I am only a light user as far as programs go, no games or CAD etc, but as I am retired it is on from 0700 to 2300 connected to the internet, on my lap, and in use most of the time.
I have just replaced my basic 2010 11" with a new i5, 4/128 11" model that also runs Parallels, and although I thought my old one was quick, this one is way faster and more responsive. The fans used to come on at times on the 2010 and the base could get warmish, but now they have never come on at all and the base is as cool as the lid.
However I am certainly not getting 9 hours battery with continuous use, more like 6-7, although that was only around 4 hours on the old model.
The backlighting has made a great difference for me as I use it in bed a lot with lights off for my wife, and before I had to angle the screen down for light when using the keyboard.
tut