Went to look at both MBA 11 and 13..questions

[nizmoz]

For those that have seen both and have both maybe, here are my thoughts and what I saw.

The screen itself seems loose on the 11" vs the 13". Is this normal on that model?

The speaker sound on the 11" doesn't get very loud, actually I could barely hear it in the store vs the 13" which I turned down. Is that normal? I did turn up all volumes.

I love how the 11" works even with the base configuration, was quick. I will most likely get this model when the new one is released but in a Ultimate configuration.

 

[kwajkat]

I just got a MBA 11 ultimate last week and don't have any problems. Screen okay as far as sound, seems okay when at home. Due to size I don't imagine the speakers are very big. Would think using earphones when out and about would take of problem. Over all I am very pleased with my new toy and don't regret getting it at all even if new may be out shortly. For what I want the current model more than fits the bill. I understand that the new updates are not really that much of an upgrade anyway.

 

[Oldandintheway]

The screen itself seems loose on the 11" vs the 13". Is this normal on that model?

The speaker sound on the 11" doesn't get very loud, actually I could barely hear it in the store vs the 13" which I turned down. Is that normal? I did turn up all volumes.

I do not have these problems with my 11" MBA. Perhaps it's just the store model.

 

[brand]

Perhaps it's just the store model.

Perhaps there is nothing wrong and that's how they are designed. Or it could be that people perceive things differently. These are just ideas.

 

[Scottsdale]

Maybe the hinges were loose on the store model. Those can be tightened too, so probably just a lazy staff that doesn't care to fix it. Even at Apple employees tend to be extremely lazy.

I wouldn't worry about the hinge, but the speakers might be something that affects you often. I have noticed a big difference between the two MBA sizes when it comes to sound. I personally don't like using headphones as I cannot hear the world around me.

I would strongly consider the 13" before you make your decision. I know some really like the 11" but the 13" feels so incredibly capable in comparison. I wouldn't want to use an 11" as my primary Mac, but I use the 13" about 90% of the time.

Good luck.

 

[57004]

Perhaps there is nothing wrong and that's how they are designed. Or it could be that people perceive things differently. These are just ideas.

I agree. It could be designed that way. It's been raised before that the 11" needs looser hinges to enable it to be opened with one hand: The body of the 11" is lighter and the screen less high so there's less leverage. If they would be too stiff you'd just lift the whole laptop off the table instead of opening the screen.

Having said that, there does seem to be a high discrepancy in hinge stiffness in this generation. I've seen it myself in stores as well.

By the way I don't have an MBA yet (waiting for the next rev) but Anandtech's review had the same comments about the speakers. It's a great review and I greatly recommend it to anyone considering to buy an MBA. It also goes into great detail about the differences between the models.

 

[Acronyc]

I've had my 11" MBA for six months now and traveled a lot with it, and the screen has never been loose. It's as tight as it is when I got it. One thing I hated with my old Windows ultraportable was that the screen would wobble whenever I used it on the train on the way to work. That hasn't happened at all with my MBA, and it makes working while on public transport a lot nicer. While the 11" hinge may not be as tight as the 13", I suspect the store model is just loose from a lot of use.

As for the speakers, while they aren't that loud I've never had a problem with them. They've been loud enough in both office and outdoor settings. I wouldn't use them (or any notebook speakers) to watch a movie or listen to music, but they get the job done.

If you don't need the extra screen real estate and bump in processing power, I'd highly recommend the 11". While it's my first Mac, it's the most versatile computer I've owned and you'd be surprised what it can do. Granted my needs aren't that demanding, but I use it as my primary machine 90% of the time.

 

[halledise]

For those that have seen both and have both maybe, here are my thoughts and what I saw.

The screen itself seems loose on the 11" vs the 13". Is this normal on that model?

The speaker sound on the 11" doesn't get very loud, actually I could barely hear it in the store vs the 13" which I turned down. Is that normal? I did turn up all volumes.

I love how the 11" works even with the base configuration, was quick. I will most likely get this model when the new one is released but in a Ultimate configuration.

+1 for the 13" - way better machine in all aspects

 

[brand]

+1 for the 13" - way better machine in all aspects

I guess you forgot to consider portability as one of your aspects.

 

[glen e]

I guess you forgot to consider portability as one of your aspects.

exactly - a few here always speak in absolutes...for me I don't want to haul a 13" around to 7 diff cities when I go on a road trip for work. The 11 is the best for me and is certainly not "way better " than anything else.

 

[Abstract]

I have never played with an 11" MBA that didn't have a loose hinge. It's not too loose. It's just looser than that on other Mac laptops I have owned, played with, etc.

But like GekkePrutser pointed out, the hinge may have been intentionally designed looser than on other Macs because if it hadn't been designed this way, you would lift the entire laptop off the table when trying to open the lid with one hand! It would get tossed up, or flip over.

 

[nefan65]

I'd chalk it up as a floor unit. Don't forget all the people manhandling those things. I mean, I tend to think all of the MBP/MBA units are fairly solid, and I don't treat them them with kit gloves...but I don't over do it either, and act like it's a basketball...

I have a 13"MBP, but once the next MBA refresh rolls out, I'm going to re-evaluate, and see what they have. I'm seriously looking at the 11". 13" is nice too, but really love the portability factor of the 11". It's the size, and thickness of an 8x11 paper pad, so to have a small sleeve to take to any/all meetings, discussions is an awesome thought...for me. YMMV...