MacBook?

[ahoudet]

MacBook Air 13.3" Mid-2013

4th Gen Core i5 1,3 GHz
4GB RAM
128GB SSD

Is R8k a good price?

 

[Viva]

MacBook Air 13.3" Mid-2013

4th Gen Core i5 1,3 GHz
4GB RAM
128GB SSD

Is R8k a good price?

A new one will cost you R17k, so I guess R8k is not too bad. I'd try to negotiate for 7k though..

https://www.digicape.co.za/macbook-air/macbookair-13-mjve2

 

[DrJohnZoidberg]

Yes it's a good price. Sold mine last year for R9000.

 

[ahoudet]

So I've thought of something

How does one "reload" a Mac? Does a fresh install make a difference? I'm assuming of course that the used one I get won't come with anything other than a charger

 

[Enigma_]

So I've thought of something

How does one "reload" a Mac? Does a fresh install make a difference? I'm assuming of course that the used one I get won't come with anything other than a charger

It makes a difference in the sense that it completely wipes whatever is on there and loads an image of OSX. Can start the process by launching the mac into recovery mode. By pressing and holding command + R during startup. I'm assuming this is what you were asking.

 

[ahoudet]

It makes a difference in the sense that it completely wipes whatever is on there and loads an image of OSX. Can start the process by launching the mac into recovery mode. By pressing and holding command + R during startup. I'm assuming this is what you were asking.

Correct, thanks a lot

Final question... Is there anything like the iCloud lock on iPhone for Mac that I should look out for?

 

[andrieso]

Changing over to a Mac just to try it may not have the best outcome, many longtime Windows users struggle getting to grips with OS X as it is very different. Users of Linux will find the transition a lot smoother however as both have their roots in Unix.

I guess the statement above sums things up very nicely. For those who have longer experience with OS X this may not apply anymore, but I am sure it did when they moved over. OS X users will naturally want to tinker and experiment but since most will have a decent foundation in Windows, the move may be quite tedious. There is little chance that an ex-Windows user will be productive in the first week or so. Getting software and functionality that you had in Windows is not that easy and even if you get a Mac version, the differences (and often the shortcomings in the Mac versions - think Office) are often frustrating to get used to. It took me a few weeks to find my way around OS X and the related software. I may add that I have many years solid IT support and management experience so I am no freshman, but still, there are times when I go "What the...?" and then I realise - Ah! This is OS X, not Windows.

The OP should really think this one through. You are not likely to get a decent specced unit for the budget he has, and he could end up spending a few bucks just to get to where he left off with the Windows unit.

Of course, the girl with her high heels, red lips, and new 12" Macbook that she can rip out of her handbag at Mugg and Bean to read her e-mail and Facebook messages will be blissfully unaware of all of this...

 

[ahoudet]

So I missed out on the 2013 13"... I was hesitant because I went to play with them at The Digital Experience and I actually prefer the 11"...

So this is the one I'm looking at:

11" MBA 2013
I5 1,3 GHz
128GB SSD

Price on that one is R7200

 

[ahoudet]

snip.

I've played around with MacOS on my PC as mentioned above - both in VMs and full-on installations... So I have some sort of experience on it. It won't be totally new to me.

My current usage is mostly on Word and Excel... And nothing too hectic there either! I don't really use the laptop as a workstation. Without my laptop, I'm using a desktop for 1 hour a day and I'm managing on my Samsung Note Tab for the rest but I'd rather have a laptop as the tab doesn't have a keyboard and I like having a proper machine at my disposal at all times

Moving around a lot is what's making me lean towards the 11" - previous machine was a 14" HP Ultrabook. I really like the build quality of Macs and the OS looks great too and these two things are what make me want to change.

I'm happy to learn the new OS and I know it won't be as familiar as Windows but that's not a problem . I don't need many apps and I'm not so worried about compatibility issues due to that.

I guess at the end of the day, I'm tired of Windows and would like to try something new... I'm probably going to keep the MB for a year or two before reviewing my idea on Mac vs Windows and looking for a replacement.

See my previous post to see what spec I'm looking at

 

[hawker]

I love my Macbook. Ran windows on it for some time while I was working on my thesis, but now that that is done and Office 2016 is out I'm back on OSX.

 

[ahoudet]

I love my Macbook. Ran windows on it for some time while I was working on my thesis, but now that that is done and Office 2016 is out I'm back on OSX.

Just curious on why you needed to run Windows for your thesis?

 

[Enigma_]

Correct, thanks a lot

Final question... Is there anything like the iCloud lock on iPhone for Mac that I should look out for?

If memory serves correctly, you can get past that by reinstalling Mac OSX on it. Recovery console would allow you to do that.

I've played around with MacOS on my PC as mentioned above - both in VMs and full-on installations... So I have some sort of experience on it. It won't be totally new to me.

My current usage is mostly on Word and Excel... And nothing too hectic there either! I don't really use the laptop as a workstation. Without my laptop, I'm using a desktop for 1 hour a day and I'm managing on my Samsung Note Tab for the rest but I'd rather have a laptop as the tab doesn't have a keyboard and I like having a proper machine at my disposal at all times

Moving around a lot is what's making me lean towards the 11" - previous machine was a 14" HP Ultrabook. I really like the build quality of Macs and the OS looks great too and these two things are what make me want to change.

I'm happy to learn the new OS and I know it won't be as familiar as Windows but that's not a problem . I don't need many apps and I'm not so worried about compatibility issues due to that.

