the 256GB model.

 

[foursomer]

anything with 4gb you won't be disappointed

 

[Scottsdale]

Just to remind that refurbished Macs are not eligible for the free iPod. If OP decides to wait, he will have to get a new one, although it most likely will end up being a better deal.

"And if you don't need it now AND ARE BUYING NEW, wait and get the free iPod Touch, $100 off, and free printer in the back to school promotion."

Read the quote you told me I was wrong about again. Tell me how I am wrong again. Oh, I am sure you will, but to me I clarified new. Reading you tell people they're wrong when you don't even read their words gets old, really. You can state your position without the mission of calling people out to inform them that they're wrong, but I am not sure you're aware of that as it's a recurring theme in your replies to people all over these forums.

 

[Help Please]

"And if you don't need it now AND ARE BUYING NEW, wait and get the free iPod Touch, $100 off, and free printer in the back to school promotion."

Read the quote you told me I was wrong about again. Tell me how I am wrong again. Oh, I am sure you will, but to me I clarified new. Reading you tell people they're wrong when you don't even read their words gets old, really. You can state your position without the mission of calling people out to inform them that they're wrong, but I am not sure you're aware of that as it's a recurring theme in your replies to people all over these forums.

It's okay Scottsdale, I understood that when I read your post

 

[Hellhammer]

"And if you don't need it now AND ARE BUYING NEW, wait and get the free iPod Touch, $100 off, and free printer in the back to school promotion."

Read the quote you told me I was wrong about again. Tell me how I am wrong again. Oh, I am sure you will, but to me I clarified new. Reading you tell people they're wrong when you don't even read their words gets old, really. You can state your position without the mission of calling people out to inform them that they're wrong, but I am not sure you're aware of that as it's a recurring theme in your replies to people all over these forums.

Where did I say you are wrong? I just clarified that refurbs are not eligible for that deal, in a polite way. Okay, I admit I missed the word "new" but still, I don't get it why I deserve a reply like that.

Just because I don't agree with your MBA speculation doesn't mean that you have to get mad everytime you see me. If you have a problem with my posts, drop me a PM with examples and I'll try to learn from them.

 

[Help Please]

The 40th and final vote for my decision has been made.

I will be ordering my 13" Ultimate Air and returning my Pro today

Thanks all!

 

[DeusInvictus7]

Good choice buddy! You're gonna love it.

 

[cooldaddybeck]

Coming in a bit late but my $0.02 was to max out RAM no matter what you choose regarding SSD capacity or processor speed.

;0)

 

[Scottsdale]

Where did I say you are wrong? I just clarified that refurbs are not eligible for that deal, in a polite way. Okay, I admit I missed the word "new" but still, I don't get it why I deserve a reply like that.

Just because I don't agree with your MBA speculation doesn't mean that you have to get mad everytime you see me. If you have a problem with my posts, drop me a PM with examples and I'll try to learn from them.

Read your reply again and see the implications of your words.

I don't care what your speculation is or how it differs from mine in any way shape or form. The least of my worries is when your MBA speculation, buddy. I quite frankly don't care for your tone towards others all of the time. You can state your case without attempting to point out clarification of others words as people can determine the meaning without your highness or great understanding of the MBA and everything else in the world, which I am sure you know.

 

[jaksta]

I love my Air. And I'm a Windows guy. It boots up faster than anything else.