I just picked up the latest 11" at the store today at max capacity with 256SSD, 1.8, i7. Will try it out for 10 days, and if the battery life sucks I will exchange for the 13".
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11 vs 13 macbook air
- Thread starter tim100
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According to tests by both Macworld and AnandTech, the i7 and i5 models have very similar battery lives.
11 inch for sure. At first was worried about the smaller screen, but OSX makes great use of limited space, I feel I can pretty much live with just the air now.
13" for me 
.
While still within the return period of my base 13", I decided to try out the 11" in order not to have any regrets later. I have always eyed it ever since the first model came out: I love the idea of having a fully capable computer in such a small, gorgeous-looking package.
Playing with it in the Apple Store wasn't enough to get a good feel for the screen size and resolution in my daily use, and obviously, doesn't give any indication regarding actual battery life during that use.
Like everybody says in forums and reviews, the 11" is amazingly small (and cute), powerful, sturdy, has a comfortable full-sized keyboard and almost full-sized trackpad. It definitely lived up to all my expectations. It breathes perfection.
But... I prefer the 13" for two reasons:
1. Battery life: (tested on an i7 / 4 GB / 256 GB) Starting from 78% of remaining charge out of the box, it lasted almost 3 hours of web browsing, HTML5 and Flash videos, 720p videos. Playing a low-bandwidth (3.5 mbps) 720p video in VLC over Wi-Fi, a full charge would last 3h57, while playing a high-bandwidth one (10 mbps), it would last only 2h50. In the same tests, the 13" lasts about one more hour.
2. Screen resolution: The size is fine, though I keep wishing they would expand the screen over the currently large bezel. The 16:9 aspect ratio is perfect for me: movies and TV shows expand over whole area (that's why 11" is fine). The pixel density is not as impressive as in the 13" (even though it's higher) simply because there are less pixels in total. Videos are not as sharp, text and images are more pixelated since they're rendered with less pixels. Also, text is just that little bit too small. After using the 11" for 3 hours, I went back to the 13" and the screen felt huge in comparison (in a good way). The bigger screen surface felt liberating, and text and images were crisper. That was the deciding factor.
I could live with the shorter battery life. The screen size is enough given the 16:9 aspect ratio. It came down to the difference in screen resolutions. Both the 11" and 13" feel equally as comfortable to carry, move around and use on my lap. As a consequence, the lower screen resolution, while impressive for a computer that size, is a compromise that I can't justify making. Though I could definitely use the 11" as my main computer, the 13" being better in the two areas listed above, it's the one I'm going to keep.
.While still within the return period of my base 13", I decided to try out the 11" in order not to have any regrets later. I have always eyed it ever since the first model came out: I love the idea of having a fully capable computer in such a small, gorgeous-looking package.
Playing with it in the Apple Store wasn't enough to get a good feel for the screen size and resolution in my daily use, and obviously, doesn't give any indication regarding actual battery life during that use.
Like everybody says in forums and reviews, the 11" is amazingly small (and cute), powerful, sturdy, has a comfortable full-sized keyboard and almost full-sized trackpad. It definitely lived up to all my expectations. It breathes perfection.
But... I prefer the 13" for two reasons:
1. Battery life: (tested on an i7 / 4 GB / 256 GB) Starting from 78% of remaining charge out of the box, it lasted almost 3 hours of web browsing, HTML5 and Flash videos, 720p videos. Playing a low-bandwidth (3.5 mbps) 720p video in VLC over Wi-Fi, a full charge would last 3h57, while playing a high-bandwidth one (10 mbps), it would last only 2h50. In the same tests, the 13" lasts about one more hour.
2. Screen resolution: The size is fine, though I keep wishing they would expand the screen over the currently large bezel. The 16:9 aspect ratio is perfect for me: movies and TV shows expand over whole area (that's why 11" is fine). The pixel density is not as impressive as in the 13" (even though it's higher) simply because there are less pixels in total. Videos are not as sharp, text and images are more pixelated since they're rendered with less pixels. Also, text is just that little bit too small. After using the 11" for 3 hours, I went back to the 13" and the screen felt huge in comparison (in a good way). The bigger screen surface felt liberating, and text and images were crisper. That was the deciding factor.
I could live with the shorter battery life. The screen size is enough given the 16:9 aspect ratio. It came down to the difference in screen resolutions. Both the 11" and 13" feel equally as comfortable to carry, move around and use on my lap. As a consequence, the lower screen resolution, while impressive for a computer that size, is a compromise that I can't justify making. Though I could definitely use the 11" as my main computer, the 13" being better in the two areas listed above, it's the one I'm going to keep
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Interesting thread, although I realize that most posts are about the previous generation MBA's. I was recently at an Apple store and I was surprised how much I liked the 11" now I am torn between the two ...........
