- Oct 2, 2011
- 27,294
- 15,002
The Official Mac Thread (Docs, Themes, Apps, Etc.)
- Mar 30, 2004
- 12,478
- 4,923
I'm looking to cop a MacBook Air, but I have a few quick questions. Could you guys help me out?
The two models that I'm looking at have these specs:
#1
Fall 2010 Model
13.3 inch screen
1.86GHz Core2Duo processor
4GB DDR3 RAM
128GB SSD
NVIDIA GeForce 320M graphics
$450
#2
Mid 2011 Model
11.6 inch screen
1.6GHz Core i5 processor
4GB DDR3 RAM
128GB SSD
Intel HD 3000 graphics
$550
As you can see, the main differences are the screen size, the processor, and the graphics. I'm not too worried about the graphics since I won't be doing any gaming or video/photo editing or anything like that.
I went to Best Buy and checked out the difference in screen size and I really prefer the 13 inch over the 11 inch. My main question is the difference in the processors. I'm leaning towards copping the 13 inch with the Core2Duo, but is the i5 a huge leap over it? I'm gonna be primarily using the laptop for work, which is mostly Excel Spreadsheets and IBM Telnet access. I'll also be browsing the web on it and watching the occasional video. I'm pretty sure none of those activities are processor-intensive so would I be good with the Core2Duo?
Pretty much it's bigger screen, better graphics, older processor for $450. Or smaller screen, inferior graphics, better processor for $550. What would you guys recommend?
The two models that I'm looking at have these specs:
#1
Fall 2010 Model
13.3 inch screen
1.86GHz Core2Duo processor
4GB DDR3 RAM
128GB SSD
NVIDIA GeForce 320M graphics
$450
#2
Mid 2011 Model
11.6 inch screen
1.6GHz Core i5 processor
4GB DDR3 RAM
128GB SSD
Intel HD 3000 graphics
$550
As you can see, the main differences are the screen size, the processor, and the graphics. I'm not too worried about the graphics since I won't be doing any gaming or video/photo editing or anything like that.
I went to Best Buy and checked out the difference in screen size and I really prefer the 13 inch over the 11 inch. My main question is the difference in the processors. I'm leaning towards copping the 13 inch with the Core2Duo, but is the i5 a huge leap over it? I'm gonna be primarily using the laptop for work, which is mostly Excel Spreadsheets and IBM Telnet access. I'll also be browsing the web on it and watching the occasional video. I'm pretty sure none of those activities are processor-intensive so would I be good with the Core2Duo?
Pretty much it's bigger screen, better graphics, older processor for $450. Or smaller screen, inferior graphics, better processor for $550. What would you guys recommend?
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- Aug 9, 2012
- 607
- 108
Just bought a macbook pro.
What are good accessories I will need?
What are good accessories I will need?
- Apr 12, 2007
- 430
- 70
There is a world of difference between the two processors. The 11" has double the geek bench score of the 13". The 11" also features a thunderbolt port which the 13" doesn't have. I would imagine the 13" speed wise would be fine for your needs. I just picked up a new 11" air to be my travel/work computer in place of my 15" MBP. I wrestled with the screen size and in the end came to the conclusion that there is a ton more portability between the two. FYI they have the new 11" in the refurb store for $850.
- Apr 12, 2007
- 430
- 70
If it's a non retna a thunderbolt to HDMI is clutch for hooking it up to a tv. The incase neoprene sleeves are nice for travel.
- Mar 30, 2004
- 12,478
- 4,923
Damn you just made the decision a lot harder for me
. I'll just wait until a 13" i5 pops up for the right price. I think the 11" will be too small for the spreadsheets that I work with.
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- Oct 2, 2011
- 27,294
- 15,002
- Jul 30, 2011
- 25,831
- 15,061
Upgraded my 2013 MBP & 2013 27" iMac to maverick... It's kind of buggy... Have gotten a few messages saying error with page & that it was reloading (especially on NT). Anyone else having issues with the new OSX?
