....... and it doesn't bother you when someone starts a thread: "No offense, but....."???
I still prefer my 11 because I have a powerful desktop and the 11 is SMALLER than my wife's 13.
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No offense, but 11 inch has too many compromises.
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....... and it doesn't bother you when someone starts a thread: "No offense, but....."???
I still prefer my 11 because I have a powerful desktop and the 11 is SMALLER than my wife's 13.
Times really change pricing, except for netbooks. 2 years ago, Apple would have charged on the high side of a figure below 3000 for the $999 model. It would also have a much slower video card. So were talking about an 11 inch model that easily trumps the early MBA for many tasks and costs nearly 1/3rd the cost. For apple, it's pretty aggressive pricing. And while there is still a bit of a premium cost, that extra premium has gone way down.
You typically pay for small form, but oddly enough were talking about a monster of an ultra-portable here. I never thought these things were ever built to handle some of the software we see videos running. It's typically not their important nature. It's done anyway, which does help to future-proof the activities these things are really built for.
You typically pay for small form, but oddly enough were talking about a monster of an ultra-portable here. I never thought these things were ever built to handle some of the software we see videos running. It's typically not their important nature. It's done anyway, which does help to future-proof the activities these things are really built for.
Macbook Air
The coolest thing about the 11" is its size and I know Apple knew this when they decided to even come out with it in there lineup. They knew it would only attract a certain buyer who doesn't care too much about a downgraded processor, less memory and no SD card slot. I think its bad ass looking little laptop myself and I know form experience that the hardware 5 star quality. My only real disappointment was that it came with a 1.4ghz Core 2 duo when for $999 I think it should have been 2ghz with an option for of 2.26ghz Core 2 Duo for an extra charge. It would have been nice to see the 13" models have the 2.26 Core 2 standard and upgradable to 2.4ghz Core 2 but that was just wishful thinking. I wanted to buy one too but I guess I'll just wait until the next line up of Macbook Airs are released.
The coolest thing about the 11" is its size and I know Apple knew this when they decided to even come out with it in there lineup. They knew it would only attract a certain buyer who doesn't care too much about a downgraded processor, less memory and no SD card slot. I think its bad ass looking little laptop myself and I know form experience that the hardware 5 star quality. My only real disappointment was that it came with a 1.4ghz Core 2 duo when for $999 I think it should have been 2ghz with an option for of 2.26ghz Core 2 Duo for an extra charge. It would have been nice to see the 13" models have the 2.26 Core 2 standard and upgradable to 2.4ghz Core 2 but that was just wishful thinking. I wanted to buy one too but I guess I'll just wait until the next line up of Macbook Airs are released.
Tradeoff to get good battery life from a tiny battery. Will still be underpowered next year to maximize battery life.
First, Hackintoshes make my eyes glaze over. If you want to want to resort fo nerdy kludges to make a PC run OS X for you, best of luck. I went the other way. On my new 13 inch Ultimate MBA I run Windows 7 in VMware Fusion's Unity mode with a couple of Windows apps open on the OS X desktop all the time. Simultaneously I have at least 6 OS X apps open and running. The necessity of doing a reboot every time I change from running a Windows app to running an OS X app is of no interest to me.
Your claim that "the new 13" [MBA] models are still the same pretty ["pretty much the same?"] as the previous models except for a slightly better graphics processor," to put it gracefully, is not supported by the facts. In addition to better graphics the new 13 inch MBA (1) can have 4GB of RAM, not just 2GB, which the old MBA was limited to; (2) 256GB of flash storage are available on the new MBA but the old one was limited to a 128GB SSD; (3) the new 13 inch MBA is dramatically faster than the old one. The executive summary to all of this is that it costs a little more to go first class. Think about it.
+ Better battery life
+ Higher res screen
+ Multitouch trackpad
+ Second USB port and SD card slot
+ Thinner
+ Runs cooler
+ More affordable
If all you care about is the CPU, then it's exactly the same as previous gen. New MBA is totally different from the old, in a good way of course.
Walmart-brick aka the Dell that was mentioned isn't comparable to MBA at all. MBA is a high-end ultraportable, not a budget PC
Indeed, there is no comparison between the new 13 inch MBA and the old one. It seems to me that the OP's inherent stinginess and desire to justify his cheapo, kludgy Dell Hackintosh has colored his judgment about the new MBA.
....... and it doesn't bother you when someone starts a thread: "No offense, but....."???
