Choosing the Right MacBook: Display Quality and Cost-Effectiveness

When selecting a MacBook, the display quality and cost-effectiveness can be pivotal factors in making an informed decision. This article explores the differences between the MacBook Air and other models like the MacBook and MacBook Pro, providing insights on display quality and value for money. Whether you're a student, professional, or just need a reliable laptop, this guide will help you choose the right MacBook for your needs.

The Importance of Display Quality

Display quality can significantly impact the user experience, especially for those who do a lot of programming, video editing, or graphic design. While the 2017 MacBook Air, often considered an economical choice, offers a Retina display, it comes at a cost.

Is the 2017 13-inch MacBook Air Worth the Additional Cost? A common question when considering the MacBook Air's predecessor is whether the $1000 price tag is justified. While the cheapest model hasn't been updated in years, there's a compelling argument for upgrading to a more powerful machine.

The base model MacBook Air 13 inch offers a larger screen and a more powerful Retina display for only $300 more than the non-Retina model. Furthermore, the machine was updated in mid-2017 with the latest hardware. However, it's still not the latest configuration, making it a mid-range solution.

Personal Experience: MacBook Air 2017

My Experience with the MacBook Air 2017 - As a computer science student, I purchased the MacBook Air 2017 just two months ago. This model offers 8GB RAM and an SSD, making it quite performant for light tasks.

Since I primarily use the laptop for programming, the display has been a standout feature. It's the best screen I've used since upgrading from a HP Pavilion 2015. While you can see the pixels up close, it's almost as thin and light as the MacBook Air, which is one of the key advantages of this model.

However, if you plan to use the MacBook Air for video editing or photo editing, you might want to consider the Macbook or Macbook Pro, as they provide better color accuracy.

Cost-Effectiveness and Future Considerations

While the 2017 MacBook Air is a solid choice, its cost-effectiveness might be questionable. It's less expensive because it's older technology. For comparison, a refurbished 2017 MacBook Air 13 inch with 8/256GB storage is priced at $1019, while a 2017 MacBook 12 inch with the same configuration is $1100. A MacBook Pro 13 inch with the same specifications is priced at $1189.

The MacBook Pro, with its faster performance, might be worth the additional cost, especially for tasks requiring more processing power. However, for casual users, the MacBook Air might still be a good choice.

Conclusion

When deciding between the MacBook Air and other models, consider your usage needs. Although the 2017 MacBook Air offers a solid display and is cost-effective in the short term, newer models provide better performance and future-proof capabilities.

Whether you're a student, professional, or a casual user, the right MacBook selection can significantly impact your productivity and experience. By weighing the display quality against the cost, you can make an informed decision that suits your needs.