Sell MacBook and replace with Windows Desktop?

Glodys on 16/09/2013 - 14:53
Last edited 16/09/2013 - 15:08

Hi guys

I currently own a macbook air 13.3" 2012 (base model). Every single time I use my macbook, its always connected to my monitor and only sometimes do I move it around the house. The 128gb SSD is also starting to become a problem as my videos and photos start to fill up the space. For school, I occasionally have to edit video, which also takes up a lot of space. The reason why I like the macbook is the apps like imovie etc. I was thinking of replacing the macbook with this windows desktop (I'm building it myself):

  • Intel Core i3 4130
  • Asus B85M-E Motherboard
  • Team 8gb (2x4gb) DDR3 1600MHz
  • TP-LINK 300Mbps wireless pci-e adaptor
  • Samsung Internal DVD/RW Drive
  • NZXT Guardian 921 Case
  • Silverstone ST50F-ES 500W PSU
  • Coolermaster Hyper 212 EVO (I'm not sure if this is necessary)
  • Windows 7 OEM 64 bit
  • WD Blue 1TB HDD

This comes to a total of $711 (prices from u-mart)

I have seen some of the macbooks go for about $950 on ebay, but because mine has a small dented corner, I was thinking of selling it for about $850-$900 (do you guys think it will sell at this price?) So that gives me enough money to buy the parts for the desktop.

Do you think I should change to the desktop? And if so, do you guys think this desktop will provide the same performance as the macbook?

Thanks for your help

Computing

Comments

  • verio on 16/09/2013 - 15:19
    +1

    this desktop will provide the same performance

    If you are happy with your MBA performance, then all you need to do is to buy an external hard drive. It is not very reasonable to expect a HDD to perform at the same level as a SSD. Even on a desktop you most likely won't be able to store videos on a SSD due to the price/volume constraints.

    • Glodys on 16/09/2013 - 15:32

      thanks for your reply
      I'm not that fussed with data transfer speeds and such. By performance I meant the speed of opening up applications and running them (sorry if I didn't make myself very clear)
      I am quite happy with the mba's performance, but my concern is compatibility (some software that I have to use for school requires windows so I always have to borrow my brother's desktop) and also the lack of an optical drive (I like watching the occasional dvd and I have to hand in all of my school assignments on a cd).
      But overall, I'm not quite sure if these issues/concerns can justify selling my mba and getting a windows desktop.

      • verio on 17/09/2013 - 18:37
        +1

        I'm not that fussed with data transfer speeds and such. By performance I meant the speed of opening up applications and running them (sorry if I didn't make myself very clear)

        That is where SSD speeds are actually important. Huge performance boost for opening apps.

  • ozhunter on 16/09/2013 - 15:19

    Ebay+ payppal will take around a 13% cut if you do sell it.

  • plmko on 16/09/2013 - 17:57

    Add in a SSD if you want similar Macbook Air zippy-ness.

    Also a fan like the coolermaster is completely unnecessary because you have no Graphics card. A 500w PSU is also too much for the same reasons. However buying the two will give you the option to get a graphics card should you choose to in the future.

    • Glodys on 16/09/2013 - 19:21

      Thanks
      I'll probably add in an ssd and once i have the money, I was thinking of adding in a gtx650 graphics card for gaming and videos.

  • scrimshaw on 16/09/2013 - 19:26
    +3

    Get rid of the EVO cooler. You won't be overclocking anyway so the stock CPU cooler will already suffice.

    For video editing, make sure to get an Nvidia card for the CUDA support.

    Windows 7 OEM 64 bit

    Changes this to Windows 8. Windows 8.1 update is coming soon which fixes issues with the Metro interface, and if you do not like the start menu you can always install Start Is Back or Classic Start to pretty much turn Win 8 into Win 7. You won't even notice the difference (really).

    Windows 8 is kickass especially with its improved boot times and superior file indexing features. Especially if you're only using a Caviar Blue HDD — Win 8 really shines on systems without an SSD.

  • Glodys on 16/09/2013 - 20:23

    Thanks for your opinions everyone.
    I've decided to sell my mba and get these parts.

