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OSMac

macrumors 65816
Original poster
Jun 14, 2010
1,455
7
Just wondering those of you who opted for the 11" Ultimate config...

Would you buy it again, or opt for a different model, why ?

Comments actual battery life, good enough , too short?

Ever annoyed with fan noise, or its silent ?
 

mcdonaldtosh

macrumors newbie
Nov 22, 2010
28
0
The basemodel winds up the fan noise when looking at Silverlight HD, because it lacks GPU acceleration.
 

LS1

macrumors member
Mar 28, 2007
65
0
I would buy it again, even though I wasn't sure if I got a the right one during the first few days.

The battery life is pretty good (about 5 hours, less if using flash a lot) and I haven't even heard the fan (and I use it like 8 hours a day).
 
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Bosep

macrumors regular
Nov 11, 2008
121
0
The basemodel winds up the fan noise when looking at Silverlight HD, because it lacks GPU acceleration.

U have the 13" right? my base model 11" don't make much of a sound even when playing games like starcraft 2, it's like it's always at 2000-3000 rpm and always very cool.
 

jimboutilier

macrumors 6502a
Nov 10, 2008
647
42
Denver
Just wondering those of you who opted for the 11" Ultimate config...

Would you buy it again, or opt for a different model, why ?

Comments actual battery life, good enough , too short?

Ever annoyed with fan noise, or its silent ?

I would buy it again in a heartbeat. I never expected a system this mobile would be this capable. I was used to a uMB and a RevC MBA 2.13/2/128 and in general this feels faster than (and benchmarks faster than) either. I was a bit worried about the processor speed and screen size and resolution but neither has been an issue for me.

Battery like seems to be in the 4-5 hour range which is again better than what I'm used to on a laptop. Not as good as an iPad though.

Mine is almost always completely silent. Temps are low and fan is quiet. If I use SMC fan control to force the fan speed beyond about 4500rpm I can hear it but it still quieter than my previous MBA or MB.

All in all extremely pleased.
 

bcaslis

macrumors 68020
Mar 11, 2008
2,184
237
Just wondering those of you who opted for the 11" Ultimate config...

Would you buy it again, or opt for a different model, why ?

Comments actual battery life, good enough , too short?

Ever annoyed with fan noise, or its silent ?

Buy it again, I traded a 13" ultimate for the 11" ultimate after a week.

I'd like it to last longer like an iPad, but it's good enough to not make me regret it.

No, virtually silent all the time. I have to really work to get the fan spinning and it's quieter when spinning fast than the 13" MBA I had for a week.
 

threeputt

macrumors member
Nov 24, 2010
69
0
Ontario, Canada
Buy it again, I traded a 13" ultimate for the 11" ultimate after a week.

I'd like it to last longer like an iPad, but it's good enough to not make me regret it.

No, virtually silent all the time. I have to really work to get the fan spinning and it's quieter when spinning fast than the 13" MBA I had for a week.

Can I ask what made you decide to change from the 13 to the 11?? I am thinking of making the plunge to a MBA, just not sure which one yet.
 

a2applegirl

macrumors regular
Jun 16, 2010
161
0
If I had it to do again, I would buy exactly the same model. (I have the 11 ultimate). I never hear any fan noise and my battery lasts around six hours which is more than enough to get me through the whole day (off and on) without having to recharge. I love the sleep/instant on feature. It is making me open up the air and use it creatively on the spur of the moment....
 

bcaslis

macrumors 68020
Mar 11, 2008
2,184
237
Can I ask what made you decide to change from the 13 to the 11?? I am thinking of making the plunge to a MBA, just not sure which one yet.

After using it for a week I thought it was a great machine but other than being thin and light it's not really any more portable than a MBP. Some 13" owners here think there is little difference in portability between the 13" and the 11" but to me it's night and day, the 11" is just tiny. After getting the 11" I was surprised that it runs ever cooler and quieter than the 13" MBA. It you have a desktop, it's a no brainer to get the 11" if you want portability. If it's your only machine then it's a tradeoff because larger screen and larger storage versus more portable.
 

threeputt

macrumors member
Nov 24, 2010
69
0
Ontario, Canada
After using it for a week I thought it was a great machine but other than being thin and light it's not really any more portable than a MBP. Some 13" owners here think there is little difference in portability between the 13" and the 11" but to me it's night and day, the 11" is just tiny. After getting the 11" I was surprised that it runs ever cooler and quieter than the 13" MBA. It you have a desktop, it's a no brainer to get the 11" if you want portability. If it's your only machine then it's a tradeoff because larger screen and larger storage versus more portable.

Thank you for the prompt reply. I will also have an iMac desktop to use along with the MBA. Did you find much of difference in the display resolution between the two??
 
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dmelgar

macrumors 68000
Apr 29, 2005
1,588
168
I had a 11 ultimate for 2 weeks, returned it cause I thought the smaller screen was too much of a compromise. Ordered a 13 online. Now that I received it, I regret the decision. The 13 is not noticeably any more portable than my 13" MBP. I wish I had stuck w the 11. I haven't used the 13 at all. The 11 was stuck to me non stop for two weeks.

The 11 is much more portable than the 13, runs much cooler, is silent vs the jet sounds of the 13. Battery life isn't as good, maybe 30% less, but still pretty good.
 

pastormikec

macrumors newbie
Feb 4, 2009
19
0
I have only had mine for a few days . . . but, for what it's worth I LOVE IT! Would definitely go out and buy it again.
 

nospeed411

macrumors 6502a
Jan 15, 2010
586
0
east coast
I think after reading this thread I am getting the wife an iPad instead of a MBA....it would be stupid to get rid of her 2yr old MBP for this.
 

dmelgar

macrumors 68000
Apr 29, 2005
1,588
168
I think after reading this thread I am getting the wife an iPad instead of a MBA....it would be stupid to get rid of her 2yr old MBP for this.

How did you come to that conclusion based on everyone loving it and talking about how much faster it is than a 2 yr old MBP and much much more portable...

When I had my 11 I didn't use the ipad. Can't run flash, can run Mac apps. MBA can do so much more... but not touch, accelerometer stuff etc.
 
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