No offense, but 11 inch has too many compromises.

[gwsat]

I struggled long and hard before finally deciding to get the 13 inch Ultimate MBA instead of the 11 inch Ultimate model. The only factors that caused me to favor the 13 inch Ultimate were (1) my admittedly demanding needs meant that I couldn't get by with only 128GB of storage, even for a little while, and (2) I wanted to be able to use the MBA I bought all day every day and was afraid that my aging eyeballs wouldn't be able to accommodate to an 11 inch screen if I used it heavily.

For somebody who plans to use another computer a fair amount of the time, though, I think the 11 inch Ultimate would be the perfect choice. I doubt if there are many, if any, scenarios that would be too demanding for the 11 inch Ultimate to handle well. Also, the 11 inch MBA is on average less than .5 of an inch thick, and is less than .1 of an inch wider than the iPad, for heaven's sake! It is nevertheless a powerful OS X computer. I am only sorry that my needs eliminated it from consideration. If I didn't already have an iPad I would love to have an 11 inch entry model MBA to do the things my iPad does.

 

[Truffy]

3. Less memory

What? Both start at 2GB standard and can be upgraded to 4GB max.

4. It's not any thinner than 13 inch.

But it has a smaller footprint and is lighter.

Really, if you were going to criticise the 11" at least pick realistic issues, like the smaller screen text, smaller function keys, smaller trackpad, shorter battery life.

Sheesh

 

[magbarn]

Its lower but also ULV which means a lot less hear generation. I seldom peg my CPU so I don't find it an issue but it would definitely impact some folks.

The 13 also uses a ULV CPU. It definitely runs a lot cooler than my 13 MPB ever did.

 

[snorkelman]

the 11" does what I need a portable secondary computer to do, and delivers it at the maximum weight that I've already found myself willing to carry on a daily basis.

the 13" on the other hand doesn't add anything I need, weighs more than I would willingly carry and costs more

Sure it might have greater performance than the 11 but for me its academic - my hack has i7, 8GB Ram, 3 or 4 TB of storage space at last count etc so neither of them is going to supplant it as my primary machine no matter what their 'ultimate' spec might offer.

 

[TPadden]

Just depends on whether you want a notebook or a laptop.

My wife got the 13 Notebook because she uses it mostly at a desk. I got the 11 because I already have a desktop and a notebook. The 11 laptop is great for sitting in front of a TV etc. when working from a lap, the 13 notebook.... not so great.

 

[Stealthipad]

I looked at the 11 and it is just too small! The 15" is too big and the new 13" MBA is just right. All solid state, very little heat. I like it.

 

[i7QuadCoreMania]

1. no SD card slot
2. A lot slower processor
3. Less memory
4. It's not any thinner than 13 inch.

I felt the same way, besides I wanted to get away from the Netbook power and screen. 11" buyers will tell you otherwise.

besides, I'm getting a Galaxy Tab to use in place of a netbook so no reason to get an 11".

 

[potentpotable]

I use the 11.6" Ultimate as my primary computer - I do school work, web browsing, and gaming (albeit Source games, not the most demanding) on it. It's in use 15-20 hours on a daily basis.

In fact, because it's so ridiculously thin and light, I've taken it to far more places than with my old "ultraportable" VAIO (weighing double), so I've actually gotten a lot more use out of my notebook.

The upgraded memory is good enough for me; I don't have anything but school work and music on my SSD, and my machine rarely lags. It's pretty freakin' fast.

DVI port? Photoshop? Aperture? Optical drive? SD slot? These things are all foreign to me. The 11.6" MacBook Air is more than perfect for my needs.

 

[LS1]

The size is the #1 factor for me. Looking at the 13 and 11 side by side in the store doesn't give a true feel for the portability of the 11. Yes, its not any thinner, but it is so much smaller. You need to use both around the house, on trips , or anywhere random. There are so many times where you could/would use the 11 that you wouldn't use the 13. The 13 is thin, but it's not any smaller than other 13 inch laptops when open.

And to the people saying the 11 is too slow: why are you even looking at an ultraportable if you want power?