That overloads my irritation-receptors so completely, that I just sort of ignore it. I think of it as my built-in internet coping mechanism. I'm very proud of it =)
You meant to say "11 has too many compromises for me" right?
If not, you shouldn't be speaking for everyone else
I LOVE my 11" ... use it more than my 13"
If not, you shouldn't be speaking for everyone else
I LOVE my 11" ... use it more than my 13"
These are excellent points. People always want to compare to the latest and greatest. But compare the 11" MBA to the original Intel MBP (only a few years ago). It's way way smaller, faster, and doesn't melt a hole in your lap no matter how you use it.
I don't remember people screaming then that the MBP was "under powered" or a "netbook" or "too many compromises".
I've got to say the most complaints I've seen about the 11" have been on this forum from those who don't own one.
Last thought, Macworld gave the new 13" 4 stars in it's review and the 11" 4.5 stars.
As I explained in my first post to this thread, the primary reason I got a 13 inch Ultimate MBA instead of the 11 inch model was that there was no way I could make 128GB of storage satisfy my needs. Nevertheless, I deeply admire the 11 inch and if I had had a choice between the $999 entry level MBA and an iPad when I bought my iPad, I would have gladly spent the extra money and bought the MBA instead of the iPad.These are excellent points. People always want to compare to the latest and greatest. But compare the 11" MBA to the original Intel MBP (only a few years ago). It's way way smaller, faster, and doesn't melt a hole in your lap no matter how you use it.
I don't remember people screaming then that the MBP was "under powered" or a "netbook" or "too many compromises".
I've got to say the most complaints I've seen about the 11" have been on this forum from those who don't own one.
Last thought, Macworld gave the new 13" 4 stars in it's review and the 11" 4.5 stars.
I have no issues with someone who doesn't own one either for valid reasons or even because they just don't care. I mainly have issues with those who dismiss it for everyone simply because they don't want it or those who simply dismiss it for everyone based on specs without bothering to understand what it can do.
I will confess that one of the reasons I like it are out of nostalgia. I've been using Macs since 1986. It really harkens back to the day of laptops before things got out of hand and laptops "had" to be as powerful as desktops. It reminds me alot of my long departed and loved PowerBook Duo (without the dock).
Interesting discussion. It's kind of nice to be able to have choices like this, actually.
However, other than the "cool" factor, I think the 13" model is clearly the better product and here's why:
The 13" has:
-Faster processor
-Faster Bus (and memory)
-Bigger screen is better on the eyes (unless you use an external monitor)
-The overall performance of the 13" is actually considered better than the current Macbook Pro 13", when you factor in the Flash memory
-SD Card reader
-Has enough resolution to nearly equal the Macbook Pro 15"
-Can be configured as your "main" or work computer (external disc drive might be required)
-Only $100 difference between the 128GB 11" and 13" models.
-MUCH LONGER BATTERY LIFE (Most important!)
-Much less redundancy with the iPad (which will be getting multi-tasking), than the 11" does.
The 11" model is certainly impressive when you consider your getting a fairly potent MacBook in such a small form-factor. However, the 13" model is clearly superior. In terms of size, if I swapped-out your 11" with the 13" from your backpack, I doubt any of you would even notice.
However, the real kicker here is battery life. The additional battery time on the 13" model is a VERY big deal and is probably the most prevalent reason people choose the 13 over the 11.
While both are impressive achievements, I still believe most people choose the 11 either because it is very cool or they wanted an "iPad with Flash" equivalent.
However, other than the "cool" factor, I think the 13" model is clearly the better product and here's why:
The 13" has:
-Faster processor
-Faster Bus (and memory)
-Bigger screen is better on the eyes (unless you use an external monitor)
-The overall performance of the 13" is actually considered better than the current Macbook Pro 13", when you factor in the Flash memory
-SD Card reader
-Has enough resolution to nearly equal the Macbook Pro 15"
-Can be configured as your "main" or work computer (external disc drive might be required)
-Only $100 difference between the 128GB 11" and 13" models.
-MUCH LONGER BATTERY LIFE (Most important!)
-Much less redundancy with the iPad (which will be getting multi-tasking), than the 11" does.
The 11" model is certainly impressive when you consider your getting a fairly potent MacBook in such a small form-factor. However, the 13" model is clearly superior. In terms of size, if I swapped-out your 11" with the 13" from your backpack, I doubt any of you would even notice.
