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Old 06-07-2021, 09:50 PM   #2532
powderjunkie
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Join Date: Dec 2011
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I'll have to wade back through the thread to get some opinions when it launched, but looking for recommendation on new Macbook Air.

I'm coming off a mid 2012 Air that is still serving me well enough (just a few niggling inconveniences), but an intermittent screen problem and a few features becoming obsolete indicate it's on it's last legs. Frequent, but generally simple use...tech savvy to troubleshoot (e.g. I replaced the battery in this 2012 myself), but not really a geek.

In other words, not too worried about performance today, but moreso which will perform better in 4 years, 6 years, 8 years?


Debating:
Refurbished 13inch Intel i5 (March 2020) - $1214.
vs.
Refurbished 13inch M1 8core/8core (Nov 2020) - $1369


Most specs otherwise identical; seems like just a few keyboard changes and a touch ID sensor on the newer version.

My question is, what seems more more likely:
1. In 4-5 years I'll start running into compatibility issues from being stuck on Intel chip

2. Reliability problems at anytime with the first generation M1 (seems like a lot more technical eggs in one basket, so repairs might be more difficult/costly?)


Price isn't much of an issue, though I'm always happy to save a few bucks. New M1 8core/7core is $1299, but half size HDD might be limiting.
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