2013 Macbook Air - worth getting?

2013 Macbook Air - worth getting?

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Woody

Original Poster:

2,187 posts

283 months

Monday 8th February 2016
quotequote all
Looking at dabbling in the world of Macs.
The wifes current windows laptop is on the way out so habe been looking at used/refurbed macs.
It will only be used for surfing, itunes and for her wtiting.

Have been offered a mid 2013 i5 13" Air with 256gb SSD.
Like the look of the Air as its light and has a decent amount of storeage and the SD card slot for some more semi-permanent storeage.

It's barely used and running the latest OSX, the guy wants £500 for it.

Is it worth it? Don't want to spend £800+ on a new one in case she doesn't get the whole mac thing.

Thanks

thatsprettyshady

1,820 posts

164 months

Tuesday 9th February 2016
quotequote all
the air is a decent laptop for the cash but personally I'd seek out a 2013 13" Macbook pro retina, the screen is a revelation and isn't bulky in any way, decent performance increase over the Air too and retains the connectivity.

Du1point8

21,604 posts

191 months

Tuesday 9th February 2016
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thatsprettyshady said:
the air is a decent laptop for the cash but personally I'd seek out a 2013 13" Macbook pro retina, the screen is a revelation and isn't bulky in any way, decent performance increase over the Air too and retains the connectivity.
true but this model is not actually upgradeable anymore, as the SSD and RAM are soldered into the matrix board so you need to get the biggest spec, rather than before when you can have the cheapest spec and load it up.

johnwilliams77

8,308 posts

102 months

Tuesday 9th February 2016
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Try and get it cheaper if you can....anyway, I think they're great

blueg33

35,590 posts

223 months

Tuesday 9th February 2016
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Or, get a 2015 Surface Pro 3. Excellent screen, runs any software for windows, stylus and full touch screen functionality plus it will still be under warranty. Works as a laptop or as a tablet. It has ssd hdd, most used ones will come with the keyboard.

It was my choice over a MacBook.

Pickled Piper

6,334 posts

234 months

Tuesday 9th February 2016
quotequote all
A later model with Retina display is a fine machine. However, at 500 notes for the version you have been offered sounds good and will be a pleasure to use.

Woody

Original Poster:

2,187 posts

283 months

Tuesday 9th February 2016
quotequote all
thanks chaps.
Will see if I can get the price down a bit.
Not too fussed about the retina display as it'll only be used for the purposes stated and not photo/video editing.
To be honest Windows laptops are driving me mad at the moment - I reinstalled Win7 on mine a few weeks back and it's started going slow again - not sure if I should bit the bullet and go for Win10. The wifes is slower than a snail at the moment.

audi321

5,157 posts

212 months

Tuesday 9th February 2016
quotequote all
Woody said:
thanks chaps.
Will see if I can get the price down a bit.
Not too fussed about the retina display as it'll only be used for the purposes stated and not photo/video editing.
To be honest Windows laptops are driving me mad at the moment - I reinstalled Win7 on mine a few weeks back and it's started going slow again - not sure if I should bit the bullet and go for Win10. The wifes is slower than a snail at the moment.
Once you go Mac, you'll never go back.

Craikeybaby

10,369 posts

224 months

Tuesday 9th February 2016
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I bought a cheap second hand Mac, like the OP is suggesting and haven't looked back.

cornet

1,469 posts

157 months

Tuesday 9th February 2016
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Just had my 2013 13" MacBook Air changed for latest MacBook Pro.

Nothing wrong with it at all for day to day use: has gone to someone else at work. I just needed more power for running Virtual Machines.

LivingTheDream

1,753 posts

178 months

Tuesday 9th February 2016
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I have just bought a 2013 MacBook Air 256Gb - although I managed to find 1 with 8Gb RAM which isn't as common. I paid £470 odd for it.

I have a 2013 MacBook Pro retina at home at its a fine machine but it stays at home for the family to use - the air is fab for taking with you, it's very light.

One thing - if you want to factory reset and reinstall the OS then you need to get the original owner to remove the device from their apple account. Otherwise it won't let you reinstall the OS.

