Just Bought a New MBA

I just received my new MBA on Thursday, and I just wanted to say that I am thrilled with the purchase. I was a little worried about the MBA not having enough pep to keep me happy, but I can't believe how fast this thing is compared to my 2009 C2D MBP. I am thoroughly impressed.

I opted for an i7 4GB 256GB 2011 refurb from the Apple site for $1199. I waited until the 2012 models came out just to see what new offerings there would be, but I couldn't justify the extra money for improved video and 3.0 USB. I don't need the video to play games, and I only really use external drives for backups. My old MBP is in perfect 10/10 condition. I sold my last 2 year old white MB for $800 on Craigslist, and it wouldn't surprise me if this one goes for about the same. I can write off the new one as a business expense and recoup the taxes so in reality my upgrade could end up only costing me less than $200!

I replace machines every 3 years or so just because I get an itch for something new (and cause it only costs me less than $200). I think this will suit me nicely for the next 3 years. By then, hopefully, there will be a $1200 13" Air or Pro w/ Retina, but for now, I am very happy with my purchase.

CONGRATULATIONS Jaygray...I'm jealous!!!

Your post actually surprised me a bit...since I didn't realize that you could get a 13" MacBook Air with a Core 2 Duo "i7" cpu, 4gig ram, and 256 flash storage...for $1199 refurbished!!!

It's got a pretty darn good Geekbench score of 5831 (32-bit mode)...and that i7 cpu supports both "Turbo Boost" and hyper-threading...which can come in handy in some situations.

Congrats again...nice buy!

- Nick

I'm closing my ears. I have a perfectly good MBP 2010. I don't need a MBA I really don't.

Jaygray said:

I replace machines every 3 years or so just because I get an itch for something new (and cause it only costs me less than $200). purchase.

Click to expand...

Quick somebody get me a vat of anti-itch cream. lol

Seriously Congrats and color me jealous. My newest machine is a 4 year old MB Pro.

How do you like it so far?

Nice - I did the almost the same thing. I opted for an 11" 2011 - 4GB of RAM 256GB of Flash and the core i7. I was eying the machine but before the new ones came out they were $1399 USD - and it dropped to $1199 USD as well.

I'm keeping my 2009 C2D MBP 17". I am going to throw a 750GB Seagate Momentus XT into it and load Lion Server.

This is a first - but I bought the 11" as I have a Saddleback Leather Satchel - Medium and I can fit the 11" MBA and a New iPad in there (it is a little tight with chargers but I get it all to fit). It is the first time I've ever bought a computer to fit in a bag. That being said the computer runs great. I was actually OK with the smaller model as I bought Air Display. I have my own MiFi (hence a dedicated wifi network) and I can use the New iPad as a second display at the iPad's full retina resolution. I wouldn't play 3D games on it - but it is great for viewing documents, and more static information - so I don't feel restricted by screen size as much.
Air Display: make an iPhone, iPad or Mac an external monitor

I am waiting for either the Belkin Thunderbolt Dock station - or an update to the Apple Thunderbolt display with USB 3.0.
Belkin Unveils Upgraded New Thunderbolt? Express Dock and Thunderbolt Cable at 2012 Computex

I bought the elgato Thunderbolt cable and the Seagate Goflex Thunderbolt adaptor and hooked up a 1.5TB goflex drive. That is working quite well.

All my old MBA peripherals (from the original 13" MBA I bought for my wife when they first came out) seem to work fine. Yeah I only have a USB 2.0 to 100MB Ethernet adapter and a DVD Superdrive (not Blu-Ray) but it is working fine for transfers across the network.

I opted to skin my MBA - Zagg sent me a birthday gift certificate. I got a Zagg skin of the Colorado flag for the top - and a bike for the bottom. I got a carbon fiber print for the wrist rest.
Grunge Flag Colorado skins ZAGGskins
Bike skins ZAGGskins
Carbon Gray skins ZAGGskins
The straight up invisible shield seems thinner than the prints. I just got it so I cannot say anything about longevity yet - but compared to just straight see through invisibile shield - the prints seem thicker/more durable - but only time will tell. I bought an iPearl case but wanted to be as minimal as possible. I'd recommend some kind of more durable case or strong bag around it - if one goes with these stick on protectors.

Hope you are liking yours as much as I am liking mine.