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11" Screen big enough for college
- Thread starter brandon8u
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Agreed!
I think primarily before you run out and buy anything you should ask yourself how you really plan to use it.
Unless i'm misunderstanding something I really don't see how a monitor would be a solution as many are suggesting. The whole point of you getting the air is so that you can have a lightweight computer to use on the go. If your primary purpose was to use the computer in the dorm then your 15" MBP should do just fine. I don't believe 11" will be good for getting serious work done on the go because it will feel really cramped.
My suggestion is you should wait until the school semester begins and see just how much you plan on bringing your computer around with you. When I first started college I thought I would bring my laptop around a lot more than I did. I actually found it was a lot more convenient to leave it in my dorm. Most people in my classes who bring their computers don't actually take notes on them. I am the same way when I bring mine, end up getting distracted and instead of taking notes you end up on facebook. If you're anywhere similar you might find that an iPad2 is a better investment. It cost about half as much as the MBA (depending on which model you get) which will mean more money in your pocket to spend on having fun with friends, its capable of doing light note work on those times when you may want to, it's lightweight and will enable you to do similar things such as surf the internet and watch videos between classes.
An MBA 11 is the same weight as an iPad 2 + BT keyboard + cover, and can drive a large monitor back at your desk.
But one iPad advantage is that you can type completely silently using the on-screen touch keyboard.
The idea I was/am trying to implement is having the portable Air, and a little "command center" either in the dorm or at home with a monitor and an external hard drive and *possibly* a BT mouse to plug the Air into when I'm not on the go to make a "desktop setup." And as I am commuting to and from college first year, the 11" Air sounds great for this. But when I transfer to a dorm for 2nd year, that might make having an 11" become a problem, because if I got a 13, that would eliminate the need for a monitor because it's bigger laptop sized. What also sucks about the Airs in general is that if you're doing the monitor idea, that's 1 adapter AND an HDMI cable, and then if you need to hook up to an Ethernet cable for Internet (the college I'm going, you need Ethernet to internet in the dorms), so that's another adapter (at least for me.)
I liked the feel of the 11" screen at the store, but unfortunately, you can't necessarily spend a few days using it before you decide to plop your hard earned cash on the counter for the machine.
I liked the feel of the 11" screen at the store, but unfortunately, you can't necessarily spend a few days using it before you decide to plop your hard earned cash on the counter for the machine.
All these replies about how the 11" screen is too small to get anything done.
I wrote my Masters thesis on a Mac Classic 9" 512x342 screen w/ MS Word 5.1
You can get a lot more done with a lot less computer than you might think.
Also, the full screen apps and improved virtual desktops in 10.7 will make smaller resolution screens more useful.
So, I'd go with an 11" MBA and go with a nice external monitor for the dorm.
(posted from an 11" MBA)
I wrote my Masters thesis on a Mac Classic 9" 512x342 screen w/ MS Word 5.1
You can get a lot more done with a lot less computer than you might think.
Also, the full screen apps and improved virtual desktops in 10.7 will make smaller resolution screens more useful.
So, I'd go with an 11" MBA and go with a nice external monitor for the dorm.
(posted from an 11" MBA)
xkmxkmxlmx
macrumors 6502a
Just out of curiousity, what are the specs on yours?
Due to a crappy internet connection, I'm waiting til Lion releases to buy mine, so it will just ship with it.
I'm in college and actually sold my 15" MBP and purchased an 11" MacBook Air in the middle of the year. With the books, binders, and additional research that I needed to carry around to the library, the MacBook Pro was extra weight I wasn't willing to carry... especially coming home late from the library at midnight or one. If you're simply planning on working in your dorm, stick with the 15". Otherwise, I value the portability. I have written many smaller 4-5 page papers on my Air. If I'm going to write a more substantial paper, I generally use a machine at the college since the 11" screen (and I believe a 13" screen too) feel cramped. I am 100% satisfied with my decision. Hilariously enough, after purchasing my MacBook Air 11", my roomie loved the portability and speed of my machine that he sold his Pro for an Air so we both have 11" Airs now and love them. The largest constraint the Air faces, aside from the GPU (which doesn't matter to me), is the SSD size. If you have a lot of music and/or photos, it may be difficult to fit everything onto the SSD. I definitely had to scale down a bit. Still, I haven't run into too many issues. I am planning on investing in a new external HD soon though and partition it as a back-up and a regular ol' external.