I guess at the end of the day, I'm tired of Windows and would like to try something new... I'm probably going to keep the MB for a year or two before reviewing my idea on Mac vs Windows and looking for a replacement.

See my previous post to see what spec I'm looking at

If you're just needing something for Word/Excel, then it's not a bad idea, but anything more than that, you'd most likely benefit by going the Windows route. I use mine for really light stuff, browsing, emails, typing etc. and Windows for the rest. Some people prefer Macbooks as it's almost like a fashion accessory for them, if you're into that, then go for it. But otherwise, I'd still say stick to Windows.

Just curious on why you needed to run Windows for your thesis?

Most likely doing Computer Science or programming, in which case Windows would be better suited, especially for C#. There are some things OSX just cannot do.

 

[andrieso]

I've played around with MacOS on my PC as mentioned above - both in VMs and full-on installations... So I have some sort of experience on it. It won't be totally new to me.

My current usage is mostly on Word and Excel... And nothing too hectic there either! I don't really use the laptop as a workstation. Without my laptop, I'm using a desktop for 1 hour a day and I'm managing on my Samsung Note Tab for the rest but I'd rather have a laptop as the tab doesn't have a keyboard and I like having a proper machine at my disposal at all times

Moving around a lot is what's making me lean towards the 11" - previous machine was a 14" HP Ultrabook. I really like the build quality of Macs and the OS looks great too and these two things are what make me want to change.

I'm happy to learn the new OS and I know it won't be as familiar as Windows but that's not a problem . I don't need many apps and I'm not so worried about compatibility issues due to that.

I guess at the end of the day, I'm tired of Windows and would like to try something new... I'm probably going to keep the MB for a year or two before reviewing my idea on Mac vs Windows and looking for a replacement.

See my previous post to see what spec I'm looking at

Well, it seems like you are committed to making the plunge. In that case, welcome to the fold. I really do enjoy my Mac although I still learn more about it everyday.

 

[hawker]

Just curious on why you needed to run Windows for your thesis?

Engineering, needed Solidworks, AutoCAD, (CMSW - very industry specific software), Sigmaplot and Excel (don't try convince me to use Numbers or Libre Office, it's just inferior in every way for what I was doing) - oh and MatLab.

I wrote it using LaTeX which is crossplatform so that wasn't a problem.

 

[ahoudet]

Engineering, needed Solidworks, AutoCAD, (CMSW - very industry specific software), Sigmaplot and Excel (don't try convince me to use Numbers or Libre Office, it's just inferior in every way).

I wrote it using LaTeX which is crossplatform so that wasn't a problem.

Awesome!

Thanks to everyone for the input

Now to find one and hope that I don't come across a great deal for a Windows laptop . Happened when I bought my ultrabook

 

[hawker]

Awesome!

Thanks to everyone for the input

Now to find one and hope that I don't come across a great deal for a Windows laptop . Happened when I bought my ultrabook

I avoided getting an Apple product for the longest time and just bit the bullet when I started post-grad and took the plunge. I think it's worth it. Also the 13" is really nice for travelling, unibody is super solid - and I'm taking it with me when I go to Germany again.

 

[ahoudet]

I avoided getting an Apple product for the longest time and just bit the bullet when I started post-grad and took the plunge. I think it's worth it. Also the 13" is really nice for travelling, unibody is super solid - and I'm taking it with me when I go to Germany again.

I've been trying to get one but the equivalent Windows laptop is at least 2k cheaper... It really does make me think twice about the value for money I'm getting! I'm happy to spend the extra cash if it's a Mac though.

I actually went to buy a MBP at the beginning of last year but it was falsely advertised as a 2nd gen i5 although it was a C2D. I then found my HP while I was still looking and bought that instead.

So I've definitely not tried to avoid them, I'm just too impatient to find one . I've found one or two on gumtree.... But..... gumtree. I'd rather pay more or wait longer

 

[zippy]

I've been trying to get one but the equivalent Windows laptop is at least 2k cheaper... It really does make me think twice about the value for money I'm getting! I'm happy to spend the extra cash if it's a Mac though.

I actually went to buy a MBP at the beginning of last year but it was falsely advertised as a 2nd gen i5 although it was a C2D. I then found my HP while I was still looking and bought that instead.

So I've definitely not tried to avoid them, I'm just too impatient to find one . I've found one or two on gumtree.... But..... gumtree. I'd rather pay more or wait longer

I loaded Parallels on my MacBook when I first bought it. I haven't started up Parallels for months now. Can't be bothered. I use Excel and Outlook on the MacBook. I think Outlook is superior to default Mac mail app. But that's probably a personal preference. Be aware though that Excel for OS X is not as good as the Windows version. Most users may not notice. Depends on how much of an advanced user you are. Also the VBA is a bit flaky in some respects. There are some VBA libraries which only work on Windows. There are workarounds. Just takes patience in figuring them out.

 

[ahoudet]

Finally got a MacBook today . Playing around still and will move my data onto it during the course of the weekend

 

[vinodh]

Finally got a MacBook today . Playing around still and will move my data onto it during the course of the weekend

Just shout if you need any help.

One small piece of advice: Please learn how to use the trackpad properly. Three finger drag, swiping between desktops, mission control etc is awesome once you get used to it. Don't get tempted and buy a mouse with it and miss out on one of the MacBook's greatest features.