A couple of months ago Indra suggested that I should get a Mac, changing my life long dedication to PC. Her having got a MacBook Air 11" and showing it to me convinced me to break the bank and splurge on an Apple machine — at least half a decade ambition of mine. So the search began.
You have to decide which model is the right fit for you
There is a neat tool on Apple’s website (apple.com) that helps you compare MacBooks listing all the technical specifications, dumbed down as low as it can be along, with its cute pictures. Even then, if you’re not a tech-amateur-enthusiast, it’s pretty hard to comprehend the specifications truly for your own need. So, I suggest you to breeze over the specs and head to the kingdom of all technological device reviews — YouTube.
I followed that journey and ended up deciding that a MacBook Air 11" (mid 2014) was the thing for me. I’d try to get this specific one. But if budget wouldn’t allow it, I’d be open to a mid-2013 edition.
Since MacBooks run on the premium side of the laptop market, I wanted to get a used one that is in a pristine condition and a very low battery cycle count.
Looking for the MacBook online
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| I was watching BBC’s Sherlock S02E01 A Scandal in Belgrade, in which Sherlock insisted on not putting his clothes on without the identity of his client whilst in the Buckingham Palace — the very heart of British nation as Mycroft put it. | Picture taken by the author August 20, 2015. |
So the machine I chose for myself retails for $899 and up. But I managed to find a MacBook Air 11" early-2014 edition for $699 on eBay with only 3 battery cycle. (For those who don’t know it, 1 battery cycle is 100% of battery used. So this mean either my chosen MacBook has been emptied 3 times or it has been used until 50% of the battery for 6 times or similar)
An issue with finding a second hand device online is usually it is far away from your location. In my case, the parcel has to be shipped from United States to Mongolia, which cost me $89 for a priority shipping with insurance. (you need it priority aka EMS in the east) It took about 2 weeks to get here because of the 5-day holiday in Mongolia during the Naadam.
Get a case for your machine ASAP
You don’t want your precious MacBook dented or scratched. Plus, adding a case or a protective shell personalizes it to your need.
I ended up getting a wine red, sand textured hardcase for my beloved machine for about $11.89 on — nowhere but eBay. Looks good doesn’t it?
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| The sand pattern wine red hard case put on the MacBook Air 11". | Photo was taken by the author August 20, 2015. |
Now I am is search for another one for my dear colleague Naanga. I hope I’ll be able to find her a good deal. Good luck on your pursuit if you’re planning to get a MacBook online instead of buying it from retailers.
