Swapping from 11" Ultimate to 13" Ultimate

[Moccasin]

Ok so I decided to buy a 11" Ultimate from the Apple Store on Friday. Its my first Mac ever and am liking it so far but am thinking I might go for the 13" after all. Screen seems a little too small on this.

I went into the local Apple Store and bought One to One with it too as, having bought the thing, I want to ensure I use it properly. The thing is that if I do swap it. I'll probably go for a refurb 13" Ultimate model. If I do that will I lose my One to One? Can it be transferred if I take it back to the shop yet buy a refurb online?

The further complication is that I am likely to be going abroad in less than a week and will be away from home later this week. That makes it very tight if I want to get a refurb model delivered.

Is it worth just keeping this for now and getting used to it, just swapping for a brand new 13" Ultimate in the store or trying to find some way to get a refurb before I go away? The cost penalty (assuming One to One is transferrable) would be £350 for the new one and about £120 for the refurb.

I know this is a personal choice that I have to make, but have others regretted not swapping the 11" for the 13" when they had the choice? Or do you get used to the small screen? My other thought is using this until the refresh happens and selling then if Im still not happy.

Usage is mainly email and internet, minor editing of RAW photos and travelling. The option to use for a specialist Windows program I use at work is also an aspiration.

Thoughts much appreciated - even if I'm told to shut up and enjoy this machine...

 

[zub3qin]

Ok so I decided to buy a 11" Ultimate from the Apple Store on Friday. Its my first Mac ever and am liking it so far but am thinking I might go for the 13" after all. Screen seems a little too small on this.

I went into the local Apple Store and bought One to One with it too as, having bought the thing, I want to ensure I use it properly. The thing is that if I do swap it. I'll probably go for a refurb 13" Ultimate model. If I do that will I lose my One to One? Can it be transferred if I take it back to the shop yet buy a refurb online?

The further complication is that I am likely to be going abroad in less than a week and will be away from home later this week. That makes it very tight if I want to get a refurb model delivered.

Is it worth just keeping this for now and getting used to it, just swapping for a brand new 13" Ultimate in the store or trying to find some way to get a refurb before I go away? The cost penalty (assuming One to One is transferrable) would be £350 for the new one and about £120 for the refurb.

I know this is a personal choice that I have to make, but have others regretted not swapping the 11" for the 13" when they had the choice? Or do you get used to the small screen? My other thought is using this until the refresh happens and selling then if Im still not happy.

Usage is mainly email and internet, minor editing of RAW photos and travelling. The option to use for a specialist Windows program I use at work is also an aspiration.

Thoughts much appreciated - even if I'm told to shut up and enjoy this machine...

Don't know how it works in UK but I ordered my MBA 13 ultimate refurb online this Monday night and it was delivered on Wednesday.

I think the 11" is too small and underpowered. Get the ultimate 13.

 

[KPOM]

I don't think One to One is available with refurbished Macs.

I actually switched from the 13" Ultimate to the 11" Ultimate. Going back to 1366x768 takes a little getting used to (1440x900 is really nice on the 13"), but I like the 11" form factor.

 

[darrellishere]

I wish I could change from the 11" to the 13"!!!! You lose too much for the form factor

 

[Moccasin]

I don't think One to One is available with refurbished Macs.

Hmm seems you're right. Can't get it online. That's a bit of a spanner in the works! Bad planning on my part.

Will get used to this then, still a great machine.

 

[Ridley]

Thought i'd weigh in some suggestions since you mentioned you were a new mac user that might save you the trouble. I noticed in the stores the default setting on the 11 inch MBA had really big file icons and dock which made the small screen feel a little claustrophobic. I'd try reducing the dock size and magnification, decreasing the file icon size, and learn how to hide stuff and use expose well. Command H to hide, command option H to hide everything but what you are using, and command option d to hide and unhide the dock.

Personally, I've been using a MBP since 2006 and have it hooked up to a triple monitor array 90% of the time. I use a triplehead2go, you can google it, but in a nutshell its got a DVI (or VGA) in, that you plug your computer into. Then you plug all three monitors also into the triplehead2go. Your computer recognizes it as one massively wide screen and will output that res (provided your GPU can do that), then the triplehead2go just divides up the signal and sends it to the appropriate screen. Anyway I designed my desk for the array and use my MBP screen as a secondary display. It looks super futuristic, and would be especially cool to drive such a cool rig from a tiny 11 inch MBA!!