Woody

Original Poster:

2,187 posts

283 months

Tuesday 9th February 2016
quotequote all
LivingTheDream said:
I have just bought a 2013 MacBook Air 256Gb - although I managed to find 1 with 8Gb RAM which isn't as common. I paid £470 odd for it.

I have a 2013 MacBook Pro retina at home at its a fine machine but it stays at home for the family to use - the air is fab for taking with you, it's very light.

One thing - if you want to factory reset and reinstall the OS then you need to get the original owner to remove the device from their apple account. Otherwise it won't let you reinstall the OS.
Where did you get your Air from - bargain!

Thanks for the tip - will make sure that I get him to do that if I get it.

LivingTheDream

1,753 posts

178 months

Tuesday 9th February 2016
quotequote all
Picked it up on eBay although wasn't easy to track one down that was the right price and from a decent seller- usual eBay woes and I would be very wary from buying from someone that I wasn't very sure was a proper owner that could make sure I could register the device to me.

I'd be expecting to pay about £450 for a 4Gb ram version.

Du1point8

21,604 posts

191 months

Wednesday 10th February 2016
quotequote all
LivingTheDream said:
Picked it up on eBay although wasn't easy to track one down that was the right price and from a decent seller- usual eBay woes and I would be very wary from buying from someone that I wasn't very sure was a proper owner that could make sure I could register the device to me.

I'd be expecting to pay about £450 for a 4Gb ram version.
This would be the issue upgradability... Im just about to put a dual SSD drives (2x 1 TB) into my macbook and it already has 16GB RAM (£60 upgrade), the fact its not a retina version (late 2011) is a little drawback, but I can upgrade so much stuff (upgraded the battery before I left for Aus for £35) means the 2.4GHZ i5 will run fast as hell for another 5+ years.

Woody

Original Poster:

2,187 posts

283 months

Thursday 11th February 2016
quotequote all
Thanks again guys.
Also been offered an August 2014 11" with 256gb & 8gb RAM with 18 months Apple care for £700.
The only thing stopping me is I think the 11" is just a tad too small......

audi321

5,157 posts

212 months

Thursday 11th February 2016
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Woody said:
Thanks again guys.
Also been offered an August 2014 11" with 256gb & 8gb RAM with 18 months Apple care for £700.
The only thing stopping me is I think the 11" is just a tad too small......
It is for me......13" minimum

Woody

Original Poster:

2,187 posts

283 months

Thursday 11th February 2016
quotequote all
Paddy_N_Murphy said:
on my 11" now.
"If" it had the SD slot, I'd be happier, but for picking up, stuffing in a bag, battery life and rattling through emails, web etc. It works for me.

you are seeming to have a 50% budget creep there ?
Yeah - the Apple care was quite tempting along with the 8gb RAM - but it's over budget and think the Wife would hate the 11" screen. The SD card slot is also a massive bonus on the 13" - especially with the Jet Drive Lite.

tim0409

4,355 posts

158 months

Thursday 11th February 2016
quotequote all
Woody said:
Thanks again guys.
Also been offered an August 2014 11" with 256gb & 8gb RAM with 18 months Apple care for £700.
The only thing stopping me is I think the 11" is just a tad too small......
The Macbook Air is a great laptop, I've had a few of them and started with the 13" but decided to swap to the 11" for greater portability. At first I thought the screen was too small but you do get used to it after a while (pinch/zoom is really helpful) - now when I see a 13" they look massive in comparison.

Craikeybaby

10,369 posts

224 months

Thursday 11th February 2016
quotequote all
If it is mainly for use around the house I'd suggest the 13". The 11" is great for taking around with you, but is compromised.

Woody

Original Poster:

2,187 posts

283 months

Friday 12th February 2016
quotequote all
Cheers chaps - again!
Had a play on an 11" today in the Apple Store and I was surprised how well the screen worked - seems to be bigger than my 11" Lenovo.
Tempted by the 11" even though it has less expansion, the 18 months Apple Care on it must be well worth the difference.