I, too, am considering a 2.13Ghz 13 inch MBA with 4Gb of RAM and a 256Gb flash drive. Also like you I want to be able to run some Windows 7 apps under Fusion in Unity mode. Please let us know how that works out for you. Currently I am running such a setup on a Santa Rosa MBP. My current setup is great but it has 6Gb of RAM. I will be anxious to hear what you think about the adequacy of of 4Gb for running Windows apps via Fusion in Unity mode in tandem with OS X apps.
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Macbook air 11.6 or 13.3?
- Thread starter karkid
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After playing with both models in store, my conclusion is.
11.6'' - a secondary computer for those constantly on the move. I would advise against buying a 11.6'' if it will be your main computer.
13'' - (esp. max'd out) - a more suitable primary computer that can do most tasks better than a 11.6 while still retaining its portability.
11.6'' - a secondary computer for those constantly on the move. I would advise against buying a 11.6'' if it will be your main computer.
13'' - (esp. max'd out) - a more suitable primary computer that can do most tasks better than a 11.6 while still retaining its portability.
I almost decided to go to a full spec 11.6" (I know that is expensive but I will pay for that)... I need a real portable (1 Kg perfect) and a really small machine (hotel room safes) my only fear is about battery lifetime.... 5 hours, do you think that this is a real number?
The early reviews of the 11" that I've read indicate the battery life stated by Apple is pretty accurate for normal use (web browsing, iTunes, etc.). However, one reviewer constantly streamed flash videos on Hulu and claimed the battery died off in a little under three hours.
For portability, it seems to me that the 13 inch MBA is a significantly better choice than the 13 inch MBP. The 13 inch MBA is wafer thin and weighs only 2.9 pounds, while the 13 inch MBP is much thicker and at 4.5 pounds weighs 50%+ more than the MBA. Also the 13 inch MBP with a 256Gb solid state drive costs $1,999, which is $100 more than a fully loaded 13 inch MBA. That would make the 13 inch MBA a pretty easy choice for me.
The 11" is a tad small, but I wanted something to travel with the iPad (which i use for ebooks).
If I wasn't lugging the Pad I would have gotten the 13"
But my travel is mostly by car.
For very frequent air travel I would consider giving the 11" a try.
but then again, the 13" is pretty svelte.
If push came to shove I'd just use the iPad. Love the thing.
Tough decisions.
If I wasn't lugging the Pad I would have gotten the 13"
But my travel is mostly by car.
For very frequent air travel I would consider giving the 11" a try.
but then again, the 13" is pretty svelte.
If push came to shove I'd just use the iPad. Love the thing.
Tough decisions.
I've gone for the fully maxed out 13.3 . I have a RevB MBA which is an absolutely brilliant computer but the lure of the new form factor, better screen, extra RAM and SD card slot are too much for me to resist. I will likely keep my RevB and use it as a casual laptop for kitchen use!
Like many others, I was also tempted by the 11.6 but I think the 13.3 is more suitable for my needs. Although I think the small size of the 11.6 would be handy for traveling, I think I would get frustrated with it for everyday use. Each to their own, though...
Like many others, I was also tempted by the 11.6 but I think the 13.3 is more suitable for my needs. Although I think the small size of the 11.6 would be handy for traveling, I think I would get frustrated with it for everyday use. Each to their own, though...
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.
Well, I got to see the 11.6" at the Pasadena Apple store during my lunch hour today. The new MBAs are not on display but an employee was walking around with one and I saw two customers buying them. I was smitten. I bought a 64GB 11". I still have a 13" on order for myself, but the 11 is going to my sister. I think the screen is just the right size. I had apprehensions about anything smaller than a 13" screen bec. of my past experience with a Dell mini 10v. Completely different experience than the 10v. Very livable and enjoyable to use. OK, the palm rest feels a little short, but for those with smaller hands I think this will not be an issue. I keep asking myself if I could justify owning both a 11" and 13", sadly I cannot find a reason.
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It depends on your use. The 13.3" makes a goo primary laptop and the 11.6" is more like a secondary ultraportable.
It depends on your use. The 13.3" makes a goo primary laptop and the 11.6" is more like a secondary ultraportable.
