Modern Vespa

So, with somewhat creepy timing, the laptop has died after 7 years of service.

Looking at the new Haskel Air Books, and I think this fits the bill.

Questions:
Need a DVI converter. Use Mac one or is there a better/cheaper alternative?

Generally speaking, I pass on the service agreements, should I on a Mac?

Considering it is totally User non-serviceable, it seems a no brainer in case the battery, screen or SSD fails.

Considering it is going to be primarily work orientated, any suggestions on additional software?

For laptops Apple's extended warranty is generally a good idea- they tend to live hard lives & will pay for itself on the first repair.

The MacBook Pro 15" Retina Display is a workhorse. The unibody aluminum keeps lots of connections from rattling loose.

Pricey, but oh, so reliable.

>Need a DVI converter. Use Mac one or is there a better/cheaper alternative?
Use the Apple one. The cheaper ones tend to have "quality" issues, both in durability and jitter on image.

>Generally speaking, I pass on the service agreements, should I on a Mac?
If you're going to use it for work related stuff, I would recommend to get it.
Otherwise, not.

>Considering it is going to be primarily work orientated, any suggestions on >additional software?

For productivity, get the MS Office for Mac. Works the best and runs native.

^^ What kedierluc said.

Son has worked as an Apple Genius, and has some horror stories about computer damage (dropped in bathtub, swimming pool, hot tub, down office stairwell, out the window), none of which are covered by AppleCare.

But these computers are amazingly rugged, and the Apple computers have the brilliant Time Machine backup schemes, and well-engineered hardware protection around the hard drives, which often means data can be recovered.

I believe AppleCare was sold most often to:
1) Grandparents buying for their grandkids for college
2) People who have encountered disasters like I mention above, for their replacement machines

The Air computers I mention have solid state drives, which runs cool, fast, and the lack of moving parts means they withstand trauma much better.

In a case like your PC dying, AppleCare would indeed repair or replace your Mac if this were to happen.

Except said machine is a six year old ThinkPad, it has been out of warentee forever....
but I fixed it twice: bad ram and a failed hard drive with parts from NewEgg.

Can't do that with this one.

And yes, I am aware It does not cover stupidity, but those extend warentees rarely do.

I think you mean the rMBP

Indeed. Edited. Thanks.

If it's any help, my original iPad 1 is still going strong after years of daily use. iPad 4 kicks it's but but for longevity A1.

We have 2 Macbook Air's in my house. I paid for Applecare on one of them, the first one. Nothing at all happened in the first 3 years of owning it, so I paid for peace of mind, nothing more. I opted to "self-insure" the second one and kept my money in my own pocket. It is only one year old and it looks just like the day I removed it from the box. I have hauled mine around the world, literally, and it still looks and works like brand new.

I believe so strongly in these little beauties that we are buying our college girl one of the new ones tonight, so that she can take it with her on her study abroad. She will appreciate not having to lug her old 6 pound beast along for the ride.
I concur with getting MS Office for Mac. Everything else is personal preference.

I am sure you will love it. I am jealous of the new "up to" 12 hour battery life of the 13". Enjoy, and as always.....these are just my opinions.

I think you will love it. We have 2 MBA's in the house and the form factor and easy of use, and near instant on is perfect for what we need. They are light, strong, and can handle most all you can throw at it.

The new, one second on from sleep and 12 hour battery life of the new MBA would be great to have but the 5 honest hours of battery live I get are pretty nice as it is but I am considering selling my 2011 MBA and getting the new one just for the battery life.

I have a few Windows software that I cannot live without so I bought Parallels and it suites me fine for the few times I need it. I don't miss Windows at all.

It is also nice to not have to open it up and uninstall all the crapware that windows machines come with.

I always get the AppleCare. On my 4th MBP now, and so far I have received more in covered repairs than I have paid in warranty fees.

Totally worth it even for personal use, in my book.

Also, it is good for resale value. A lot of people get the AppleCare then sell the laptop when 1 year is remaining on the warranty. They resell at a pretty good price when you do that.

I'm going to buy the 11" Air with no AppleCare.

Question, in the past when a new OS was imminient (Maverick in this case) Apple would sell hardware with the rider that when the new OS came out you could get a free upgrade. Has anyone heard if they are making that offer now?

If not I will wait until they make that offer or Maverick is released and available on the Air. And yes I know that it will probably only cost $20 US but since I'm in no rush I don't mind waiting.

Thanks in advance.

I bought 10 macs for our office about six years ago, and bought apple care on all of them (since it was for our business.)

Two of them were laptops (macbook pro, 17") and both of the laptops were in more than once under Apple Care. Each time the computers came back to us in better shape than they went in, meaning that while they were there, other components that weren't giving us problems were replaced.

The Server has been in once, the week after Apple care expired, and was fixed at the Apple Store, over a weekend. One desktop (iMac) has been in, but I believe that one was probably user-error. So out of the ten computers, I'd say 7 have been trouble free, and all 10 are still being used today. We're probably going to upgrade four of them this year, and I'll buy Apple Care again.

I believe we have received more in value than the Apple Care cost us. As always, YMMV. Not a spokesman for Apple, just a happy customer!

The touchpad was replaced on mine already twice (mid 2011 model)

just saying...

I am shopping with my daughter for a Mac Laptop for College. I was concerned the air would be too fragile and was leading tword a Macbook Pro. Hmmmm...complicated

I've got a Macbook Air and love it. I got the smaller screen which I now regret but thats my fault.

I use it primarily for taking notes in Court and during depositions.

I have two Air models and three MacBook Pro models, deployed for various purposes. All are stiff and sturdy. You really can't go wrong.

Make sure you get the $99 DVD USB drive, if the computer you choose does not have one. No need to have one adding weight to the computer all the time, but necessary now and then.

Our daughter's 3 year old Dell finally died after 3 years of Vet school. She got a 13" Air and is very happy.

rgconner, regarding AppleCare:

This applies to having your laptop serviced in the U.S.: if you ever need to service your Apple laptop and don't have AppleCare (and it's out of warranty), the cost for any repair is a flat rate of about $300. So, even without AppleCare, $300 is okay.

You also have a whole year from the time of purchase to decide if you want AppleCare. As for me, I had AppleCare for all of my laptops except this current one, mainly because I couldn't afford it.

Good luck!

Beware Shameless self promotion,

I have a brand new open box DVD USB drive I'll ship to lower 48 for $75 device and shipping included. Never used.

Not true. I just had a battery replaced on one of my Air's and it was $120. Last year I had a keyboard replaced on the oldest Air and I don't remember exactly how much it was, but it was under $100 if I remember correctly. Neither one of the laptops was currently under Apple Care.

That's interesting. Several times over the years, Apple Store employees have told me that any repair would be a flat rate of $300. That might be official policy but they bend the rules? I've had repair on an older MacBook Air done for free. The guy just waved me on

I bought a Mac Air last summer for grad school. It rode with me on the scooter all fall, winter and spring quarters from work to classes and beyond. Was a real workhorse, but still slim, sexy, lightweight and never let me down. The Mac Air is great. the new ones, if they stayed true to their mission, should prove just as worthy. If you're going to write a lot of documents I would go with the 13" as the 11" may be a little confining. Remember, it's not a tablet so the monitor is fixed in a panoramic POV

Best of luck on your purchase whichever way you go