I'm totally stuck at what to do, someone convince me please!

[SammySlim]

Got an 11 MBA and have never looked back. Small size and screen work for me as I am on the road (fly over 100k miles/year). I have a Cinema 27 for my screen at home, so when I'm not traveling the screen size is not an issue.

I think the 0.6 extra pounds makes a difference to me on total travel weight. For a travel/road machine, or something going in your backpack every day, smaller and lighter is better and the 11 screen works just fine from where I sit.

Cheers

 

[linkandzelda]

Got an 11 MBA and have never looked back. Small size and screen work for me as I am on the road (fly over 100k miles/year). I have a Cinema 27 for my screen at home, so when I'm not traveling the screen size is not an issue.

I think the 0.6 extra pounds makes a difference to me on total travel weight. For a travel/road machine, or something going in your backpack every day, smaller and lighter is better and the 11 screen works just fine from where I sit.

Cheers

I see. It does add to the total weight. My bike ride is only 10 mins but still. Btw, do you use the MBA with your 27"? Im guessing thats a 1080p or higher resolution? How does it perform with that?

 

[bowlerman625]

At first I was going to get a maxed out 13 inch. Then I saw the 11.6 and used it for awhile on 3 different days. It was amazing. I bought one. End of story!

 

[karkid]

my next Phone will have a dualcore 1.4ghz processor in it... why would i buy the MBA had the 13.3 returned it few days later, picked up the Maxed 15 inch pro never gonna look back at the air

 

[peapody]

I think the 0.6 extra pounds makes a difference to me on total travel weight. For a travel/road machine, or something going in your backpack every day, smaller and lighter is better and the 11 screen works just fine from where I sit.

Cheers

This statement makes me laugh. 0.6 extra pounds making a difference? Sammyslim have you owned a 13.3" air before? If total weight matters, get a lighter backpack.

Some of these statements are whack.

 

[johnnymg]

The 13" will give you an internal SD reader, larger screen, and a better/faster processor. Get a 1.86GHz 13" with 4GB RAM.

100% agree with this..............

 

[snorkelman]

I think the 0.6 extra pounds makes a difference to me on total travel weight. For a travel/road machine, or something going in your backpack every day, smaller and lighter is better and the 11 screen works just fine from where I sit.

Cheers

11.6 no charger 4 to 6 hours usage 1070g
13.3 without charger 6 to 8 hours usage 1320g

11.6 with charger and mini plug 1230g
11.6 with charger and full sized plug/lead 1420g

So, going on a trip and have to take a charger with either machine, then sure the 11.6 will win out.

Having to take a charger along with the 11.6 to get 7 hours of work done, when the 13.3 would let you leave it at home, then its no longer as clear cut.

Current machine the OP is carrying to college weighs in at 1530g incl the charger that he has to carry due to its battery life.

 

[macnerd123]

I am having the same problem as you. I have no clue which to choose. If the extra features aren't needed, then the money is better kept in my wallet. I have different needs though for it. I only will use it for word processing, iChat, iTunes, Safari, and hardly ever iLife. I narrowed it down to the 11 inch with the 1.4GHz, 128GB, and 4GB of RAM and the 13 inch with the 1.86GHz, 128GB, and 4GB of RAM. I have switched my ideas towards each one like every day.

 

[bcaslis]

This statement makes me laugh. 0.6 extra pounds making a difference? Sammyslim have you owned a 13.3" air before? If total weight matters, get a lighter backpack.

Some of these statements are whack.

No, their not. If you have ever traveled on a week long business trip hauling stuff with you and running in and out of planes you would understand. For normal use, it's not a big deal. But even going back and forth to work for week testing I could really feel the difference between the 11" and the 13". The 13" feels like a light laptop. The 11" feels like an iPad.

 

[Bluehinder]

Get a life man, it's a compuer.

Only Apple fanbois.

 

[peapody]

No, their not. If you have ever traveled on a week long business trip hauling stuff with you and running in and out of planes you would understand. For normal use, it's not a big deal. But even going back and forth to work for week testing I could really feel the difference between the 11" and the 13". The 13" feels like a light laptop. The 11" feels like an iPad.

Yes I have travelled on business trips with my MBA. Believe me. IT'S NOT HEAVY haha. In fact, I travel every day with my MBA bringing it into work and carrying it in a bag ALL day during hospital rounds.

You can only feel the difference between the 11 and 13 if you are comparing them side by side. People who say the 11 is better because it is lighter and try to say that it makes a difference during daily travels etc...I really have no idea what is going on there. In the end, there is very little weight difference between the two computers. In the end, they are both VERY light.

