I got the ultimate 13" to replace my 2006 15" MBP. I'm a grad student so I really like the portability, but now I'm thinking that sacrificing the power of the 13" to add even more portability, not the mention the smaller footprint considering how small the popup desks are in our lecture halls, might be a better idea. As I understand it Apple won't take back a BTO MBA so are my options craigslist and ebay? I'm still undecided about this, just trying to find out what my options are. Thanks.
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Thinking of going from the ultimate 13" to the 11"
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The Toddfather
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I went from the 13 MBP to the 11 MBA and have no regrets. I find myself checking my bag to make sure it's in there, if you travel much it's a winner.
do it
same situation here went to 11 and better than i even thought! love it, love it! and just as powerful (unless your a programmer or need intense processing) and 13, 13 just seems HUGE to me more like a 15 and the fact is it is NOT as portable. Its light sure, but huge footprint. good luck youll have NO regrets just be sure to get the ultimate one!
same situation here went to 11 and better than i even thought! love it, love it! and just as powerful (unless your a programmer or need intense processing) and 13, 13 just seems HUGE to me more like a 15 and the fact is it is NOT as portable. Its light sure, but huge footprint. good luck youll have NO regrets just be sure to get the ultimate one!
I dont think it's worth it.
Two years from now, when we are all running Lion and other software (Which will be more demanding than what we run now) you will sorely regret your downgrade. Stay where you are..
Two years from now, when we are all running Lion and other software (Which will be more demanding than what we run now) you will sorely regret your downgrade. Stay where you are..
Two years from now, why would you still be running a 2+ year old Mac when newer, better ones will have been released?
I'm not a grad student, but my thoughts are very similar. I bought a 13" ultimate from an Apple store over a week ago but have been thinking about the 11" ever since. I bought the 11" ultimate yesterday. I can only keep one, but after less than a day the 11" is rapidly becoming my favorite. The form factor is just pure fun. For normal tasks there is no speed difference, but CPU stuff will be slower. I wish the display was larger and the storage bigger but man, this thing is special. I have a Tom Bihn Ristretto for iPad bag I bought a few months ago for my iPad. The 11" slips right in. It's a little tight on length but otherwise fits fine and feels like I'm carrying the iPad.
I dismissed the small screen when I first saw it, but if you can live with that it's pretty neat.
I'd call Apple and see if returning the 13" is an option. Since they are selling the same configurations in the stores maybe they will let you.
So you've compared the two MBAs? I have, and if portability is a priority the 11" is a significant upgrade.
You beat me to it. LOL
But really you probably should carefully examine how much you carry it.
I think the 11" would be great for students who would carry it all the time, and frequent flyers, or course.
The 13" is still very light , and it's more powerful, with no downside other than 6 ounces. (ok it's a little larger-which means nothing)
So the portability should be the only deciding factor (obviously).
But this is perhaps a bit of a dilemma for some people. I will not no what the score is for a few months. note: (it's that way with clothes for me, I really am not sure of fit until i've worn something for about a month)
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You have zero proof that Lion will be more demanding on resources, especially on the currently released hardware. Please don't spout nonsense without backing up your statements.
I totally agree.
I never keep my macs more than two years. I sell them or relegate them to backup machines, etc and get the latest and greatest.I totally agree.
Not everyone can afford to buy a new computer every two years. There's a noticeable difference between a 1.86GHz or 2.13GHz Core 2 Duo with 6MB of L2 cache and a 1.4GHz or 1.6GHz Core 2 Duo with 3MB of L2 cache.
That said, given that both the 13" and 11" versions of the MacBook Air use the aging Core 2 Duo, and that "Sandy Bridge" and "Ivy Bridge" processors being released next year may offer Apple the opportunity to move to the next generation within the design constraints of the Air, I do think that it may well be reasonable for someone to purchase a "lesser" Air now with the view toward replacing it in 2012.
