MacBook Air - Recommendation Required.
Discussion
Can anyone who has been using the latest MBA for a while let me know their views please!
I’ve got a 2011 27” iMac that needs replacing as it has slowed to a crawl. I do not want a massive desktop anymore as my usage has changed and I’d like something portable too.
Main use is Microsoft Excel (light to medium user, not power) which can probably be replaced with Numbers, email, web, Home finance, word processing and some very light photo editing.
I’m really leaning towards a new MBA. I was contemplating a new iPad but prefer a laptop form factor so just want to ensure the MBA is the way to go.
Cheers for any advice/feedback.
I’ve got a 2011 27” iMac that needs replacing as it has slowed to a crawl. I do not want a massive desktop anymore as my usage has changed and I’d like something portable too.
Main use is Microsoft Excel (light to medium user, not power) which can probably be replaced with Numbers, email, web, Home finance, word processing and some very light photo editing.
I’m really leaning towards a new MBA. I was contemplating a new iPad but prefer a laptop form factor so just want to ensure the MBA is the way to go.
Cheers for any advice/feedback.
I run both of the above however a bit older.
My 2009 27" iMac flies after I upgraded the HDD to an SHDD, just like it was new, it's still my main machine. I also have a 2013 13" Air which is easily the best laptop I've ever owned, it will easily do what you want, so I expect a new one will be even better.
I tend to look after my kit and keep it as long as possible, I expect my iMac to last me another few years, really until the OS (High Sierra) becomes too ancient. Same with the Air, I'll not replace for another 5 years I expect, as long as the battery keeps going.
My 2009 27" iMac flies after I upgraded the HDD to an SHDD, just like it was new, it's still my main machine. I also have a 2013 13" Air which is easily the best laptop I've ever owned, it will easily do what you want, so I expect a new one will be even better.
I tend to look after my kit and keep it as long as possible, I expect my iMac to last me another few years, really until the OS (High Sierra) becomes too ancient. Same with the Air, I'll not replace for another 5 years I expect, as long as the battery keeps going.
The latest air is not as good as the older model for a variety of reasons... the single improvement is the retina display, but suffers from lack of brightness. Lack of ports (no SD, no magsafe, USB C) and a few other things made it a disappointing launch, when they could have very easily knocked it out of the park.
The older version is the best mac ever made, is still available new from apple, and at a decent price.
The older version is the best mac ever made, is still available new from apple, and at a decent price.
GCH said:
The latest air is not as good as the older model for a variety of reasons... the single improvement is the retina display, but suffers from lack of brightness. Lack of ports (no SD, no magsafe, USB C) and a few other things made it a disappointing launch, when they could have very easily knocked it out of the park.
The older version is the best mac ever made, is still available new from apple, and at a decent price.
I hadn’t thought about getting the last model - will look into that. Cheers!The older version is the best mac ever made, is still available new from apple, and at a decent price.
megaphone said:
I run both of the above however a bit older.
My 2009 27" iMac flies after I upgraded the HDD to an SHDD, just like it was new, it's still my main machine. I also have a 2013 13" Air which is easily the best laptop I've ever owned, it will easily do what you want, so I expect a new one will be even better.
I tend to look after my kit and keep it as long as possible, I expect my iMac to last me another few years, really until the OS (High Sierra) becomes too ancient. Same with the Air, I'll not replace for another 5 years I expect, as long as the battery keeps going.
I’d be tempted to change the hard drive if I still needed the beast.My 2009 27" iMac flies after I upgraded the HDD to an SHDD, just like it was new, it's still my main machine. I also have a 2013 13" Air which is easily the best laptop I've ever owned, it will easily do what you want, so I expect a new one will be even better.
I tend to look after my kit and keep it as long as possible, I expect my iMac to last me another few years, really until the OS (High Sierra) becomes too ancient. Same with the Air, I'll not replace for another 5 years I expect, as long as the battery keeps going.
I haven't used the new Air, but am also looking at replacing an aging iMac. For the usage you state I'm sure a MacBook Air would be fine (I do a lot of photography and development work, so probably going to go for a MacBook Pro).
I wouldn't bother looking at the old version - I looked at it in 2015 when I got a 12" MacBook and it seemed dated then. What I like about Macs is their longevity, I prefer to buy a new model as then it is likely to be supported for longer. For instance, these days I would not buy a Mac without a T2 security chip, as I can see that being key to future updates, similar to Bluetooth 4.0 support being key to a lot of updates introduced in the last few years, which do not work on my old iMac.
