Steve was right- 11.6 too small

[Bokes]

Checked out the 11inch in NYC Apple store today.
I was excited and always thought a smaller version of the Air would be the perfect mobile laptop. It turns out my current 13inch is the perfect size.

The 11 was a cool novelty to behold- but i can never imagine actually banging out any real work on it.

 

[mac jones]

Checked out the 11inch in NYC Apple store today.
I was excited and always thought a smaller version of the Air would be the perfect mobile laptop. It turns out my current 13inch is the perfect size.

The 11 was a cool novelty to behold- but i can never imagine actually banging out any real work on it.

I used one of those Sony Z's for a year.

Now THAT was small

But I've got this 11" Air sitting right here and looking at it...

Netbook......definitely

 

[SamTheeGeek]

i totaly agree !

its just too small, that is what i keep telling everyone.

13" is the way to go, i never saw or tried the MBA , im still waiting for it, but i did try out the MBP 13" and i think the size is the perfect mobile computer solution or i can just go with my ipad 10" for more mobility.

 

[S.B.G]

I haven't seen the new MBA yet (in person), but will probably go to my Apple store tomorrow and get some hands on with it. But I like my 15" MBP and I think the 13" MBA would be the perfect "ultra-mobile" size to do some work on. As a few of you have experienced with the 11" MBA, it appears that you're confirming my thoughts on the size and usability of it.

Has anyone purchased the new MBA (either size)? What is the heat factor you're experiencing with it? Does it get hot, warm or do you not notice it at all?

 

[darrellishere]

I cant believe Im moaning about the 11" already, but the screen is just too small! The bezel should all be screen by now. Come on we are not in the last century. Screens should go to the edge of the lid LOL Even if they cost more so you can pack a 15" screen in a 13" body! Mr Ives!!!!!!!!!!!!

The new 13 inch should be the new 15" form factor. That was my first impression at the apple store today.

If the 11" had a bigger screen their would be no netbook comparison.

Luckily the dreaded lines are gone! But where are the ISP Displays? Still the same old crappy viewing angles! Just passable display.Crappy TFT

 

[ditosou]

hummmm

regarding MBA 11" people keep saying "too small" or "good size" etc. etc. etc.

Such reasoning is nonsense...It depends for what you intend to use your MBA and it also depends on the fact of having an alternative computer (and on its characteristics).... so it can be "to small" or "just perfect"... it depends...

 

[bouncer1]

Checked out the 11inch in NYC Apple store today.
I was excited and always thought a smaller version of the Air would be the perfect mobile laptop. It turns out my current 13inch is the perfect size.

The 11 was a cool novelty to behold- but i can never imagine actually banging out any real work on it.

That's very interesting, I was waiting for such a post, can you tell us a bit more? Did you use an older 4/3 aspect 12" screen from apple before? Is the 16:9 aspect ratio and the lack of vertical real estate holding you back, is the resolution tiring because of the small fonts? And how is the new higher res of the 13" airs in terms of size of fonts, because your old air has a lower res, and it might be better after all. Did you think writing on the small one (journalism, essays, spreadsheets, research writing etc.) and browsing would be too small to do?

Lots of questions lol, but I really do want to make my order tomorrow (uk) and I have to make up my mind by then. I can't really wait to see them in person at the stores, I guess I am too excited with the new airs to wait for that.

 

[MyRumors]

for you saying that its to small and 13" is the way to go.
remember that it has approx the same amount of pixels that the old 13" does.

 

[Ann P]

regarding MBA 11" people keep saying "too small" or "good size" etc. etc. etc.

Such reasoning is nonsense...It depends for what you intend to use your MBA and it also depends on the fact of having an alternative computer (and on its characteristics).... so it can be "to small" or "just perfect"... it depends...

This! I'm actually considering selling my 2010 13" MBP for the maxed specs 11" Air. It's probably a huge downgrade to many but this is just what I've been waiting for. As a college student, traveling light is a HUGE plus. All I really do is load music onto my iPhone, web browse, type notes in class and edit a few photos every now and then. What do you guys think? Should I take the plunge?

 

[bouncer1]

i totaly agree !

its just too small, that is what i keep telling everyone.

13" is the way to go, i never saw or tried the MBA , im still waiting for it, but i did try out the MBP 13" and i think the size is the perfect mobile computer solution or i can just go with my ipad 10" for more mobility.

I agree essentially, for me too, as others have said the ideal would be 13 inches on the small one, will get there in time I guess. But it does shave off a lot of space the small one, and weight. Now why would you need that you ask? Well I am kinda of accustomed to my powerbook g4 12" and I feel rather, how should I put it, well, it feels idiotic to have to go to a considerable larger size with the 13", despite the thin-ness (because the footprint is really important to me - the way the laptop fits on my lap, on my legs when sitting cross legged, when I am reclining back on the sofa and putting it on my thighs, etc.) I feel rather annoyed that I would have to go to a larger footprint just to get a similar sized screen which is actually smaller where it matter, ie. the vertical dimension....

That's why I said I d pull the trigger on any of the new mba's by tomorrow otherwise If I keep mulling over how great form the pbook had I am never going to "divorce" it, lol.

Damn the industry going to 16:10 (and now 16:9, awful on a laptop), damn windows, if I didn't like os x so much I d just pick up a 4:3 lenovo. But going back to windows? Over my dead body. And linux? Ugggg....

 

[bouncer1]

This! I'm actually considering selling my 2010 13" MBP for the maxed specs 11" Air. It's probably a huge downgrade to many but this is just what I've been waiting for. As a college student, traveling light is a HUGE plus. All I really do is load music onto my iPhone, web browse, type notes in class and edit a few photos every now and then. What do you guys think? Should I take the plunge?

