MBA newbie spec questions

9designs2

9designs2

9designs2

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I'm new to Apple and Mac's.... Only have an iPad2...
Tempted to step up to an Air, 13"....
Apple hardware just seems to be the nicest.

Thinking of this spec.... I7, 256 SSD, 8gig RAM. I believe you have to spec the amount of RAM when buying as you can't add more later.

Will it work with the latest 128GB SD memory cards ?

I may want to dual boot it with Windows..... (waiting to be flamed ;) )

Will install Photoshop Elements.
Can I plug my Canon I9900 A3 printer into it ?

Do they support flash websites unlike the iPad

Will any external USB DVD/BD drive plug in and work... Or needs to be an Apple drive.
Can you get something like EAC for ripping music files to FLAC ?

Is worth getting the latest 2012 spec, or pick up the previous 2011 spec I see being sold off cheaper ?

Anything else I should know........
 
I wouldn't bother with the i7 personally, you might as well save some money.

8GB is sensible if you plan to keep the machine a while.

Yes Flash is supported.
 
Thanks for the comments and review link..... as always it seems with Apple, next years model looks like it will be tempting.... :confused:
i7 was a future proofing attempt, like the 8GB ram....
 
9designs2 said:
Thanks for the comments and review link..... as always it seems with Apple, next years model looks like it will be tempting.... :confused:
i7 was a future proofing attempt, like the 8GB ram....
Click to expand...

8GB of memory is definitely worth going for, but the i7 has quite literally zero advantages for 99% of users. Nowadays the extra clock speed is the only thing it really has.

The 128GB SD cards do appear to work fine, according to the interwebs. Don't take my word for it though, worth having a look at the specific card(s) that you plan to purchase.

Your printer, it should work, in fact you will more than likely be able to use Software Update to grab the drivers for you.

External drives should work, however I'm not sure whether you will need drivers. Again, really depends on the drive itself.

Another FLAC ripper option is Max, just to throw a bit of variety into the mix.

Finally...grab a 2012, purely for the 8GB of memory.
 
Future proofing isn't a Mac strong point. By and large you're stuck with what you've got and Apple charge an absolute fortune if you want to overspec at purchase time with configuration options.

I've found that the best way (for me at least) is to stick with the base models and then sell them on to fund the latest version if you have to have the newest stuff. I haven't done that for a while though, and my 2009 MBP still runs nicely. I suspect Apple will drop support for it in the latest OS before the actual hardware exceeds its useful life.
 
theheyes said:
Future proofing isn't a Mac strong point. By and large you're stuck with what you've got and Apple charge an absolute fortune if you want to overspec at purchase time with configuration options.

I've found that the best way (for me at least) is to stick with the base models and then sell them on to fund the latest version if you have to have the newest stuff. I haven't done that for a while though, and my 2009 MBP still runs nicely. I suspect Apple will drop support for it in the latest OS before the actual hardware exceeds its useful life.
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I wouldn't completely disagree with this, though I don't think the situation is actually as bad as some seem feel it is. ML currently supports 2007 MBPs and newer, so I would say that your system should be supported in the next update (at which point it would be 4 years old). Provided that you plan to keep the laptop for around 5 years, it isn't too bad, though older OSs don't seem to receive any updates at all. Luckily, updating to the latest version is an absolute no-brainer in most cases, and the older OSs are fine (so if you are going to use the laptop for around 6 years, which is a long time, you'd be absolutely fine).

However, the limitations of some features for no reason whatsoever are unfair to consumers, but it's the way that Apple want to make money. Thankfully, such features aren't at all that important (such as AirPlay), so you aren't really missing out on much.
 
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I'm actually ok with not getting the latest features, it's the security updates I'm more concerned about. Apple's short support lifecycle is just something you have to deal with and I've paid for the OS upgrades over the years just to stay current and not necessarily for the new features. If Apple arbitrarily block that upgrade path (which at the moment I'm not particularly confident either way) then it won't be great news for us with older Macs. Hopefully they won't.
 
Dilemma continues...... go for cheapest 13” MBA, with a view that next year’s model will possibly have a retina display and next gen processor....... Or get the spec I was planning for longer term now......