Love the form factor of the 11, but 768 vertical pixels is just too small to run Logic and certain other programs.
I had a white MacBook for quite a while and even its 800 vertical pixels were not enough. The 900 offered by the 13 MBA is the minimum I need for these applications.
Yes I also prefer the longer battery life and so on, but the resolution for me is the big deal. (Also, with the 2010 version, the 13 was the only way to get the larger 256Gb SSD).
I had a white MacBook for quite a while and even its 800 vertical pixels were not enough. The 900 offered by the 13 MBA is the minimum I need for these applications.
Yes I also prefer the longer battery life and so on, but the resolution for me is the big deal. (Also, with the 2010 version, the 13 was the only way to get the larger 256Gb SSD).
Went for a 13" MacBook Air. I loved the portability of the 11" but I want to do iOS and .NET development on it and the 11" is just too small for doing development.
Plus I wanted the extra battery capacity with the 13".
Plus I wanted the extra battery capacity with the 13".
11 i7 256GB
I wanted the smallest form factor, and then got a refurb 24" ACD and Apple keyboard and Magic trackpad. Wonderful setup, and I'm fortunate to have no flickering problems with the external monitor. But, in all candor, the battery life on the 11 MBA is a little disappointing, and if I hadn't been planning on getting the external monitor, the 13" MBA would have been a better choice. The screen on the 11" is sharp, but small, and the even though the keyboard looks to be exactly the same size, the larger wristpad and trackpad on the 13" makes it more comfortable.
I wanted the smallest form factor, and then got a refurb 24" ACD and Apple keyboard and Magic trackpad. Wonderful setup, and I'm fortunate to have no flickering problems with the external monitor. But, in all candor, the battery life on the 11 MBA is a little disappointing, and if I hadn't been planning on getting the external monitor, the 13" MBA would have been a better choice. The screen on the 11" is sharp, but small, and the even though the keyboard looks to be exactly the same size, the larger wristpad and trackpad on the 13" makes it more comfortable.
Have both 11 and 13".
Probably would benefit from the larger screen and longer battery life of the 13".
But, I LOVE my 11" i7 and use it the most.
Probably would benefit from the larger screen and longer battery life of the 13".
But, I LOVE my 11" i7 and use it the most.
My take on the conundrum from a late 2010 perspective that
if you intend to use the MBA all day, then get the 13. (this may or may not apply to the new weights and processing speeds) but food for thought:
The 13 gets me through 1 work day (6.5 hours making sure that I put it to sleep during lunch/breaks). That means I carry just the 13.
If I try to do the same with the 11 inch, I need to carry the charger.
The charger weights almost the exact weight difference between the 11 and the 13, which in effect negates the 11 inch's "weighs less" argument for my personal usage.
My Work day = 8 hours
MBA usage at work = Approx 6.5 hours (MBA sleep during lunch/downtime).
To get 6.5 hours of battery life, my choice is:
- the 13 inch by itself
OR
- the 11 inch + charger
2010 MBA 13 = 2.9 pounds
2010 MBA 11 = 2.3 pounds
2010 Charger weight = 0.6 pounds (please note, I'm using a cooking scale I stole from my wife, not an official weight from apple)
MBA 11 + Charger = 2.9 pounds
MBA 13 no Charger = 2.9 pounds
Difference in weight = 0 pounds.
13 inch Benefit analysis based on no weight difference:
The 13 has more screen real estate + power + SD slot + bigger trackpad + better battery life.
I do admit though that the 11 inch is more portable if you're not trying to use it for a whole day, but this analysis is based on my own usage. Once I tack on the charger to the equation, I find the 13 inch suits me better.
if you intend to use the MBA all day, then get the 13. (this may or may not apply to the new weights and processing speeds) but food for thought:
The 13 gets me through 1 work day (6.5 hours making sure that I put it to sleep during lunch/breaks). That means I carry just the 13.
If I try to do the same with the 11 inch, I need to carry the charger.
The charger weights almost the exact weight difference between the 11 and the 13, which in effect negates the 11 inch's "weighs less" argument for my personal usage.
My Work day = 8 hours
MBA usage at work = Approx 6.5 hours (MBA sleep during lunch/downtime).
To get 6.5 hours of battery life, my choice is:
- the 13 inch by itself
OR
- the 11 inch + charger
2010 MBA 13 = 2.9 pounds
2010 MBA 11 = 2.3 pounds
2010 Charger weight = 0.6 pounds (please note, I'm using a cooking scale I stole from my wife, not an official weight from apple)
MBA 11 + Charger = 2.9 pounds
MBA 13 no Charger = 2.9 pounds
Difference in weight = 0 pounds.
13 inch Benefit analysis based on no weight difference:
The 13 has more screen real estate + power + SD slot + bigger trackpad + better battery life.