    • WD Blue 1tb
    • SilverStone 500W PSU
    • NZXT Guardian 921
    • Samsung DVD/RW
    • Microsoft Windows 8 64 bit OEM
    • MSI N650-1GD5 1GB DDR5 GTX650
    • TP-LINK pci-e 300mbps wireless adaptor
    • Team 8gb (2x4gb) DDR3 1600MHz
    • Asus B85M-E
    • Intel Core i3-4130

    Total: $790

    Do you think I should spend another $50 for the i5-4430? Or do you think its overkill for what I'm going to use it for?

    • scrimshaw on 16/09/2013 - 21:19

      Gaming is mostly dictated by the GPU and actually your GPU is going to be the main bottleneck (its not exactly high end — a $100 card will only play games at a fairly low 720p resolution).
      So it's a bit of a tossup between a better GPU or a better CPU.

      Do you play games most of the time? If you want better performance as a gamer then I suggest getting a better graphics card.

      • Glodys on 16/09/2013 - 21:28

        I don't usually play games, but if I do, its just usually light games like web based ones. The main thing I would probably do is occasional video editing for school assignments etc. So in this scenario, would a better cpu or gpu be more suited?
        Thanks

        • scrimshaw on 16/09/2013 - 21:31

          For video editing the quad i5 CPU is probably better. I guess the extra $50 is worth paying for, if you are serious about video editing.

          Later on you may wish to add an SSD. It makes a huge difference to your overall computing experience.

  • epicaricacy on 17/09/2013 - 01:43
    +1

    Stick with the Mac, with an external usb3 hdd for storage of your videos. You'll hate going back to Windows

    • RichardRides on 17/09/2013 - 07:26
      -1

      +1

      I was recently given a current model Sony laptop for work and I can't believe how poor the experience is compared to the 3 year old MBP I had been using. Windows seems to have fallen way behind the Mac OS since last I had to use it.

      All IMHO of course, but I wouldn't recommend anyone go back to Windows unless they absolutely have to.

      • epicaricacy on 18/09/2013 - 09:51
        +1

        Careful BagsinMotion - you gave an opinion. Worth getting negged for around here it seems of late.

        I too have recently switched to Mac for my desktop. I loved Windows 7, but Mac does do it better… and I am far from a fanboi (Galaxy S2 phone, Asus Transformer Tablet). MacOS just seems to run snappier, without the seemingly random displays of slowness that can occur with a windows machine.

        I use Windows at work (mix of 7 and XP), on new desktops, and it seems sluggish in comparison.

        Something tells me this machine is mainly being built for gaming. Sounds like a school student, and most of his mates probably have Windows machines and he wants to frag their asses. Mac is the industry norm for video editing. If you chucked in a USB3 or Thunderbolt external, coupled with your SSD, you would probably find it runs better than a windows machine.

        • RichardRides on 20/09/2013 - 09:00

          Thanks ericaricacy … I will be careful expressing an opinion next time!

    • mrmarkau67 on 17/09/2013 - 15:21
      +2

      I vote for keeping your Macbook Air and saving up for a desktop.

      Without an SSD, your desktop could actually feel slower than the Air both for everyday use and video editing.

      I like Windows 8 a lot - as far as I am concerned the "daily drive" experience is just as good as Mac OS. But the Macbook Air is a design classic and beautifully built. You will miss its elegance every day.

      If you buy an external HDD for the Macbook Air, you could potentially free up some space so you can run a Windows VM on your Mac for compatibility.

      One other thing to consider is buying an external monitor early. It will dramatically improve your movie editing experience and be ready for when you get that desktop.

  • srhardy on 17/09/2013 - 07:28
    +1

    quadcore i5 if your building for video editing

    you can replace OSX on the mbookAir with windows7/8 if you want with the same solution of using an external HD for music, video ect… apple make the best windows hardware IMO by far!

  • KBZ on 17/09/2013 - 18:12

    Hey man just a suggestion for the tp link pc card get the one with 3 antennas for better signal strength. Depending where you put your desktop i.e under a desk it will suffer signal strength.

    I had this happen when I cheaped out and bought the tplink 2 antenna model and for a year I stuck with it and improved the signal by making a cone with foil Lol. In the end I caved and bought the 3 prong and never better.

    • Glodys on 17/09/2013 - 20:25

      Thanks for your advice. Im moving my router closer to my computer so I can use ethernet, so that will probably result in a more stable internet connection.