However, the real kicker here is battery life. The additional battery time on the 13" model is a VERY big deal and is probably the most prevalent reason people choose the 13 over the 11.
While both are impressive achievements, I still believe most people choose the 11 either because it is very cool or they wanted an "iPad with Flash" equivalent.
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Depends on what you want. If you want the most compact Mac the 11" Air is the obvious choice. It is kind of hard to argue with that.
1. There are SD reader for less than £3 in a small format
2. It is, but it depends what is your use for.
3. Memory is the same, unless you talk for storage, then there are other means there too.
4. Thinness is the same, the format is smaller.
Remember what the purpose of the machine is, and the purpose of the user.
We all don't have the same needs.
For lot of people $300 may make a difference.
No, most people choose it because it's so small and portable. What's so hard to get about this? The 13" and 11" are not enough close in size except for thickness.
We're only talking about 1 inch wider and deeper, but I accept your POV.
What does interest me is, according to your signature, you have an iPad and an 11" MBA. Can you tell me why you want both of these or if you plan on getting rid of the iPad? It just seems the experience on both would be close for most simple tasks, such as browsing, email etc.
Have you compared the two in a store? The difference is way more apparent than the dimensions say. Just like comparing the 17" and 15" MBP.
The iPad and MBA are really for two different tasks. The iPad is a great reader and has some really great apps. For example checking the weather with apps on it are way better then the weather websites. The MBA is a great little Mac. Overall I think email is better on the MBA. For websites, it's a mix. The iPad is great for news websites like NYT. But the MBA is much easier to use on forums like this. I don't have flash loaded on the MBA so there's no difference between the two for me.
I think I'd notice the irksome back pack I was having to humph around to carry the 13" whereas the 11" I hand carry all day..
For me there is no point whatsoever in my buying the 13" It adds weight and size (and neccessitates carrying that backpack) for absolutely no appreciable gain when it comes to the things I'm using the 11 for.
The Ipad is irrelevant to me flash or not. Last I looked it cant boot into windows to run required apps, cant run a terminal application to program embedded controllers over an RS232 bus, doesnt have ethernet connectivity for same, or provide access to a fully fledged desktop browser.
to me it seems like you're making assumptions about what folks are actually using the 11 machine for.
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But, 300 dollars difference is not just for screen and those features you mentioned.
MBA 11 inch ultimate can go pretty close to how much 13 inch costs.
1) I have no need for one
2) I don't care about clock speed
3) It's enough for my usage.
I chose to buy the 11" for use on the many cross country flights I take.
I chose to buy a BTO 4GB 13" to replace my first gen MBA.
Apple did not design either of these to please everyone.
To make the 11" netbook model as portable and featured as my 13" you'd have to lug around the power supply and an external HD. And it would still be slower.
And I hand-carry my 13" MBA nestled inside a Padfolio right now. I carried the 11" netbook model inside of there for two days this week while trying it out before making it a hand-me-down to my assistant. Other than finding it out of juice halfway through the workday and a PITA to use while editing Powerpoint slides, it didn't feel any different to me. But then I seldom think anyone would notice the half-pound difference unless they were a bit of a couch potato. Honestly....you'd be hard pressed to hand-carry just that little netbook around all day. You'd need a bag for the power supply at least, unless you've got a pocket to shove it into. You don't need the power supply for a long 10-11 hour workday of normal use with the 13" MBA.
The 11" isn't any more portable once you try to make them, well, Apples to Apples.
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you might have to I dont
the available battery meets my days worth of work requirements with no need for me to carry a PSU. At most I'll have a notebook powered up for four or five hours during the day the remainder of the time Im carrying them around the sites Im visiting.
The storage space meets my requirements with 30 gig to spare, larger drive is just more spare space.
Likewise I average 25 to 35 percent CPU loading on its daily tasks, all the higher spec processors would offer is more idle time
Wether you consider both to be the same for hand carry, I dont. My response was based on what I know works for me and what Ive long found doesn't.
1 Kilo notebooks I've always been happy to hand carry all day
Heavier notebooks I find myself sticking in a backpack after a few days, then getting fed up with the hassle of lugging that around. Pretty soon after that I start leaving em sitting at home (relying on whatever the sites I'm visiting have got to offer instead).
Past experience tells me that for me personally the 13 MBA would go the same way.
As for Apples to Apples you might as well dig out a 17"MBP I'm sure by time you factored in an external monitor and a portable hard disk the 13" would start to get a bit bulky in comparison. And it would still be slower.
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