 

[foiden]

# 1 Size
# 2 Weight

^ The difference in weight between the 11 and the 13 is actually more significant than I first thought, too. You can feel a 2.9. But when it's closer to 2.3, it's like paper in comparison. I weighed them in my hands, and the 11" is way more like what I want the air to feel like. If I didn't pick them up, myself, I wouldn't have believed the significance.

# 3 The power of a laptop (in some ways, a gaming one from or two years ago) in a netbook size. Which basically says, your productivity will be quick like the wind and if you need to light game, to spend the time. You have something that can probably light game for 3+ years, easily. Since light games are getting more hardware demanding, but at a very far cry from the full retail ones. (No pun intended for accidentally mentioning a game with the Cry engine)

But alas, there's lots of great reasons for jumping to the 13 inch. It might be a better fit in your Apple hardware. If I had an iMac instead of a Macbook Pro 13", I might still decide for the MBA 13. But when I'm in the boat of saying the MBP 13 is too big for some of my trips, that's an indicator for what size I'm looking for. That tells me I kind of want something that is basically the iPad size, but running the laptop software. My iPad is for the size and for particularly *not* running laptop software. (And because my iPad fits on a music stand as I use it as a music reader professionally, where I can swipe to turn pages)

 

[gwsat]

The 13 also uses a ULV CPU. It definitely runs a lot cooler than my 13 MPB ever did.

I have seen the same phenomenon. One of the first things I noticed about my 13 inch Ultimate MBA after I got it last month is that its internal temperatures are consistently and dramatically lower than those of my Santa Rosa MBP. The MBP usually gets so hot with sustained use, I routinely place a coffee table book on my lap to insulate my thighs from the considerable heat the MBP generates. Today, I have been using my MBA full time since early this morning and its hottest component, the CPU, is registering a cool 44°C. Better yet, the bottom of the MBA's case is barely warmer than room temperature.

 

[nizmoz]

1. who cares? i can bring a cable to connect to my camera. Plus when shooting real pictures I use a real SLR which uses CF cards

3. Less memory in 11 ultimate? i thought it's 4GB.. how much in the 13? 4 right?

4. it's not thinner, but size is 3 dimensional.. there's width, length, and depth.
yes, it's the same depth.. but significantlly smaller width/length

only 2 makes sense. it's slower processor.. but unless you use processor intensive programs (and don't have a mac pro on your desk), who cares?

LOL you crack me up. Many NEW REAL SLRs use SD cards now as well.

 

[snorkelman]

I wouldn't even consider it particularly underpowered/underspecced for real world tasks, given most of the computers we still find deployed out there in the real world.

Widescreen displays and higher than 1280x1024 are still the exception to the rule in a lot of businesses where the PCs are just part of the general office equipment (9 times out of ten if I find myself in front of one Im at the receptionists desk or in the managers office)

As a result most software still treats 1024x768 as lowest common denominator leaving me at no disadvantage running it on 1366x768 res air

Same goes for performance

E.g. I deal with access control systems and, after getting Windows XP installed on the air the other day, I loaded it up with the database and events log from one of the sites we maintain

19 site access control system so 19 remote embedded server modules, 120 door controllers with approx 200 doors and their card readers all sending info back to the server 24/7. At peak times it logs 5 to 10,000 events per hour.

No appreciable slowdown running it on the Air even when doing complex queries on the event log databases (set at around 1.5 gig in size) I'd have no qualms about hooking up the Air to act as a temporary server for half a day or so if I ever had to swap out/repair that sites main server.

That makes the 11" ideal as a day to day carry for me.

 

[linuxcooldude]

Why would I need a 13" air when I already have a 15" MacBook Pro? I want small size and portability. It was an easy choice for me.

 

[Jiten]

People tend to underestimate the 11.6 air.

 

[gb1631]

I'm VERY happy with my Maxed out MBA 11". I wanted a small sized full computer that runs the latest Mac OS and Applications, etc. to use for travel, etc. This one fill's the bill!

 

[MikePA]

I am trying to understand why people would choose 11 inch model versus 13 inch.

It's intuitively obvious. The size.

Also the thread title is your opinion, not a statement of fact.

