MacBook Air 13" FNB deal

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msm

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I have a Macbook Air as my everyday laptop - used for email, office applications, etc. It is a very, very good compromise in terms of practicality (weight, size) versus function (battery life, performance).
 
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PostmanPot

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Rather get a 13" Pro with Retina screen, much better value and only slightly bigger and heavier.

https://www.apple.com/za/macbook-pro/specs-retina/

Height: 1.8 cm (0.71 inches)
Width: 31.4 cm (12.35 inches)
Depth: 21.9 cm (8.62 inches)
Weight: 1.57 kg (3.46 pounds)
Click to expand...

https://www.apple.com/za/macbook-air/specs.html

Height: 0.3-1.7 cm (0.11-0.68 inches)
Width: 32.5 cm (12.8 inches)
Depth: 22.7 cm (8.94 inches)
Weight: 1.35 kg (2.96 pounds)
Click to expand...

It's a no-brainer.
 
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Tacet

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chadw1 said:
No hidden costs? I heard some people saying their bank charges went up? No issues on your end?
Click to expand...

My problem with FNB's mobile options:

Normally, I'm on the Smart Cheque Account, with the Fee Saver option. So, if my balance is more than R9000 throughout the month, I don't pay any banking charges for that account.

Now, if you take a mobile device, you're basically put on some kind of Mobile option (IIRC it is fairly similar to the Unlimited option), so you're not on Fee Saver anymore. For me, that's effectively an extra R84 per month extra, on top of the device's cost.

I don't know if there are other cost implications, but that is something to take into consideration.
 
DrJohnZoidberg

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risami

risami

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I bought an MBA (mid-2012) through FNB. All paid up and enjoying the works. What I found was that because of the sh*t I do, I ran out of space easily (64Gb :wtf:). Anyways that said, I eventually *replaced the SSD with a Transcend JetDrive 520 480GB SATA III SSD. Also make sure the warranty expires before doing something like this (i.e. be comfortable f**king around with the device's innards).

More info here

* Note Apple authorised dealers won't do this for you. In fact they'll tell you it can't be done.
 
risami

risami

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DrJohnZoidberg said:
Two completely different beasts. I would honestly recommend the Air above the Pro for the OP's use case.

Having used both, I much prefer using the Air 9 out of 10 times. The Retina display really didn't make such a big difference for me.
Click to expand...

True story!
 
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PostmanPot

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DrJohnZoidberg said:
Two completely different beasts. I would honestly recommend the Air above the Pro for the OP's use case.

Having used both, I much prefer using the Air 9 out of 10 times. The Retina display really didn't make such a big difference for me.
Click to expand...

Most people don't realise how slim and light the rMBP actually is. When spending that kind of money, ±R2 - R3k more for double RAM, Retina, etc. is a no-brainer, to me.

This is easily put in perspective by merely comparing the specs of each machine. The Air, quite literally, offers half the performance (on paper, IRL is of course not half).

Also, I'm not sure it's possible to extrapolate the OP's use from the term "personal use":

chadw1 said:
I'm basically looking for a laptop that's reliable and that will last me a good couple of years. I won't be doing hardcore work on it as it will mainly be for personal use.
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I hear what you're saying, but the rMBP is certainly the answer for lasting longer, and just as good for "personal use" in most situations where lightness/portability are important, IMO.

To me, the Air only wins because it would run cooler. Does not affect me, I'm pedantic and make sure I use my 13" rMBP with a laptop stand in bed, on lap, etc.
 
DrJohnZoidberg

DrJohnZoidberg

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PostmanPot said:
Most people don't realise how slim and light the rMBP actually is. When spending that kind of money, ±R2 - R3k more for double RAM, Retina, etc. is a no-brainer, to me.

This is easily put in perspective by merely comparing the specs of each machine. The Air, quite literally, offers half the performance (on paper, IRL is of course not half).
Click to expand...

Yes, on paper the Air is much slower. In day to day use though I swear the Air actually feels quicker. I think it's got to do with the lower res display which the GPU is much happier handling than all those Retina pixels.

The Pro is quite a lot bulkier too and runs noticeably hotter. Unless you really need some heavier work done, then the Air would be my recommendation for most people.
 
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PostmanPot

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DrJohnZoidberg said:
Yes, on paper the Air is much slower. In day to day use though I swear the Air actually feels quicker. I think it's got to do with the lower res display which the GPU is much happier handling than all those Retina pixels.

The Pro is quite a lot bulkier too and runs noticeably hotter. Unless you really need some heavier work done, then the Air would be my recommendation for most people.
Click to expand...

Agreed. Just wish it came with 8GB. But my needs are of course far more than for most, for whom the Air is perfect.

The question is whether the OP is most, or not. :p
 
Sinbad

Sinbad

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PostmanPot said:
Agreed. Just wish it came with 8GB. But my needs are of course far more than for most, for whom the Air is perfect.

The question is whether the OP is most, or not. :p
Click to expand...

Can you put 8GB into an Air?
 
DrJohnZoidberg

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PostmanPot said:
Agreed. Just wish it came with 8GB. But my needs are of course far more than for most, for whom the Air is perfect.

The question is whether the OP is most, or not. :p
Click to expand...

I'm also disappointed with Apple not doing something about this too with the line refresh.

Air should have 8GB base memory, Pro should have 16GB.
 
Pegasus

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The air has just had a minor spec update, so check if the fnb one matches whats on Apple.com
 
Pegasus

Pegasus

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Its a pity the newly specced Airs don't come with 8 gigs of ram as standard, even the 12 incher is starting out its life with 8 gigs.
 
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chadw1

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Tacet said:
My problem with FNB's mobile options:

Normally, I'm on the Smart Cheque Account, with the Fee Saver option. So, if my balance is more than R9000 throughout the month, I don't pay any banking charges for that account.

Now, if you take a mobile device, you're basically put on some kind of Mobile option (IIRC it is fairly similar to the Unlimited option), so you're not on Fee Saver anymore. For me, that's effectively an extra R84 per month extra, on top of the device's cost.

I don't know if there are other cost implications, but that is something to take into consideration.
Click to expand...
I currently do pay like 100 or 120 or something like that for bank charges so if it stays that way and I don't get charged for swiping or Internet banking then it's fine.

PostmanPot said:
Agreed. Just wish it came with 8GB. But my needs are of course far more than for most, for whom the Air is perfect.

The question is whether the OP is most, or not. :p
Click to expand...

I use to do some more hardware intensive work back in the day but honestly I don't anymore. I basically work with documents, web browsing, downloading(legally of course) and emails. For me, I think any old laptop could get away with that. But I hate the fact that most laptops tend to breakdown after 2 years( normally just after the warranty goes).
 
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