Walked out of Apple store without MBA :-(

[Nostromo]

The keyboard is the same size but the palm rests might be too small for some in the 11

Palm rests are an important part of working ergonomically.

 

[KPOM]

How Is working with Powerpooint for people with the MBA 11? Does it feel too cramped?

It can feel cramped sometimes because of the Ribbon. Microsoft put more things on top even as screens have gotten wider (not taller). If I do anything in PowerPoint on the 11, I usually hide the Ribbon.

 

[iRun26.2]

Why? The keyboard is full-sized...

I agree. The keyboard on the 11.6" MBA is one of my favorites. I prefer it to most other keyboards (and yet it is so thin!).

 

[JesseW6889]

This is pure BS. First of all, anyone buying an Air is not buying it based solely on their needs. Secondly, I spend hours upon hours on my 11" Air and have had no problems whatsoever. Now with Lion, the complaints about screen real estate are null and void with fullscreen apps, smooth-as-butter pinch to zoom in Safari, and all of the other great multitasking features in Lion. While using my Air for MONTHS not once have I felt like I was on a netbook. It has felt like a full-blown laptop since day one and now with Lion's features feels more like a full-blown workstation with swiping through spaces and fullscreen apps. The newness does not "wear off" on the 11" - if anything it wears off on the 13 which is a bit large for an Air in my opinion. This "warning" from this guy is complete nonsense.

Couldn't disagree more. Many of us (myself included) use our MBA 11's daily for real work. In fact, when I bought my 11" I bought it for exactly all the reasons you listed under your reasons to buy a 13." I've been using it daily for 6 months now for work and graduate school and it really is quite the machine. Now I agree that there is no "right" machine to buy, (to each his own), but the 11" is indeed very capable and is, to many users, much more than what you described it to be. It's a little silly to spend so much money on this type of computer for the reasons you listed. Honestly, if I needed something to use for no more than an hour at a time I would just go buy an iPod touch.

Ironic how you just used the word WANT several times after you just instructed all of us not to buy based off wants...

First of all, I get that the 11 can do everything, thats not whats being debated, this is like asking what is better: Pepsi or Coke? Its opinion and clearly the 3 of you have the 11", so you're hardly unbiased.

I have owned both 2010 models and now use the 11" every day. RIGHT NOW, The size makes sense for what I need it for, on my desk in class for note taking, etc. Smaller footprint over the 13 actually makes a big deal in a small space, the instant on/off and smaller size make it quick to put away and take out many times, which I need to do often.

That said, I would prefer the 13 if I didn't need to move as often and had more space when I did set up.

I own and use the 11 but prefer the 13. I provided the criteria I did based on my use of each model for 5 months each.

 

[myrtlebee]

First of all, I get that the 11 can do everything, thats not whats being debated, this is like asking what is better: Pepsi or Coke? Its opinion and clearly the 3 of you have the 11", so you're hardly unbiased.

I have owned both 2010 models and now use the 11" every day. RIGHT NOW, The size makes sense for what I need it for, on my desk in class for note taking, etc. Smaller footprint over the 13 actually makes a big deal in a small space, the instant on/off and smaller size make it quick to put away and take out many times, which I need to do often.

That said, I would prefer the 13 if I didn't need to move as often and had more space when I did set up.

I own and use the 11 but prefer the 13. I provided the criteria I did based on my use of each model for 5 months each.

Sorry, bud, can't backtrack. Here's what you posted before:

Buy the 11" if you:
want a powerful netbook experience
don't need an Air, but you want one
don't plan on spending more than an hour at a time on it
don't have $1300

Buy the 13" if you:
want a laptop experience
plan on using it for extended periods of time
want to have no regrets once the 'newness' wears off"

You do not "get" that the 11" can do everything. Apparently you believe that the 11 is a "netbook experience", not a "laptop experience" (suggesting it's lesser in function in certain ways). You also believe that it is unusable after an hour's use. Incredibly false. That its "newness" will wear off quicker than the 13" (Really? What does that mean anyway?). It's only for people who don't "need" an Air? Again, what does that mean- certainly there was an element of want that went into your decision to buy the Air, correct? It makes no sense. And, of course, if somebody has more the $1300 why in the world would they consider the 11" because (apparently to you) the 13" is superior. Please. Your post was not unbiased and it was totally downing the 11" based on pure nonsense.

 

[BeachChair]

I like the idea of an 11- but went with the 13.
It really is a big step up from my MacAir vC.

IMO- the 11 is a toy. The 13 is a true laptop.

If you need to work on the thing- get the 13.

If you just want to play- I say skip the 11- the ipad is much more fun.

I don't get how people can write nonsense in such absolute terms. Is it so hard to imagine other people might have different preferences than yourself?