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Hey guys, would really appreciate your advice on an emergency mac replacement issue. I realise there are other posts comparing these computers, but I've been through a few and think my needs might be slightly different. Skip to the questions in bold if you need to!
Had a 2-year-old 2012 13" pro whose logicboard has recently totally died, for reasons neither the Apple store nor a third party repair shop can work out. Part replacement doesn't seem worth the cost when I can get a new macbook for about 300 bucks extra. Here are my choices for replacement via the US refurb store. Prices in euros, which are not a great deal above the dollar right now so US guys can hopefully surmise the equivalent costs:
choice 0
spend €400 getting a new logicboard for a 2-yr-old computer, even though no one seems to know what's wrong with it, so could even incur more replacement costs and if it's liquid damage then other parts might be affected later
choice 1
€770 11.6 inch 1.4GHz i5 Macbook Air with 4GB RAM and 256GB solid state drive.
choice 2
€845 as above but 2015 model, 1.6GHz with slightly better graphics, Thunderbolt 2 and supposedly a faster hard disk.
choice 3
€925 above model but 13.3 inch
choice 4
€1150 13.3 inch 2.7GHz i5 Retina Macbook Pro with 8GB RAM and 256GB solid state drive. So two to four hundred euro more for hopefully a more robust machine with a lot more processing power.
I've ruled out the new Macbook model on account of its connectability and lower processing power, just seems overpriced. And also any models with under 256GB hard drives, as 128 is just not enough for me. My priorities, so what I'd like to know from current owners of either model are:
#1 durability and reliability. Somehow I've managed to get through two macbooks in a few years. First was liquid damage, this one is anyone's guess. I do carry my computers around a lot, at the moment for teaching and later on for studying. The next macbook I will be spending more money on cases and keyboard protectors, and probably insurance! But I'd like to know how durable the Macbook Airs are compared to the new Pros, as they have always seemed very flimsy to me. The solid state drives are obviously nice and tough but it seems to be the logicboards that go first..
#2 comfort. I'm slightly hesitant to go for the smaller Air for reasons of comfort typing - does the 13 inch Air or the Retina seem much different typing over long periods of work?
#3 speed/performance. Although every now and then I do sometimes use Photoshop and InDesign, this is unlikely to be a computer for regular rigorous editing. It would be good to know that when I need to I can use these programs with a reasonable expectation that the computer won't crash or slow to the point of unusability. But the main thing is that browsing and basic software goes quickly and reliably.
Underlying this is the unfortunate fact that all of these computers are due an update soon, but I can't really sit around waiting for it, so will have to go with the older range at their current price.
Thanks so much in advance for any of your advice!
Had a 2-year-old 2012 13" pro whose logicboard has recently totally died, for reasons neither the Apple store nor a third party repair shop can work out. Part replacement doesn't seem worth the cost when I can get a new macbook for about 300 bucks extra. Here are my choices for replacement via the US refurb store. Prices in euros, which are not a great deal above the dollar right now so US guys can hopefully surmise the equivalent costs:
choice 0
spend €400 getting a new logicboard for a 2-yr-old computer, even though no one seems to know what's wrong with it, so could even incur more replacement costs and if it's liquid damage then other parts might be affected later
choice 1
€770 11.6 inch 1.4GHz i5 Macbook Air with 4GB RAM and 256GB solid state drive.
choice 2
€845 as above but 2015 model, 1.6GHz with slightly better graphics, Thunderbolt 2 and supposedly a faster hard disk.
choice 3
€925 above model but 13.3 inch
choice 4
€1150 13.3 inch 2.7GHz i5 Retina Macbook Pro with 8GB RAM and 256GB solid state drive. So two to four hundred euro more for hopefully a more robust machine with a lot more processing power.
I've ruled out the new Macbook model on account of its connectability and lower processing power, just seems overpriced. And also any models with under 256GB hard drives, as 128 is just not enough for me. My priorities, so what I'd like to know from current owners of either model are:
#1 durability and reliability. Somehow I've managed to get through two macbooks in a few years. First was liquid damage, this one is anyone's guess. I do carry my computers around a lot, at the moment for teaching and later on for studying. The next macbook I will be spending more money on cases and keyboard protectors, and probably insurance! But I'd like to know how durable the Macbook Airs are compared to the new Pros, as they have always seemed very flimsy to me. The solid state drives are obviously nice and tough but it seems to be the logicboards that go first..
#2 comfort. I'm slightly hesitant to go for the smaller Air for reasons of comfort typing - does the 13 inch Air or the Retina seem much different typing over long periods of work?
#3 speed/performance. Although every now and then I do sometimes use Photoshop and InDesign, this is unlikely to be a computer for regular rigorous editing. It would be good to know that when I need to I can use these programs with a reasonable expectation that the computer won't crash or slow to the point of unusability. But the main thing is that browsing and basic software goes quickly and reliably.
Underlying this is the unfortunate fact that all of these computers are due an update soon, but I can't really sit around waiting for it, so will have to go with the older range at their current price.
Thanks so much in advance for any of your advice!
