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Macbook air 11.6 or 13.3?
- Thread starter karkid
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I'm a little torn. I definitely like the 11.6 and 64GB storage. I'd like the 2.13GHz processor and higher resolution though. I know it's not designed for it, but I would want to play left 4 dead 2 or run logic express occasionally. On the other hand, $999 is the sweet spot for me, any more and it just starts to seem silly IMO. I'll probably go with the base model.
Jobs was right the first time when he said that anything less than 13" really wasn't ideal. I agree.
Those little screens are a hassle for a number of reasons.
FWIW, the 11" keyboard doesn't extend to the edge, so that will also be a little tight.
13"
Those little screens are a hassle for a number of reasons.
FWIW, the 11" keyboard doesn't extend to the edge, so that will also be a little tight.
13"
if you want light and truly "air" get the 11.6" MBA. I ordered one myself, I find it will be a great portable computer that is ultra small and light.
A MBP 13 is better to get than the MBA 13, sure it weights a little more, but it is just better, battery, specs, etc. So the point is you want ultralight and mac os x? get the 11 MBA.
A MBP 13 is better to get than the MBA 13, sure it weights a little more, but it is just better, battery, specs, etc. So the point is you want ultralight and mac os x? get the 11 MBA.
If you going to get 13 inch, then might as well as go for macbook pro.
MBA 11.6 makes a lot of sense and I am surprised that it has very high resolution. 1366X768. That's really higher than others. Most of 14 and 15 inch laptops come with 1366X768. I expect 11.6 to be really sharp. However, I will wait for next year to get one.
MBA 11.6 makes a lot of sense and I am surprised that it has very high resolution. 1366X768. That's really higher than others. Most of 14 and 15 inch laptops come with 1366X768. I expect 11.6 to be really sharp. However, I will wait for next year to get one.
I've got the 13" of the previous gen, 2.13ghz means its fast enough to use as a main machine - I occasionally hook it up to a 23" monitor and its great to use. Portability is excellent too, however if you aren't bothered about doing that and portablity for general use (no cpu intesive apps) then the 11" is more likely the one to go for. I also have an iPad and I feel the size of the iPad (similar to the 11" air) means I'm much more likely to put it in my bag to take places than the 13" air. 
I ordered a 13" with 2.13GHz, 256GB, and 4GB RAM. Pretty much exactly what I was hoping for. With the bigger storage and RAM, I can comfortably run Fusion and Windows 7 for a couple of things.
I'd have been tempted by the smaller one, but the processor speed scared me off. I have a couple-of-year-old Sony TX with a 1.3GHz (I think) processor, and I find it sluggish (even with Windows 7). I'm sure the little Air will be much better though. Apple wouldn't let such a slug out the door as Sony would.
I also ordered an iLife '11 Family Pack to update a few other MacBooks around the house. I still have a 13" MBP and a 15" MBP, and my wife has a 15". We also have Office 2011 on order! (My last MBA, a Rev A, is now in the hands of my nephew.)
So I have something to look forward to next week Apple-wise. The next great leap will be when iOS 4.2 hits for my iPad. It needs it badly.
Enjoy your new MBAs, all!
I'd have been tempted by the smaller one, but the processor speed scared me off. I have a couple-of-year-old Sony TX with a 1.3GHz (I think) processor, and I find it sluggish (even with Windows 7). I'm sure the little Air will be much better though. Apple wouldn't let such a slug out the door as Sony would.
I also ordered an iLife '11 Family Pack to update a few other MacBooks around the house. I still have a 13" MBP and a 15" MBP, and my wife has a 15". We also have Office 2011 on order! (My last MBA, a Rev A, is now in the hands of my nephew.)
So I have something to look forward to next week Apple-wise. The next great leap will be when iOS 4.2 hits for my iPad. It needs it badly.
Enjoy your new MBAs, all!
There is a BIG difference in the portability of the 13" MacBook Pro and the 13" MacBook Air (old one). So, for those saying that you might as well get the Pro, I have to disagree. The 13" MacBook Air still has a lot of appeal even when compared ot the more powerful MBP. Having used a 10" Dell mini for a year, I think 11" is about as small as I would want to go with a laptop. I was torn between the 11" and 13", but I thought about what I would be using it for and since it will be my day to day machine I decided on the 13" with 4 GB RAM and 128 GB Storage. If I was buying it for less frequent use, such as on vacations, then I would get the 11"
I'm having trouble deciding as well, does anyone have experience working with a 11" screen?
