11" 1.6 or 13" 1.86

[Romulus]

Close to their debut, this topic was beat to death...

Ultimately the 13 is almost as portable as 11 for the typical business environment - both will fit the average briefcase/messenger bag/backpack, and the weight difference is ultimately minimal.

The 11 is more usable if you hang in the coffee shop or want to save money... Even though some may argue, 11 is what you would by if you wanted a notebook, but now you can really get a full powerful machine... 13 you get if you want more of a working machine... Again, that's just my thoughts...

 

[tivoboy]

why not

anyone know why the 2.16 processor is NOT available as an upgrade on the 13" 128GB SSD model?

 

[Drezin]

anyone know why the 2.16 processor is NOT available as an upgrade on the 13" 128GB SSD model?

to make us spend more money =D

 

[LS1]

I had the same dilemma. It's hard to explain why, but you can pull the 11 out almost anywhere, even in places you wouldn't use the 13. I'm sure 13 owners will disagree, but it's true. The size of the 11 is so nice and makes a much bigger difference then you would think. My wife recently bought a 13 but uses my 11 whenever I leave it at home.

 

[jmazzamj]

I was in the same boat as you guys.

It took me a month to decide what to get and eventually I've gone 13".

I almost went 11": I really really love it but I have an MSI Wind with Leopard on it (I know, it's like comparing apples and oranges or chocolate and you guess what) for extreme portability and I will buy an 11" when this thing dies on me.

The main deciding point to go 11" would be that I also have 13" MBP, but eventually I will get a desktop Mac (probably a Mac mini as I don't need a lot of power) and I will give the Air to my sister (so that I can justify getting the 11" ).

 

[Meric]

I have spent some time with both MBA's in macmall and apple store and ended up getting a 13 1.86 4 gb mem...

based on my experiences I can say the following...

- 11.6 is ultra ultra portable.... if you want 2 x ultra portable laptop..go with that...

- women likes 11.6 more.. because its tiny,2 x ultra portable... ( compare woman watches with man watches )

- 11.6 1.4 ghz geek bench score is 2000

- 13.3 1.86 ghz is 2700 ( % 35 faster )

- 13.3 is faster because of the things mentioned above ( clock speed, FSB ) plus it has 6mb L2 cache... ( i think noone mentioned the cache yet )

- resolution in 13.3 is so cool... I have always liked higher resolutions.....

- SD card would be a benefit if you are using it a lot.... I have had my mba for over a week and never used it yet....


so I would say go with a 13.3 unless you want 2 x ultraportable laptop....

 

[X-rated]

For all you travel savvy people like myself and spend a great part of their lives in the airport, the 11 inch is the way to go. The reason being and one that is not publicized the TSA doesn't not require you to take it out of your bag, anything less than 12 inches. And that is a fact.

 

[jamesryanbell]

For all you travel savvy people like myself and spend a great part of their lives in the airport, the 11 inch is the way to go. The reason being and one that is not publicized the TSA doesn't not require you to take it out of your bag, anything less than 12 inches. And that is a fact.

That's huge for me. People who travel ought to think about this!!

 

[wirelessmacuser]

For all you travel savvy people like myself and spend a great part of their lives in the airport, the 11 inch is the way to go. The reason being and one that is not publicized the TSA doesn't not require you to take it out of your bag, anything less than 12 inches. And that is a fact.

You are absolutely correct and it's a fact that is easily overlooked when one is so focused on deciding between the two. Frankly I couldn't decide, so I bought the 11" for my airline travel and the 13" for the 25% of the time I travel by car.

 

[ItWasn'tMe]

That's huge for me. People who travel ought to think about this!!

This is the exact reason I bought the 11, however it didn't go quite as well as hoped when going through security at the airport 10 days ago.... I got shouted at and sent to the back of the line because I "left a laptop in my bag"