Might buy a 1st gen. MacBook Air

I'm considering buying a refurbished 1st gen. MacBook Air since the prices seem quite reasonable ($1300 for 1.8GHz + SSD model).

The other option I am considering is the Lenovo Thinkpad X300 (new, for a similar price).

1. Before I make a decision (which I will do after I go see both models in person if possible), I would like to know if there are any issues with the 1st generation MBA. For example, does it ever run hot, or does it lose wireless connections, or any other hidden issues?

2. How much more battery life would I get out of the 1.6GHz + SSD model, compared to the 1.8GHz + SSD one?

3. What kind of condition are refurbished Mac's usually in? For example, will it be horribly scratched and dented, or practically like new?

4. How long before the next generation MBA's (Penryn + GF9400) are available cheap as refurbished? Is it worth waiting?

Also, convince me if you like why I should buy the MBA over the X300 (and DON'T say "because it has OSX")

 

The clockspeed won't make much of a difference in battery life, especially with the SSD. You'd be looking at most, a loss of 15-20 minutes of runtime.

Its taken about 10 months for the prices of the original MB Air to sink to these levels, right, so assume the same for the current 9400M model.

Why to get the Air over the X300....I have no idea where you'd find a new X300 for anywhere near $1300 (isn't it discontinued now for the X301? and doesn't it retail for around $2400?), but if you could, I'd get that over the MBA. Doesn't look quite as nice, but its probably more durable, better keyboard, higher res screen (WXGA+, and its a matte screen too) and way more ports/integrated DVD drive/etc.

However, the Air is pretty much (imo) the best looking notebook on the market, and if design is that important to you, theres one reason. OS X is another reason (that I don't really buy...) if that matters to you.

Really, which to buy depends on what is important to you, but I personally would recommend the X300.

 

There are a couple of them for $1295 at the Lenovo outlet. Basically I think they're selling off the few X300's they have left over after introducing the X301.

Hmm, well 20 minutes isn't trivial to me. Every bit helps.

Yeah, it's probably really pointless for me to ask about MBA vs. X300, because until I go and try both of them in real life, I won't know which I like better. My main concern though is the poor battery life and slightly higher weight of the X300.

 

Hmm, the X300 with the 6 cell battery is rated as having 5 hours of life, which is the same as the MB Air, if I'm remembering right.

Fantastic deal on the clearance X300s.

 

I was really considering the MBA, but decided that I didnt need it, and got an 1000HE, (i know this doesnt matter for you) but I really think that MBA has something of a whoa factor to it, but the limitation on the ports and all really kill the deal for me as a primary system.

If this is a secondary system, I said MBA, if it is primary... X300

 

the difference in run time will be trivial between the 1.6 and 1.8ghz models.

i agree that 20 minutes is not trivial. 20 minutes is a 7% increase in battery life. Except a 0-2% increase in working battery life with the FASTER cpu.

the cpu adjusts its clockspeed on the fly. if you aren't doing processor intensive tasks, the battery life wont change. if you are, the faster cpu will get those tasks done faster, meaning your display wont be taxed as long per work.

its sorta convoluted, but imagine trying to encode a movie on the battery with the screen on. if you have a faster cpu, the cpu takes up approximately the same total amount of energy to get the job done, but the hard drive gets thrashed slightly less, the display doesn't need to be on as long.

but in the end its all trivial. you aren't going to encode video on the battery of a laptop.

 

Yeah I forgot to mention that this will definitely be a secondary system - I built a powerful desktop rig which I use for most of my "heavy" work and gaming. The purpose of this laptop will be mainly for word processing, web browsing, watching some videos, and maybe some light programming work.

The X300 has a advertised battery life of 6.5 hours on the 6-cell, but most reviews I've read say it hardly gets 4. But I think what I'm mostly concerned about now is the screen quality (brightness/contrast) and weight of the X300 compared to the MBA. I'm gonna try to find one to see in person tomorrow, which will help me decide.

masterchef341: That makes sense. I'll probably just get the 1.8GHz version then if I decide on the MBA.

 

1300 is darn good for a mbair.

 

Yep, but why not just get an aluminum MB? It looks alot alike, and is only a bit heavier and a bit thicker.

 

My Sony Vaio SZ is 4.0 pounds, lasts 5-6 hours on battery, and has a screen so bright and vibrant it can literally blind you temporarily in a dark room at 100% . I don't think I'm gonna "downgrade" to a 4.5 pound aluminum MB which has below average screen quality from what I've heard.

Basically I've realized that my SZ is excessively powerful for me: since I have a powerful desktop, I never use my laptop for gaming, video editing, etc., and therefore I would do better to get an ultra-ultra-portable around 3 pounds or less, especially considering that I can get a X300/MBA for $1300 now.

 

I'd actually be most tempted by the refurb 1.6/80GB hard drive based MB Air for $999, I think. Though if you're into the whole SSD gig (I'm out of it until pricing drops to under $1.75/GB), I suppose the higher end MBA makes sense.

 

Yeah, that's tempting too, but since it's such a good price already I figure I may as well go for an SSD not only for the performance, but because I love the idea of it being shock-proof - I won't have to worry about the spinning magnetic disks getting "scratched" if I set it on a desk too harshly or something.

 

Yeah, I agree with Colton - why not get the MacBook? X300 is a pretty nice machine. We have a few on our network at work - real lightweight, and screen was decent from what I saw.

 

That's good to know. I'm sure the screen will be at least good enough, I just hope it's not too disappointing coming from a Sony.

My last post on page 1 explains this.

 

Personally, I think the screen was fine. Its definitely an improvement over the X61 and T61 models that are prevalent in our network.

 

Coming off a Sony, it'd definitely be easier to adjust to the Apple than the Lenovo. Its part of the reason I didn't get an X61 to replace my VAIO FJ.

MacBook Al makes no sense for ac5 though, I mean, if hes already got an SZ (same specs/performance/size with a lighter body), theres not much of a point to getting a MacBook. The Air is at least significantly thinner and lighter.

 

Well to me, the MBA is wasting money, when you can get a similarly cosmetic looks, but a whole lot more internal goodies. If you really, really want something light and thin, the by all means go for the MBA.

 

ac500 have you decided on what you're going to buy now ?

 

A refurb is going for $999? (American Presumably)
Boy did I luck out then.
I just bought a brand new first gen MBA from my employer for $699 Canadian. As the story goes my shop had four in inventory and they had clearly been sitting there for awhile. I figured what the heck, I'll lowball my manager (who knows nothing about computers as he was a home theatre salesman back in the day). My pitch was that we'd only sold two MBAs from our store in the past six months - zero in the last two months (despite being marked down to $1450), and that these nasty clearance machines were sitting on his report as we were heading into a new fiscal year. I also made a great effort to portray the MBA as little more than a glorified netbook and that we sold those for $400 or less. I had the solution for him... I'd happily take one of those machines off his hands for some 40% of what they originally sold for. After some pretty humorous back and forth and with closing time fast approaching (and somewhat to my surprise) he caved. I'm not bragging, I'm just shocked at the price I managed to get my first Mac for.
I'm not sure I'd buy it for the $1399 or even the $999 though. I tend to agree that the full size Macbooks are nicer for that price range.