Cheapo MacBook Air advice
Discussion
The only bit I'd be worried about is the tiny 128GB SSD, but if you're not storing games or downloading lots of video, then it should be fine.
Don't forget that it's also using a power-efficient 8th gen dual-core Intel i5 mobile CPU, so won't be setting any speed records, but the battery should last a long time (depending on the condition/health of it - which can be checked in System Settings > battery). Replacement is DIY-able if you're used to Apple's screw & sticky tape regime...but a replacement battery could be over £100.
The benefit of the 2018 model is that it is before the awful butterfly keyboards were used...and had a major CPU boost from the previous year's model (from a 5th gen to an 8th gen CPU).
Don't forget that it's also using a power-efficient 8th gen dual-core Intel i5 mobile CPU, so won't be setting any speed records, but the battery should last a long time (depending on the condition/health of it - which can be checked in System Settings > battery). Replacement is DIY-able if you're used to Apple's screw & sticky tape regime...but a replacement battery could be over £100.
The benefit of the 2018 model is that it is before the awful butterfly keyboards were used...and had a major CPU boost from the previous year's model (from a 5th gen to an 8th gen CPU).
Edited by mmm-five on Monday 27th November 20:05
mmm-five said:
The benefit of the 2018 model is that it is before the awful butterfly keyboards were used...and had a major CPU boost from the previous year's model (from a 5th gen to an 8th gen CPU).
This may be worth checking - looking at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MacBook_Air_(Intel-b... it says butterfly keyboard :-( . I remember trying that style of keyboard and deciding I was remarkably happy with my 2017 Broadwell based MBA, which I am still enjoying as a personal machine when I'm in the office.That will have the dreaded butterfly keyboard unfortunately; I used to upgrade my Macbook (12/MBA/MBP) every time I went to the US back when prices were cheap, and I had my fair share of keyboard replacements. They really are that bad, so I would avoid buying one now out of warranty as top case replacements are expensive.
21TonyK said:
Having been PC For 40 years it’s time to go Mac as well. Need small light and reasonable battery. Only for email. Web. FaceTime and a bit of ms office.
I moved over a few months ago to using Mac after using PCs since DOS 3.1 - it's mostly 'fine' with some annoyances.The little things that are annoying are things such as the keyboard differences, muscle memory on keyboard shortcuts not working, file management tools just being a bit crap compared to Windows - nothing life changing, just a bit annoying.
But then on the positive side the system does seem to run at full speed all the time, and if you use an iPhone or iPad the integration with those is excellent.
21TonyK said:
Thinking about a 2018 for about 3-350 off eBay. Any reason not to?
I bought a new M1 MacBook Air because Amazon were doing them for around £750 (I see various retailers have them for £799 currently) and I thought it would have a longer life than the Intel versions, and I also picked up an immaculate M1 Mac mini for £300 from Facebook Marketplace that I was able to connect to an existing monitor, keyboard, and mouse.Long-term fan of Macbooks here, after being a long-term fan of PCs and good quality laptops like the old thinkpads.
I now wouldn't get any macbook other than an M1 or higher. If you can stretch to it, I would. I shudder each time I use the older intel macbook I have given to wife / kids.
Looks like CEX are doing them from about 550, maybe you have some old tech you don't want you can exchange for some vouchers to get that price down.
You will get much better battery life, silent operation and great performance. Plus longer OS updates.
I now wouldn't get any macbook other than an M1 or higher. If you can stretch to it, I would. I shudder each time I use the older intel macbook I have given to wife / kids.
Looks like CEX are doing them from about 550, maybe you have some old tech you don't want you can exchange for some vouchers to get that price down.
You will get much better battery life, silent operation and great performance. Plus longer OS updates.
xeny said:
This may be worth checking - looking at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MacBook_Air_(Intel-b... it says butterfly keyboard :-( . I remember trying that style of keyboard and deciding I was remarkably happy with my 2017 Broadwell based MBA, which I am still enjoying as a personal machine when I'm in the office.
Yes, I got it mixed up with the change FROM butterfly to scissor key mechanism, so a 2020 model with a i5-1030NG7 may be a better option (and about 50% faster, and with a 500GB SSD)...but will undoubtedly cost more (c.£600).21TonyK said:
So an older 2017 is a better option??
Same keyboard, but older/slower CPU, lower-spec graphics & display, and likely more heavily deteriorated battery, and is no longer supported by MacOS updates (MacOS 12 Monterey was the last supported version).But if the difference in price is significant, it may be worth a punt.
Edited by mmm-five on Tuesday 28th November 11:36
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