Experience with 11.6" MBA

[SQUIJIT]

Hi everyone,

just before I go out and purchase my 11.6" Macbook Air I was hoping some people could share their experiences so far with them and point out any problems or speed issues.

Any comments on your experiences with the product will be greatly appreciated!

Thanks a bunch!

p.s I'm planning on purchasing the 11.6" 2GB Ram 128GB 1.4Ghz model, anyone with this specific model giving input would be very helpful!

Thanks

 

[bcaslis]

What kind of experiences are you looking for? For general purpose use the 11" is great with two assumptions. First that the screen size is sufficient and second the storage is sufficient.

I started with 13" MBA but moved to the 11" for the size advantage (I can carry the 11" in a case I bought for the iPad). I keep thinking that I'd like to go back to the 13" screen but every time I compare the 13" and 11" side by side I keep the 11".

I think assuming you want a really small Mac, you can't go wrong. If your priorities are something else then a larger more flexible machine might be better.

 

[SQUIJIT]

Thanks for the quick response!

I want a small really portable mac so I know for sure I want the 11.6", I'm just slightly worried about only getting the 2GBs of RAM.

I have my 24" iMac for all my main usages (such as logic pro audio recording and editing). The MBA will almost solely be used just to have with me all the time, as well as for my writing.

So I'm guessing the 2GB should be fine then?

 

[gecis]

Thanks for the quick response!

I want a small really portable mac so I know for sure I want the 11.6", I'm just slightly worried about only getting the 2GBs of RAM.

I have my 24" iMac for all my main usages (such as logic pro audio recording and editing). The MBA will almost solely be used just to have with me all the time, as well as for my writing.

So I'm guessing the 2GB should be fine then?

Since the ram is non replaceable and to keep you from buyers remorse, I recommend the 4gb upgrade. Its well worth it.

 

[vaderhater245]

if your not getting the base $999 version, its probably best to go all-out and get the maxed out one with the 1.6 and 4gb. You could fnd yourself using garage band few times when your away from logic or something. Also ask yourself how long will you be keeping this computer and consider options. Personally I'm taking the risk of the base model for basic Ps and Ai work. can't pass up the $969 deal on macconection.

 

[idonotliketostu]

the itunes store in itunes = laggy on my 1.6ghz

 

[SQUIJIT]

Since the ram is non replaceable and to keep you from buyers remorse, I recommend the 4gb upgrade. Its well worth it.

I know and I already feel that way...
it's just i have a large gift card for best buy and they only offer the 2GB version.

 

[SQUIJIT]

if your not getting the base $999 version, its probably best to go all-out and get the maxed out one with the 1.6 and 4gb. You could fnd yourself using garage band few times when your away from logic or something. Also ask yourself how long will you be keeping this computer and consider options. Personally I'm taking the risk of the base model for basic Ps and Ai work. can't pass up the $969 deal on macconection.

So your using the base model for Ps and it's running alright?
Hmmm. That encourages me to take the risk!

Such a difficult decision

 

[rrl]

How about a question mark next time. Thanks.

 

[SQUIJIT]

How about a question mark next time. Thanks.

I don't see how a question mark would have changed anything, but thanks for contributing.

 

[uniforms]

I bought the 11 inch with 128 flash, but after use, found it not as fast as the ultimate 13" I bought from Apple. I took it back and bought the ultimate 11" from Apple. MUCH Better machine. I would not recommend 2 mg of ram for any machine! Much better to spend the extra 100 for more ram. Good luck

 

[SQUIJIT]

I bought the 11 inch with 128 flash, but after use, found it not as fast as the ultimate 13" I bought from Apple. I took it back and bought the ultimate 11" from Apple. MUCH Better machine. I would not recommend 2 mg of ram for any machine! Much better to spend the extra 100 for more ram. Good luck

Hmm very interesting.

Makes me reconsider, although I have a huge gift card at best buy which I was going to use for it.. and best buy only offers the 2GB model.

Was the 2GB really slow and unusable or just slower then your ultimate 13"?

 

[bcaslis]

I bought the 11 inch with 128 flash, but after use, found it not as fast as the ultimate 13" I bought from Apple. I took it back and bought the ultimate 11" from Apple. MUCH Better machine. I would not recommend 2 mg of ram for any machine! Much better to spend the extra 100 for more ram. Good luck

That's interesting, I've only had the 11" ultimate (for the 11" MBA). I'm surprised that there was that much different. Was there anything in particular you found slow?