Alternatively you could pick up a cheap external display for at home when you wanted more screen real estate. If you do it right it'd probably be less $$ than the 1.4 inch upgrade to the 13 MBA http://www.google.com/products/cata...=X&ei=k3GiTb-7NMHV0QG56p2kDw&ved=0CHcQ8wIwBA#

 

[BENJMNS]

i've been a 13 ultimate user since theday it came out. i just picked up an 11 mba this past week thinking i'd give the 13 ultimate to my dad so he can mess around with a decent laptop.

i thought i'd miss the real estate, but honestly i don't. speed. feels just as quick for my needs. nice job apple.

 

[Moccasin]

Wirelessly posted (Mozilla/5.0 (iPhone; U; CPU iPhone OS 4_3_1 like Mac OS X; en-us) AppleWebKit/533.17.9 (KHTML, like Gecko) Version/5.0.2 Mobile/8G4 Safari/6533.18.5)

Thanks all. Will keep my 11" for now and use your suggestions and advice for when I need to see more. I do have a monitor at home but it's not very good.

 

[kazmac]

same here KPOM

never mind... too little sleep... glad the OP is happy with their MBA 11" Ultimate

 

[Dgail]

Refurbed Macs

I don't think One to One is available with refurbished Macs.

I actually switched from the 13" Ultimate to the 11" Ultimate. Going back to 1366x768 takes a little getting used to (1440x900 is really nice on the 13"), but I like the 11" form factor.

Both One to One and AppleCare are available for refurbed units purchased from Apple.

 

[eg2007]

Ok so I decided to buy a 11" Ultimate from the Apple Store on Friday. Its my first Mac ever and am liking it so far but am thinking I might go for the 13" after all. Screen seems a little too small on this.

I went into the local Apple Store and bought One to One with it too as, having bought the thing, I want to ensure I use it properly. The thing is that if I do swap it. I'll probably go for a refurb 13" Ultimate model. If I do that will I lose my One to One? Can it be transferred if I take it back to the shop yet buy a refurb online?

The further complication is that I am likely to be going abroad in less than a week and will be away from home later this week. That makes it very tight if I want to get a refurb model delivered.

Is it worth just keeping this for now and getting used to it, just swapping for a brand new 13" Ultimate in the store or trying to find some way to get a refurb before I go away? The cost penalty (assuming One to One is transferrable) would be £350 for the new one and about £120 for the refurb.

I know this is a personal choice that I have to make, but have others regretted not swapping the 11" for the 13" when they had the choice? Or do you get used to the small screen? My other thought is using this until the refresh happens and selling then if Im still not happy.

Usage is mainly email and internet, minor editing of RAW photos and travelling. The option to use for a specialist Windows program I use at work is also an aspiration.

Thoughts much appreciated - even if I'm told to shut up and enjoy this machine...

This is exactly what I did. Sold my 11 and got the 13 Ultimate. Much happier now Faster and more hard drive space, yet still super light.

 

[alecgold]

I started out with a MBA13 as I came from a 13"MBP and use this new machine as my main computer. The MBP is still at home for some heavy lifting work when I need it but it's surprising how little I need it. So I can really understand you wanting to upgrade, but what you didn't tell is your use for the 11. if it is about traveling, you cant beat the 11, but if it is about sitting in lots of offices, doing work as in writing, excel, emailing, surfing, the 13 is great.

 

[mac jones]

Ha!

You will miss the 11.

Trust me.

The grass is ALWAYS greener on neighbors daughter....or something like that....

 

[Moccasin]

Both One to One and AppleCare are available for refurbed units purchased from Apple.

Are you sure? When I looked into this the other day, the website clearly states One to One is only available with new products.

Back to my dilemma though - I do love the size of the machine (even more so now that I have moved the dock and stick it on auto-hide. As someone says in another thread, it fits in hotel safes very easily.
I still have some niggling doubts though.

The uses so far are:
- basic processing/editing of RAW photos - this is a slight concern .. seems a little slow to scroll through pics
- uploading photos
- web surfing etc
- updating website (Joomla)

Other uses..
- possibility of using Windows in Bootcamp or parallels to run Office 2010 if required - don't use it enough to justify buying 2011
- possibility to use bootcamp for a specialist piece of work software to complement my Lenovo X200. It would be better with a 2GHz processor and can be hungry for disk space. This is less of an issue as I may not be in the job much longer
-iOS programming if I can think of a good idea for an app

Basically I have until Thursday to decide - I bought it on Friday 8th. If I can get One to One on a refurb then all well and good, if not then I have to decide whether to order a new machine online (probably the 13" 1.86/128/4) or buy the 13" Ultimate in store. The alternative is to go in store and see whether they can transfer One to One anyway.

I'll probably have regrets whatever I choose..

