expired Posted by Dr.W • Dec 18, 2023
Dec 18, 2023 8:59 AM
Item 1 of 3
Item 1 of 3
expired Posted by Dr.W • Dec 18, 2023
Dec 18, 2023 8:59 AM
Apple MacBook Air (Mid 2023): 15.3", Apple M2 8-Core CPU, 8GB RAM; 256GB SSD $999
$999
$1,299
23% offBest Buy
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I'm an old-school computer user so the lack of upgradability is keeping me from jumping on any of these lower-spec Macbook deals, even though the prices are good and the machines may be plenty capable as-is. I have a problem with locked down ecosystems, whether software or hardware, and have never owned an Apple product, but man these newer MBAs are slick and totable. I'll probably end up with an LG Gram because one I can live with is at least a few hundred dollars less than a MBA with as much RAM and SSD. That's my story and I'm sticking to it.
I'm an old-school computer user so the lack of upgradability is keeping me from jumping on any of these lower-spec Macbook deals, even though the prices are good and the machines may be plenty capable as-is. I have a problem with locked down ecosystems, whether software or hardware, and have never owned an Apple product, but man these newer MBAs are slick and totable. I'll probably end up with an LG Gram because one I can live with is at least a few hundred dollars less than a MBA with as much RAM and SSD. That's my story and I'm sticking to it.
I don't mind paying a little extra on top of the upgrade cost - manufacturers like to make more profit on the higher-end models - but the premiums Apple is asking are insane.
Even if Apple is using the absolute best possible SSDs, their markup on the 1TB option is at least 400%. Likely closer to 1000% when you factor in they can buy chips significantly below retail.
I don't mind paying a little extra on top of the upgrade cost - manufacturers like to make more profit on the higher-end models - but the premiums Apple is asking are insane.
Even if Apple is using the absolute best possible SSDs, their markup on the 1TB option is at least 400%. Likely closer to 1000% when you factor in they can buy chips significantly below retail.
I feel slightly ashamed as I looked at my MacbBook Pro M1Pro 14 10-core/16GB machine.
Last 7 days -
CPU peaked 25% Usage lol - this is accurate, I usually see 3 cpus active in my istats menu widget at the most under normal use. It goes up if I run some LLM but 90% of use, it's 3 CPUs active max. When I run this, CPU and Memory goes to 100% and machine slows down significantly but it's so seldom used I don't bother upgrading to a bigger laptop.
Memory peaked 30% usage - I think this is a little off since 30% would mean 6GB which isn't right. May be averaged down too much
I could go to a 15" 8GB Macbook Air.... it is just $969 open box now.
My battery is still decent, 75% brightness I used it for 3 hours and used up 32% battery so suggest I can still go 8-9 hours a day without charging. Love that I don't have to plug it in and also use it to charge my phone if I need it.
I think I want to change it to the Air since it does feel lighter (I know it's just slightly but the thinner profile is so nice and bigger screen. wIll lose ports and 120Hz but maybe an ok trade-off. )
1. Safari
2. Chrome wiht abouyt 5 tabs - I have lots of profiles, but I run maybe 2-3 profiles each with 5 tabs max at any given time.
3. Youtube could be running most of the time.
Most of what I run is web based apps.
4. Telegram - a pig at times
5. Discord - same at times so I restart them.
6. if I run trading app, cpu and mem goes up but I only run it for couple of hours per day.
I'm an old-school computer user so the lack of upgradability is keeping me from jumping on any of these lower-spec Macbook deals, even though the prices are good and the machines may be plenty capable as-is. I have a problem with locked down ecosystems, whether software or hardware, and have never owned an Apple product, but man these newer MBAs are slick and totable. I'll probably end up with an LG Gram because one I can live with is at least a few hundred dollars less than a MBA with as much RAM and SSD. That's my story and I'm sticking to it.
