Who is using the 2GB model?

[MikeinJapan]

Hey guys

My gf loves my MBA and wants one. I am toying with the idea of buying her one tomorrow as a surprise (she is having a bad month). I don't want to buy her a maxed out model as I don't want to break the bank.

I am thinking about getting the 13" base model with 2GB. It would just be used for iPod syncs, e-mail and the internet. Maybe the odd photo edit but not often.

Is anyone using the 2GB model and feeling that it is a serious limitation?

 

[nfl46]

I am using it. I can do pretty much everything. 2GB can handle a lot. Its not a dramatic difference between the 2GB and 4GB. Think about it like this: iPhone 4 speed vs. iPhone 3GS speed. Its not that much of a difference - but the iPhone 4 is faster.

 

[Zackmd1]

I am using it. I can do pretty much everything. 2GB can handle a lot. Its not a dramatic difference between the 2GB and 4GB. Think about it like this: iPhone 4 speed vs. iPhone 3GS speed. Its not that much of a difference - but the iPhone 4 is faster.

Same here. 2gb is just fine for everyday uses and even some casual gaming. I never use above 1gb according to activity monitor.

 

[HLdan]

Mike, I honestly think you should make this decision. It really won't help if any of us tell you that we are using the 2GB model. 4GB for me, BTW, but that decision should be based on the usage, not what other forum members are using. Ram shouldn't be something you should decide on based on popularity choice.

I will give you this, even basic web surfing can eat up a lot of ram due to multiple tabs being open and keep in mind, 2GB is not fully available to you. The GPU shares some of it, plus there's at least 500MB devoted to running the system that you have no access to.

 

[Zackmd1]

Mike, I honestly think you should make this decision. It really won't help if any of us tell you that we are using the 2GB model. 4GB for me, BTW, but that decision should be based on the usage, not what other forum members are using. Ram shouldn't be something you should decide on based on popularity choice.

I will give you this, even basic web surfing can eat up a lot of ram due to multiple tabs being open and keep in mind, 2GB is not fully available to you. The GPU shares some of it, plus there's at least 500MB devoted to running the system that you have no access to.

I agree with this, it should really be up to you. Activity monitor shows only 1.75gb usable but like I said I have 5 tabs open and 6 applications and am only using 1.5gb.

 

[Mr. Savage]

Seriously, 2GB is absolutely fine for most people doing general computing tasks, and more than adequate for your gf based on the needs you describe. You've gotta keep in mind that the people who populate these forums are (mostly) enthusiasts, power-users and spec-junkies who always feel the need to have their machines maxed out.

That said, you can save even more $$ by going for an 11, and I suspect she may love it even more than the 13. Just a hunch though.

 

[MikeinJapan]

Mike, I honestly think you should make this decision. It really won't help if any of us tell you that we are using the 2GB model. 4GB for me, BTW, but that decision should be based on the usage, not what other forum members are using. Ram shouldn't be something you should decide on based on popularity choice.

I will give you this, even basic web surfing can eat up a lot of ram due to multiple tabs being open and keep in mind, 2GB is not fully available to you. The GPU shares some of it, plus there's at least 500MB devoted to running the system that you have no access to.

I just want to know if it works for them. My gf is using a 1.6Ghz celeron with 512mb of RAM and she hates it. It is a very personal thing. I think 2GB will be fine. Just wanted to check.

 

[Mr. Savage]

Look at it this way: Do you think that a wildly popular computer manufacturer at the top of its game would release a computer they describe as "the future of laptops" and have it be hobbled and inadequate for basic computing from the moment the buyer takes it outta the box?

 

[MikeinJapan]

Look at it this way: Do you think that a wildly popular computer manufacturer at the top of its game would release a computer they describe as "the future of laptops" and have it be hobbled and inadequate for basic computing from the moment the buyer takes it outta the box?

MacBook Air REV A?

 

[Zackmd1]

MacBook Air REV A?

Rev A's problem wasn't with power just heat dissipation and that crappy 1.8" HDD.

 

[Mr. Savage]

MacBook Air REV A?

Well played. Well played indeed. I stand by my recommendation though

 

[mcdonaldtosh]

2GB ram is lovely, glad i didn't throw more cash at it.

I have 8 applications open, including Photoshop CS5 extended. Nothing bothers me. If you work for a television network, I believe the people employing you will keep the economic worries away, cause you can't do anything big with video on it.

I use it for programming, interface design and I'm very happy.

 

[SammySlim]

Two points:

1. I use the 2 GB 1.4 MBA 11. Works great. I even run an Ubuntu virtual machine on it. I use it for everything while traveling and at my apartment connected to a Cinema 27 monitor. I don't do gaming - it works perfectly. Plus, subjectively, it's still faster than my old Macbook regardless.

