Hi End 11 or Low End 13?

[ghsDUDE]

I know the MBA's are updating and since I have an iMac...I plan on going Air (when the new Lion ones are released) instead of iPad 2...My main question is, what is the difference between the Hi End 11 and Low End 13?

There's only $100 difference...but is the $100 for screen size? Or is anything internally better?

And random rant, but if these new MBA's don't have backlit keyboards like the originals...I'm going iPad.

 

[jamone13]

Current models: Low end 13" has faster CPU & RAM clock then the high end 11". The 13" has longer battery life, SD card slot, higher resolution. As for the yet to be released models expected this week, who knows.

 

[smeade]

Side by side comparison is here: http://www.apple.com/macbookair/compare.html

 

[sysiphus]

Would it have been that hard to read the specs yourself? Probably wouldn't have taken much longer than creating this thread...

 

[ghsDUDE]

My main issue is the screen.
It says both are Hi Res Screens for their size...but is 1336 x 768 resolution on '11 similar to 1440 x 900 on '13? Or does '13 look Hi Res compared to '11?

 

[sparkie7]

time to go to an  store near you

 

[NutsNGum]

My main issue is the screen.
It says both are Hi Res Screens for their size...but is 1336 x 768 resolution on '11 similar to 1440 x 900 on '13? Or does '13 look Hi Res compared to '11?

YouTube, in this case, is your friend.

Look at some comparison vids, that's what I've been doing. The 11 appears as though it has much less in the way of vertical resolution, which may or may not bother you.

I've heard however that there is a sort of upside to the shorter screen, with both the panels being slightly poorer in terms of colour inversion at vertical angles, the 11 seems to suffer from it less due to it's relative shortness and therefore may not look as bad as the 13's screen when viewed at more extreme angles.

Personally, I'm not hugely bothered as it's not my main computer. I would prefer the 11, but it'll depend what the 13 looks like on the day I go into the apple store. If it's offered in a more attractive configuration I might just go for it and see how it goes for a week -- worst case scenario you can always swap it over.

 

[ghsDUDE]

YouTube, in this case, is your friend.

Look at some comparison vids, that's what I've been doing. The 11 appears as though it has much less in the way of vertical resolution, which may or may not bother you.

I've heard however that there is a sort of upside to the shorter screen, with both the panels being slightly poorer in terms of colour inversion at vertical angles, the 11 seems to suffer from it less due to it's relative shortness and therefore may not look as bad as the 13's screen when viewed at more extreme angles.

Personally, I'm not hugely bothered as it's not my main computer. I would prefer the 11, but it'll depend what the 13 looks like on the day I go into the apple store. If it's offered in a more attractive configuration I might just go for it and see how it goes for a week -- worst case scenario you can always swap it over.

I don't really mind the angles of viewing...I just know people complain about Standard Res on the 15' MBP compared to how good the Hi Res Option is on it.

I'll check 'em out...but I see complaints about the 11' sometimes, and I'm not sure whether it's because of screen or resolution.

I want the High End 11'...but if it isn't going to look as good (resolution wise) I'll go Low End 13'.

Guess it'll be a game time decision

I have an iMac now...and need something on the go. The iPad seems good, but I don't know if it'll be good enough for some stuff I do on the go...so Air it is.

Also, I need to install Office '11 Mac on the Air...It'll probably be the only CD I need to install and I'd rather not buy a SuperDrive for a one time installation...is there any type of connector I could use? Or would I need to buy it, use it once, and return it.

 

[NutsNGum]

I don't really mind the angles of viewing...I just know people complain about Standard Res on the 15' MBP compared to how good the Hi Res Option is on it.

I'll check 'em out...but I see complaints about the 11' sometimes, and I'm not sure whether it's because of screen or resolution.

I want the High End 11'...but if it isn't going to look as good (resolution wise) I'll go Low End 13'.

Guess it'll be a game time decision

I have an iMac now...and need something on the go. The iPad seems good, but I don't know if it'll be good enough for some stuff I do on the go...so Air it is.

Also, I need to install Office '11 Mac on the Air...It'll probably be the only CD I need to install and I'd rather not buy a SuperDrive for a one time installation...is there any type of connector I could use? Or would I need to buy it, use it once, and return it.