I wouldn't bother looking at the old version - I looked at it in 2015 when I got a 12" MacBook and it seemed dated then. What I like about Macs is their longevity, I prefer to buy a new model as then it is likely to be supported for longer. For instance, these days I would not buy a Mac without a T2 security chip, as I can see that being key to future updates, similar to Bluetooth 4.0 support being key to a lot of updates introduced in the last few years, which do not work on my old iMac.
I have seen a number of reviews (on youtube and elsewhere) comparing the new 2018 Macbook Air with the Macbook Pro (non-touch bar). The reviewers tended to state that teh Macbook Pro is a better machine, so it may be worth considering as it has a similar price tag.
See: https://appleinsider.com/articles/18/11/10/compare...
See: https://appleinsider.com/articles/18/11/10/compare...
Edited by jesusbuiltmycar on Wednesday 30th January 15:02
Cheers chaps!
Yes I agree regarding support for latest tech and hadn’t thought about the pro but will take a look.
I don’t need the smallest thing and the pro doesn’t look too much bigger but the Air is a lovely piece of kit.
I was going to trade-in but Apple main dealers and Apple themselves don’t discount prices so I may have to buy from a retailer like John Lewis and sell privately.
Cheers again!
Yes I agree regarding support for latest tech and hadn’t thought about the pro but will take a look.
I don’t need the smallest thing and the pro doesn’t look too much bigger but the Air is a lovely piece of kit.
I was going to trade-in but Apple main dealers and Apple themselves don’t discount prices so I may have to buy from a retailer like John Lewis and sell privately.
Cheers again!
rednotdead said:
If it helps - I've just gone from a 2012 Air to a spanking new 13" Pro. The Pro isn't much bigger in any dimension than the Air but (subjectively) feels a nicer bit of kit. Don't forget to budget for all the usb-c adaptors though 
and the lack of magsafe is a backwards step imho.
Cheers! I was reading online earlier that Apple may bring MagSafe back this year!! Not exactly sure what that means for new products. and the lack of magsafe is a backwards step imho.Edit: looks like it will probably be an adapter as per third party ones so not too exciting.
Edited by anonymous-user on Wednesday 30th January 16:48
I've had a 2010 MBA and purchased a new MBA in November 2018.
The new machine is a lot better.
Apart from the convenience of the extra ports (still not difficult to have an all in one adapter SD, HDMI, USB etc in my bag if needed) the new MBA wipes the floor of the older one.
My view might be skewed since I had one of the original MBA models and was 8 years before I retired it (it still goes fine, just slow).
Great new keyboard, huge battery life, super fast. Love it.
The new machine is a lot better.
Apart from the convenience of the extra ports (still not difficult to have an all in one adapter SD, HDMI, USB etc in my bag if needed) the new MBA wipes the floor of the older one.
My view might be skewed since I had one of the original MBA models and was 8 years before I retired it (it still goes fine, just slow).
Great new keyboard, huge battery life, super fast. Love it.
There's 3 main considerations here, imo. In no particular order -
- Screen brightness. Go to an Apple store and compare the 2018 MBA side by side with the 13" Pro - the Pro offers a much wider range of brightness.
- Keyboards. The 2018 MBA has the latest version of the butterfly keyboard, which shiud hopefully eliminate the previous issues. Although, I understand that the 2017 Pro has a revised version (but not the same at the 2018 MBA)
Iirc the 2017 PRO will come under Apple's repair program.
- Processors. The 2018 MBA has, essentially, a glorified mobile processor, whereas the Pro has a full fat one.
If these considerations don't bother you, go for the Air - it's a lovely bit of kit, especially in the rose gold colour.
- Screen brightness. Go to an Apple store and compare the 2018 MBA side by side with the 13" Pro - the Pro offers a much wider range of brightness.
- Keyboards. The 2018 MBA has the latest version of the butterfly keyboard, which shiud hopefully eliminate the previous issues. Although, I understand that the 2017 Pro has a revised version (but not the same at the 2018 MBA)
Iirc the 2017 PRO will come under Apple's repair program.
- Processors. The 2018 MBA has, essentially, a glorified mobile processor, whereas the Pro has a full fat one.
