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MacBook Air 13" with M3 Chip: 8GB Unified Memory, 256GB SSD $1497 Delivered @ Amazon AU

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MacBook Air 13" with M3 Chip: 8GB Unified Memory, 256GB SSD $1497 Delivered @ Amazon AUAffiliate
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TopBargains on 30/07/2024 - 22:37 amazon.com.au (1123 clicks)
Last edited 30/07/2024 - 22:39 by 1 other user
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Apple Store Price $1799

https://www.apple.com/au/shop/buy-mac/macbook-air/13-inch-m3

Apple M3 chip 8-Core CPU
8-Core GPU
8GB Unified Memory
256GB SSD Storage footnote ¹
16-core Neural Engine
13.6-inch Liquid Retina display with True Tone²
1080p FaceTime HD camera
MagSafe 3 charging port
Two Thunderbolt/USB 4 ports
Support for up to two external displays (with laptop lid closed)
Magic Keyboard with Touch ID
Force Touch trackpad
30W USB-C Power Adapter

Price History at C CamelCamelCamel.
Computing 13inch Apple Computer Laptop

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Comments

  • RichardL on 30/07/2024 - 22:40
    +1

    Price-matching Officeworks

  • CptnObvious on 30/07/2024 - 22:45
    +10

    I need to buy a macbook as dowry for my new bride. Can anyone with experience advice if 8GB is enough?

    • Skullytor on 30/07/2024 - 22:51

      It doesn’t real like it will be. But I’m no MAC expert

    • Awesomandy on 30/07/2024 - 22:52
      +9

      It depends on your intention, as she won't be your new bride for very long.

      • [Deactivated] on 31/07/2024 - 07:20

        Cant agree more. OZB needs a ++ option to vote twice. Like Super like ;)

    • BertieBrown on 30/07/2024 - 22:59
      +3

      I’ve read differing things with some people saying that because MAC is more optimised 8GB is okay, but honestly my own sense is that 8GB in 2024 is too low, and it’s getting a bit silly that Apple isn’t increasing the minimum amount. Of course the reason being money. They want people to spend more and upgrade their basic RAM or buy a higher tier system. The other issue is whether the RAM chips can be upgraded or if they are sealed. So it doesn’t help but yeah, sorry, I’d have to defer to someone more knowledgeable but my gut feeling is that 8GB is too low.

      • Namesareapain on 31/07/2024 - 12:50
        -1

        8GB is not ok, claiming that it need less RAM because it is a Mac is nonsense from the technologically illiterate.

      • DaMuffin on 02/08/2024 - 23:51

        It truely depends on what you're doing with it. For browsing and basic tools it will be fine but for any video/photo (or similar performance intensive fields) it really isn't enough in 2024. I don't know why Apple is still claiming it's enough.

      • Panzer04 on 05/08/2024 - 17:43

        I'd say it's an anchoring thing, but realistically most people won't know why it matters.

        I have to wonder if this is just Apple screwing themselves for the occasional user who wonders why their fancy laptop performs like shift when they have a bunch of browser tabs open..

    • BatmanAU on 30/07/2024 - 22:59
      +3

      I have an M2 8GB 256GB and it flies by. Even running VMWare Windows 11 ARM, takes about 3-4 seconds to fully load up and running apps inside and outside i havent noticed a speed drop at all. I have to say i was very skeptical, but am actually very impressed.

      If i could say one minor issue i find, is the transfer rate to USB-C. It could be a bit faster, having said that, it could be the Samsung drive i have.

      • Panzer04 on 05/08/2024 - 17:44

        RAM capacity only matters if you actually use all of it (eg. Leave a bunch of chrome tabs open and go do something else)

        If you don't use all of it, it will perform identically to larger configurations, sans some OS side caching stuff that it can do with more RAM to play with.

        • BatmanAU on 05/08/2024 - 18:06

          I agree, but there is more to it than just what you leave open, so many background things to consider which people don't think of as they mainly think of things like open tabs.

          From too many extensions, cluttered desktops, tabs, open windows instead of tabs, unused apps, high visuals for desktop/screen saver and especially VM's.