  • Glodys on 17/09/2013 - 20:24

    Hey guys
    Thanks for all your replies
    I've decided to sell my mba and build the desktop
    My budget is actually around $900 (limit of $1000) including the operating system. I'm going to upgrade to an i5-4440, and will probably add an 120gb ssd. I'm also changing the case to the Thermaltake Chaser A31. Are there any more improvements I could make?
    Thanks

    • scrimshaw on 17/09/2013 - 21:06

      I suggest mainly 2 improvements — the HDD and CPU.

      WD Blue 1tb Replace with Seagate 2TB. 2TB drives are better value.
      ADD 120GB Samsung SSD drive
      SilverStone 500W PSU
      NZXT Guardian 921 Changed to TT Chaser A31
      Samsung DVD/RW
      Microsoft Windows 8 64 bit OEM
      MSI N650-1GD5 1GB DDR5 GTX650
      P-LINK pci-e 300mbps wireless adaptor
      Team 8gb (2x4gb) DDR3 1600MHz
      Asus B85M-E
      Intel Core i3-4130 Changed to Core i5 4570 instead. The i5-4440 only does Turbo up to 3.3, but the 4570 goes up to 3.6ghz. It's only $15 dollars extra.

  • neophytte on 17/09/2013 - 21:31

    Out of curiosity, what Video editing package will be using under Windows? I've used iMovie on the Mac for home videos and found it an easy and great way to get videos out (and to DVD for the overseas folks who can't use a computer), but haven't found anything with the simplicity and flexibility on the PC side of things??

    Cheers

    Richard

    • Glodys on 18/09/2013 - 06:41

      I usually use premiere or premiere elements, depending on whats available. At home I use premiere elements and at school, if needed, I have to use premiere.

  • Glodys on 18/09/2013 - 08:06

    I was thinking of changing the psu to a corsair cx-430. Would 430W be enough to run this build?

    • scrimshaw on 18/09/2013 - 12:37

      Yes. But it will limit your upgrade options in the future, say for example you decide upgrade your GPU it may also require more power.

      At the moment 430w is sufficient.

  • Briefcase Mong on 18/09/2013 - 20:27
    +1

    windows desktop + hackintosh

    • kingmw on 18/09/2013 - 22:45

      Agreed for the best of both worlds without the cost associated with Apple hardware. Need to make sure you buy a compatible motherboard to save yourself a lot of hassle (i.e. Gigabyte)

    • cheng2008 on 19/09/2013 - 13:23
      +1

      Not sure about the state of hackintosh now, but when i did it in 2009 it was seriously not worth the effort.

      • neophytte on 19/09/2013 - 15:33

        agree with this ^^^

  • rekabkram on 19/09/2013 - 01:13

    I've never owned a mac so I don't get the hype but if your happy with the performance of your current setup apart from a couple of flaws then why not look in to fixing the flaws?

    You occasionally want to watch DVD's then why not buy a USB SuperDrive?
    You are having trouble with storage space then buy an external USB/Lightning (depending on budget) Hard Drive?
    You sometimes have to run Windows program's then why not give 'Bootcamp' a go? http://www.apple.com/support/bootcamp/

    If you've made up your mind and you want to switch to Windows and a desktop pc then fair enough, but if these are the only reasons then are you better off keeping your current setup and seeing if you can address them?

    If you do switch then I cannot emphasise how awesome an SSD is for both your operating system and all of your main program's, don't skimp at first and install everything on a normal HDD only to get a SSD in a few months do it right the first time even if it means living without the extra room until you can afford an extra HDD for storage.

    • neophytte on 19/09/2013 - 15:35

      crossover is also good for running PC apps on a mac … it has come up a few times in StackSocial bundles

  • ethereal88 on 19/09/2013 - 06:17

    The last experience I had with a Mac was a retardedly locked down OS combined with hilariously overpriced hardware. People see fruit and suddenly "oh, its so fast", "oh, its so elegant". Rubbish. If you build that box, get an H87 ATX board, for full SATA 3 and USB 3 options along with slots, not something cut back like B85 or shudder H81.

    EDIT: You could look into a 6300 + 7850 too for a moderate gaming box.

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