 

[Moccasin]

Ha

Now see that my MBA has the newer/faster Samsung drive, so that adds another complication to my decision.

just need to win the National Lottery now so that I can buy both and compare!

 

[sarends]

Ordered MBA 11 ultimate. gorgeous machine. Ordered MBA 13 ultimate. Gorgeous machine. I decided 13 was best for me:

1) the screen is a lot easier for my eyes to read. I am on my computer 4 or 5 hrs a day

2) battery life of 13 is noticeably better

I offered my wife the 11 (she has MBP 15 now). She tried the 11 and decided she would take the 11 over her MBP 15 because of form factor convenience. however, she tried my MBA 13 and likes it even better. We are (sadly - it is so cute!) returning the 11 for another MBA 13 for my wife.

Perhaps if we were a little younger with better eyes one of us wd have kept the 11.

Thanks

 

[BENJMNS]

Ha

Now see that my MBA has the newer/faster Samsung drive, so that adds another complication to my decision.

just need to win the National Lottery now so that I can buy both and compare!

it's just a different supplier dude. samsung or toshiba, there's NEGLIGIBLE difference if any.

i bought a brand spanking new 11 utlimate a couple of weeks ago from a new shipment a high-volume local store received. it had the toshiba unit.

i ended up returning the 11 ultimate and kept my 13 ultimate. my experience having both for a bit... they're more alike than they are similar. it'll seriously come down to your personal preferences for the larger screen or better mobility.

but again, marginal. apple did a stellar job, but if budget is tight, def go with the 11 since a maxed out 13 costs $2k new out the door.

 

[Scott6666]

I love my 11". With the lower TDP cpu it stays silent almost all the time.

Got used to screen. Has same pixels density as a lot of other machines so you are not really missing anything.

Weight is fantastic!

 

[entatlrg]

around the block and back again...

Ordered MBA 11 ultimate. gorgeous machine. Ordered MBA 13 ultimate. Gorgeous machine. I decided 13 was best for me:

1) the screen is a lot easier for my eyes to read. I am on my computer 4 or 5 hrs a day

2) battery life of 13 is noticeably better

I offered my wife the 11 (she has MBP 15 now). She tried the 11 and decided she would take the 11 over her MBP 15 because of form factor convenience. however, she tried my MBA 13 and likes it even better. We are (sadly - it is so cute!) returning the 11 for another MBA 13 for my wife.

Perhaps if we were a little younger with better eyes one of us wd have kept the 11.

Thanks

Coincidentally, just this afternoon my wife and I made the same decision as you and yours - to use the 13" MBA as our main computers.

Today I returned my fully loaded 17". I bought it because I don't like to work from a desk but wanted more screen real estate. I often work from my den, couch, chair, kitchen table etc. I used it a lot the first few days and was wow'd by the screen for sure, it's very nice.

During my time with the 17" I also had access to my 13" MBA, my wife's 11" MBA and my Mac Pro-which I just moved from my work office to my home office as I work mostly from home. (Industrial Design).

After a few days when it came time to work or just surf around I found myself most often reaching for the 13" or 11" rather than the 17". Not good, considering the money I just spent on the 17. I preferred the MBA because it's fun to use, easy to grab and start working anywhere, the 17" I'd just think twice if I wanted to grab and go with it, or reach for it and start working away on my lap ... it wasn't near as enjoyable to use as the MBA is.

The preferred machine for me was the 13" MBA over the 17" because it's too large to be mobile and fun to work on for long hours. And I liked the 13" over the 11" because the extra 2" screen makes it easier/faster to do work on.

Too often I found myself not using the 17" screen to it's full potential, didn't have windows open side by side as much as I thought would. Since the 13" MBA has the same screen real estate at 15" MBP, large enough to do serious work on, and I can plug my 13" in my ACD anytime.

I found myself only wanting to use my 17" at my desk because of its size/weight. In that case I decided I'm better off to use my 13" MBA then just plug it into my 27" ACD when I'm at the desk and then I'll have serious screen real estate to work with where the windows can sit side by side at a normal size.... and more importantly instead of using the 17 and 13" as my two main computers deciding to use only the 13" I'm not juggling/syncing files between them, one main machine is easier!

Since the first 13" MBA came out I've owned them all, as well as each size of MBP and I buy iMac's and MacBook's for our staff at my offices and warehouse.

Every time I end up coming back the 13" MBA. I want a computer that's a pleasure to use and type on - anywhere, yet is fast enough and adequate to do all my work. This along with an ACD seems like the best all around option. If you do heavier work, encoding editing then it's good to have a back up machine for that, sort of central storage, back up, server machine. For this I have my Mac Pro. It won't get used much, unless I'm backing up files, converting videos from avi to mp4 etc.

