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Macbook air 11.6 or 13.3?
- Thread starter karkid
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i tried the 11 and the 13 inch versions at the Natick Collection store. And this was before they tethered the 11 incher security wise. While I have always enjoyed the minaturization of electronics, I found that, for me, the 11 incher was simply a toy, or a joke. Just too small for me to use comfortably and usefully.
I was and remain very concerned about the 11's lack of height versus width, especially for web page scrolling. And, since the majority of my use is on my lap in my HT, the 13 incher fits absolutely perfectly. No, my lap is not oversized.
And, so far the 2 GB stock version works fine for normal non-power user everyday use.
I was and remain very concerned about the 11's lack of height versus width, especially for web page scrolling. And, since the majority of my use is on my lap in my HT, the 13 incher fits absolutely perfectly. No, my lap is not oversized.
And, so far the 2 GB stock version works fine for normal non-power user everyday use.
No it wouldn't, you'd have to cause damage to the machine to void the warranty. Upgrading the ssd drive should be possible, but not easy. Mainly as sourcing the ssd will be hard as they are bespoke to the air.
I wish they did the 11.6 with the 1.83ghz chip as I'd buy one in a heartbeat. It could replace my mac mini and iPad with one device. All hooked upto my ACD 24in would be ace.
i had 13 MBA and wanted the 11" it showed up yesterday and I am surprised how large it is, perfect in every way.
To say the 11 inch is a joke is a bit much. I'm coming from a 13" MBP and saw the 11" in person tonight at the store unattached to cables. Mac guy was carrying it around.
It's a gem to hold and use. Its the perfect portable for me. The screen was gorgeous!
It's a gem to hold and use. Its the perfect portable for me. The screen was gorgeous!
to each his or her own - I am not trying to be insulting, but the price for the faster processor and 128GB storage in the 11 inch unit is a bit too high when compared to the stock 13 incher. But it certainly does appear that more 11 inchers are going to go out the door than the 13 inch unit. Way of the world today. Thinner and smaller is more desirable.
I don't much care how thin a laptop is. Form factor is key. I'm just as likely to get a 13" MBA's screen snapped in half by a seat reclining in front of me then a 13" MB/MBP. Both will take up the same amount of table top real estate.
The release of the 11" MBA means I actually have a tangible reason to consider the MBA now.
The release of the 11" MBA means I actually have a tangible reason to consider the MBA now.
bought the 13"
Qualifying first with a description of my needs: A secondary backup computer for use while travelling to meetings, other laboratories, or vacations. My primary 15" laptop may also need the occasional repair or frankly get stolen from my apartment in Panama making the 13" Air a viable alternative. Keep in mind I do have a 24" ACD as well, and really appreciate the enhanced productivity afforded by the extra space. Even a 15" seems small to work on with the five or six programs I regularly cycle through (word, excel, powerpoint, papers, 2 statistics programs, graphing program, aperture). I think 2.4 Ghz (in my MBP) is more than I need and am not the least bit concerned with 1.86 in the new Air I ordered (did get 4 GB though).
I couldn't justify the same price for less computer and battery life either. Having a 15" I was scared to try and step down all the way to 11.6" for my portable computing needs and as a viable backup computer.
Well, since 2.9 * 2 = 5.8lbs, the 13" Air is a little less than 50% of the 15" MBP weight actually. Add onto that that I need to bring an extra battery along with my original unibody MBP to get near 7 hours combined, and were talking a 60% decline in the computer weight I need to bring with me places.
Height seems really important to me as well. Also, I see the appel of such awesome miniaturization in the 11.6 and think it attractive. But the reality is for me that this needs to be a viable alternative for work - not just for me to check my email on.
Qualifying first with a description of my needs: A secondary backup computer for use while travelling to meetings, other laboratories, or vacations. My primary 15" laptop may also need the occasional repair or frankly get stolen from my apartment in Panama making the 13" Air a viable alternative. Keep in mind I do have a 24" ACD as well, and really appreciate the enhanced productivity afforded by the extra space. Even a 15" seems small to work on with the five or six programs I regularly cycle through (word, excel, powerpoint, papers, 2 statistics programs, graphing program, aperture). I think 2.4 Ghz (in my MBP) is more than I need and am not the least bit concerned with 1.86 in the new Air I ordered (did get 4 GB though).
I couldn't justify the same price for less computer and battery life either. Having a 15" I was scared to try and step down all the way to 11.6" for my portable computing needs and as a viable backup computer.
Well, since 2.9 * 2 = 5.8lbs, the 13" Air is a little less than 50% of the 15" MBP weight actually. Add onto that that I need to bring an extra battery along with my original unibody MBP to get near 7 hours combined, and were talking a 60% decline in the computer weight I need to bring with me places.
i tried the 11 and the 13 inch versions at the Natick Collection store. And this was before they tethered the 11 incher security wise. While I have always enjoyed the minaturization of electronics, I found that, for me, the 11 incher was simply a toy, or a joke. Just too small for me to use comfortably and usefully.
I was and remain very concerned about the 11's lack of height versus width, especially for web page scrolling. And, since the majority of my use is on my lap in my HT, the 13 incher fits absolutely perfectly. No, my lap is not oversized.
And, so far the 2 GB stock version works fine for normal non-power user everyday use.
Height seems really important to me as well. Also, I see the appel of such awesome miniaturization in the 11.6 and think it attractive. But the reality is for me that this needs to be a viable alternative for work - not just for me to check my email on.
I'm sure 1 isn't categorically better than the other.
I've had the 13.3" Macbook aluminum unibody (before it went 'pro') and the X-31 Thinkpad which came with a 12" screen.