Additionally, a huge recommendation I have is to download a free application called Bumptop. Bumptop, though not distributed anymore can still be found around online, was purchased by Google supposedly for Android. Bumptop gives individuals extra screen real-estate on their desktop. It's like a 3D desktop. Downloading Bumptop when moving to the 11" screen definitely made the screen not feel cramped. Also, though going from a 15" to an 11" screen may feel like a tremendous change now, it seriously becomes normal. Amazingly enough, people do indeed get used to their surroundings and living within their constraints.
Additionally, a huge recommendation I have is to download a free application called Bumptop. Bumptop, though not distributed anymore can still be found around online, was purchased by Google supposedly for Android. Bumptop gives individuals extra screen real-estate on their desktop. It's like a 3D desktop. Downloading Bumptop when moving to the 11" screen definitely made the screen not feel cramped. Also, though going from a 15" to an 11" screen may feel like a tremendous change now, it seriously becomes normal. Amazingly enough, people do indeed get used to their surroundings and living within their constraints.
does anyone use autocad on there macbook air 11'? I'm asking because im studying drafting in college and need to know if it runs on the macbook air 11' with 4gb?
I will only be using it at home to edit the stuff i do in class, and maybe to some assignments on it if i don't have the time to complete it at college.
I will only be using it at home to edit the stuff i do in class, and maybe to some assignments on it if i don't have the time to complete it at college.
if u already have a macbook pro 15inch than save ur money and use that for college.
persaonlyl, you will be typing essays and researchig online and having a larger screenis much nicer to do all that.
sure u can use an external display but thats another big thing to hog to college.
save ur money and use the 15inch. more powwer to use and more screen to have with you on the go.
i just got a 2011 15inch, for college baby
what are u taking?
persaonlyl, you will be typing essays and researchig online and having a larger screenis much nicer to do all that.
sure u can use an external display but thats another big thing to hog to college.
save ur money and use the 15inch. more powwer to use and more screen to have with you on the go.
i just got a 2011 15inch, for college baby
what are u taking?
I got through my ma program and most of my phd with a 10" netbook. No problem, especially if you get an external display for your room.
If apple ever gets a clue and makes it possible to pair a mouse with the iPad i can get all but the final drafts done on an it. I use a bt keyboard with it now, but it's only good for first drafts. Editing is a gorilla arm nightmare.
Currently, I do paper and pen in class, iPad for reading between classes (everything is digitized), and scan my notes into PDF form for upload to Evernote at home. I only use my mbp 13 at the end of the day to write. I don't carry books. My "backpack" is a man purse (water field vertigo). It is quite liberating after so many years of being crushed under the weight of my research and drowning in a sea of looseleaf paper, binders, and mamilla folders.
Give a think to your workflow. You may not need to spend several hundred for the MBA after all.
If apple ever gets a clue and makes it possible to pair a mouse with the iPad i can get all but the final drafts done on an it. I use a bt keyboard with it now, but it's only good for first drafts. Editing is a gorilla arm nightmare.
Currently, I do paper and pen in class, iPad for reading between classes (everything is digitized), and scan my notes into PDF form for upload to Evernote at home. I only use my mbp 13 at the end of the day to write. I don't carry books. My "backpack" is a man purse (water field vertigo). It is quite liberating after so many years of being crushed under the weight of my research and drowning in a sea of looseleaf paper, binders, and mamilla folders.
Give a think to your workflow. You may not need to spend several hundred for the MBA after all.
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I think the 13 is the way to go. It's not that much larger as far as the laptop goes. At the least, get an external screen if you go 11.
entatlrg
macrumors 68040
From someone who owns both I say get the 13".
Once the coolness factor of the little 11" wears off you'll appreciate the extra screen real estate in everything you do.
For side by side documents, 13" is doable, 15/17" a little better but nothing is better than an external monitor, you can get them at all prices. I'd keep a look out for a used ACD for a good price.
A college student with a 13" MBA and an ACD ... that's the ultimate.
Post back what you end up buying and how you like it...
Once the coolness factor of the little 11" wears off you'll appreciate the extra screen real estate in everything you do.
For side by side documents, 13" is doable, 15/17" a little better but nothing is better than an external monitor, you can get them at all prices. I'd keep a look out for a used ACD for a good price.
A college student with a 13" MBA and an ACD ... that's the ultimate.
Post back what you end up buying and how you like it...
I want a sleek, lightweight 11" MBA as much as anyone. And I drive everywhere. But lets get real. If the MBP and a few text books are too heavy for you you don't need a lighter computer, you need to toss around a few dumbbells. Chicks, especially in college where you'll really want to get at 'em, will appreciate it too.
Not directed at the OP or anyone in particular, but after scanning this thread and hearing the whines about carrying a computer and books... omg...