This is why I choose the 13" over the 11"

[jp700p]

I didn't know which one to buy. The smaller size was ideal. But when I went to BestBuy and stacked them on top of each other, I was surprised the 11" isn't that much smaller than the 13".

Also included with the 13" is:
- SD card slot
- Better battery life
- More screen real estate (16:10 ratio vs 16:9 ratio on the 11")
- Slightly faster CPU
- Larger trackpad
- Improved resolution over the MacBook Pro 13" (1440x900 MBA vs 1280x800 on the MBP)
- Plus its a very competent work horse http://www.macworld.com/article/157893/2011/02/2011macbookpro_benchmarks.html
- And great for gaming as well http://www.appleownz.com/2011/07/21/2011-macbook-air-13-benchmarks/

 

[scenemissing]

For me it was the vertical resolution and the aspect ratio. I think I could have made the 11" work if it was a 16x10 screen, but 768 vertical pixels at that size was a little harsh for my day to day use.

 

[onthecouchagain]

I personally wouldn't be able to work on the 11". It's just too small for me. Everything looks and feels cramped. This is not to knock on anyone who's gotten the 11". It certainly has its benefits.

I'm amazed at the screen real estate on the 13". It doesn't feel the slightest bit cramped, unlike the 13" Pro.

 

[jp700p]

For me it was the vertical resolution and the aspect ratio. I think I could have made the 11" work if it was a 16x10 screen, but 768 vertical pixels at that size was a little harsh for my day to day use.

Very true. Its like 16:10 and 16:9 LCD monitors. When I went from a 24" 16:10 to a 24" 16:9, you can tell the difference easily and wish you had the extra pixels.

 

[AbeFroman77]

The 11" also feels heavier in a way if that makes sense. The 13" has more surface to distribute the internal weight.

 

[MattZani]

Better Processor was a bonus, but the resolution being the same as my 08 MBP was the deal maker for me. I originally planned to get the next MBP refresh, and would only get the higher resolution, so I couldn't go down could I!

 

[bobr1952]

Good thread for a lot of us who are leaning towards the 13--I'm pretty sure that's the one I'll go for.

 

[kimbermatic]

13" was my Choice...

I went for the 13" for those very reasons also.

However I really, really wanted the 11" mainly for work. When I am meetings all day and it gets crowded I thought it would be easier to manage.

Also for traveling it would be easier.

Now I may get an 11" 2010 model since they are coming down in price.

 

[AbeFroman77]

The 13" has a larger trackpad. The 11" is somewhat limiting for those with big hands.

 

[vty]

That's a very big difference when it comes to just grabbing the laptop and walking out the door and through the airport, IMO.

 

[Obi Wan Kenobi]

The 11" also feels heavier in a way if that makes sense. The 13" has more surface to distribute the internal weight.

That doesn't make sense. Mathematically, taking into account the size of the machines, the 11" MBA is lighter in comparison to its size.

 

[AbeFroman77]

That's a very big difference when it comes to just grabbing the laptop and walking out the door and through the airport, IMO.

Very big difference? For dwarfs maybe.

 

[UniPro]

The 13" has a larger trackpad. The 11" is somewhat limiting for those with big hands.

You must have never used a PC laptop then, the trackpad on the 11" is huge compared to 99% of what much large PC laptops have.

I really don't understand how anyone could consider it too small to use.

 

[mscofield]

Well, how much of a difference did you really expect of 2"?
I'll give you the SD slot and battery life, but specs can be even out.

I still don't really understand the bigger screen real estate on the 13"
Why not say the 13" has less horizontal space, instead of more vertical?
You could say 16:10 vs 16:9, but how about a 14,4:9 vs 16:9 ratio?

 

[AbeFroman77]

You must have never used a PC laptop then, the trackpad on the 11" is huge compared to 99% of what much large PC laptops have.

I really don't understand how anyone could consider it too small to use.

I'm not comparing it to PC laptops, why would I? For me, the 13" trackpad is easier to use.

 

[norsemen]

Better Processor was a bonus, but the resolution being the same as my 08 MBP was the deal maker for me. I originally planned to get the next MBP refresh, and would only get the higher resolution, so I couldn't go down could I!

Could someone please enlighten me. I thought both 11" and 13" had the same CPU options (incl. BTO)?

 

[AbeFroman77]

Could someone please enlighten me. I thought both 11" and 13" had the same CPU options (incl. BTO)?

1.6 vs 1.7, BTO is 1.8 for both.

 

[Fernandez21]

Right, and the difference in size of the htc evo and apple iPhone is even less than that, but people still harp that the evo is just too big and the iPhone is just right.

