MacBook Air 11" or 13"?

Serban · Jan 30, 2013, 03:21 PM

For watching movies witch is the best? I heard that the 11" has 16:9 ratio so the movie will play in full screen? And 13" has 16:10 ratio

maflynn · Jan 30, 2013, 03:22 PM

13" provides a larger display to watch the movies, the 11" is more portable. There is no better option, but one that best fits your needs. Try both out at your local apple or electronics store and see which one is the best for you

Serban · Jan 30, 2013, 03:34 PM

But it is true that the 11" has 16:9 ratio and 13" not?

-jc · Jan 30, 2013, 03:36 PM

Both are fine, you get more for your money with the 13".

Ztormie · Jan 30, 2013, 03:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Serban

But it is true that the 11" has 16:9 ratio and 13" not?

Yes, the 11" has 16:9 and the 13" has 16:10.

Weaselboy · Jan 30, 2013, 03:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Serban

But it is true that the 11" has 16:9 ratio and 13" not?

Correct the 13" is 16:10.

I don't think that will really matter to you when watching movies. If the movie aspect ratio does not exactly match the screen ratio, you will just get a small, black "letterbox" bar on the screen.

Personally, I would rather watch a movie on the larger 13" screen.

The extra portability is really the only benefit of the 11" IMO.

jfriedman8 · Jan 30, 2013, 08:26 PM

I've owned both and I think the 13" is the way to go.

M-5 · Jan 30, 2013, 08:37 PM

Because of the aspect ratios, viewing most movies should be identical on the 11" and 13".

I LOVE my 11", but in my opinion if someone is uncertain I would just suggest the 13" for them.

faqsmx · Jan 31, 2013, 01:40 AM

for watching movies, get an external screen

and get a 13" Mac!

you eyes will appreciate it.

JoshMKB24 · Jan 31, 2013, 09:15 AM

If its your only computer 13" if you want it for travel and just sitting on the couch 11"

yourtoys7 · Jan 31, 2013, 10:35 AM

You getting 11" just to watch movies

, Nice.
I have 11" and I'm noticing that more and more when I'm home on the main floor and need to some browsing I still tend to go downstairs to my 23" monitor. Next I'll be getting 13"

Sech · Jan 31, 2013, 01:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by yourtoys7

You getting 11" just to watch movies

, Nice.
I have 11" and I'm noticing that more and more when I'm home on the main floor and need to some browsing I still tend to go downstairs to my 23" monitor. Next I'll be getting 13"

I have an 11. I have also had a 13 and then went back to the 11. My next machine will be a 13 and will be my only machine. Having that extra space is hard to understate. The 11 though, great machine. Go 13 if you're unsure.

Isamilis · Jan 31, 2013, 04:40 PM

13" for flexibility to work on complex stuff comfortably. I saw 11" is similar with iPad in dimension which lead to similar usage (watching movie, light write, etc). If you have Kind of these light needs *and* you need OSX-compatible program then 11" maybe perfect for you. Otherwise, go with 13" and/or iPad.

Acorn · Jan 31, 2013, 05:47 PM

I had a 2010 11 inch mac air and I enjoyed it alot. Eventually I sold it and ended up getting a 13 mac air. I like the 13 more. Not that the 11 was bad, I just enjoy the 13 more for every day use.

rhinosrcool · Feb 1, 2013, 12:12 AM

Unfortunately, the problem with watching movies on the 11" is the short battery life. For a two hr Netflix video, the 11" probably won't last long enough.

tmants · Feb 4, 2013, 08:40 AM

13 inch is much more comfortable to spend the day at work/home

wolfpuppies3 · Feb 4, 2013, 12:59 PM

13" is much easier to view and the battery lasts longer.

