11" or 13" MBA

roscoeiii · « **Reply #20 on:** 2 Aug 2012, 02:20 pm »

Yes, the use of an external monitor with an Air changes the equation drastically.

jtwrace · « **Reply #21 on:** 4 Aug 2012, 11:57 pm »

I went to the Apple store today and have decided to go with the 13" to start I think. I really like the 11" form factor but my eyes will enjoy the 13" much more.

I do have a couple of questions though.

How loud is the fan? If I have it on and running my Mini via iTunes / surfing will I hear it? My PC fan is really annoying when doing that.

Also, what is the preferred external drive for uploading Cd's?

JohnR · « **Reply #22 on:** 5 Aug 2012, 12:42 am »

I'm not sure there's much choice with the drive, but it works fine:

http://store.apple.com/us/product/MD564ZM/A

On my 2010 11" the fan is audible when it's on high, but you have to work it pretty hard to make it do that.

Pez · « **Reply #23 on:** 5 Aug 2012, 05:53 pm »

I have the same version as John and my fan rarely kicks on. Using iTunes and surfing doesn't seem to ever make it kick on. But with various configurations etc ymmv.

jtwrace · « **Reply #24 on:** 5 Aug 2012, 06:51 pm »

What do you think a 13" MBA purchased today will be worth in 3 yrs? 50%?

roscoeiii · « **Reply #25 on:** 5 Aug 2012, 07:13 pm »

Macs tend to keep their value pretty well. Barring any major leap forward for Macs or this model turning out to be a real lemon, I think you can expect higher than 50%.

orthobiz · « **Reply #26 on:** 5 Aug 2012, 07:56 pm »

Movies seem to be the only thing that kicks on the fan for me and I believe there is a low and high speed. It's noticeable but not intolerable.

Paul

Crimson · « **Reply #27 on:** 5 Aug 2012, 08:28 pm »

The only time I've ever heard the fan was during a firmware upgrade.

JohnR · « **Reply #28 on:** 5 Aug 2012, 08:51 pm »

Hm, I'd think 50% for a 3yo laptop is pretty unlikely. Processor speed and memory/storage go up, prices come down.

Also, the battery is not "user-replaceable." I'm not sure what current battery technology is like but I tend to think 3 years is time to start thinking about a new one.

I think it's best to think of laptops as consumables, whatever you get when you sell it is a bonus.

OK, here is an example. 3yo, originally 2700, now 700. Exchange rates are probably something to do with that, but even so.

JohnR · « **Reply #29 on:** 5 Aug 2012, 09:03 pm »

This is an interesting article (somewhat relevant):

The New MacBook Pro: Unfixable, Unhackable, Untenable

Tyson · « **Reply #30 on:** 5 Aug 2012, 09:39 pm »

Yes, there is always the cycle, describes so eloquently by The Oatmeal:

TONEPUB · « **Reply #31 on:** 5 Aug 2012, 11:41 pm »

Quote from: Tyson on 5 Aug 2012, 09:39 pm

Yes, there is always the cycle, describes so eloquently by The Oatmeal:

Having done this dance with Apple now since 1984, I usually tend to buy at the end
of a current product cycle, when they finally do discount a bit, pay the couple hundred
bucks for Apple Care and then pass said box to a friend or family member when I'm
two months from the AC's expiration.

Being that I can deduct our five computers as business expenses, I agree with
John R. I see a computer as a consumable.

We could all hunker down and become proficient on the Windows platform,
but why bother? (Just as I tell my Windows proficient friends about Mac,
if it's just a tool, why bother?) The time and aggravation lost wouldn't be
worth the $150 a box I'd save on a different machine, etc etc.

And thanks to this approach, we all get our work done and have had ZERO
computer issues in the last 8-9 years. (not that macs have ever been terribly
troublesome to begin with)

But I did pay the penalty for that new Mac Book Pro with the retina display
just for fun.

JohnR · « **Reply #32 on:** 6 Aug 2012, 09:16 am »

I'm thinking I may turn the equation on its head - treat the display and storage as assets, and the laptop as a peripheral. At my current rate, it's looking like 2 years between upgrades to the "peripheral".