          I still regularly use a Macbook Pro 2014 8GB ram, hasn't missed a beat.

    • fastnet on 31/07/2024 - 00:20
      +3

      It's generally not enough. It might be ok for now but overtime it'll use up the SSD for swap and slowly start wearing it down.

    • Variableaperture on 31/07/2024 - 00:26

      My wife has an 8gb MacBook. It’s actually fine. That being said if I was to buy today I would go with the 16. While it’s fine now, I can’t guarantee it will be fine in a couple of years.

      • dtpearson on 31/07/2024 - 05:52

        But all the PC experts have been saying this for the last 10 years. "Sure it's fine NOW, but what about in the FUTURE!!!!"

        • Smigit on 31/07/2024 - 10:59

          You make it sound like PC specs haven’t been increasing over time with advancements and increased needs?

          A 2014 MBA shipped with 4GB base and had a maximum configuration of 8GB. A 2004 iBook G4 shipped with 256MB.

          So yes, spec needs do change.

          • Panzer04 on 05/08/2024 - 17:47
            -1

            @Smigit: And also, 256mb to 4gb is a 16x increase in base spec.4 to 8 is only 2x.

            Even 250$ miniPCs come with 16GB nowadays XD. It truly is a crime that Apple is subjecting some non-zero number of people to a subpar experience by offering such a scrappy base spec :/

      • Variableaperture on 31/07/2024 - 09:27
        -2

        That’s true. But on a windows computer they are 100% correct. 8gb isn’t enough.

        On Mac it is. For now.

        • Namesareapain on 31/07/2024 - 13:16

          No, if it is not enough for a program on Windows it is not enough on Mac OS.
          An app's data buffers in memory (which will make up the vast majority of your average app's memory usage) will be the same across OSes, so the memory usage will be about the same (with x86-64 likely being a bit smaller due to more compact instructions).

          • DaMuffin on 02/08/2024 - 23:54

            @Namesareapain: Somewhat true. Some apps are more optimised on Mac (Adobe apps for example), and Mac uses less ram so you have more to use, but yea mostly an app that doesn't work on windows won't work on Mac with the same ram.

        • sallan75 on 31/07/2024 - 14:09

          I have an HP Envy X360 that only has 8GB of RAM. Seems to work fine to me. What am I missing out on?

    • dibbz on 31/07/2024 - 06:05

      I just upgraded from a 4gb '11 air, 8gb is heaps.

    • GeneralSkunk on 31/07/2024 - 06:32

      That’s a dangerous question to ask here 😋 Have a look at previous posts for 8GB MacBook deals. Lots of discussion.

    • Unbreakable on 31/07/2024 - 06:58

      Only if you’re okay using Firefox!

    • [Deactivated] on 31/07/2024 - 07:22
      +2

      8GB is enough for the next 2 years. After that she will leave you. So if you want her temporarily for just 2 years and later plan to switch, this is a perfect gift.

    • scud70 on 31/07/2024 - 07:42

      what will 16gig buy you? … :|

      it's a joke peoples!

    • orangutan on 31/07/2024 - 09:11
      +1

      Quite enough for general use, in fact a Chromebook is also quite enough for general use. I guess it has to do with what software she will use.

      A general purpose PC around 30-40% cheaper would be more than enough for typical office use, this includes administrator, accountant, lawyer, doctor, etc.

      If she is scientist and needs to compile big data from laboratory tests, look elsewhere.
      If she is a content creator shoot and edit videos, look elsewhere.
      If she is an engineer needs to crunch numbers, run simulation, design on CAD, definitely look elsewhere.

      Buy if need to use particular non-demanding Mac software (I think it is rare), or don’t mind paying extra for general use to take advantage of longer battery life.

  • Zippy7 on 30/07/2024 - 23:02
    -1

    I have a mac mini m2 optioned with 16gb and it will run low on memory quite often.
    Web browser app (with plenty of open tabs) usually triggers this.
    Solution is just to close the app and reopen (with saved tabs) - this brings it back to a more reasonable memory usage/pressure level.

    If you want portable and happy to close/open apps as required, I would imagine it would be fine.

