Macbook Air

[JurgenG]

I plan to buy a MacBook Air within the next couple of weeks. The reason I want to buy this computer is because of his light weight, long battery life and large display compared to other computers with similar characteristics.

I travel all the time, I've always my computer in my bag, so the weight is very important to me, so is the battery life. The large display is a bonus.

Is there anything I should be aware of before making this purchase ? I heard bad things about SSD, but Apple tells me there is nothing to worry about, any opinion ?

I use Microsoft Money to track my expenses, is it easy to transfer all the data from PC to Mac ?

[kudroz]

I have the MacBook Air 11" and absolutely love it. I had a 15" MacBook Pro before that. The 11" really makes a huge difference on portability, not so much for the 13" imho. You can use iBank on Mac and import your Microsoft Money files if I'm not mistaken. http://www.iggsoftware.com/ibank/

[rijb]

I'm also considering the MB Air. My only concern is that it doesn't have a Thunderbolt port. However, It might be too soon to be an issue.

[nikster]

The MacBook Air is awesome. I wish they made a 15" version - I need a larger screen.

SSD is not a problem, to the contrary, it's what makes the MBA feel faster than any laptop with a HD, regardless of processor speed. No going back from a SSD.

[jdinasia]

I am considering a MB Air as well, I am planning a few trips this year and will probably make the purchase overseas and not in Thailand.

[CDNinKS]

I am considering a MB Air as well, I am planning a few trips this year and will probably make the purchase overseas and not in Thailand.

Why?

Apple prices are pretty much the same world over. However, if you buy it here the VAT is included in the price and you can have that refunded the next time you leave the country, which actually makes it about $180 cheaper here in LOS than buying in Canada for example.

[SoloFlyer]

I'm currently looking at MBP; with upgrades I could be saving nearly 15k by purchasing in HK; on a 50k thb computer.

[CDNinKS]

I just checked the Apple HK site, 13" 256 Macbook Air is 48,540 Baht (converted from HK dollars), the same unit on Apple Thailand is 52,900 Baht. So, yes it is a bit cheaper there, but nowhere near 15,000 baht. Also, is there VAT applied after purchase in HK? If so, is it refundable on departure?

If the HK price includes a VAT charge and it is refundable, then for sure it will be considerably cheaper there.

[bubba]

I've had a Macbook Air for our 18 months now and love it. I do a lot of travel and the lightness of the Air is great. Also, because of lots of travel and abuse to my prior notebook (which was a MacBook Pro), I was having all too frequent hard disk problems. Since the SSD is solid state, no problems there. Also, the SSD makes for very fast startup times. Mine is fully booted up and ready to go in about ten seconds.

[jdinasia]

I am considering a MB Air as well, I am planning a few trips this year and will probably make the purchase overseas and not in Thailand.

Why?

Apple prices are pretty much the same world over. However, if you buy it here the VAT is included in the price and you can have that refunded the next time you leave the country, which actually makes it about $180 cheaper here in LOS than buying in Canada for example.

No, the MBA is cheaper in the US than in Thailand (by FAR) and I can get it tax-free in the US ... and I am not eligible for VAT refunds in Thailand.

[CDNinKS]

Well unless my math is wrong, the $1600USD converts to 48,000 baht, so a difference of 4900 baht or about $160. So I would not call that "by far", but cheaper for sure. My point was that if you could get the VAT refund here in LOS, then there would be no advantage to bring one in from the US.

[jdinasia]

Well unless my math is wrong, the $1600USD converts to 48,000 baht, so a difference of 4900 baht or about $160. So I would not call that "by far", but cheaper for sure. My point was that if you could get the VAT refund here in LOS, then there would be no advantage to bring one in from the US.

Available for $1250 USD or less in the US, no tax saves those of us that are not "tourists" 7% on top of the difference.

one link

http://shopper.cnet.com/buy-laptops/?filter=1000036_3808715_500600_16684352_&tag=mncol;dir3

Edited April 5, 2011 by jdinasia

[CDNinKS]

Available for $1250 USD or less in the US, no tax saves those of us that are not "tourists" 7% on top of the difference.

I was quoting the price off the Apple US site for the 13" with 256 GIG SSD. The 7% VAT is already included in the Apple Thailand posted prices. The price you see is the price you pay. As opposed to Canada for example, there as you proceed thru the check out process you will be asked what your province is and then the appropriate tax is added.

Anyway, each to his own, but for me personally compared to the Canadian price, I saved a bit buying here.

OK, just checked your link.....I have to say I'm surprised that there are shops selling for less than the Apple posted prices, I thought that was one thing about Apple, fixed prices. There ya go, I stand corrected. Enjoy the new "air"

Edited April 5, 2011 by CDNinKS

[SoloFlyer]

CD, the big savings in HK come in with the upgrades and software.

[Putu94]

Hi Apple fans

Now I wonder if the following is possible ?

I was looking in MacFormat magazine online

And find DH Gate, they offer

Macbook Air 13.3" Widescreen Laptops Notebook Computer N450 1.67GHz CPU 1GB DDR2 160GB

Include shipping cost to Thailand for 348.26 US $ ( about 10600 Baht)

http://www.dhgate.com/product/productdisplay.do?pid=ff8080812ad1a57a012ad775ef0e431f

[CDNinKS]

That is some kind of Chinese copy......it is running Windows XP

[Putu94]

oepsss

Thanks a lot, we will not buy

[nikster]

http://www.dhgate.com/product/productdisplay.do?pid=ff8080812ad1a57a012ad775ef0e431f

Whoa... interesting. It seems to be made from shiny white plastic rather than aluminum. Also the screen resolution: 1024x600! Wooo hoo.

Battery is claimed to last 2 hours but as they're making excuses right in the prospectus we can only assume it's much less if you actually use it. Pretty much a super-cheap laptop special from China with fake Apple logo, and, very nice touch, fake Mac OS X skin for Windows XP!