I like the smaller form factor and don't need the SD slot, at the same time the screen might be a little too small.
I like the smaller form factor and don't need the SD slot, at the same time the screen might be a little too small.
I second the comment re big difference between 13" MBP and MBA. The 13" MBP, while a nice machine, is seriously a chore to lug around. It gets heavy carting it around airports, planes, taxis, etc.
Getting one of these Airs for sure. Cut the weight in half, huge difference.
11" seems really small if you have to do any kind of document or word processing work. Really small.
Getting one of these Airs for sure. Cut the weight in half, huge difference.
11" seems really small if you have to do any kind of document or word processing work. Really small.
Having owned both the 13" MBP and the Air at the same time, I can say I agree with this. It's only 1.5 lb difference, but it feels like a different category of "lugging". The weight of the Air almost disappears into my backpack or briefcase, whereas the MBP feels like a brick.
Interestingly, I notice the same sort of difference when using the iPad with a rubbery skin on it; even though the extra weight should be trivial, the extra heft in the hand feels significant.
Unit-of-currency value? Definitely go with a MBP. But if you want something that doesn't feel like you're "lugging a laptop", go for the Air -- even the 13".
I've ordered the 13.3, I have had both 10" and 11.6" netbooks before, and found them just that bit too small. I think 13.3" is the sweetspot for me, but I am really glad that they offered both sizes, so hopefully everyone's happy.
The 11.6" is like a CULV. It's comparable to the Lenovo X100e, a 11.6" Thinkpad. They both have weaker processors, but still more capable than the Intel Atoms commonly found in netbooks. The 13.3" is probably more suited for work, but it isn't quite comparable to Lenovo's 12.1" X201 with regular voltage i5 and i7 processors.
In the same boat. I have a Mid 2009 MBP and for college it is just way too big to bring around campus. I have a feeling that either the 11 or 13 will be a big improvement in terms of weight over the MBP but I have to decide which works best for me. I think the best option is to go to the Apple Store this Friday and play with both of them. I had a HP Mini with a 10 inch screen and felt that it was too small for everyday use. In terms of specs I would go for the 4GB ram upgrade but besides that I feel that I would be fine with either 64 or 128GB in HD space. Just have to justify paying a premium for a 11 inch laptop that has a slower processor, smaller hard disk, smaller screen, less battery life and no sd slot...
I just realized that my old Dell mini 10v had a 10.1" screen with a somewhat low screen resolution (1024x600). I really could not use that screen on a day to day basis, but the 11.6" screen at 1366 by 768 screen on the MBA could be OK. I am not canceling my 13" because I like having the SD card slot (I listen to podcasts on a Creative Zen player that uses SD cards). I can't wait to see these in person at an Apple store.
I like the idea of a the 11 incher. Its small and so cute
But the 13 has:
1. the extra 256GB space option
2. extra CPU speed option
3. & SD card reader
The 13" may prove more useable with that extra screen real estate
But on the fence till I fondle each for myself at the store
But the 13 has:
1. the extra 256GB space option
2. extra CPU speed option
3. & SD card reader
The 13" may prove more useable with that extra screen real estate
But on the fence till I fondle each for myself at the store
Comes down to personal pref. I think. I had a 10" netbook and hated the size. Too small. But 11.3 might be big enough. I haven't seen one in person, so hard to judge b/c the resolution on the MBA is a ton better than a netbook. So in effect a 11.3 screen might "feel" like a 13" win netbook, and I'd be OK with that. That said, I think the 13" on my MBP is perfect. My 15" feels too big now and I hate taking it anywhere.
I'd try before I'd buy with the new size though. Don't consider anyone's opinion until you do. It's not our money you are spending.
I'd try before I'd buy with the new size though. Don't consider anyone's opinion until you do. It's not our money you are spending.
Yes, I also think 11.6" model is slightly too small long hours of work. I can imagine since its slightly bigger than my iPad.
Thus I ordered a 13" with 2.13GHz, 256GB, and 4GB RAM - but it will arrive 29/10-2/11...*sigh*