11 or 13?

[VMMan]

I think the 11-inch MBA is already small and thin enough

Already small and thin enough for what?

We all have differing ideas on what constitutes mobile. You also wrote that if the MBA were any smaller then your eyes and hands would be affected. Well that supports my point that the MBA IMHO still has not sacrificed enough to be Apples mobile computer. I would prefer to have the screen cramped and the keyboard puny all to enhance mobility. This is not intended for me to be a normal typical use computer.

My MBP 17 is a fine portable computer, but I need an ultra mobile computer, to take with me virtually everywhere I go. An iPad doesn't run OS X.

 

[JudgeKenny]

Already small and thin enough for what?

We all have differing ideas on what constitutes mobile. You also wrote that if the MBA were any smaller then your eyes and hands would be affected. Well that supports my point that the MBA IMHO still has not sacrificed enough to be Apples mobile computer. I would prefer to have the screen cramped and the keyboard puny all to enhance mobility. This is not intended for me to be a normal typical use computer.

My MBP 17 is a fine portable computer, but I need an ultra mobile computer, to take with me virtually everywhere I go. An iPad doesn't run OS X.

That was already answered in my unedited version of the statement. It's small and thin enough for ME.

As for what you're describing, I don't know what to tell you. You're describing something that will not happen anytime in the near future. Trust me, an 11" inch Macbook Air is portable enough and Apple is not about to start making Macs smaller than the iPad. I mean, seriously, where do you want to carry this 'ultra mobile' MBA? Your pocket?

 

[tim100]

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I unsure if the air is a true MacBook pro replacement. I am sure it can replace the MacBook. I would think the 13 MBA is the way to go if it's a users only notebook.

 

[MacDawg]

Did your 13" replace the 17"? If so how have you adjusted to the difference in screen size?

Yep, replaced my 17" MBP with the 13" Air and love it
I do have the external drive, but rarely use it, just for an occasional DVD rip

I have yet to find anything I was doing on my MBP that the Air doesn't do quicker and smoother

I have it paired with a 23" Apple Cinema Display at home
And I carry it in a BookBook for the Air with a black Speck cover

It was the best move I ever made for my work flow

I did switch from Firewire to USB on my external backup drive
But only till I get a Thunderbolt drive
But I have no need for ethernet (although I do have the adapter)

I have no regrets or desire to go back
Meets my needs perfectly

 

[Lopes]

I'm attempting to do the exact same. Love the 17, but it stays parked at my desk. It's become impractical, even taking it to a coffee shop to do work is unwieldy. And maybe I'm getting old, because I've found it's harder to read on then I thought, haha.

I LOVE the form factor and capability of the MBA 13 (FCPX opens as quick as the 2.2 quad core i7 in the MBP), but am figuring out my storage strategies before making any final decision. Also, when plugged into an external monitor, it's a little more sluggish on the animations than I'd like, even in clamshell mode. What's your experience with that?

 

[tim100]

Yep, replaced my 17" MBP with the 13" Air and love it
I do have the external drive, but rarely use it, just for an occasional DVD rip

I have yet to find anything I was doing on my MBP that the Air doesn't do quicker and smoother

I have it paired with a 23" Apple Cinema Display at home
And I carry it in a BookBook for the Air with a black Speck cover

It was the best move I ever made for my work flow

I did switch from Firewire to USB on my external backup drive
But only till I get a Thunderbolt drive
But I have no need for ethernet (although I do have the adapter)

I have no regrets or desire to go back
Meets my needs perfectly

ok. How do you think the quality compares between air and pro? many say the pro has a better color gamut. I once switched from a pro to a black macbook and found the viewing angles and build quality was not the same. What do you think?

 

[firewood]

An MBA 11 is great for use on the train. Less likely to bump the seat in front. Easier to pull out of the bag one handed. Lower c.g. makes it slightly less wobbly when not on a steady surface as the train bumps along.

I have both an 11 and a faster MPB 13, and never take the 13 anywhere anymore.

 

[Jezak]

Heh. I had a 2010 13inch and decided to upgrade to a 11inch 2011 when they were released. I've sense come to the conclusion that the screen on the 11 offers far too many compromises and I've purchased a 2011 13. I haven't missed the 11 since it left about three weeks ago and I just walked through the Apple store at lunch today and didn't get the 'shakes' after passing the 11's.

The 13 acts as my primary machine primarily connected to a 27in ACD.