 

[hcho3]

No offense, but you probably still wouldn't understand even if we explained our reasoning for buying the 11" as you don't know what you are talking about. What is actually considered the 11" ultimate costs $1399 and not $1199 first of all. Second of all as others have stated the 11" has a smaller form factor and fits into much smaller places, such as up your a$$.

Just joking about that last one, but not everybody needs an SD slot or faster processor and you can upgrade the memory on either model. For a secondary computer, the 11" model will suite most peoples needs nicely. As for me, I have both and I prefer the lighter weight and smaller form factor of the 11" machine.

Do we really need a 11" vs 13" thread on this forum? Obviously not but regardless we've got a new one today in this thread as I'm sure that's what this entire thread will turn into if it has not already, and so the OP should rename the subject to the 11" vs 13" Discussion for Friday, November 19th. You could also rename the subject "same $h1t different day".

There is nothing on this reply that isn't offensive. Thanks a lot.
Report.

 

[neteng101]

It's intuitively obvious. The size.

Size being length x width... the 13" looks huge compared to the 11".

But the 13" is better otherwise.

 

[ReallyBigFeet]

When they were both first introduced, I took a USB key with me to the Apple store and pulled up PDF versions of my cost spreadsheet, my main sales template in PowerPoint and my main contract document. Once I saw how squashed everything looked on the 11" netbook model, it was an easy choice. Once I realized that the 11" had about half the battery capacity and half the storage option, the rest was a no-brainer.

I had already ordered the 13" MBA at that point and then later ordered the 11" model a week or so later. After hanging out with it for a week, I'm thankful I bought it to give to my assistant. She's a very small lady and the petite nature of the machine will suit her well. But for me....no thanks. Its just too many compromises. Awesome premium netbook, however....best in class.

 

[dmelgar]

When they were both first introduced, I took a USB key with me to the Apple store and pulled up PDF versions of my cost spreadsheet, my main sales template in PowerPoint and my main contract document. Once I saw how squashed everything looked on the 11" netbook model, it was an easy choice. Once I realized that the 11" had about half the battery capacity and half the storage option, the rest was a no-brainer.

Half the battery capacity? 5 vs 7 isnt half. I've gotten as much as 9 hours from the 11".
Half the storage? Flash will drop in prices. Of all upgrades, its best to wait before maxing out flash. Next year it will likely be half the price or double capacity.
Smaller size isn't just for 'petite' little ladies. Small is the whole point of getting an Air. Otherwise get a 17" MBP. Still luggable, I mean portable. I guess real men use a 17".

 

[bowlerman625]

Who really cares? Was this thread REALLY needed??

 

[bcaslis]

One more reason for the 11". It's the cutest Mac ever!

Sorry, couldn't help it.

One other comment, for those who think the screen is "squished" that is because of the 16x9 format. Get used to it. Most PC notebooks are like this and all the Apple desktops are like this. I'd be willing to bet the 16x10 format used on Apple laptops is going to slowly disappear as the models start getting updated.

 

[63dot]

Just saying, I am just curious. I am not trying to say people who bought 11 inches are wrong or anything. I am trying to see their ideas.

I liked the price but I thought in person the 11" inch version would look to small, but I was pleasantly surprised to see it as a viable machine.

It's fairly snappy and not a dog like something running an Intel Atom.

My fear is that the MBA 11" inch display would be too small to read on while cruising the internet as on some 10" inch or less netbooks. For some it may be hard to see the text but you have to try it out for a good long time to make that determination. If you are used to a 30" inch display, then the 11" inch MBA will look too small.

 

[MacManTexas56]

my wife and i both have the 11inch model. we are both very mobile as we don't use a desk or an office. i have never been a fan of sitting down at a desk to do work so ever since laptops have been out we have never had a desktop setup. i hate sitting to do work at home since i do it for 8 hours all day at work . we tried an iMac for awhile, but that didn't work bc we like being out in the livingroom, kitchen, bedrooms, and outside on the patio etc.

i have always been a fan of netbooks so glad apple finally came out with one near the same size. 13inch is just too big for us. which i know it's funny bc air's are so small but the 11inch is perfect.

we have our airport extreme, external hard drive, printer, and external dvd burner all setup in our media room to use wirelessly except for external dvd burner so the 11inch happens to be the best fit for us.

IMO the new air's are the best machines apple has come out with!