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Best MacBook Air Prices

2012.04.26

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Apple reinvented the MacBook Air (MBA) in late 2010, releasing the SSD-based MBA in 11.6" and 13.3" versions. And in July 2011, Apple went the next step, leaving behind the outdated Core 2 Duo CPU in favor of the up-to-date Intel Core i5 and i7. The Mid 2011 models look like the 2010 editions, but they are twice as powerful, have Thunderbolt expansion ports, use Intel HD 3000 Graphics, and once again have backlit keyboards.

Rumor has it we'll see a 15" MacBook Air this year, or a nearly as slim 15" MacBook Pro, or possibly both. Time will tell.

11-inch and 13-inch MacBook Air

Last year there was a big difference in CPU speed between the 11" and 13" models, but not this time around. The 11-incher comes with a 1.6 GHz i5 CPU, and the 13-incher is just a bit faster at 1.7 GHz.

2 GB of RAM is standard only on the $999 1.6 GHz entry-level 11" MBA, which is also the only one with a 64 GB SSD; all the other models ship with 4 GB of system memory and at least 128 GB of storage.

The 11" MBA runs at 1.4 GHz and includes a 64 GB SSD. Upgrade options include a 1.6 GHz CPU, a 128 GB SSD, and 4 GB of RAM. The Late 2010 13" MBA runs at 1.86 GHz and has a 128 GB SSD. Upgrade options include a 2.13 GHz CPU, a 256 MB SSD, and 4 GB of RAM.

If Apple's SSDs don't provide the capacity you need or you want an even faster SSD, Other World Computing (OWC) has a line of SSD upgrades for the 2010 and 2011 MBAs (up to 22% faster, up to 480 GB capacity) as well as for the 2008 and 2009 models (up to 41x faster than the stock hard drive and up to 480 GB capacity).

The original 13.3" MacBook Air weighs 3.0 lb. and is just 3/4" thick at the back end - and 1/6" thin at the front. It has 2 GB of RAM (not expandable), and that's coupled with a 120 GB hard drive or a 128 GB solid state drive (SSD). In addition, the Late 2008 and 2009 versions have Nvidia GeForce 9400M graphics (a big improvement over the Intel integrated graphics of the Early 2008 model), a Mini Display Port, and supports resolutions to 2560 x 1600 on an external display.

The current 13.3" MBA is a bit lighter (2.9 lb.) and thinner (0.69"), while the 11.6" version weighs in at a featherweight 2.3 lb. The new 13-incher also has two USB 2.0 ports, something users have been clamoring for since the original MBA was introduced.

Apple made a lot of compromises to make the original MacBook Air as thin and light as possible: It uses a 1.8" iPod hard drive, has no RAM sockets, doesn't include ethernet or FireWire ports, has a only one USB port, and uses integrated graphics. On the plus side, it has the same size screen and keyboard as the MacBook.

An older MBA, with its limited RAM and drive space, is a perfect candidate for the $29 upgrade to Mac OS X 10.6 Snow Leopard, which only supports Intel Macs and thus uses less drive space - a big factor on this little computer.

The best deals are marked in bold type in the listings below. Listings note RAM/drive size (and type, for solid state drive).

Best Used MacBook Air Prices

Best Close-Out MacBook Air Prices

Best New MacBook Air Prices

Best Mac OS X Prices

Be sure to factor in shipping costs and possible sales tax. Your best value depends on whether you need/want a printer, case, etc.

Unless otherwise noted, there is no surcharge for credit card purchases, and shipping is not included. Vendors are listed in alphabetical order. Be sure to visit their sites for full details.

Prices may be limited to quantity on hand. Not responsible for typos. Please email any corrections or additional sources with competitive prices toDan Knight .

Buying through some of these links benefits Low End Mac. Buying at these prices benefits you.

Profiles

New MacBook Air

Amazon.com B&H J&R MacMall PC Connection PowerMax
11" / 13"
2010 MacBook Air
11" 1.4 GHz, 2/128 $829 sh
13" 1.86 GHz, 2/128 $949 + sh $949 sh
13" 1.86 GHz, 2/256 $1,099 sh $949.95 sh
2011 MacBook Air
11" 1.6 GHz i5, 2/64 $939.99 sh $938.95 sh $969.88 sh $938.99 sh $949.99 sh $989 sh
11" 1.6 GHz i5, 4/64 $1,049 sh $1,049.99 sh $1,099 sh
11" 1.6 GHz i5, 4/128 $1,119.99 sh $1,119.95 sh $1,159.88 sh $1,139.98 sh $1,129.99 sh $1,199 sh
11" 1.6 GHz i5, 4/256 $1,499 sh $1,499 sh
11" 1.8 GHz i7, 4/128 $1,348.95 sh $1,349 sh $1,349 sh
11" 1.8 GHz i7, 4/256 $1,619 sh $1,649 sh $1,649 sh $1,649 sh
13" 1.7 GHz i5, 4/128 $1,209.99 sh $1,209.95 sh $1,249.88 sh $1,209.98 sh $1,219.99 sh $1,279 sh
13" 1.7 GHz i5, 4/256 $1,499.99 sh $1,498 sh $1,529.99 sh $1,499.98 sh $1,498.99 sh $1,594 sh
13" 1.8 GHz i7, 4/256 $1,649.95 sh $1,699 sh $1,649.99 sh $1,649.99 sh $1,699 sh
SuperDrive $79 sh $79 sh $79 $79

Used and Store Refurbished

Used and store refurb units are covered by a store warranty and are not eligible for AppleCare. Also look on eBay for used MBAs.

CowBoom.com

PowerMax 11" / 13"

Free ground shipping.

Mac of All Trades

Ground shipping averages $30. Add $9 for Apple Remote. Mac of All Trades collects sales tax on orders shipped within FL. It has the highestproduct turnover of any used Mac dealer we track.

Small Dog Electronics 11" /13"

Flat rate $4.99 shipping.

TechRestore

MacBook Air Upgrades

Other World Computing

OWC has a wide range of SSDs for various MacBook Air models, including extra-fast 6G models for the 2011 MBA.

Mercury Auro Pro Express for 2010/11 models

Mercury Auro Pro MBA for 2008/09 models

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