    • ask yourself if you need a v6/v8, or whether a 4 cylinder would be sufficient :)
    • Unbreakable on 31/07/2024 - 06:59

      Firefox is your friend!

    • derdew on 31/07/2024 - 07:50
      +2

      stop using chrome

  • radnom on 31/07/2024 - 00:32

    Thanks OP, we have to get a macbook for the kids school.
    Pardon the noob question:
    'Sold by Amazon' so, I assume there is some expectation for reliable service / quality product? (I know it's a big assumption!)
    It's just that I've not bought expensive things off Amazon before.

    • radnom on 31/07/2024 - 00:34

      Oh, I just saw the Officeworks price beat one, as per first comment.

    • OnlineShopper123 on 31/07/2024 - 00:56
      +3

      Generally, it should be fine as long as it's actually new. I bought quite few apple products off of Amazon (mac, iphone, airpods, watches) and no problems at all.

    • Siuto on 31/07/2024 - 09:05
      +1

      Sold by "Amazon AU" is fine. It's just like buying Apple products from other big name retailers and you can also get local support from Apple themselves. But if it's sold by Amazon in other countries, say Amazon US, then you may not receive local warranties.

      It's only when it's being sold by 3rd parties outside of Amazon that you need to worry about.

  • juicejuice on 31/07/2024 - 06:57

    These things go really well, I would highly recommend. The 8GB seems a bit limiting but in practice I haven't had any issues. I'm using one every day for work. It is very fast, quite a bit more responsive than my 12 month old Lenovo with 32GB. I wouldn't want to run VMs and other such heavy workloads on the 8GB Macbook though.

    • netsurfer on 31/07/2024 - 10:53

      My work Macbook Pro with 16GB RAM starts to feel sluggish, just rebooted it to get some of the apps to work again. Constantly have to close apps now.

      It did feel fast early on, but after a while, it starts to feel sluggish. 16GB RAM is not enough for serious work. Getting a Macbook Pro for work which is unable to run VMs / dockers…. then what's the real point? It's like having a fast CPU, but only using it to run small apps.

      When there is sufficient RAM, sure, it feels fast. When it runs out of RAM, it is quite unpleasant. That's why new staff at work get 36GB RAM for their M3 Macbook Pros.

      • shaybisc on 31/07/2024 - 11:04
        +1

        "That's why new staff at work get 36GB RAM for their M3 Macbook Pros."

        What kind of work?

        • netsurfer on 31/07/2024 - 11:25

          Standard development work. Regardless of whether a Windows laptop or a Macbook Pro is chosen, new staff gets at least 32GB RAM, M3 Pro doesn't have 32GB option, so 36GB RAM.

          For work, no one is going to pretend Mac 16GB RAM = Windows PC 32GB RAM. Just have work supply 32GB+ RAM laptops.

  • shaybisc on 31/07/2024 - 10:14

    So how much extra to bump this up to 16GB/512GB in the magical Apple world? Is Apple RAM and storage super duper good or something?

    • amuthan on 31/07/2024 - 11:08

      Thoese models are on sale too

    • Namesareapain on 31/07/2024 - 13:22

      Nope, it is not really fast or anything (with the RAM having much higher latency than even what good DDR4 has on a desktop system) and the NAND chips in the SSDs are infamous for dying early and shorting to ground, making the system unable to boot, even with an external drive.

  • ozvince on 31/07/2024 - 14:04

    Here’s for the 8GB comments
    Is that worth to upgrade from M1 MacBook Air? Cheers

    • superroach on 31/07/2024 - 14:42
      +1

      From an m1? No not really. The benchmarks are an improvement but then what else do you get.

      The gpu is a good jump but the 8gb would be a killer for games anyway.

      The m4 im hanging out for… maybe they'll do an oled macbook air m4 early next year.

      • ozvince on 31/07/2024 - 15:11

        Alright thanks for your reply I reckon I’ll just wait till the m4 mba then cheers

      • fastnet on 31/07/2024 - 22:52

        They'll save the OLED for the Pro models just like the iPads. The Air models will purposely have a good but not amazing screen.

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