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Can't decide...
- Thread starter altecXP
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I am in the same boat as you but I think I'm gonna end up going with the 13" model because of the larger screen. It is only half a pound heavier and although the dimensions are a bit bigger, it isn't like I'm going to be using it while standing in line for a concert. It will be resting on tables at Starbucks and libraries. And $1200 sounds much more justifiable for a 13" laptop instead of an 11" laptop.
Here are some questions for you:
1. Do you need desktop space?
2. Do you travel a lot?
3. Is this your primary computer?
4. Do you use an external monitor at all?
If you're answers to 1 and 3 are yes, the 13" is a better model for you. If 2 and 4 are Yes, then the 11" is probably better for you. I personally went with the 13" mainly because I couldn't think of using anything smaller for working. If you're more on the "entertainment" side of things, 11" is probably a better model as well.
Go for the 13" as there is 400mhz difference when your really working, and I'm sure that would claw a couple of extra frames in StarCraft 
The 13inch is a more versatile option , kinder to your eyes and much more productive in my opinion. If you need a netbook to literally throw around and use for emails and a bit of browsing, there are new asus netbooks based on meego that can do that for $200 and without the added fear of losing/breaking something expensive.
The 13" is ultra portable in my eyes . It was also teh first mac for my sister ,who could not believ this is was much lighter than any of her books
Good luck with your decision
The 13" is ultra portable in my eyes . It was also teh first mac for my sister ,who could not believ this is was much lighter than any of her books
Good luck with your decision
I'm having the same internal debate.
I had the 2010 11" MBA (2gb ram, 64gb ssd) absolutely loved it. Really never had an issue with the 11" screen.
I sold it because I wanted to get more hard drive space and ram and had every intention of buying the 11" with 4gb of ram and the 128gb ssd
But then I realized that I can get the 13" for just $87.30 more... Now I don't know what to do.
I never attempted to use the MBA as a primary device, but I took it with me everywhere. I feel as though I would be tempted to use the 13" as my primary device which is appealing, but even though it is only 25% heavier, I still wonder if I'm going to be more hesitant to grab it off my desk whenever I'm heading out.
Good luck to you
I had the 2010 11" MBA (2gb ram, 64gb ssd) absolutely loved it. Really never had an issue with the 11" screen.
I sold it because I wanted to get more hard drive space and ram and had every intention of buying the 11" with 4gb of ram and the 128gb ssd
But then I realized that I can get the 13" for just $87.30 more... Now I don't know what to do.
I never attempted to use the MBA as a primary device, but I took it with me everywhere. I feel as though I would be tempted to use the 13" as my primary device which is appealing, but even though it is only 25% heavier, I still wonder if I'm going to be more hesitant to grab it off my desk whenever I'm heading out.
Good luck to you
I think you would appreciate the screen size on the 13" for Xcode and Starcraft 2. The extra battery size in the 13" will help you play Starcraft 2 longer and I'm sure the graphics performance would be a bit better with more memory allocated to it.
Having played with both, and having own the 11 inch model since that size was released last fall, the 11 inch feels a lot smaller when you're talking a bag, carrying with you, etc. And while I have a Mac Pro with a 27 inch monitor at home, I don't find it constraining to use my MBA for the tasks that it does a good job at -- right now my Mac Pro is a room over and I'm typing on my MBA. So, personally, I prefer the 11.6 model, but it really depends on the person.