- Mar 30, 2004
- 12,478
- 4,923
My snipe just got sniped on eBay 
. Could've had a mid-2012 13" MBA with 8GB RAM, Core i7, 500GB SSD for $1013 but someone outbid me by $13 .
Not sure if I wanna buy this mid-2012 with 4GB RAM, Core i5, 128GB SSD that just popped up from Craigslist for $700 or wait eBay out for another one with crazy specs :\.
. Could've had a mid-2012 13" MBA with 8GB RAM, Core i7, 500GB SSD for $1013 but someone outbid me by $13 .Not sure if I wanna buy this mid-2012 with 4GB RAM, Core i5, 128GB SSD that just popped up from Craigslist for $700 or wait eBay out for another one with crazy specs :\.
- Apr 12, 2007
- 430
- 70
My snipe just got sniped on eBay
Not sure if I wanna buy this mid-2012 with 4GB RAM, Core i5, 128GB SSD that just popped up from Craigslist for $700 or wait eBay out for another one with crazy specs :\.
http://store.apple.com/us/browse/home/specialdeals/mac/macbook_air/13
If you're willing to spend that much keep an eye here. The entry level 13's have beeb going for $950. They just put the new has wells in them so their way faster than the 2012's. Not to mention they get 12 hours of battery life and a warranty.
- Mar 30, 2004
- 12,478
- 4,923
^ A stock June 2013 MBA just popped up on Craigslist for $900. It's still under warranty and he's including all of the original box/manuals and accessories, a USB SuperDrive, as well as a licensed copy of Office '11 and Parallels w/ Windows 7 (both of which I need) so I'm gonna go meet up with him in a bit. Thanks for all your help and suggestions.
- Apr 4, 2006
- 15,869
- 3,509
So did any more people download this OS X Maverick? How is it
- Oct 18, 2017
- 2,865
- 6,583
I downloaded/installed it the other day, I really don't see too many changes. I noticed I now have iBooks and Maps, some people are reporting crashes but I haven't noticed anything.
I'm rocking an early 2011 MBP BTW. I need to get serious about upgrading it hardware wise though.
I'm rocking an early 2011 MBP BTW. I need to get serious about upgrading it hardware wise though.
- Jun 4, 2004
- 1,740
- 468
I have it downloaded but not sure if I want to install it. Wanted to get some feedback first before moving forward.
- Oct 18, 2017
- 2,865
- 6,583
Yeah, by rule I generally wait on all updates. Don't know why I broke the rule this time TBH, but so far so good.
- Jan 1, 2010
- 4,820
- 1,581
Mavericks is cool. I think my battery is lasting longer now that it was on Mountain Lion. I couldn't believe it was free while Mountain Lion is still $20 in the app store.
- Jul 22, 2012
- 39,850
- 38,337
Mavericks is pretty cool...Really don't know the reason of having iBooks and Maps on an iMac though. lol
- Jun 21, 2004
- 3,190
- 171
Anyone upgrade to mavericks from snow leopard? I'm still on snow leopard and haven't really felt the need to upgrade to mountain lion. Now that mavericks is out and it's free i was thinking of going ahead with the upgrade.
- Feb 18, 2006
- 6,109
- 1,249
i think mavericks is only free if you're upgrading from mountain lion.
- Jun 21, 2004
- 3,190
- 171
No it's free from snow leopard or higher.
- May 17, 2011
- 4,094
- 1,338
If you haven't done so already, then yeah. Best bet. That's where I've gotten all my stuff.
- Oct 18, 2017
- 2,865
- 6,583
Anyone miss Snow Leopard? Even though I don't have any real complaints with ML, SL always felt 'better' and less bloated. JMO though.
- Apr 4, 2006
- 15,869
- 3,509
Yea im still on lion. I dont see the point of maps on a laptop either
- Apr 5, 2008
- 8,858
- 600
I'm on Mavericks, feels like I just unds'd my iMac
Mt.Lion was feeling mad laggy.
Mt.Lion was feeling mad laggy.
- May 24, 2006
- 5,935
- 1,759
Couldn't careless for Mavericks, but i do like the quick reply on Messages. And my battery on my mid 2013 MBA seems to be better.