So, that's my story. I fell off the MBA wagon, (again), tried to see if the grass was greener on the other side. But for me it definitely wasn't. I've got $4,000 coming back to my that can be much better spent.

My wife has a 15" MBP in her work office and an 11" Air for home, mobile use just changed to the 13" MBA, so we've both come to the same conclusion. Plus now I have her 11" to play with until we decide to whom in my company it should go to.

After trying literally every notebook Apple make the 13" MBA has proven itself again and again. It makes the most all around sense, from user experience, mobility, it's powerful enough for the majority of people's needs. Add an external monitor for when you want screen real estate and you're all set, there are good inexpensive monitors out there for the budget conscious. Finally a secondary machine, (which can also be bought inexpensively) they are ideal for back up, storage, heavy lifting.

Finally, about the posts here about heat and fan noise from the 13" MBP ... it's NOTHING compared to how the MacBook Pro's roar, 13, 15 or 17" they get loud and hot when encoding or doing heavy design work. That surprised my, it bugs me when my 13" Air roars but after having the 17" it's louder, the fans go as or more often than the Air, that's fact and should dispel some misleading posts here.

 

[BENJMNS]

Coincidentally, just this afternoon my wife and I made the same decision as you and yours - to use the 13" MBA as our main computers.

Today I returned my fully loaded 17". I bought it because I don't like to work from a desk but wanted more screen real estate. I often work from my den, couch, chair, kitchen table etc. I used it a lot the first few days and was wow'd by the screen for sure, it's very nice.

During my time with the 17" I also had access to my 13" MBA, my wife's 11" MBA and my Mac Pro-which I just moved from my work office to my home office as I work mostly from home. (Industrial Design).

After a few days when it came time to work or just surf around I found myself most often reaching for the 13" or 11" rather than the 17". Not good, considering the money I just spent on the 17. I preferred the MBA because it's fun to use, easy to grab and start working anywhere, the 17" I'd just think twice if I wanted to grab and go with it, or reach for it and start working away on my lap ... it wasn't near as enjoyable to use as the MBA is.

The preferred machine for me was the 13" MBA over the 17" because it's too large to be mobile and fun to work on for long hours. And I liked the 13" over the 11" because the extra 2" screen makes it easier/faster to do work on.

Too often I found myself not using the 17" screen to it's full potential, didn't have windows open side by side as much as I thought would. Since the 13" MBA has the same screen real estate at 15" MBP, large enough to do serious work on, and I can plug my 13" in my ACD anytime.

I found myself only wanting to use my 17" at my desk because of its size/weight. In that case I decided I'm better off to use my 13" MBA then just plug it into my 27" ACD when I'm at the desk and then I'll have serious screen real estate to work with where the windows can sit side by side at a normal size.... and more importantly instead of using the 17 and 13" as my two main computers deciding to use only the 13" I'm not juggling/syncing files between them, one main machine is easier!

Since the first 13" MBA came out I've owned them all, as well as each size of MBP and I buy iMac's and MacBook's for our staff at my offices and warehouse.

Every time I end up coming back the 13" MBA. I want a computer that's a pleasure to use and type on - anywhere, yet is fast enough and adequate to do all my work. This along with an ACD seems like the best all around option. If you do heavier work, encoding editing then it's good to have a back up machine for that, sort of central storage, back up, server machine. For this I have my Mac Pro. It won't get used much, unless I'm backing up files, converting videos from avi to mp4 etc.

So, that's my story. I fell off the MBA wagon, (again), tried to see if the grass was greener on the other side. But for me it definitely wasn't. I've got $4,000 coming back to my that can be much better spent.

My wife has a 15" MBP in her work office and an 11" Air for home, mobile use just changed to the 13" MBA, so we've both come to the same conclusion. Plus now I have her 11" to play with until we decide to whom in my company it should go to.

After trying literally every notebook Apple make the 13" MBA has proven itself again and again. It makes the most all around sense, from user experience, mobility, it's powerful enough for the majority of people's needs. Add an external monitor for when you want screen real estate and you're all set, there are good inexpensive monitors out there for the budget conscious. Finally a secondary machine, (which can also be bought inexpensively) they are ideal for back up, storage, heavy lifting.

