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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU to buy an Apple Mac Air for life admin?

22 replies

finks100 · 15/04/2018 20:33

I have an Apple MacBook Air for work, it’s great...lightweight, reliable, easy to use.
Our home laptop needs to be replaced, it is old, sluggish and really doesn’t work reliably.
The cost of a MacBook through Currys would be £45 a month over two years, which feels a lot better than the nearly £1000 they cost. Should I buy one or is there a reasonably priced better alternative?

OP posts:
Userplusnumbers · 15/04/2018 20:35

Well it sounds like you can't afford it really, so no. Buy something cheaper if it's just for life admin.

Userplusnumbers · 15/04/2018 20:36

You can pick up a cheap chrome book for about 20% of the price that'll likely do everything you neex

AlishaMary · 15/04/2018 20:36

If you want one and can afford it when why not. But surely you could get something that fits the same criteria for much less?

NotAnotherJaffaCake · 15/04/2018 20:37

MacBook Airs are absolutely ancient technology. If you’re going to buy one on tick, at least buy something decent - the current MacBooks are lighter.

Original poster
finks100 · 15/04/2018 20:45

I am happy to buy something cheaper but I am not very tech savvy and find it hard to get advice from the young folks in PC world. Where can I go to get good advice on what to buy? Am also happy to take advice here, will look at a Chrome book!

OP posts:
Original poster
finks100 · 15/04/2018 20:47

Just found Chrome Books in line, that is more the price point I was hoping for!

OP posts:
AnathemaPulsifer · 15/04/2018 20:48

What kind of life admin? I do virtually everything on a basic iPad. Which only costs £319 and is lovely to MN on too.

TalkFastThinkSlow · 15/04/2018 20:48

I think you should just get regular laptop.

Unless you only use Google apps, a chrome book will be next to useless

ScreamingValenta · 15/04/2018 20:49

Would you consider a reconditioned one if you want something cheaper?

Original poster
finks100 · 15/04/2018 20:52

I don’t want an iPad, I know I want a laptop. I would consider a reconditioned one. I just wonder if there is anything out there that comes close to Apple but is cheaper.
When I was in Pc world, the ‘sales team’ said the Apple products were built to last for 10 years whereas the other laptops where built or 3-4 years! But then guess what they were trying to sell me!!!

OP posts:
ShinyShooney · 15/04/2018 21:07

I have had my Air for 8 years and it is running so well still though I did have to replace the battery a couple of years ago. I would see it as an investment and get it.

badg3r · 15/04/2018 21:11

I have a nine year old max book still going strong. BUT. The PC world guys will try and up-sell for sure. You probably don't need a MacBook Air for life admin stuff.

jedenfalls · 15/04/2018 21:12

We have both the chromebook and a MacBook.

The usefulness of the chromebook depends on your internet connection. It is unusably slow if internet is slow. The guys in the shop are right, the Apple will last way longer.

If you can afford the outlay it will be worth it.

blaaake · 15/04/2018 21:16

The MacBook will last longer. But don't get the air, get the pro. I have the one the with the touch bar and ds1 has my older one. I've had them for years and never had a problem other than dd2 spilling my coffee on one!

WannabeMathematician · 15/04/2018 21:16

What do you want it for?

If it's just to read mum's nets and write the occasional document a chrome book would be fine. But if you use it for any specific software check that a Chromebook can run it.

WannabeMathematician · 15/04/2018 21:17

I personally would go for a chrome book btw but as I play games on my laptop/tablet I'm have to stick with Windows anyway.

Original poster
finks100 · 15/04/2018 21:30

I think I am going for the MacBook, I hate spending less but getting less. I would rather invest in something better, using a MacBook for work has convinced me that they are good.
I want to send emails, social media, save photos, my boyfriend can do his invoices, I like that it links to my phone.
I know lots of other products do so this but I want something that will last and is reliable whilst not needing major techie input!

OP posts:
BlondeB83 · 15/04/2018 21:35

I would definitely go with the Mac Book, my husband’s has lasted the same amount of time of 3 of my windows laptops (work ones) and is still going strong.

AnathemaPulsifer · 15/04/2018 21:38

Why not the iPad and a keyboard for it? It will easily do everything you need. Very easily. And cheaply. And reliably.

Pinkvoid · 15/04/2018 21:44

I have a brand new MacBook Air so unsure why PP states they are ‘ancient’ Hmm. You don’t need a pro for ‘life admin’ at all, the air is far better. I love my MacBook and I would honestly never buy anything else. I had a HP laptop previously and it lasted a year before packing in, fucking useless thing. I hate windows.

Pinkvoid · 15/04/2018 21:45

Oh and I don’t dispute the pro is better if you work in an IT related industry so will be using it heavily but for what the OP needs it for, the air is more than sufficient.

AnathemaPulsifer · 15/04/2018 21:59

@Pinkvoid because it hasn't had a major update in three years: buyersguide.macrumors.com/#Mac

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