MacBook Air advice please

Lcurlyhart on 14/01/2018 - 13:11

Hello Friends,

Posting on behalf of my girlfriend. She currently has a 2013 MacBook Pro, Retina, 13 inch, 2.4 GHz Intel Core i5, 256 GB. She is very happy with it, but needs to give it back to her employer, so looking for a replacement.
Keen on the MacBook Air, but have read some negative comments on here, particularly regarding the display. Is it really that bad? Certainly marketed quite differently…
"Corner to corner and pixel by pixel the MacBook Air display is both an engineering feat and a design breakthrough. The display measures a mere 4.86 millimeters (0.19 inch) thin yet its resolution makes you feel like you’re looking at a larger screen. The 11-inch MacBook Air features a resolution of 1366 by 768 pixels while the 13-inch model wows with a resolution of 1440 by 900 pixels. And LED backlighting makes colors bright and vibrant from edge to edge. So whether you’re editing photos perfecting a presentation or watching a movie you’re going to love what you see."
Also some negative comments regarding the processor, but for a casual user it seems adequate to me. The main reason for wanting the Air over the Pro is the ports. So, is she mad for wanting to buy one? Is there an alternative (Mac) that meets her needs? Is there likely to be a new model coming out soon that she should wait for?

This is the one she is currently looking at…
https://shopmonk.com.au/apple-macbook-air?storage=340&color=…

Thanks,
Curly.

Computing Apple Computer Laptop Ultrabook

Comments

  • [Deactivated] on 14/01/2018 - 13:25
    +1

    Posting on behalf of my girlfriend

    Oh yes, posting for my friend, mate, etc.

  • blindingshadowz on 14/01/2018 - 13:49
    +2

    I don’t think it’s mad for wanting to buy one. The newer MacBooks and their new ports make life difficult for a casual user, and you’re expected to pay a premium for it too. Sure the Pros have better internals and definitely by far a better display but if she’s been happy with one before I can’t imagine she would object to it again

    The Pros however do represent better value for money and a refurbished one from The Apple Store website might be a tempting prospect depending on your stance on refurbished devices.

    Just my $0.02 :)

    • Randxyz123 on 14/01/2018 - 14:09
      +1

      I agree.

      This one for example https://www.apple.com/au/shop/product/FLUQ2X/A/Refurbished-1…

      Would be worth the extra $ for the display and better processor. Think of it as future proofing.

      What ports does she use regularly? USB - adapters are only $9

      Can easily grab a multi port adapter for less than $50 from eBay and it's job done.

  • sitdowndisco on 14/01/2018 - 14:19
    +2

    The MacBook Air screen is OK, but it is old technology. These days it's unacceptable to have such a low resolution screen on a new computer. The internals of the MacBook Air are perfectly fine for 90% of the population, but it's a bitter pill to swallow when spending over $1000 on a computer with such a low res screen.

    That's what makes buying a MacBook so difficult today. If you want a good screen, you're up for a massive amount of money. Unless you get one of those 2016 model MacBook 12" from Officeworks for like $1200. (https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/353859) And then do a TRS refund.

  • Foxtail on 14/01/2018 - 17:39

    The thing is buying one is its till worth good beard in few years time. My wife has the MacbookAir taken it all over the world and loves it and its 3years old, she loves the screen.

  • Rifraf on 14/01/2018 - 18:30
    +1

    My 11' Macbook Air is mid 2013 and still going strong.
    Not getting the same battery life out of it when it was new but don't expect to.
    Like my iPhone 6, I may simply get the battery replaced instead of upgrading the whole machine as it covers my simple needs which are mainly net surfing, emails etc.
    Its never given any bother and simply just works unlike the three windows machines my sister has been through in the same time period.

  • BertieBrown on 14/01/2018 - 19:25

    Personally, if I had the ability to buy a laptop with a better (higher res) screen I would; going from my 2010-mid build white MacBook to the 2017 MacBook Pro is a bit night and day-ish but of course it also depends on your budget, but yes if it were just an a vs b decision I'd def try and get the higher res screen.

  • Azrael169 on 14/01/2018 - 20:09

    Most users wont notice the difference… The screen on the MacBook Air is fine. My old one is still powering along without issue, i've given it to my wife and she has no problems. The people on here who complain about the screen on the 1% of consumers who are after bargains and cutting edge tech at the same time.

    • StickMan on 14/01/2018 - 23:24
      -2

      The difference is like a non-retina ipad/phone and a retina phone.

      It's like the $80 Telstra smartphone vs any high end mobile.