And as a side note - I think an iPad is heavy for what it is used for. Looking forward to the second generations to come out.

Get a life man, it's a compuer.

Only Apple fanbois.

haha yes. Agreed.

I think the 13" would defiantly future proof me more than the 1.6GHz of the 11" as in university i'll be doing Games Development which will require 3D graphics design and 3D game design too.

Back on topic, I think you are going the right direction. The next generation of 11" MBAs will definitely have a performance boost since the CPUs are at 1.4 and 1.6ghz. Steve Jobs tends to do that to early adopters - give us some low spec'd highly sought after products to entice us and then offer a REALLY great upgrade so people sell their originals for the update. Happened with the iphones, happened with the ipods, happened with the unibodies....and the MBAs will be no different I believe.

 

[snorkelman]

You can only feel the difference between the 11 and 13 if you are comparing them side by side. People who say the 11 is better because it is lighter and try to say that it makes a difference during daily travels etc...I really have no idea what is going on there. In the end, there is very little weight difference between the two computers. In the end, they are both VERY light.

my personal experience is otherwise - over the years I've had umpteen notebook that have tipped the scales at same sort of weight as the 13.3 - 1.3 to 1.5 kilos or within a few grammes of it.

I hand carry for hours on end and for all my 'this time I'll put it in a back pack' good intentions, those machines have all wound up the same way - sat on the shelf at home.

The only machines I've been happy to consistently hand carry every day have been those around the weight of the 11.6 i.e. 900 grammes to 1.1 kilo or thereabouts.

 

[bcaslis]

Yes I have travelled on business trips with my MBA. Believe me. IT'S NOT HEAVY haha. In fact, I travel every day with my MBA bringing it into work and carrying it in a bag ALL day during hospital rounds.

You can only feel the difference between the 11 and 13 if you are comparing them side by side. People who say the 11 is better because it is lighter and try to say that it makes a difference during daily travels etc...I really have no idea what is going on there. In the end, there is very little weight difference between the two computers. In the end, they are both VERY light.

...

Well, we are going to have to disagree. While I agree that both MBAs are light compared to a MBP, when traveling on a long trip the 11" is going to be much easier to carry.

 

[Dammit Cubs]

People are saying there isn't much of a difference between the 11 and the 13. That's just silly. Its completely different feel and the only way you know is you have to actually carry both for some time and i have done that. Compared to the 11, the 13 is a boat. The weight may not be that much more putting in your backpack leaves a larger footprint . And its not like you can bend the computer to contour to your back. I should know how a larger laptop feels on my back, i ride a motorcycle every day with my MBA in it for work.

The key thing with the mba is that its not your primary computer. And if it is, you should have an external monitor. The battery is nicer on the 13 but serious the power supply is ridiculously small compared to other computers and it fits easily in a small pocket of my backpack so whatever. Its not like you are walking with it to every class so the PSU is mute. That said, it will last you 6+ if you don't use wifi. Not to mention if you just close it or not use it for 10 minutes, power savings kicks in. The screen real estate is a lot of smaller I agree with others but the resolution is better than the current 13 mbp that maeans you have better working space. So its not really about real estate you should worry but rather the size of screen. I think you will be comfortable with the 13 but trust me 11 is irresistible and it's hard to choose between the two.

I Had both maxed out so i know and i simulated what I would go through for a day with both.

Also I took my friend to the store who keeps saying the same as others then i made him carry the 11 for 5 minutes as he would. Then i made him carry the 13 and he can completely feel the difference. Both are pancakes and imagine carrying a 3 foot pancake vs are 2foot pancake.

 

[lsteixeira]

Hi!

You need "more" portability than "performance"?
If you're stuck in the middle, go for the 13"!

In my opinion, the extra weight and size of the 13" is not that important.

Cheers.

 

[wirelessmacuser]

I've been looking at the MBA 11" and 13" for a while and have decided to get one. I'm constantly switching between getting the 11" and the 13" and just cant decide over which one to go for.

Excellent post! You've outlined your basic needs well, and the programs you will be using. I have each of the laptops you are considering and highly endorse the 13" MBP. While not the "latest and greatest" nonetheless we are talking usefulness and reliability. I am taking into consideration the fact it's well de-bugged and proven. It's a mature model which has great advantages. Also being an easily upgradeable laptop provides some very significant advantages. While I'm as guilty as the next at being an early adopter and one that appreciates Apples nice work, after spending time with both the 11 & 13 versions of the new MBA, I still highly endorse the 13" MBP for your usage and enjoyment.

Cheers...

 

[SamTheeGeek]

Go for the 13" macbook Air.

Why?

