11 or 13-inch MacBook Air

[foiden]

The CPU is kind of a big thing depending on what you want to do with it. iLife users and photo folks will likely notice the difference first, because those programs utilize the CPU quite a bit. Not talking about handling viewing of photos, but more of the time to perform various expensive manipulations and enhancements. If you plan to utilize Garageband, you'll also want the CPU boost as slower CPUs (like the stock 11") really struggle beyond two instrument tracks.

Of course, for iwork/office stuff, these seem to all do great. Probably works great for internet and flash apps. (But then again, if you are doing flash, some will want that 13 inch for the extra battery life).

 

[bcaslis]

I have been trying to decide between an ultimate 13.3" and an ultimate 11.6" and gosh I want to tear my hair out. I bought the 13.3" first because that is what I am used to coming from a Rev C, but to be honest the Rev D ultimate is such a good computer that it almost duplicates everything I can do with my macbook pro. I decided to sell it and pick up the ultimate 11.6". I tried it out int he store and I believe I can do all my work on it...the portability will be great on rounds and during rotations!

Some people said sell the macbook pro, I don't think those specs are ones that I can let go!

Wait, you're the genius who posted this?

https://forums.macrumors.com/posts/11412138/

I see...

 

[teski]

I"m surprised I hear this so much. There really isn't much difference between the 13 and 11" MBA. Primarily a faster CPU that most folks will never notice in typical usage.

The biggest difference is size.
Its amazing the 11.6" is such a capable machine in such a minuscule machine.

The 11.6" works great BTW hooked up to one or more large external monitors. No need for a separate desktop or bigger heavier laptop.

Processor speed, double the max drive space, 15" MBPro screen resolution in the 13, SD slot, more battery...There are plenty of differences and those are the ones that drove me to the maxed out 13"

 

[dmelgar]

The CPU is kind of a big thing depending on what you want to do with it. iLife users and photo folks will likely notice the difference first, because those programs utilize the CPU quite a bit. Not talking about handling viewing of photos, but more of the time to perform various expensive manipulations and enhancements. If you plan to utilize Garageband, you'll also want the CPU boost as slower CPUs (like the stock 11") really struggle beyond two instrument tracks.

Of course, for iwork/office stuff, these seem to all do great. Probably works great for internet and flash apps. (But then again, if you are doing flash, some will want that 13 inch for the extra battery life).

As you said, it depends on what you do. For all the software development I do on various platforms including Eclipse and XCode, the 1.6mhz 11.6" MBA is as fast or faster than my 2.24ghz MBP. The speed of the disk more than outweighs the speed of the CPU.

If the 11" handles most of everything you want to do with a computer, why lug around a bigger heavier computer? The 11.6" is an amazing small machine with no equals. The 13" MBA is very similar to the 13" MBP. Why not get the 13" MBP, you get so much more for less money. Can get a bigger drive, more memory, backlit keyboard, much faster external disk access with firewire 800, faster CPU, superdrive.

If you're buying a new machine and want to 13", I can see a debate between the MBP and MBA. But if you're looking switch from one of the MBPs and want more portability, the 13" MBA isn't a big enough change from the 13" MBP which is a better deal. The 11" MBA is the breakthrough step to a powerful yet amazingly tiny machine.

 

[sushi]

In my case, I think the deciding factor would be how much I use the MBA in portable mode. For example, if at my work area I connected the MBA to an external display such as the Apple 27 inch LED Cinema Display, and rarely needed to use my MBA on the go, then I would probably opt for the 11 inch.

However, if I used my MBA on the go all the time, then I would opt for a larger screen and go with the MBA 13.

In my case, screen real estate is important for what I do/need.

Note, I could see other options. Such as if I commuted via train or plane a lot then the MBA 11 would be a better fit.

Definitely not an easy decision in all cases.

 

[foiden]

As you said, it depends on what you do. For all the software development I do on various platforms including Eclipse and XCode, the 1.6mhz 11.6" MBA is as fast or faster than my 2.24ghz MBP. The speed of the disk more than outweighs the speed of the CPU.

If the 11" handles most of everything you want to do with a computer, why lug around a bigger heavier computer? The 11.6" is an amazing small machine with no equals. The 13" MBA is very similar to the 13" MBP. Why not get the 13" MBP, you get so much more for less money. Can get a bigger drive, more memory, backlit keyboard, much faster external disk access with firewire 800, faster CPU, superdrive.

If you're buying a new machine and want to 13", I can see a debate between the MBP and MBA. But if you're looking switch from one of the MBPs and want more portability, the 13" MBA isn't a big enough change from the 13" MBP which is a better deal. The 11" MBA is the breakthrough step to a powerful yet amazingly tiny machine.

That's something to note. I actually already have the MBP 13". I actually use it in my production work. It's actually a real screamer, too. I've literally pushed the equivalent of a full orchestra recording through it, layered with an electronic orchestra, with several layers of real-time effects. All my previous machines would practically shut down trying to handle that. So yeah, it handles my heavy lifting.

And true, the Air would specifically be really for light transport, so I know I wouldn't be looking to compete with the MBP. I was kind of hoping the MBA 11 would have a little more battery life to it, though.