      If you can't see the difference your ignorance is so high that using an abacus instead of a MacBook would be okay.

      • Azrael169 on 15/01/2018 - 14:44
        +1

        While you can notice the difference, 90% of consumers would have no idea. If you put them side by side maybe, but my wife dosnt notice the difference between my 4k monitor and her MacBook Air. She has yet to complain about the resolution.

        I'm not arguing their isnt a difference, i'm arguing most users simply woudnt notice OR care about it

  • curlyhart on 14/01/2018 - 20:52

    Wow, thanks to all for the prompt comments. Good to have opinions both ways. I think we will go with the Air. It's such a big difference in price for just a screen (well, that's what most people refer to as the main difference). Has anyone experience with shopmonk? I read a couple of positive comments on another post, but would like to hear some more before committing.

    • [Deactivated] on 14/01/2018 - 21:09
      +1

      On a 4 year old MacBook Air writing this.. these things are bullet proof. Setting aside price difference I would still buy a new Air over a Pro.. screen vs shape (& ports)… the Air presents as such a lithe unit, much more than the pro despite a similar weight… and speed even on a mid 2013 model will meet the needs of any user that avoids heavy processing & graphic requirements (e.g. designers, engineers, gamers). The 2017 model is more than fast enough.

      I will not be upgrading until they can deliver a 14" MacBook or a new 13" Air with hi-res screen. Pro's are permanently off my menu and I would buy another Air if those other options never eventuate.

    • Quantumcat on 15/01/2018 - 13:37

      I wouldn't buy a grey import if it were me

      • curlyhart on 23/01/2018 - 21:37

        Can I ask why? This aspect really confuses me.

        • Quantumcat on 23/01/2018 - 21:56
          +1

          Because if you get any issues you will have trouble getting support. Paying a little extra and being able to walk into a brick and mortar store and ask them to fix it is worthwhile I think (I guess depending on how much saving).

        • curlyhart on 05/02/2018 - 17:33
          +1

          @Quantumcat:
          Cool, thanks. Ended up buying through the Mac education website, getting free headphones and selling them. Worked out to $1380, so pretty happy with that.

  • StickMan on 14/01/2018 - 23:32
    +1

    Processing power it goes: MacBook > MacBook Air > MacBook Pro 13 non-touchbar > MBP13 Touch Bar > MBP15

    All apart from MacBook Air have a nice screen. Air screen SUCKS in comparison, but if you're not comparing it and just using it, it's definitely usable.

    Air is the only one with old ports - everything else is USB-C connector. How much stuff are you connecting? $12 for a USB adaptor, not terrible if you connect 1-2 things.

    Macbook Pro 13 size and weight is quite similar to the Air, which is why it's now a common choice due to the better-everything (keyboard and ports are arguable) on the MBP. Of course, 1.5-2x price.

    Air is dead. It MAY receive some minor spec bumps as the years go on, but don't hold your breath. It still exists as an entry-level laptop, while the price of MacBook remains high. Once that drops, bye bye Air.

    My suggestion: if your gf uses the laptop for basic tasks, the Air is a solid choice at todays prices. Only get the MBP13 if best performance is required or you find the screen of Air unbearable. You're coming from a Retina display, so ignorance isn't exactly an option, she knows how nice the screen can be.

  • zonra on 15/01/2018 - 00:22

    Im a little biased as I switched from the Air to the Pro 13” due to the screen.
    Things to keep in mind:
    Weights difference is almost negligible (20g more on the Pro)
    The Pro has a smaller footprint (same screen size but thinner bezel)
    Pro isn’t thicker than the Air (actually it’s thinner compared to the thickest part on the Air due to the Air’s tapered design)
    Ports wise, Air wins handsdown.
    Touchpad is heaps better on the Pro.
    Keys are well, different, on the Pro. Some like it, some don’t. I personally have gotten used to it and like it now.

    For me the screen bugged me heaps during my short ownership of the 2017 Air and that was my main reason for switching.
    If you/your gf doesn’t care about the screen I’d say go for it, but if budget allows, have a look at them both in the shops side by side and make sure you won’t regret the purchase later since the laptop would probably last you 5+ years.

    • StickMan on 15/01/2018 - 10:15

      Oh, yeah, the trackpad. Force touch trackpads are GODLY.

      • curlyhart on 23/01/2018 - 21:41

        I have force touch on my macbook and never use it. It sounded good when I was buying but haven't found a use for it. Can I ask what practical things you have found for it?

  • curlyhart on 23/01/2018 - 21:42

    I love these fora. You are all bloody legends, thanks for the replies!

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