Jan 30, 2013, 03:21 PM	#1
Serban macrumors 6502a Join Date: Jan 2013	MacBook Air 11" or 13"? For watching movies witch is the best? I heard that the 11" has 16:9 ratio so the movie will play in full screen? And 13" has 16:10 ratio
	0

Jan 30, 2013, 03:22 PM	#2
maflynn Demi-God (Moderator) Join Date: May 2009 Location: Boston	13" provides a larger display to watch the movies, the 11" is more portable. There is no better option, but one that best fits your needs. Try both out at your local apple or electronics store and see which one is the best for you __________________ I know that I know nothing ~ Socrates
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Jan 30, 2013, 03:36 PM	#4
-jc macrumors member Join Date: Jan 2013	Both are fine, you get more for your money with the 13". __________________ ResExcellence - Serving Apple-related goodness since 1997.
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Jan 30, 2013, 08:26 PM	#7
jfriedman8 macrumors regular Join Date: Feb 2008	I've owned both and I think the 13" is the way to go. __________________ 2012 Mac Mini; i7 2TB HDD 8GB 2012 MacBook Pro Retina 15" 2.3 i7 256GB 8GB 2012 MacBook Air 13" i5 128GB 4GB iPad Mini: 32 GB Black - iPhone 5: 32GB Black
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Jan 30, 2013, 08:37 PM	#8
M-5 macrumors 6502a Join Date: Jan 2008	Because of the aspect ratios, viewing most movies should be identical on the 11" and 13". I LOVE my 11", but in my opinion if someone is uncertain I would just suggest the 13" for them. __________________ iPhone 5 64GB Black (August 2012) MacBook Air 11" (Mid 2011)
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Jan 30, 2013, 03:34 PM	#3
Serban Thread Starter macrumors 6502a Join Date: Jan 2013	But it is true that the 11" has 16:9 ratio and 13" not?
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Jan 31, 2013, 01:40 AM	#9
faqsmx macrumors newbie Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: USA	for watching movies, get an external screen and get a 13" Mac! you eyes will appreciate it.
	0

Jan 31, 2013, 09:15 AM	#10
JoshMKB24 macrumors 6502 Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Midwest	If its your only computer 13" if you want it for travel and just sitting on the couch 11" __________________ 2012/13 27" iMac, 11" MacBook Air, iPhone 5, iPad Mini, Apple TV
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Jan 31, 2013, 10:35 AM	#11
yourtoys7 macrumors 6502 Join Date: Sep 2007	You getting 11" just to watch movies , Nice. I have 11" and I'm noticing that more and more when I'm home on the main floor and need to some browsing I still tend to go downstairs to my 23" monitor. Next I'll be getting 13" __________________ iPhone4S/ iPhone5, iTV (late 2012), MacBook Air 11" (late 2012)
	0

Jan 31, 2013, 04:40 PM	#13
Isamilis macrumors regular Join Date: Apr 2012	13" for flexibility to work on complex stuff comfortably. I saw 11" is similar with iPad in dimension which lead to similar usage (watching movie, light write, etc). If you have Kind of these light needs and you need OSX-compatible program then 11" maybe perfect for you. Otherwise, go with 13" and/or iPad.
	0

Jan 31, 2013, 05:47 PM	#14
Acorn macrumors 68000 Join Date: Jan 2009	I had a 2010 11 inch mac air and I enjoyed it alot. Eventually I sold it and ended up getting a 13 mac air. I like the 13 more. Not that the 11 was bad, I just enjoy the 13 more for every day use.
	0

Feb 1, 2013, 12:12 AM	#15
rhinosrcool macrumors 6502a Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: MN	Unfortunately, the problem with watching movies on the 11" is the short battery life. For a two hr Netflix video, the 11" probably won't last long enough.
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Feb 4, 2013, 08:40 AM	#16
tmants macrumors newbie Join Date: Nov 2008	13 inch is much more comfortable to spend the day at work/home
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Feb 4, 2013, 12:59 PM	#17
wolfpuppies3 macrumors 6502 Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Virginia, USA	13" is much easier to view and the battery lasts longer. __________________ 2012 MBA 13, 2 Ghz i7, 8 GB RAM, 512 GB SSD; 2011 MBA 11, 1.8 Ghz i7, 4 GB RAM, 256 GB SSD; 2010 MB Pro 15, 2.66 Ghz i7, 8 GB RAM, 512 GB SSD; two iPad 3s and a mini, two iPhones and a bunch of iPods
	0

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