Second hand MacBook Air (A1466) still a worthwhile buy?
Discussion
yes agreed, but they're all at it these days.So I've found the first glitch already. Unlocked the machine and found it kept rejecting the password. Turns out one of the keys stopped working, pressed it repeatedly and eventually it started to work again. Very weird. Now that key seems to work all the time.
I've created a new admin account in case it was that, as it came with a generic account out of the box.
I'll have to keep an eye on that
TameRacingDriver said:
Wonder why they dropped Magsafe? Mind I don't think that would be a deal breaker for me, and you can get a USB hub for a couple of quid... maybe not ideal but still you can get by?
Courage.And yes, it is a deal breaker. Lord knows how many macs I would have had to repair or replace that have been saved by magsafe. Caught it with my foot 5 mins ago, so prime example!
whoami said:
Not really.
I thought I'd really miss MagSafe (which was a great feature) after years of having a MacBook Air with it.
However, you soon get used to it not being there.
Well like I say, I've only ever used conventional laptops and tablets so its not something I would have missed. I can see the advantages, but then isn't the battery life supposed to be excellent anyway, so I wouldn't envisage myself leaving it plugged in much of the time.I thought I'd really miss MagSafe (which was a great feature) after years of having a MacBook Air with it.
However, you soon get used to it not being there.
So far so good with this one anyway apart from the weird keyboard glitch, but I'll put it through its paces a bit more tonight as all I've really done is stuck chrome on it and played around for 5 minutes here and there...
TheJimi said:
It’s pretty much a deal breaker for me, I think. Keep trying to talk myself around but it’s not happening.
MagSafe is one of these features that, once you’ve used it, and gotten used to having it, you really, I mean, REALLY, notice not having it.
I have one of these, works fine: SnapnatorMagSafe is one of these features that, once you’ve used it, and gotten used to having it, you really, I mean, REALLY, notice not having it.
So I've been playing with this thing for a good hour or so:-
Impressions:-
Keyboard pretty good but not the best I've used. Looks nice though, feels pleasant. It does occasionally seem to fail to pick up some inputs.
Touchpad is an absolute dream compared to anything I've used with Windows. The OS also seems perfectly designed to make full use of it.
Doesn't get hot, can't hear fans, in general use.
Looks and feels quality
Will take me quite a while to get used to, but the OS already feels far more of a quality product than Windows. I'm quite sure I would always pick windows if I absolutely HAD to get something done as quickly as possible, and I doubt that I will ever be QUITE as quick as on windows because I'm so used to it but also its geared up for fast and efficient productivity (when it works). However, this is just so much prettier, more refined, and just simply more pleasant / fun to use. It doesn't feel like it will break at any minute.
Battery seems to be holding up surprisingly well - still on 80% and I've been playing with it all day.
Definitely a quality item for £450. Now I just got to get used to it.
Impressions:-
Keyboard pretty good but not the best I've used. Looks nice though, feels pleasant. It does occasionally seem to fail to pick up some inputs.
Touchpad is an absolute dream compared to anything I've used with Windows. The OS also seems perfectly designed to make full use of it.
Doesn't get hot, can't hear fans, in general use.
Looks and feels quality
Will take me quite a while to get used to, but the OS already feels far more of a quality product than Windows. I'm quite sure I would always pick windows if I absolutely HAD to get something done as quickly as possible, and I doubt that I will ever be QUITE as quick as on windows because I'm so used to it but also its geared up for fast and efficient productivity (when it works). However, this is just so much prettier, more refined, and just simply more pleasant / fun to use. It doesn't feel like it will break at any minute.
Battery seems to be holding up surprisingly well - still on 80% and I've been playing with it all day.
Definitely a quality item for £450. Now I just got to get used to it.
You seem to be impressed.
You can download macs fan control or similar to monitor the temperatures and adjust the fans manually if neccessary.
As for the keyboard, maybe some crumbs or crud under one of the keys or something. Easy to remove (use a plastic spudger tool to very gently pry them off - plenty of guides on youtube).
TameRacingDriver said:
Doesn't get hot, can't hear fans, in general use.
The fan noise you would have heard when updating the OS to high sierra is the loudest it will ever get @max speed of 6500rpm).You can download macs fan control or similar to monitor the temperatures and adjust the fans manually if neccessary.
As for the keyboard, maybe some crumbs or crud under one of the keys or something. Easy to remove (use a plastic spudger tool to very gently pry them off - plenty of guides on youtube).
Edited by GCH on Wednesday 11th October 19:58
Keyboard stopped working for about 30 seconds before. In spotlight, tried to backspace. Didn't work. Trying to add more letters, didn't work. Pressed escape and spotlight closed, and then keyboard has now started working normally again. Typed this whole post on it and it did miss one key press. Do you think the keyboard is faulty? If so I'll probably have to send it back. Shame, as it turned out, it was the only one in stock.
TameRacingDriver said:
Keyboard stopped working for about 30 seconds before. In spotlight, tried to backspace. Didn't work. Trying to add more letters, didn't work. Pressed escape and spotlight closed, and then keyboard has now started working normally again. Typed this whole post on it and it did miss one key press. Do you think the keyboard is faulty? If so I'll probably have to send it back. Shame, as it turned out, it was the only one in stock.
Are you sure there isn't crud in the keyboard? It sounds just like what happens when there is. Give it a vac'/hold it upside down and give it a gentle shake.Spotlight will quit if you press Esc.
I must admit I feel quite keen to overcome any problems as it really is a nice machine. Wouldn't have ever considered one before but there certainly is something about it. Other than that it feels unflappable and certainly seems to perform better than the similar age XPS 13 I had before it and even probably as quick in general use as my gaming desktop (even then perhaps still quicker in places).
I'm going to try getting it to work on my superwide, I reckon it'll look good on that.
I'm going to try getting it to work on my superwide, I reckon it'll look good on that.
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