High Res LED backlit display

Solid State Drive

Core 2 Duo Processor (Worth an upgrade from what you currently got)

Pleasure carrying around with the light weight and mobility



Good Luck

 

[MacModMachine]

i was tossing around between the 11.6 / 1.4 ghz / 4gb or the 13" 1.86 / 4gb

after 4 days of deliberation i decided on the 13" and i am very glad i got it, the battery life is great and its very fast for all my stuff.

i tried the 1.6 11.6 and found it slow , i wanted the extra FSB and speed the 13" had.

ps. it is my main machine and i have no desktop.

 

[linkandzelda]

Thank you for all these posts. I think i have finally decided to go with the 13". Although there is still slight doubt in my mind, I think it will be decided once I see both models in real life and hold them and see their performance.

I guess my deciding factor was mainly the battery life. Its nice to not charge is as I dont always have a free plug as other students have laptops with sucky batteries. The weight difference is not so much of a problem for me as i was taking the dell back and forth which i think weighs around 3KG with the power adapter. Money between either the maxed out 11" and the 13" with 4GB RAM is like £20 or something so its not much of a difference. I believe that getting the 13" i get more for the money and in the long run will last longer.

Something else i was thinking of... The 11" has a 800MHz FSB but it has 1066MHz RAM. So technically due to the FSB it can only run that RAM at 800MHz? Not sure if its true but thats what I thought the FSB was for; processor talking to the RAM.

Even so, i saw mixed reports of HD vids on the 1.4 and 1.6 some say its flawless and others say its choppy. I'm sure that wont be an issue on the 13" and of course I can use it for gaming, which I'll make a benchmark thread for when i actually get it.

So thats most likely my decision. I'm hoping that something else wont come along that trows me off again like a major flaw or performance issues or something silly lol. So once again, thanks for your time.

Kris

 

[teerexx52]

Thank you for all these posts. I think i have finally decided to go with the 13". Although there is still slight doubt in my mind, I think it will be decided once I see both models in real life and hold them and see their performance.

I guess my deciding factor was mainly the battery life. Its nice to not charge is as I dont always have a free plug as other students have laptops with sucky batteries. The weight difference is not so much of a problem for me as i was taking the dell back and forth which i think weighs around 3KG with the power adapter. Money between either the maxed out 11" and the 13" with 4GB RAM is like £20 or something so its not much of a difference. I believe that getting the 13" i get more for the money and in the long run will last longer.

Something else i was thinking of... The 11" has a 800MHz FSB but it has 1066MHz RAM. So technically due to the FSB it can only run that RAM at 800MHz? Not sure if its true but thats what I thought the FSB was for; processor talking to the RAM.

Even so, i saw mixed reports of HD vids on the 1.4 and 1.6 some say its flawless and others say its choppy. I'm sure that wont be an issue on the 13" and of course I can use it for gaming, which I'll make a benchmark thread for when i actually get it.

So thats most likely my decision. I'm hoping that something else wont come along that trows me off again like a major flaw or performance issues or something silly lol. So once again, thanks for your time.

Kris

I have been back and forth on this issue of 11 vs 13 for two weeks. Have used both of them. Right now I have the 11 with a few days I can return it. The 11 has done everything for me. I've played videos, used Aperture, crunched some video, played trailers and more. The only thing that has held me back on the 11 is that its my only computer coming down from a 15" MacBook pro. Been trying hard to get use to the smaller screen. Battery life has been good for normal use with 5+ hours. Wonderful machine and so portable. Gotta make up my mind on the screen though

 

[double329]

As much as I like the MBA 11", I decided to go with the 13". I came from 17". Yes, 11" has that wow and cool factor. For me that alone won't cut it. I spend long hours on my MBA. I want good enough display real estate to work with and not having to scroll up and down a lot. Extra horse power is always good thing to have when you need one. If you need the MBA just to place your iPad or as secondary system than 11" is good fit. I made a move to replace my iPad and allow my primary with good horse power to collect dust for the moment. So far no regret with 13". Good luck.

 

[treynolds]

As much as I like the MBA 11", I decided to go with the 13". I came from 17".

I'll second that. My 13" MBA is replacing my 4 year-old HP 17", with teh same resolution.

No regrets so far, great machine and worth the extra 0.6 lbs/10 oz.

Tony

 

[darngooddesign]

...Only Apple fanbois.

Don't complete sentences.

 

[halledise]

Do you want the bigger screen or don't you?

I couldn't live with the 11.6" as my every day machine.

Personally, I think that the 11.6" is for chicks. Fits great in their purses and it's so cute.

(Flameproof suit on)

baahahahahaha - classic