Finally, about the posts here about heat and fan noise from the 13" MBP ... it's NOTHING compared to how the MacBook Pro's roar, 13, 15 or 17" they get loud and hot when encoding or doing heavy design work. That surprised my, it bugs me when my 13" Air roars but after having the 17" it's louder, the fans go as or more often than the Air, that's fact and should dispel some misleading posts here.

so why'd you even get the 17 in the first place? it's a dying breed. very few consumers want a laptop that huge any more. defeats the purpose. any one of us could've told you you'd just be wasting your time and get the 27" ACD.

that's my setup. 27 ACD, 13 ult, and a 1 terabyte $100 western digital external usb hard drive that i seldom use. i've gotten used to the 27 size. i wouldn't mind getting a 30++++ ACD if they ever come out with one. this is where the 11 ultimate falls short. it doesn't display youtube HD very well at 27". 13... no sweat.

 

[sarends]

Very interesting isn't it!

I also have the MBP 17. It sits in our home office hooked up to a 23" Samsung external. It was my sole compuer for a while, now it is used by my opations manager. It is all good. I love to work in a recliner. For me, the MBA is the "go to" computer 80% of the time. The iPad 2 was getting a bunch of use but has now dropped to late night leisure use. I will still use the 17 in the recliner if I need to spend some serious time with the company job board which is a massive Google sheet.

Re. Fan noise on the MBA 13, I had to do the permissions repair on mine and now it is very quite. It isma little warmer than the 11 but it is very livable for me.

All in all the MBA 13 is my favorite portable computer of all time and I have used a bunch!

Coincidentally, just this afternoon my wife and I made the same decision as you and yours - to use the 13" MBA as our main computers.

Today I returned my fully loaded 17". I bought it because I don't like to work from a desk but wanted more screen real estate. I often work from my den, couch, chair, kitchen table etc. I used it a lot the first few days and was wow'd by the screen for sure, it's very nice.

During my time with the 17" I also had access to my 13" MBA, my wife's 11" MBA and my Mac Pro-which I just moved from my work office to my home office as I work mostly from home. (Industrial Design).

After a few days when it came time to work or just surf around I found myself most often reaching for the 13" or 11" rather than the 17". Not good, considering the money I just spent on the 17. I preferred the MBA because it's fun to use, easy to grab and start working anywhere, the 17" I'd just think twice if I wanted to grab and go with it, or reach for it and start working away on my lap ... it wasn't near as enjoyable to use as the MBA is.

The preferred machine for me was the 13" MBA over the 17" because it's too large to be mobile and fun to work on for long hours. And I liked the 13" over the 11" because the extra 2" screen makes it easier/faster to do work on.

Too often I found myself not using the 17" screen to it's full potential, didn't have windows open side by side as much as I thought would. Since the 13" MBA has the same screen real estate at 15" MBP, large enough to do serious work on, and I can plug my 13" in my ACD anytime.

I found myself only wanting to use my 17" at my desk because of its size/weight. In that case I decided I'm better off to use my 13" MBA then just plug it into my 27" ACD when I'm at the desk and then I'll have serious screen real estate to work with where the windows can sit side by side at a normal size.... and more importantly instead of using the 17 and 13" as my two main computers deciding to use only the 13" I'm not juggling/syncing files between them, one main machine is easier!

Since the first 13" MBA came out I've owned them all, as well as each size of MBP and I buy iMac's and MacBook's for our staff at my offices and warehouse.

Every time I end up coming back the 13" MBA. I want a computer that's a pleasure to use and type on - anywhere, yet is fast enough and adequate to do all my work. This along with an ACD seems like the best all around option. If you do heavier work, encoding editing then it's good to have a back up machine for that, sort of central storage, back up, server machine. For this I have my Mac Pro. It won't get used much, unless I'm backing up files, converting videos from avi to mp4 etc.

So, that's my story. I fell off the MBA wagon, (again), tried to see if the grass was greener on the other side. But for me it definitely wasn't. I've got $4,000 coming back to my that can be much better spent.

My wife has a 15" MBP in her work office and an 11" Air for home, mobile use just changed to the 13" MBA, so we've both come to the same conclusion. Plus now I have her 11" to play with until we decide to whom in my company it should go to.

After trying literally every notebook Apple make the 13" MBA has proven itself again and again. It makes the most all around sense, from user experience, mobility, it's powerful enough for the majority of people's needs. Add an external monitor for when you want screen real estate and you're all set, there are good inexpensive monitors out there for the budget conscious. Finally a secondary machine, (which can also be bought inexpensively) they are ideal for back up, storage, heavy lifting.

Finally, about the posts here about heat and fan noise from the 13" MBP ... it's NOTHING compared to how the MacBook Pro's roar, 13, 15 or 17" they get loud and hot when encoding or doing heavy design work. That surprised my, it bugs me when my 13" Air roars but after having the 17" it's louder, the fans go as or more often than the Air, that's fact and should dispel some misleading posts here.