There is no right or wrong, what seems like a small difference to you is a big difference to me, just get what feels best for you.

 

[clyde2801]

The 11" isn't a bad little machine. If you can take the lack of depth, I think its a sharper display, the extra pixels per inch really show.

I went with 13" because of the longer lasting battery, sd card height, increased screen space (duh) for multitasking, and the fact that it's only $50 bucks more over the ultimate 11".

 

[s.hasan546]

I didn't know which one to buy. The smaller size was ideal. But when I went to BestBuy and stacked them on top of each other, I was surprised the 11" isn't that much smaller than the 13".

Also included with the 13" is:
- SD card slot
- Better battery life
- More screen real estate (16:10 ratio vs 16:9 ratio on the 11")
- Slightly faster CPU
- Larger trackpad
- Improved resolution over the MacBook Pro 13" (1440x900 MBA vs 1280x800 on the MBP)
- Plus its a very competent work horse http://www.macworld.com/article/157893/2011/02/2011macbookpro_benchmarks.html
- And great for gaming as well http://www.appleownz.com/2011/07/21/2011-macbook-air-13-benchmarks/

IMHO that's a HUGE difference. esp. for someone like me who flys every month and commutes 2 hours a day on the train.
Resolution is technically better but i remember reading the 11" dpi was actually higher. The 11" is just as competent of a work horse and same in gaming.

Also for people who need a "work Horse" and they are at a desk all day they should have a multi-monitor setup anyway. I have 2 22" monitors for when im at my desk (most of the day)

The 11" also feels heavier in a way if that makes sense. The 13" has more surface to distribute the internal weight.

I have no clue what you mean and how it even makes sense. The 11" feels more portable, lighter, and much more easy to throw around with one hand than the 13" anyday.

Very big difference? For dwarfs maybe.

So almost 30% lighter and smaller isn't a big difference

 

[sillyrabbitt]

argh a thread like this making rethink the white vs black ipad dilemma i had with myself. it drives me crazy when i start to second guess myself

i went white ipad and 11" mba and i am happy but its good to know all the things to consider any how.

thanks for the info and analysis

 

[coolbreeze]

IMHO that's a HUGE difference. esp. for someone like me who flys every month and commutes 2 hours a day on the train.

I fly every week (Platinum on Delta) and chose the 13"

I carry my iPad 2, Kindle 3, MBA and a Lenovo T400 in my Tom Bihn bag.

The difference in the 11 and 13" is such a drop in the bucket, it just doesn't matter.

I guess if ounces are critical to you, then it makes sense. Otherwise, the benefits the 13" offers over the netbook 11"'r are just a no-brainer.

 

[AbeFroman77]

IMHO that's a HUGE difference. esp. for someone like me who flys every month and commutes 2 hours a day on the train.
Resolution is technically better but i remember reading the 11" dpi was actually higher. The 11" is just as competent of a work horse and same in gaming.

Also for people who need a "work Horse" and they are at a desk all day they should have a multi-monitor setup anyway. I have 2 22" monitors for when im at my desk (most of the day)



I have no clue what you mean and how it even makes sense. The 11" feels more portable, lighter, and much more easy to throw around with one hand than the 13" anyday.



So almost 30% lighter and smaller isn't a big difference

I used an 11" MBA since Wed. and returned it this morning and now on a 13" MBA. There isn't much difference to me as far as portability. The 13" is so easy to carry.

 

[s.hasan546]

I fly every week (Platinum on Delta) and chose the 13"

I carry my iPad 2, Kindle 3, MBA and a Lenovo T400 in my Tom Bihn bag.

The difference in the 11 and 13" is such a drop in the bucket, it just doesn't matter.

I guess if ounces are critical to you, then it makes sense. Otherwise, the benefits the 13" offers over the netbook 11"'r are just a no-brainer.

Nice. im diamond on Cathay Pacific. Even tho business class has plenty of room the train sux, laptop has to stay on my lap the whole time....

the difference in weight is almost 25%-30%. thats substantial to me.

Also i understand everyone thinks the screen hurts to do work on for extended periods of time which i might agree to an extent. I do have 2 22" monitors for externals on my work desk (where i use it the majority of the time) so i guess my view isn't the same as someone who has the mba 11" only.

 

[s.hasan546]

I used an 11" MBA since Wed. and returned it this morning and now on a 13" MBA. There isn't much difference to me as far as portability. The 13" is so easy to carry.

agree to disagree than? to me and many others it's a substantial difference. For me the portability difference is substantial enough since screen size doesn't matter to me since a majority of the time i have my laptop hooked up to 2 external monitors.