If these considerations don't bother you, go for the Air - it's a lovely bit of kit, especially in the rose gold colour.
Edited by TheJimi on Thursday 31st January 10:04
TheJimi said:
There's 3 main considerations here, imo. In no particular order -
Cheers!- Screen brightness. Go to an Apple store and compare the 2018 MBA side by side with the 13" Pro - the Pro offers a much wider range of brightness.
- Keyboards. The 2018 MBA has the latest version of the butterfly keyboard, which shiud hopefully eliminate the previous issues. Although, I understand that the 2017 Pro has a revised version (but not the same at the 2018 MBA)
- Processors. The 2018 MBA has, essentially, a glorified mobile processor, whereas the Pro has a full fat one.
Luckily I’m not interested in the gold one, especially as you can get silver for £119 less at John Lewis (£1280 for the 256GB).
Audis5b9 said:
I've had a 2010 MBA and purchased a new MBA in November 2018.
The new machine is a lot better.
Apart from the convenience of the extra ports (still not difficult to have an all in one adapter SD, HDMI, USB etc in my bag if needed) the new MBA wipes the floor of the older one.
My view might be skewed since I had one of the original MBA models and was 8 years before I retired it (it still goes fine, just slow).
Great new keyboard, huge battery life, super fast. Love it.
Cheers!The new machine is a lot better.
Apart from the convenience of the extra ports (still not difficult to have an all in one adapter SD, HDMI, USB etc in my bag if needed) the new MBA wipes the floor of the older one.
My view might be skewed since I had one of the original MBA models and was 8 years before I retired it (it still goes fine, just slow).
Great new keyboard, huge battery life, super fast. Love it.
garyhun said:
TheJimi said:
There's 3 main considerations here, imo. In no particular order -
Cheers!- Screen brightness. Go to an Apple store and compare the 2018 MBA side by side with the 13" Pro - the Pro offers a much wider range of brightness.
- Keyboards. The 2018 MBA has the latest version of the butterfly keyboard, which shiud hopefully eliminate the previous issues. Although, I understand that the 2017 Pro has a revised version (but not the same at the 2018 MBA)
- Processors. The 2018 MBA has, essentially, a glorified mobile processor, whereas the Pro has a full fat one.
Luckily I’m not interested in the gold one, especially as you can get silver for £119 less at John Lewis (£1280 for the 256GB).
1) The 2017 MacBook Pro screen is a thing of beauty; it's 500 nits/brightness (compared to the MBA at 300 nits) and also has P3 wide colour gamut; I'm not an expert but what it means in reality is a great colour reproduction. The new MBA screen is similar to my 2017 MacBook 12 and is a massive improvement on the old MBA model (important consideration given you look at it everyday), so will probably be more than adequate for you.
2) The processor on the new MBA is a bit weedy compared to the MBP but it depends on what you use it for. There is no point buying it if you spend all day rendering 4K video, but if you are browsing the web, spreadsheets etc. it will be more than enough. It has really fast ssd, which helps.
3) I actually like the new keyboards, and the 2018 re-design is even better in terms of feel/sound.
4) Ports. I appreciate that usb-c and the lack of ports may be a pain for some users but I've never had an issue, even with a single port on my MacBook 12. I have a dongle, but hardly ever have to physically connect a device apart from my monitor which is usb-c and charges at the same time. It depends on your use case.
I would go into an Apple store and spend a bit of time with both the MBP and new MBA; I love the shape of the MBA and whilst it's roughly the same size/weight as the MBP I prefer the tapered design. It's a shame Apple wasn't prepared to sell the MBA for £999 as it would have sold really well.
Really don't understand the hate for usb-c
It's a great thing. Although I've got a mbp with 4 ports so makes adding things a bit easier
But usb-c itself is fantastic and just seems to work for connecting things
Monitor ug and charge one wire adaptors are cheap if you buy unofficial and I can't say I've had a single.prpblem in 2 years where I cursed USBC
Op look at the mbp not a big difference cost wise to the air but it's a big step up in performance
It's a great thing. Although I've got a mbp with 4 ports so makes adding things a bit easier
But usb-c itself is fantastic and just seems to work for connecting things
Monitor ug and charge one wire adaptors are cheap if you buy unofficial and I can't say I've had a single.prpblem in 2 years where I cursed USBC
Op look at the mbp not a big difference cost wise to the air but it's a big step up in performance
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