BUT then I noticed the MacPro Retina is thinner and lighter than the normal Pro’s .... So for a little extra size and weight over the Air, I’d get the Retina display, quad core and the ram and SSD I was planning on in Air as standard......... But then does anyone “need” that much processing power !!......
Need to have another touch and feel session in store I think ;)
 
Remember that even though the rMBP is light, it is still far, far heavier and larger than the MBA. As lovely as the rMBP is, I'd still recommend the MBA to all but the biggest of power users. The MBA packs plenty of punch, it's more than enough!
 
lamboman said:
Remember that even though the rMBP is light, it is still far, far heavier and larger than the MBA. As lovely as the rMBP is, I'd still recommend the MBA to all but the biggest of power users. The MBA packs plenty of punch, it's more than enough!
Click to expand...

I'm sure your right, and a very sensible approach.. but then a 300 quid laptop for PCW packs enough punch these days for 99% of users !!! ..... Not sure Apple products are about "sensible" cost based decisions :p ;)......
Still like the MBA size and sleekness... still first choice I think...
 
Had a look at the rMBP at the weekend..... hmmm very nice, like the slim light weight improvement over the standard Pro, nice balance between the Air and the Pro. Screen for sure looks good, makes pictures on the standard look like poor JPEGs from a Compact digital camera..... instead of a nice crips DSLR image..... J

The Air I would sue as “netbook” and keep my Windows desk machine, with the rMBP I would look to replace the desk machine completely.

So plan is to pick up a used Air off the bay, have a play, if I like all things Mac and it goes well, then I’ll move it on and order a rMBP.... if I’m not converted I won’t have wasted 1800 quid.
 
Interesting thread guys, does this stand for the MBP's as well?

I'm probably going to make my purchase of the MBP next month and was going to go for the 13" i7 model but from what ive read and for all i'll be doing with the machine the i5 might be a better option.

I'm going to be betting it before i start my degree and that's the main reason for getting it so i';; not be gaming or anything like that however I will be running multiple applications, remote connections etc.

I'm also going to swap the main HDD for an SSD but its too dear through Apple. Im going to go for a Samsung or Crucial 128, maybe a 256 and leave the 500gb for storage!
 
Lorddalron said:
Interesting thread guys, does this stand for the MBP's as well?

I'm probably going to make my purchase of the MBP next month and was going to go for the 13" i7 model but from what ive read and for all i'll be doing with the machine the i5 might be a better option.

I'm going to be betting it before i start my degree and that's the main reason for getting it so i';; not be gaming or anything like that however I will be running multiple applications, remote connections etc.

I'm also going to swap the main HDD for an SSD but its too dear through Apple. Im going to go for a Samsung or Crucial 128, maybe a 256 and leave the 500gb for storage!
Click to expand...

Yep, same applies, and for you I'd recommend the i5; the i7 will provide no advantages for virtually all users, to be honest. However, I'd say that the MBP is now a poor choice as the MBA is now the same price, is nearly as fast, and is lighter, unless of course you need the optical drive all the time, or the storage as you have said.
 
lamboman said:
Yep, same applies, and for you I'd recommend the i5; the i7 will provide no advantages for virtually all users, to be honest. However, I'd say that the MBP is now a poor choice as the MBA is now the same price, is nearly as fast, and is lighter, unless of course you need the optical drive all the time, or the storage as you have said.
Click to expand...

Yea i feel what your saying brother but im drawn aesthetically to the pro, although if i had the money id love the 15" retina which is nearly the same if not the same as the air.

If that makes sense.

I wonder what the chances our of a 13" MBP with retina being introduced next month along with the new iphone?
 
Ok I've eventually got off the pot !!!..... After many hours on the bay, searching looking for a bargain, visiting a couple of stores to compare different models and reading mac rumours !!!!
So got few month old 13" Air, 1.8 i7 model with 4gig and 256 SSD coming Saturday.
With Zagg covers, optical drive, parallels with Win7, office for Mac plus other software, just over 900 quid, not cheap or a bargain but seems a fair deal....

Plan is if I like Mac will possibly look to get a rMBP in the future, I see a 13" version is imminent so the range looks to be getting refresh soon....or for next year.
The Air should be easy to move on for little loss it seems.
 
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