Macs hold their resale value and pretty much everyone can sell their mac in two years and recoup 50-75% of what they paid for it, which should allow them to upgrade to a new one. I have been doing this since the first g3 ibooks came out and have always gotten at least 50% of the computer's original purchase price back.
Believe me the 13" is plenty portable, but it's actually wider than the desk I'm using in class (you know the desks I'm talking about attached to the seats). I don't do many things CPU intensive (I think) just surf the web, watch course lectures, run some data sets in SAS. I'm sure the 11" can do these things just as well as the 13", and will run Lion and other apps I'll use. Money isn't an option right now, but I can't afford a new computer every 2 years, 3 years maybe but more likely 4. My question is since I got the maxed 13" Apple won't take it back right? So I'll have to sell it on my own?
I know you love your 11, but if you really wish the display was larger and the storage bigger, why not keep your 13 instead?
One thing I hardly ever see mentioned when people praise the portability of the 11" over the 13' is battery life. You'll get almost twice the battery time out of the 13" than you will the 11". That means you can leave the power adapter at home in most circumstances for a day of normal usage, never having to go find a power outlet to recharge. You can also do a coast-to-coast flight (which I do often) on a single charge and use it non-stop.
If portability is the advantage, then you'd need to add the weight of the power supply to the 11" and remove it from the 13".
Personally, I found far too many compromises in the 11". Smaller screen, less battery life, need to carry the charger, less horsepower and less storage capacity.
If portability is the advantage, then you'd need to add the weight of the power supply to the 11" and remove it from the 13".
Personally, I found far too many compromises in the 11". Smaller screen, less battery life, need to carry the charger, less horsepower and less storage capacity.
The ratio of quoted battery life is 7 hours to 5. That is not close to 'twice as much battery life'. Also, based on what I've been reading here, it is a 'real' 5 hours of battery life (if not more). Definitely an improvement compared to the previous generation MBA.
Well I can tell you, having carried around my 11.6" ultimate for a bit, and having used it every day without bringing the power adapter, I am getting 5-6 hours of battery life out of it each day, and I am doing somewhat intensive work on it for part of the time (photoshop).
I never use my computer for 8 straight hours in a day anyway. At some point during the day, I am at my home office where I can use my 15" I7 macbook pro, or I am doing something each day for a chunk of time that doesn't require a computer to be on.
I have not run out of juice yet. I browse the web, watch a little video, listen to music, read emails, do some writing and some photoshop work, etc each day and always have some battery life left.
I never use my computer for 8 straight hours in a day anyway. At some point during the day, I am at my home office where I can use my 15" I7 macbook pro, or I am doing something each day for a chunk of time that doesn't require a computer to be on.
I have not run out of juice yet. I browse the web, watch a little video, listen to music, read emails, do some writing and some photoshop work, etc each day and always have some battery life left.
Because there is a difference between wish and must have. Other than weight the 13" doesn't really feel much smaller than a MBP. The 11" feels like something that is named "Air". It's just way way more portable than the 13". The storage can be worked around for the most part, it just would be nice to have more locally.
Maybe next year's 11"!
You'll get right at 3h20m of battery life running h264 Standard Def video on the 11" at less than full brightness. This has been tested several times on the boards here already.
Not true. Look at Apple's return policy - http://store.apple.com/us_epp_151889/help/returns_refund?mco=MTk4NDE3NTI
These are the only things you can't return:
Items that cannot be returned include:
1. Opened memory
2. Opened software*
3. Electronic Software Downloads
4. Personalized iPods
5. Software Up-to-Date Program Products (software upgrades)
6. Apple Gift Cards
7. Apple Gift Packaging (origami style gift box with ribbon and greeting card)
8. Apple Developer Connection Products (Membership and Technical Support)
I don't think many people only watch video with their airs. That's enough to watch a movie on a flight. By "video", I meant the occasional youtube clip. Anywhere that I would be watching video (ie a plane, a train, a train station or airport waiting area) I would have my charger with me anyway.