The iMac's optical drive can still be used to install software on the MacBook Air or view the contents of a DVD/CD by simply firing up Preferences on the iMac, clicking on the Sharing icon and enabling 'DVD or CD Sharing'.

No need to buy one separately. For you at least!

 

[Oppressed]

Do you prefer form or function?

 

[jdechko]

Also, I need to install Office '11 Mac on the Air...It'll probably be the only CD I need to install and I'd rather not buy a SuperDrive for a one time installation...is there any type of connector I could use? Or would I need to buy it, use it once, and return it.

https://www.microsoft.com/mac/trial

Put your CD Key in during installation. No CD Required.

Or you could use the remote disc function to allow your Air to borrow your iMac's SuperDrive.
Or you could create a dmg from the Office DVD on the iMac and transfer it via flash drive to the Air.

 

[damnyooneek]

My main issue is the screen.
It says both are Hi Res Screens for their size...but is 1336 x 768 resolution on '11 similar to 1440 x 900 on '13? Or does '13 look Hi Res compared to '11?

i had the 11" but returned it for the 13" because i found the larger screen more comfortable. also the battery life on the 13" is better

 

[ghsDUDE]

i had the 11" but returned it for the 13" because i found the larger screen more comfortable. also the battery life on the 13" is better

I really want base 13'...but the 11' screen would be bigger than the iPad 2...right?

It's more of an on the go and I was debating between and iPad 2 and Air...but I think there will be times (not too many though, but enough to get the Air) where I'll need to use Office or get work done on it.

It's only $100 more for 13'..but then again, I just bought an iMac + AppleCare + Accessories for around $1350.

I get paid Friday...so I may be doomed with all the $ I should be saving...not spending lol.

Edit - I also looked with an EDU discount I would only save $50 with Apple...the base 13' is $900 on Amazon and $1249 on Apple. Plus there's no tax on Amazon, Amazon seems like a no brainer right? (If the discounts are as big when the new Air comes out this/next week)

 

[Young Spade]

I really want base 13'...but the 11' screen would be bigger than the iPad 2...right?

It's more of an on the go and I was debating between and iPad 2 and Air...but I think there will be times (not too many though, but enough to get the Air) where I'll need to use Office or get work done on it.

It's only $100 more for 13'..but then again, I just bought an iMac + AppleCare + Accessories for around $1350.

I get paid Friday...so I may be doomed with all the $ I should be saving...not spending lol.

Edit - I also looked with an EDU discount I would only save $50 with Apple...the base 13' is $900 on Amazon and $1249 on Apple. Plus there's no tax on Amazon, Amazon seems like a no brainer right? (If the discounts are as big when the new Air comes out this/next week)

Well since the new ones should be coming out tomorrow, I think the smart thing to do is wait until then or this weekend. A lot will change. Last gen models will probably go down in price. Current gen models might have different base/ultimate specs; if this happens, you'll have to re-think what you're going to get depending on the money you have.

I'm not saying this is "hard" or takes time, but if you look at the comparison charts, the 13 inch has a longer battery life, the sd card reader, a higher resolution screen (you should try and look at them in person or on YouTube to gauge whether that matters over the 11) and a higher clock speed.

Now with the refresh, both of them will be ultimately faster, so if you still want to spend the money, look and see how much Ram each model gets. Personally I'm going for an 11 inch air with 4 gigs of RAM; that's what my budget is going to allow me to get.

You can bite "right now" and get something, but that just wouldn't make sense.

 

[ghsDUDE]

Personally I'm going for an 11 inch air with 4 gigs of RAM

That's my main option.
I have an iMac...this is strictly because the iPad doesn't do enough (Office) on the go.

Good luck to you tomorrow...I know I'll need it...my store gets crazy!

 

[Young Spade]

That's my main option.
I have an iMac...this is strictly because the iPad doesn't do enough (Office) on the go.

Good luck to you tomorrow...I know I'll need it...my store gets crazy!

Yea the closest one to me is somewhat small and is ALWAYS cramped and packed with people. I'm not going to be getting one tomorrow though, I have to wait on this payment for my old MacBook then wait for that to transfer from Paypal to my bank account.

By then I should have saved up the remaining to allow a quick and easy trip up there. It all works out though as I get to read reviews and see comparison videos.