 

[Mikey B]

I just picked up a base 11" this evening and I am absolutely loving it. I bought an iPad a few days ago in hopes of a portable device for biz trips that is powerful enough for me to get the work done I need to do but it just won't cut it. So, back to the store it went and I picked up the MBA 11".

I am absolutely loving this computer. I see dropping the extra $100 for the 4GB of RAM as being a pretty smart but not absolutely essential move.

 

[mwjd299]

Thanks for the quick response!

I want a small really portable mac so I know for sure I want the 11.6", I'm just slightly worried about only getting the 2GBs of RAM.

I have my 24" iMac for all my main usages (such as logic pro audio recording and editing). The MBA will almost solely be used just to have with me all the time, as well as for my writing.

So I'm guessing the 2GB should be fine then?

The review I read on AppleInsider that said you can't expand the memory once you get the machine. If you think you need 4GB, then order it with 4 gb installed. You can't add it later.

http://dum5.appleinsider.com/articles/10/10/30/review_apples_new_11_6_inch_and_13_3_inch_macbook_air_late_2010.html#position

Page 4 of the review.

 

[silverblack]

p.s I'm planning on purchasing the 11.6" 2GB Ram 128GB 1.4Ghz model, anyone with this specific model giving input would be very helpful!

I have the exact model that you want. It's been absolutely a joy to use. The FS is so fast that I never felt a lag due to the 2 GB RAM, even when I am using VMWare fusion with XP. I never regret once not getting the 4 GB model.

 

[cherry su]

AnandTech reports that the 1.6GHz processor gets ~15% better performance (which is noticeable) but ~6% less battery life. The processor is your call, but the 4GB RAM upgrade is a no-brainer.

 

[OSMac]

Just to grab one, with Bestbuy you have until after Chirstmas to return if its not right for you, but I think you will love it. Battery life is a bit short when pushing it but for a small laptop its amazing.

 

[aussie.damo]

Thanks for the quick response!

I want a small really portable mac so I know for sure I want the 11.6", I'm just slightly worried about only getting the 2GBs of RAM.

I have my 24" iMac for all my main usages (such as logic pro audio recording and editing). The MBA will almost solely be used just to have with me all the time, as well as for my writing.

So I'm guessing the 2GB should be fine then?

I bought the 2GB model and have no issues with it. My insurance policy was that if I didn't like it, I'd give it to my partner who also is getting an Air and has no need for more than 2GB. So lucky in the sense that I could "try before I buy".

I haven't found the machine to be slow or laggy at all. In fact, it feels like the fastest Mac I've ever had (first one with SSD). All that said, I'm not expecting too much of it. I use it for web browsing, iTunes, iPhoto, Skype, messenger and that's about it. Haven't even installed Office.

If I planned to use Fusion or something, I'd definitely go for the 4GB model.

Considering you have the Best Buy voucher and they don't sell the 4GB model, I'd say go for it.

Damo

 

[SQUIJIT]

Thanks for your input everyone, really appreciate it!

It's such a hard decision (Only because I have such a large discount at best buy which is limiting my options). Otherwise I would more than likely go for the 4GB model..

I'm going to take the next few days to attempt to decide and I'll let you guys know how it went.

Thanks a lot!

 

[wirelessmacuser]

I know and I already feel that way...
it's just i have a large gift card for best buy and they only offer the 2GB version.

Frankly 2GB is very little ram these days. If it were the competitions ultracompacts, the fanboys would bash them silly. But we all know that Apple can do no wrong (sarcasm). I've never seen so many users justify a measly amount like that.

I waited to have my 4GB CTO built. A choice I will enjoy for a long time.

 

[Star-fire]

I absolutely love this little machine, it's the perfect ultra-portable mac. Great battery, great screen, plenty powerful, also the audio quality is great, much better than my MBP is.

BTW I have the maxed out 11"

 

[EthanNixon]

jk

 

[ghostwriter]

As you know, MBA's cannot be upgraded after purchase. There's no room for error. This is the one model where it makes perfect sense to max out the specs at point of purchase.

I have no idea what future OS requirements will be. I plan on keeping my MBA 11.6 for a few years so it seems prudent to max it out. I may not need the extra RAM or storage today, but may need it a year or two from now. Also, resale value will be higher on a maxed out machine. I want to get top dollar when it comes time to sell.

Buy the 4GB/128 11.6 if you can afford it and save the Best Buy card for software, sleeves, cases, etc. This is the only way to ensure its future use.

OR

Buy the 2GB at Best Buy and spend your days worrying about future compatibility.

Best of luck, whatever you decide.