I agree with others that the 13.3" Air is certainly lighter to carry around than the 13.3" Pro. For those valuing portability over desktop replacement, the 13.3" seems like a good choice. For power users who need the processor speed and extra storage, it seems better to go with the 13.3" rather than pay to spec the 11" model up.
I don't need a lot of power or storage. I primarily use my laptop for word processing and don't want to carry tons of photos, movies, or music. I'm trying to simplify my life and I don't always want to be surrounded by entertainment and noise, so I'm not likely to need a lot of storage or to do things that will severely tax the processor. For me, the 11" is great. The footprint is considerably smaller which makes it easier to remove and store and to use on smaller surfaces alongside books, etc. It's even lighter. I was initially concerned about screen space. On the X-series, I often had to scroll up and down a lot which did become frustrating. But the 11" has a much higher resolution screen which means that a lot more text fits on the screen at one time. It's sharp and easy on the eyes.
Desktop replacement - Macbook Pro
Mixed use - Macbook Air 13"
High emphasis of portability - Macbook Air 11"
I've had the 11" for a day now and it was the right choice for me.
I've had the 13.3" Macbook aluminum unibody (before it went 'pro') and the X-31 Thinkpad which came with a 12" screen.
I agree with others that the 13.3" Air is certainly lighter to carry around than the 13.3" Pro. For those valuing portability over desktop replacement, the 13.3" seems like a good choice. For power users who need the processor speed and extra storage, it seems better to go with the 13.3" rather than pay to spec the 11" model up.
I don't need a lot of power or storage. I primarily use my laptop for word processing and don't want to carry tons of photos, movies, or music. I'm trying to simplify my life and I don't always want to be surrounded by entertainment and noise, so I'm not likely to need a lot of storage or to do things that will severely tax the processor. For me, the 11" is great. The footprint is considerably smaller which makes it easier to remove and store and to use on smaller surfaces alongside books, etc. It's even lighter. I was initially concerned about screen space. On the X-series, I often had to scroll up and down a lot which did become frustrating. But the 11" has a much higher resolution screen which means that a lot more text fits on the screen at one time. It's sharp and easy on the eyes.
Desktop replacement - Macbook Pro
Mixed use - Macbook Air 13"
High emphasis of portability - Macbook Air 11"
I've had the 11" for a day now and it was the right choice for me.
I don't find your comment offensive but I do wonder why people think that options that don't suit them are therefore not credible. It's fine to disagree. It strikes me as narrow-minded to conclude that one's preferences are the only ones that are reasonable. Let's keep things civil.
I looked at both last night. For me, the 11" is cute but the screen size on the 13" along with the 7 hours battery life are the key. I had the original MBA and my main three criticisms (aside from not handling video adequately) were that I needed more pixels on screen, more storage, and I hated the pop out connector for USB. If only they sold a 4GB configuration in the store I would have gotten one last night. Now I need to think about it.
Apple stores might be carrying the 4GB RAM models...I think it depends on how many people walk in and ask for one...Apple has carried some popular BTO optioned computers in the Apple stores when demand warranted it. My 4GB 13" shipped yesterday, should have it Thursday.
You do realize his comments were directed at his own feelings and opinions regarding an inanimate object, right?
It amazes me how easily Apple fans tend to over-personalize things.
Agreed
This is exactly where I was, and I wound up going with the 13.3 maxed out. Yes, it's my travel machine, but I want the ability to push it a little more if I want. I also have an ASUS netbook and although it's 10.1, it is a little crunched for me on a 7 - 10 day trip.
This is exactly where I was, and I wound up going with the 13.3 maxed out. Yes, it's my travel machine, but I want the ability to push it a little more if I want. I also have an ASUS netbook and although it's 10.1, it is a little crunched for me on a 7 - 10 day trip.
It's hard to not take it too personally if someone refers to the $1000+ you just spent on something as a "toy" or worse a "joke" - regardless of the personal disclaimers, it's still an aggressive statement. Reminds me of all the similar trolling regarding the iPad. (You see what i did there? I could have used a different word like 'comments' but by using the word 'trolling' I'm almost asking for a conflict.)
I'm sorry, but really?
I travel anywhere from 50 - 100K a year and I have yet to see a screen snapped or damaged from someone reclining their seat. Have you? And I use a 15" MBP on all sorts of planes.
I travel anywhere from 50 - 100K a year and I have yet to see a screen snapped or damaged from someone reclining their seat. Have you? And I use a 15" MBP on all sorts of planes.
AGREED. 100%
So many folks here are 'spec watchers'. They've got their heads buried in the spec sheet when what they really should do is - use a 13 Macbook Pro for 15 minutes, then switch over and use the 11inch Macbook Air for 15 minutes. As long you forget what the spec sheet tells you, you will probably feel like the MBA not only seems faster, but that it is such a tight and gorgeous system that you'll never want to put it down.
You can have your extra 300mhz and your big clunky laptop with the 3x slower hard drive. I will let go of my new 11" MBA when you pry it from my cold dead hands.
FWIW, my mid-2009 MBP is slow compared to the MBA I used for 3 minutes yesterday at the store
The point is the footprint is the same. I've had a first-gen MB damaged when the person in front of me reclined back. It caught the top edge of the screen and flexed the lid...distorting the screen and screwing up the bezel.
Those flip down trays are SMALL and I much prefer using my netbook on them (too cramped with a 13.3" laptop and I was never able to even use my old 15.4" MBP on them).
The 11.6" MBA finally gives me a realistic ultra-portable Apple option.