Ah - OK - got it. Most of the people I've seen comment on the Air 11" vs the Air 13" are commenting on the SIZE of the unit, not the weight. Both are incredibly light.
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Experiences owning both the 11.6" and 13.3" -- Impressions and Review
- Thread starter WardC
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Ah - OK - got it. Most of the people I've seen comment on the Air 11" vs the Air 13" are commenting on the SIZE of the unit, not the weight. Both are incredibly light.
Most of the differences being pointed out seems to be about footprint and size rather than weight.
^Which also isnt that much of a difference. Lets all agree to disagree. If i had the money, i would have both. I wouldnt mind having either, i just think the 13" fits my needs better. 
/debate
/debate
As I primary machine, I wouldn't even consider the 11" personally. As a second machine, I wouldn't even consider the 13".
Just my two cents.
Everyone has different wants/needs though really.
Just my two cents.
Everyone has different wants/needs though really.
Mr. Buckwheat, do i know you or something? It seems to me that you know a lot about me and my needs...and because I dont travel on "business" my opinion is not valid? I travel to and from school almost 3-4 days a week and take my laptop with me everywhere. Im guessing the novelty of your 11" has run dry and you are wishing you had gotten the 13"...right?
As valid as you saying the 11 inch owners need to go to the gym...you know nothing about us or our needs.
You have your machine, why diss the owners of the other model.
As others have said, different models for different needs. But I actually think you miss the "cool" of the smaller model.
As clarified in your explanatory post, I agree. The 6 ounce weight difference between the 11 inch MBA and the 13 inch model doesn't seem very significant to me, either.
I had a problem with your first post when I read it, though, because it left the impression, to me at least, that you thought the 13 inch MBP's, 4.5 pounds, was insignificant compared to the MBAs', 2.3 or 2.9 pounds. You need to be more careful around here with the "go hit the gym" jibe. That's like waving a red flag in front of a bull to those of us who have seen it used to support the silly claim that the difference in weight between the 13 inch MBP and the MBAs is insignificant.
On the face of it it doesn't seem like much. A few ounces in weight and in inch or so here and there. I've got both right here in front of me and there is a perceivable difference in size. The 11" seems SEEMS much more portable and the 13" appears to be a much larger full size laptop. Don't know why, probably perception. This is coming from someone who has carried a 17" laptop all around the world for the last 4 years including daily to work for a bit. I'm used to carrying larger machines but this 11 vs 13 decision is killing me. I really want to get used to the little guy but can't.
No point making comments about going to the gym, everyone has different needs. Playing with both, the 11" is definitely more 'portable' than the 13 but in a practical evaluation ... they're both going into the same bag anyway so I'd rather have the larger screen and battery.
eV
Regarding size, if you look at the area of the laptop itself the 11" is more than 20% smaller than the 13" - quite significant. It feels a lot smaller because it is a lot smaller. The weight difference is not as big though, only 13% less than the 13".
The 13" doesn't feel like a small / portable laptop to me. It feels full size, but it sure is a lot lighter than the MBP.
The 13" doesn't feel like a small / portable laptop to me. It feels full size, but it sure is a lot lighter than the MBP.
But the 11 doesn't need anywhere near as big a bag.
I used to carry my 13" MBP in a neoprene sleeve in a backpack. Same setup worked for the 13" MBA. Didn't seem any different.
But with the 11" MBA, I can use a tiny messenger bag like the Tucano Finatex. Its tiny compared to my backpack. And using the 11" around the house, on the sofa, wherever, it seems so much smaller. More like an iPad with a keyboard.
I had lots of trouble deciding as well. Bought a 11", returned it because the screen was too small, ordered a 13". Got it and had no interest in it over my 13" MBP. Too similar. Bought an 11" again and am loving it this time.
I've learned some tricks to deal with the smaller font size. Setting minimum font size in Chrome & Safari. Liberal use of Command +, -, 0. And if I need more screen real estate, my two external monitors come in handy.
LOL--Think before you speak!! We have both one for me one for my wife... 11 and 13, both of both worlds
one person owning both just for his or her own use is a bit silly to me.
You're killing me man. Just when I had decided to keep the 13", this post made me waver. uff! Well, in my case, I don't have a 13" MBP so there's nothing to compare it to. I'm coming from a 17" MBP and the 13" MBA is going to seem considerably smaller. The bag is going to stay the same. I don't have a house or a base, move around from country to country every 3 months and don't have the luxury of multiple bags etc. It's the Tom Bihn Imago - my daypack/manbag and they both fit in it. I can't go smaller (bag wise) because it does multiple things for me.
The 13" seems like a normal laptop, except much smaller and lighter. The 11" is something new and desirable but I don't want a toy - I really need something practical. No outside monitors or Imacs to use in addition to it. I have to complete the first draft of a book this year and while I can type on the little guy (all you need to focus on is the current paragraph really) editing and proof reading with research could become a problem.
The keyboard is slightly different on both too. There is a little more travel on the larger machine.
Anyway, only one way to find out. Time to switch. I'll put away the 13" and play with the 11" MBA for the next few hours. It's a nice life ... Maybe sometime this year I'll have a decision made!
eV
The 13" seems like a normal laptop, except much smaller and lighter. The 11" is something new and desirable but I don't want a toy - I really need something practical. No outside monitors or Imacs to use in addition to it. I have to complete the first draft of a book this year and while I can type on the little guy (all you need to focus on is the current paragraph really) editing and proof reading with research could become a problem.
The keyboard is slightly different on both too. There is a little more travel on the larger machine.
Anyway, only one way to find out. Time to switch. I'll put away the 13" and play with the 11" MBA for the next few hours. It's a nice life ...
Maybe sometime this year I'll have a decision made!eV
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Gwsat, if you re read my original post, I make no claim of comparing the 13" pro to an air. Heck I never even mentioned a MacBook pro in my first response to this thread. You guys shouldn't jump to conclusions. And hitting the gym isn't jibe. Everyone should lead a healthy lifestyle.
this is where I was at...I have a 15" i5 MBP and the 13" Air seemed too close to the same size (obviously not the same weight)...this 11.6 is just perfect for what I need it for...I was going to get an iPad but the 11.6 Air just BLEW the iPad out of the water for me...I wanted a small footprint, ultra portable, ultra light yet fully functioning Mac...the 11.6 hit it out of the park for me...If my main computer was say, an iMac, I'd a prolly gotten the 13" Air...but having the 15" MBP, the 11.6 Ultimate was the perfect choice for me...
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Yes you can. Not everyone is a college student.
When you fly a 13" screen is almost impossible to use in an economy seat. You can't open the screen up and use it in any kind of practical manner. The 11" air is much more useable. Also when you travel (by air) the size and weight do make a difference
From what I've read, you don't even have to take the 11" out of your carryon bag at the security check points at airports...
I understood you had not intended to imply that the weight of the MBP was functionally equivalent to that of the MBA. I jumped to the conclusion I did only because yours was the first use of the "hit the gym jibe" I had ever seen used in any other context. Anyway, I agree with your conclusion that the 6 ounce weight difference between the 11 inch MBA and the 13 inch model is insignificant.Gwsat, if you re read my original post, I make no claim of comparing the 13" pro to an air. Heck I never even mentioned a MacBook pro in my first response to this thread. You guys shouldn't jump to conclusions. And hitting the gym isn't jibe. Everyone should lead a healthy lifestyle.
From what I've read, you don't even have to take the 11" out of your carryon bag at the security check points at airports...
is that really true? that's a great selling point !!
I like the macbook air machines but i can't see me getting one. I need power to run logic studio and vsts. The airs do seem like great travel machines..
