2011 11" MBA questions: Lion, Brightness, Battery life

[kazmac]

Hi everyone,

Looks like I am going to pick up a 2011 MBA.

I have a few questions about the 11/13" models.

Is the 2011 11" still blindingly bright? I tried all of the tricks to tone it down and I just couldn't deal with it. Felt like I was looking into a nuclear reactor.

Does Lion's full screen mode negate the need for scrolling through apps, documents, web pages etc.?

Does anyone use the magic mouse with their 2011 MBAs?

If so, how friendly is the MM with Lion?

Does the 11" Air go beyond it's 5 hour mark for writing tasks? I would be using Office, Final Draft, TextEdit and MovieMagic Screenwriter.

One thing which disappointed me about the MBA was the amount of battery life I gobbled up just using screenplay software on the 2010 13" Ultimate (about 8-10% an hour). Granted, I have a very hard time with track pads.

I am getting an Air as secondary machine to write and work on my online coursework on the go. This will include watching movies. I have my iMac for any photo imaging and video conversion.

I loved the 13" ultimate but if I jump, it's either the high end 11" or the base 13".

Thanks in advance,

 

[GGJstudios]

Does the 11" Air go beyond it's 5 hour mark for writing tasks? I would be using Office, Final Draft, TextEdit and MovieMagic Screenwriter.

One thing which disappointed me about the MBA was the amount of battery life I gobbled up just using screenplay software on the 2010 13" Ultimate (about 8-10% an hour). Granted, I have a very hard time with track pads.

Your battery life is dependent on many factors, including screen brightness, WiFi, bluetooth, apps/widgets/processes running, Flash content on websites, etc. This should answer most, if not all, of your battery questions:

Apple Notebook Battery FAQ​

 

[macdudesir]

Hi everyone,

Looks like I am going to pick up a 2011 MBA.

I have a few questions about the 11/13" models.

Is the 2011 11" still blindingly bright? I tried all of the tricks to tone it down and I just couldn't deal with it. Felt like I was looking into a nuclear reactor.
I don't find mine too bright...you do know you can adjust the brightness right? I love low brightness so i keep mine at 1 notch most of the time...

Does Lion's full screen mode negate the need for scrolling through apps, documents, web pages etc.?
I wouldn't say it negates it, but i certainly helps a lot...i don't really notice that the screen is 11 inches until i go back to my 27" iMac...mostly because of the resolution and full screen.

Does anyone use the magic mouse with their 2011 MBAs?
I can't answer this one, as i don't....

If so, how friendly is the MM with Lion?
I use my iMac with lion and a MM so i can answer this one...its defiantly NOT the trackpad...but it gets the job done...you can switch between full screen apps and do mission control and zoom...but it doesn't have all the features of the trackpad.
Does the 11" Air go beyond it's 5 hour mark for writing tasks? I would be using Office, Final Draft, TextEdit and MovieMagic Screenwriter.
One thing which disappointed me about the MBA was the amount of battery life I gobbled up just using screenplay software on the 2010 13" Ultimate (about 8-10% an hour). Granted, I have a very hard time with track pads.
I don't really do this...at least not yet...but i can say I've gotten more than 5 hours with browsing with keyboard lights off and display brightness between 1-3 notches...probably about 6 hours i got on the 11''...I imagine it will get about 6:30-7 using just text editing software with the conditions i noted above...

I am getting an Air as secondary machine to write and work on my online coursework on the go. This will include watching movies. I have my iMac for any photo imaging and video conversion.
Same setup i have...love it.

I loved the 13" ultimate but if I jump, it's either the high end 11" or the base 13".
I have the high end 11" couldn't ask more more...its perfect to carry around...i picked up my 15 inch PC yesterday and i almost fell over...i forgot how heavy those things were...i find myself carrying the macbook air around a ton...not sure how i would feel about the 13"...probably wouldn't carry it so much...but if you need the extra real estate, go with the 13 inch.

Thanks in advance,

Read what i posted above in red. Let me know if you have any more questions

 

[kazmac]

nope think I'm good

Read what i posted above in red. Let me know if you have any more questions

Macdudesir, I do use the brightness settings (long time Mac owner ). The 2010 11" MBA was too bright on the lowest setting, forgot to mention that.

Your comments helped, thanks.

I'll be testing them out tomorrow and possibly Thursday night. Right now about the only thing the 2011 11" has going for it, sight unseen is the weight difference. Price-wise, the $100 difference between the 11" high and the base 13" is not a deal breaker.

And GGJstudios, thanks for the battery FAQ link. I've learned to be aware of my battery/app/general settings since those results on the 2010 MBA.

Thanks to you both.

 

[macdudesir]

Macdudesir, I do use the brightness settings (long time Mac owner ). The 2010 11" MBA was too bright on the lowest setting, forgot to mention that.

Your comments helped, thanks.

I'll be testing them out tomorrow and possibly Thursday night. Right now about the only thing the 2011 11" has going for it, sight unseen is the weight difference. Price-wise, the $100 difference between the 11" high and the base 13" is not a deal breaker.

And GGJstudios, thanks for the battery FAQ link. I've learned to be aware of my battery/app/general settings since those results on the 2010 MBA.

Thanks to you both.

Well then, 1 notch definatly isn't too bright to me...have you used an 11 inch yet? It's plenty big...especially since you have an iMac. I can't see you needing extra processor in the 13 inch. But it's not my money, it you really like the 13 inch, go for it. Just saying give the 11 inch a try

 

[kazmac]

I will look at the 11" again

Well then, 1 notch definatly isn't too bright to me...have you used an 11 inch yet? It's plenty big...especially since you have an iMac. I can't see you needing extra processor in the 13 inch. But it's not my money, it you really like the 13 inch, go for it. Just saying give the 11 inch a try

Did not get to the store this morning, but I may go tonight after work.

I will definitely play around with both machines, but am also thinking of a MBP now because of the expandibility.

Regardless of what I choose, I have to do test drives at home. With my vision, the software I use and how bright Apple stores are, it's pretty tricky to be absolutely sure that I've chosen the right Macbook.

thanks again for the responses

 

[kazmac]

returned MBP bought 11" Air

Returned MBP...

looked at both Airs and decided on an 11". After giving it a second look in the early morning natural light of Grand Central (at night when I got the MBP it the lights overhead made it unbearable): You were right Macdudewsir, the brightness is much lower than the 2010s.

Now that I am finally aware that it's a combination of processor/ram and storage as far as page outs, beach balls etc. I will know not to expect my Air to be doing uber multitasking and backflips. Realistically, I am writing on this, whether it's text edit, word, notes or Final Draft and surfing/watching movies for class etc. And when I factor in how rough my commute can be etc. the smaller size/weight is definitely a plus.

I appreciate everyone's comments and I learned something I thought I knew, but really did not.

So away I go... sometimes you have to try out things to really get to what it is you need. And want. Needs come first.