Sounds good to me, but let's see what the others are saying here in terms of the screen size and resolution. Sure it's small but if you are going to be breaking your eyes over it just to get to write a page in pages, is it worth it, the mobility? Just get the 13" air you ll feel the difference from the the mbp for sure.

 

[bouncer1]

for you saying that its to small and 13" is the way to go.
remember that it has approx the same amount of pixels that the old 13" does.

I see, thanks a lot for that, so you are saying it's like looking at a miniaturization of the old 13"? which means probably the most of the font will be close to half size...hmmm you can still make the fonts in a word processor larger but then there's not much screen real estate... I am even beginning to consider an old air refurb now....

thanks a lot for the feedback, appreciate it.

 

[potatis]

-

 

[bouncer1]

-

nah, it's not that big!

 

[ravensfan55]

I have a 15" MBP, and while the weight doesn't bother me when I carry it in my backpack, it tends to be a pain when I don't have a desk to sit it on. It likes to slide off my thighs. I am really considering buying an 11" MBA just for the portability, I was going to get a netbook but now that they have an even smaller MBA, I may get it.

 

[Hecklerdanny]

I think this post is generalizing the 11.6" to everyone's needs, while it really comes down to YOUR OWN needs for the machine. I got the 11.6" because I spend a TON of time traveling with a backpack that carries my iPad, a Nikon D700 with tons of lenses, phone, chargers, and will now carry my 11.6" Macbook air. I used to carry around a 13" White Macbook with me but you can't imagine the weight difference once it's in the bag.

I'm a photographer who shoots everything, everywhere, and I do a photography blog where I need the ability to load, crop, resize and upload images from literally ANYWHERE for posting to the blog - this is what's going to make the 11.6" size the perfect machine for me. All of the control of Mac OS X, in something the size of an iPad.

 

[macbook123]

Even though Jobs may not be in favor of the smaller screen size, somebody at Apple must have realized that many users would be. I'm all for Apple offering more variety. That said I would love to see a 15.4" MBA, but think this won't happen until they drop optical drives from the MBP's, which I'm guessing will happen Jan 2012.

 

[Bokes]

I think this post is generalizing the 11.6" to everyone's needs,

That's fair. To be more specific- I use my 13 inch to write scripts and to handle the business side of the business (proposals, invoices, taxes forms, etc.) I sometimes use it to play a movie if I am traveling. And of course it's fantastic for on the lap web surf.
All my video and photoshop work is done at the Macpro.

It wasn't difficult to read the fonts. It was sharp, although it didn't strike me as much sharper than my current 13inch (they were not side by side)
The main issue for me- Apple cut off the top. You lose a lot of vertical real estate. I found myself constantly scrolling to reveal more of the page.
I still wanted one- but knew I would have major buyers remorse dealing with my first word document.

This might not be a big deal to some. it was to me.

 

[Shanpdx]

more of fight between high end iPad vs 11" MBA

that what i see;

$800 iPad does not make sense any more, may be $500 iPad is great value...

Sales figures will tell next quarter

1) Desktop - iMac/Mac Pro
2) Powerful Laptop - Macbook/Macbook Pro
3) MBA
4) iPad
5) iPhone/Ipod touch

man apple taking all our money ...

 

[Flyer0815]

Different screwdrivers for different sized screws!

As the owner of a 27 inch iMac, a 15" MBP and now the new 11.6 Air, each tool has its specific job. The 27 I use at home is great for reviewing research articles and writing, while the 15" MBP is my all around use portable machine that I use at the office for everyday work computing and email. My new 11.6 Air is the tool I have been waiting for for airplanes / airports, travel, meetings and coffee shops.

It's certainly not for everyone, but neither is the 12 core Mac Pro.

 

[bouncer1]

Thanks op, the vertical real estate was my main concern too, I wouldn't want to be doing some constant scrolling either. It's just gone 20-80% small and large one respectively, which I am going to buy tomorrow.

Good point about buyers regret too. I guess the wisest thing to do is max out the 13" and go for it. There's still some lingering doubt about the form factor of the small one which I love and I 've got used too via the powerbook, but it's just a minor qualm, no major doubt.

 

[hahaland]

Did some quick math. The real estate of 16:9 11.6 screen is about 80% of a 4:3 12.1 screen...

That's very interesting, I was waiting for such a post, can you tell us a bit more? Did you use an older 4/3 aspect 12" screen from apple before? Is the 16:9 aspect ratio and the lack of vertical real estate holding you back, is the resolution tiring because of the small fonts? And how is the new higher res of the 13" airs in terms of size of fonts, because your old air has a lower res, and it might be better after all. Did you think writing on the small one (journalism, essays, spreadsheets, research writing etc.) and browsing would be too small to do?

Lots of questions lol, but I really do want to make my order tomorrow (uk) and I have to make up my mind by then. I can't really wait to see them in person at the stores, I guess I am too excited with the new airs to wait for that.

 

[ImperialX]

Sales figures will tell next quarter

1) Desktop - iMac/Mac Pro
2) Powerful Laptop - Macbook/Macbook Pro
3) MBA
4) iPad
5) iPhone/Ipod touch

man apple taking all our money ...

You do not need an iMac if you have a good MacBook Pro. You do not need an iPad if you have a MacBook Air.

 

[edoras]

I have a 15-inch MBP and its getting heavy lugging it around.
Just ordered a 13-inch MBA and it will cut the weight into half! That would be help me a lot.

 

[Bluehinder]

Looks like a netbook to me despite jobs.