Well, I got to see the 11.6" at the Pasadena Apple store during my lunch hour today. The new MBAs are not on display but an employee was walking around with one and I saw two customers buying them. I was smitten. I bought a 64GB 11". I still have a 13" on order for myself, but the 11 is going to my sister. I think the screen is just the right size. I had apprehensions about anything smaller than a 13" screen bec. of my past experience with a Dell mini 10v. Completely different experience than the 10v. Very livable and enjoyable to use. OK, the palm rest feels a little short, but for those with smaller hands I think this will not be an issue. I keep asking myself if I could justify owning both a 11" and 13", sadly I cannot find a reason.
This is very helpful I have the 13 MB and the Dell mini that you have. When ever I think about the 11.6 I think itll be small just like the Dell is. But a lot of people on here have been saying it isnt a netbook. I still want to see one in person though before I purchase one. Mine would be the base model for lugging around and travel as I am still going to keep my MB but need to get rid of my Dell (too many issues with it). I was going to replace my MB until I found out on the forum about the new MBA. Because I wasnt sure about the MBP or MBA. But the MBP isnt much lighter than my MB I have now. Thanks though this is helpful for me as well!!
Looking at the difference between 11" and 13" MBA I can see the appeal. However, what about the difference between looking at the MBA 11" and an iPad? How would you rate the screens for these two devices?
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MBA has the better display, hands down. No competition here.
MBA has the better display, hands down. No competition here.
Had the iPad and returned it. Got the 11.6" this morning. Realized I NEED a real keyboard and OS. The Air will be my main cpu now.
You mean to say "desktop-class OS". iOS is without doubt a "real OS" and it's quite a sophisticated one too.
I still think 11.6" is too small for the main computer though. Do you have an external monitor?
Using an 11-incher as a main computer is a bad idea. I'm shocked by how much my productivity has increased moving from 13 inches to 23 inches. Definitely get an external monitor.
Another question, with the 64GB model, out of the box with iLife, OS X and whatever else comes with it, how much free hard drive memory is left?
I guess there are some people to whom that would not apply, but most people would be better off using the 11 incher as a secondary. More screen size means more productivity, speed, etc.
iOS is great for mobile but unfortunately, it still requires a cpu to transfer data/reboot/update. The MBA can be without an iPad but not vice versa.
My favorite laptop was the 12" powerbook (many other fans here as well) so the 11.6" fits the bill.
this. exactly. the 11" is just so damn cute and i want one. but i know the 13" would be the better replacement for my current white macbook and a good companion for my 27" imac.
You can kind of get an idea by just looking at your current computer.
I have a iLife, iWork, and the entire Office 08 installed... Plus my Downloads folder is 8gb large (movies, etc).
I only have 30gb used on my MBP with all of this stuff. They shrunk Snow Leopard down a lot which helps too.
Thats why I just opted for the 64gb version. I'll leave out a few things like iWork. And obviously I don't really need movies on the 11" computer when I have a 15" sitting here.
It's just not worth the extra $200.
upgrade ssd on 11.6
Is it possible to have someone upgrade the SSD on the 11.6 inch MBA? The 4GB of RAM is adequate for my needs. The speed is no big deal for me. Two ports is OK. To use it as my primary computer I need a 256 SSD, but love the size and weight of the 11.6. Can it be done tecnologically? Would it end the warranty? Who could do it?
Is it possible to have someone upgrade the SSD on the 11.6 inch MBA? The 4GB of RAM is adequate for my needs. The speed is no big deal for me. Two ports is OK. To use it as my primary computer I need a 256 SSD, but love the size and weight of the 11.6. Can it be done tecnologically? Would it end the warranty? Who could do it?
We've been through this road before. If your computer can only do Internet, Facebook, Instant message and word processing apps using the Intel ATOM processor, then its a netbook. It's designed to be an a Ultra in-expensive way to get by on computing. Your p4 is faster than a netbook. It's the ultra ultra bare minimum. The MBA is not the bare minimum.
The macbook is not an in-expensive way and maybe reviews proven that it's actually highly capable with a very decent GPU card for gaming. It's not a netbook. Just because the stupid laptop is 11' doesn't make it a netbook. There are other computers that run faster processers and are even smaller than this (screen size wise) but they are ridiculously expensive, why don't you can those netbooks too?
It's like you guys don't know what netbooks means. You hear it every day. netbook. netbook. netbook. Soon, you will be calling your iphone a netbook. netbook. netbook. netbook.
I hate that name. such a dumb fad.