I see $300 off without any mention of membership requirement.
https://www.bestbuy.com/site/appl...Id=65346
$999.00Your price for this item is $999.00
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I would not want to pay that $ either. I have a 8GB Surface Pro and it's enough for basic use after trimming most of the unnecessary apps
I do love newer Surfacing have a super simple SSD slot right on the back of the machine where you can easily open and change. That's a great feature that no one has. Opening regular Windows laptop is a pain to unsnap all the plastic bits and sometimes have to remove glued rubber feet which never goes back on the same way
8-core CPU and up to 10-core GPU to power through complex tasks
16-core Neural Engine for advanced machine learning tasks
Up to 24GB of unified memory makes everything you do fast and fluid
Up to 20 percent faster for applying image filters and effects²
Up to 40 percent faster for editing complex video timelines²
Go all day with up to 18 hours of battery life¹
Fanless design for silent operation
15.3-inch Liquid Retina display with 500 nits of brightness and P3 wide color for vibrant images and incredible detail³
1080p FaceTime HD camera
Three-microphone array focuses on your voice instead of what's going on around you
Six-speaker sound system with Spatial Audio for an immersive listening experience
MagSafe 3 port, two Thunderbolt ports, and headphone jack
Backlit Magic Keyboard and Touch ID for secure unlock and payments
Fast Wi-Fi 6 wireless connectivity
Superfast SSD storage launches apps and opens files in an instant
macOS Ventura gives you powerful ways to get more done, share, and collaborate—and works great with iPhone and iPad⁴
Available in Midnight, Starlight, Space Gray, and Silver
Configurable options are available.
¹Battery life varies by use and configuration. See apple.com/batteries for more information.
²Compared with previous generation.
³The display on the 15-inch MacBook Air has rounded corners at the top. When measured as a standard rectangular shape, the screen is 15.3 inches diagonally (actual viewable area is less).
⁴Requires iCloud and internet connection.
What's Included
Apple 15-inch MacBook Air with M2 chip
USB-C to MagSafe 3 Cable (2 m)
USB-C Power Adapter
https://www.bestbuy.com/site/appl...Id=65346
UP TO 18 HOURS OF BATTERY LIFE — Go all day with the power-efficient performance of the Apple M2 chip. (Battery life varies by use and configuration. See apple.com/batteries for more information.)
SPACIOUS, BEAUTIFUL DISPLAY — The high-resolution, 15.3-inch Liquid Retina display features 500 nits of brightness, P3 wide color, and support for one billion colors for vibrant images and incredible detail. (The display on the 15-inch MacBook Air has rounded corners at the top. When measured as a standard rectangular shape, the screen is 15.3 inches diagonally; actual viewable area is less.)
SILENT DESIGN — MacBook Air features a fanless design that runs completely silent, no matter the task.
SIMPLY COMPATIBLE — With thousands of apps optimized for Apple silicon, all your favorites are lightning fast in macOS, including Microsoft Excel and PowerPoint, Adobe Creative Cloud, and Google Workspace. And free software updates keep things running smoothly and securely. (Apps are available on the App Store. Title availability is subject to change.)
ADVANCED CAMERA AND AUDIO — Look sharp and sound great with a 1080p FaceTime HD camera and three-mic array. Immerse yourself in movies and music with a six-speaker sound system and Spatial Audio.
ADVANCED CAMERA AND AUDIO — Look sharp and sound great with a 1080p FaceTime HD camera and three-mic array. Immerse yourself in movies and music with a six-speaker sound system and Spatial Audio.
VERSATILE CONNECTIVITY — MacBook Air features a MagSafe charging port, two Thunderbolt ports, and a headphone jack.
COMES WITH APPLECARE WARRANTY — Every Mac comes with a one-year limited warranty and up to 90 days of complimentary technical support. Get AppleCare+ to extend your coverage.
https://www.bestbuy.com/site/appl...Id=65346
Upd. In Best Buy other colors are available too. I told about Midnight color. Silver and Golden are beautiful as usual.
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