Low End Mac's Best Deals

Best MacBook Air Prices

2012.06.13

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Apple updated the entire MacBook line this week, and all new models include USB 3, a first for Apple. The improved protocol is 10x the speed of USB 2.0, and USB 3 drives tend to cost a whole lot less than Thunderbolt drives. They also gain a FaceTime HD webcam and Intel HD Graphics 4000.

11-inch and 13-inch 2012 MacBook Air
The 11" and 13" 2012 MacBook Air

The entry-level Mid 2012 11" MacBook Air has a 1.7 GHz dual-core i4 CPU, 4 GB of system memory (no more wimpy 2 GB version), and a 64 GB SSD. The "better" version has a 128 GB SSD for $100 more. You can have either built-to-order with 8 GB of RAM for an additional $100, and the 128 GB model with a 2.0 GHz CPU for $150. SSDs as large as 512 GB are also available.

The 13" Mid 2012 MacBook Air is a bit faster with a 1.8 GHz CPU and includes a 128 GB SSD. A 256 GB version sells for $300 more. You can upgrade either to 8 GB of RAM when you order it, and for more speed, you can get a 2.0 GHz CPU in the 256 GB version. For our initial thoughts on the new models, see The Mid 2012 MacBook Air Value Equation.

Recent Models

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 And in July 2011, Apple went the next step, leaving behind the outdated Core 2 Duo CPU in favor of the up-to-date Intel Core i5 and i7.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.

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

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). OWC does not yet have SSD for the 2012 MBA.

Earlier Models

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 newer 13-incher also has two USB 2.0 ports (USB 3 in the latest update), 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. Every MacBook Air except for the original 2008 model can run OS X 10.8 Mountain Lion, but you'll probably be a lot happier with 4 GB of memory.

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

Prices include free ground shipping unless marked "+ sh".


 Amazon.com B&H J&R MacMall PC
Connection		 PowerMax
11" / 13"
2011 MacBook Air
11" 1.6 GHz i5, 2/64 $899.99 $899 $969.88 $899.99 $949 $899
11" 1.6 GHz i5, 4/64 $1,049 $1,099
11" 1.6 GHz i5, 4/128 $969 $1,119.95 $1,159.88 $999.99 $999
11" 1.8 GHz i7, 4/128 $1,348.95 $1,259
11" 1.8 GHz i7, 4/256 $1,649
13" 1.7 GHz i5, 4/128 $1,069 $1,149 $1,249.88 $1,099.99
13" 1.7 GHz i5, 4/256 $1,399.99 $1,529.99
13" 1.8 GHz i7, 4/256 $1,649
2012 MacBook Air
11" 1.7 GHz i5, 4/64 $999 $999 $994 $989.99 $989
11" 1.7 GHz i5, 4/128 $1,099 $1,099 $1,094 $1,089.99 $1,089
11" 1.7 GHz i5, 4/256
11" 2.0 GHz i7, 4/128 $1,249
11" 2.0 GHz i7, 4/256 $1,644
13" 1.8 GHz i5, 4/128 $1,194 $1,199 $1,189 $1,189.99 $1,189
13" 1.8 GHz i5, 4/256 $1,494 $1,499 $1,489 $1,489.99 $1,489
13" 2.0 GHz i7, 4/256 $1,599
13" 2.0 GHz i7, 8/256 $1,699
SuperDrive $80 $79 $79 + sh $79 + sh

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.

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. OWC is working on SSDs for the 2012 MBA.

Mercury Auro Pro Express for 2010/11 models

Mercury Auro Pro MBA for 2008/09 models

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