I do admit though that the 11 inch is more portable if you're not trying to use it for a whole day, but this analysis is based on my own usage. Once I tack on the charger to the equation, I find the 13 inch suits me better.
I bought the maxed out 11" a month ago, and I love it. Since I'm old, I was afraid I would find it too small, but it's just perfect for my needs. I'm retired but returning to work as a part-time consultant, and I just didn't want to drag my 15" MBP back and forth every day.
I find the 11" 16:9 screen is plenty spacious--plus, watching movies with no letterboxing is a real kick. I can set up movies for my grandchildren to watch, and we're good to hop in the car and go. It's better than a portable DVD player.
I've hidden the dock and use full-screen mode often for the work I do in Pages/Numbers/Safari, and that works out just fine for me. I've used Aperture with no problems at all. Yes, it's much easier to work on photos on my iMac, but the Air is always right next to me, which is a huge advantage when I can carve out a few minutes here and there for hobbies.
All in all, I've been much happier with it than I expected to be. I find it hard to plunk the MBP on my lap any more because it feels like a brick.
I find the 11" 16:9 screen is plenty spacious--plus, watching movies with no letterboxing is a real kick. I can set up movies for my grandchildren to watch, and we're good to hop in the car and go. It's better than a portable DVD player.
I've hidden the dock and use full-screen mode often for the work I do in Pages/Numbers/Safari, and that works out just fine for me. I've used Aperture with no problems at all. Yes, it's much easier to work on photos on my iMac, but the Air is always right next to me, which is a huge advantage when I can carve out a few minutes here and there for hobbies.
All in all, I've been much happier with it than I expected to be. I find it hard to plunk the MBP on my lap any more because it feels like a brick.
I was thinking about buying a used or refurb 2010 model since I don't really need a lot of raw processing power. Do the 2010 airs get better battery life than the new ones?
There is absolutely no way you can choose one of these without occasionally looking longingly at the other.
Thrust me on this
sooo true.
Darn you, apple.
Your marketing is too much for my little brain to cope with.
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I'm shocked! I thought the 13" would be the leader by far. Personally I would go 11".
There is absolutely no way you can choose one of these without occasionally looking longingly at the other.
Thrust me on this
After reading this thread, all I can think about is how much more I'm waiting to decide with so many things to think about, how WELL Apple created this 3rd generation MBA (thank you Apple gods), and that somewhere, at some point everyday some apple engineer, marketing vp, and product manager are busting a gut laughing at just how confused those of us are on making a choice.
I WANT the 11" because of portability and the Ultimate gives me the power, storage, and portability that is beyond compare - I don't own an iPad and doubt I will in the next 6mths to be honest.
Through daily use I really think that the 13" Ultimate will serve me better due to longer battery life when completely isolated in a mobile sense, the slight processor bump, larger trackpad - and keep any worries of Logic Express at bay with higher resolution ALL for $50 less than the 11".
PS: 13" Ultimate pricing with optional CPU vs 11" Ultimate with 256GB SSD + optional cpu is $50 cheaper Canadian than the former.
I just bought the 13in and love it. I am totally obsessed with the 11 though. But I can't justify any reason to take the 13in back and get the 11.. For me the 13in is small enough to take anywhere.
But I'll be damned if the 11in isn't a sexy little beast... And some of the cool cases for it make it that much more tempting.
But I'll be damned if the 11in isn't a sexy little beast... And some of the cool cases for it make it that much more tempting.
I've got both. A 2010 11" 2/1.4/128, and I upgraded to a 2011 13" ultimate and love it. However, I just can't stand the idea of selling the 11" because its so perfect for travel and working in a cafe. Beyond the weight, the smaller size makes it so much more unobtrusive to just pull out and start working.
Yea, its totally irrational to have both, but they really are distinctively different machines - much more so than the numerical dimensions would suggest.
It really is a hard decision. But from a practical standpoint, the 13" is the way to go. Beyond browsing, if you have to do real work on it, the 11" screen is limiting after a while.
I'll eventually sell the 11"...maybe next month.
Yea, its totally irrational to have both, but they really are distinctively different machines - much more so than the numerical dimensions would suggest.
It really is a hard decision. But from a practical standpoint, the 13" is the way to go. Beyond browsing, if you have to do real work on it, the 11" screen is limiting after a while.
I'll eventually sell the 11"...maybe next month.
i bought an 11inch strictly because of my job. i am a high school teacher, and i have to change rooms more often than i'd like. my old 15inch macbook pro was a heavy brick to carry around, and the battery life wasn't that great. this new baby mac really kicks ass. the battery life is pretty good; it could be better. still, it's so light and quick. it runs all my keynotes, etc. i wish i got the extra 256 gigs, but after iTunes match, 128 is doable. if yr on the move a lot, this will be the notebook for you. the full screen apps and zooming made the jump down in screen size a non-issue.