2. When I showed the 11 to my wife - her first reaction was "I want one." This from a woman who has an iMac 24 and a 15" MBP, along with an HP windows machine and a Win7 netbook (the latter two for her online business). She can't stop messing with it. It's the perfect size for a woman to carry around. Trust me, she'll love it. It's us guys who are mostly spec-jockeys after all!

I decided to go with the basic MBA (although I did get the 128 drive) to save $$ if I was going on the bleeding edge, and not feel so bad about the cost that if I decide to update later!

Cheers

 

[silverblack]

The 2GB is absolutely fine. It may be fractions of seconds slower compared to the 4GB counter part on a limited number of "daily-use" apps. But it is as just capable.

Additional to the 13", I think you should also consider the 11". It's much more portable and compact. Your gf (and your wallet) may like it more. This is especially true in Japan, they love ultraportable pc's.

 

[DaLurker]

I've had a 4GB Macbook Pro for the last 3 years, and when I switched to the Macbook Air with 2GB I was worried but honestly its been great. Haven't had any problems doing essentially what you describe your girlfriend to be doing.

Something else to keep in mind is the fact that the Macbook Air uses an SSD so that helps to keep the speed up.

 

[hcho3]

Hey guys

My gf loves my MBA and wants one. I am toying with the idea of buying her one tomorrow as a surprise (she is having a bad month). I don't want to buy her a maxed out model as I don't want to break the bank.

I am thinking about getting the 13" base model with 2GB. It would just be used for iPod syncs, e-mail and the internet. Maybe the odd photo edit but not often.

Is anyone using the 2GB model and feeling that it is a serious limitation?

I don't know how is it Japan, but it is only 100 dollars extra to upgrade ram. Does that really break one's bank?

 

[MDave]

2GB is waaaay more then enough for casual use, like what you described she would be doing on it.

I have the base 11.6' with 128SSD, I can run Unreal Tournament 3 on it via Win7 bootcamp, although not max settings, quite a lot of things turned on, and native resolution and its perfectly playable! This thing is much more powerful then it looks and sounds on paper!

 

[johannnn]

2 GB is not enough in OS X for many people. So OS X uses the disc for memory. If you have a hard drive, you will notice it slowing down a little. But SSDs are just so damn fast. Thats why I went with only 2 GB on my 11", I don't really notice when it starts to use the disc.

 

[EARL97850]

Not to crash the thread....I guess I am. I appologize.

To accomplish what the OP needs to do but add 1 thing: I need to have Internet Explorer for a couple programs at work that only work in IE.
Would I need 4GB for that?

Cya

 

[MikeinJapan]

Not to crash the thread....I guess I am. I appologize.

To accomplish what the OP needs to do but add 1 thing: I need to have Internet Explorer for a couple programs at work that only work in IE.
Would I need 4GB for that?

Cya

If you run bootcamp = NO
If you run a virtual machine = YES.

I decided to buy the 2GB 13" for her. The 11" would be better but she likes the 13" screen and size. She will happy when she gets hope tomorrow from work.

 

[tom vilsack]

i would get her the 11" why?

-it run quieter..no idea why...but does
-*** it will fit in her purse***
-if she needs bigger monitor when at home just use mini display port adaptor (s)

 

[EARL97850]

If you run bootcamp = NO
If you run a virtual machine = YES.

I decided to buy the 2GB 13" for her. The 11" would be better but she likes the 13" screen and size. She will happy when she gets hope tomorrow from work.

Bootcamp requires to reboot into Windows right? I think I'd rather be able to just launch into and out of Windows as needed.

Thank you

Cya

 

[MikeinJapan]

i would get her the 11" why?

-it run quieter..no idea why...but does
-*** it will fit in her purse***
-if she needs bigger monitor when at home just use mini display port adaptor (s)

I wouldn't. When I picked mine up she said she didn't like the 11" as it was too small for her but since you said the 11" I have changed my mind and I will buy her the 11" which she won't like.

 

[dwd3885]

It's like a $200 price difference really. If you buy on Amazon, you can get the stock 11" 128gb for $1139. Whereas if you buy from Apple it is $1239 plus tax which is a lot in some places.

 

[zen]

I've been wondering this myself, as going for the 2GB base model means I could walk out with one at a store, and save myself some cash in the process.

I've got 4GB in my iMac, and have been sitting here watching Activity Monitor, seeing if I can push it above 2GB of usage. Assuming I'm looking at the right thing (under the System Memory tab, looking at Free versus Active), I can only push it beyond 2GB active when I have Tweetdeck (which uses the horrid Adobe Air), Photoshop, iTunes, several other small apps including Safari and Word, and Quicktime open playing a gigantic 1080p HD .mp4 video file. Even then, the active memory only gets to 2.1GB.

Is that a realistic indication? I know this iMac is different to a Macbook Air.