$450 for a 11" mid 2013 MBA 1.3/4gb/128 a good deal?

[vanimal]

I was browsing local craigslist for a 13" MBA for around the house use. Was looking for at least a 2013 and on with the better battery life. I came across a 11" version mid 2013 1.3/4gb/128 for $600. I asked if they would be interested in trading for a iPad Air 2 like new that i had sitting around. They said they were in need of the cash. I asked if any wiggle room, and got they would do $500. Long story short they said if i could pick up this afternoon she would do $450.

I thought that was a REALLY good deal being its in good condition with no scratches on the screen. Has a battery health of 92% with 122 cycles. I did want a 13" being i have bigger hands and its just for around the house use and in bed. The 11" seems better sized at home than seeing it in store, especially compared to the 13" next to it.

I seen the going rate is about $650 ish for these on eBay with free shipping. It came with a few extra, like USB to ethernet adapter, and a incase sleeve pouch. Do you think its worth me to sell it on my eBay store and end up with with roughly around $560 after fees? And go pick up a used 2013 13" and add the cash? Roughly a $150 on top if i could find a good deal being patient.

Or should i just stick it out with the 11" for a year or so and hope for a 14" MBR or MBA retina, doubt that lol. I was set on the 13" but the 11" isn't so bad after using it at home. I enjoy the 16:9 aspect ratio. But i do enjoy the bigger keyboard and screen from the 13".

$450 seems like a solid deal, don't want to end up being greedy and punching my own self in the stomach adding unnecessary cash.

Thoughts?

 

[jdechko]

That's a great price on those, I think. And they're still a fantastic machine. I have that same model and it's my primary machine. Keyboard is the same size on both the 11 and 13, though, if I remember correctly, the 13" has a little more key travel to it. But like I said, the 11" is a solid computer for around the house and can even handle a little bit of heavy lifting.

As far as screen size, the only thing I had to do was bump the minimum font size in safari to be a bit larger (I found it strained my eyes).

As far as not being greedy, I'd agree. One terrible outcome is that you could fall victim to a scam and be out the money and the laptop.

 

[vanimal]

That's a great price on those, I think. And they're still a fantastic machine. I have that same model and it's my primary machine. Keyboard is the same size on both the 11 and 13, though, if I remember correctly, the 13" has a little more key travel to it. But like I said, the 11" is a solid computer for around the house and can even handle a little bit of heavy lifting.

As far as screen size, the only thing I had to do was bump the minimum font size in safari to be a bit larger (I found it strained my eyes).

As far as not being greedy, I'd agree. One terrible outcome is that you could fall victim to a scam and be out the money and the laptop.

I did notice that it was also straining my eyes. Had a 13" MBPR in the past. I just bumped it once and it made a big difference. Thanks for that tip.

The 13" would be nice, but as noted the 11" isn't as small as i thought. I guess it seems a bit smaller in the store, and when you take home a 13" its the opposite once you get home. Plus oddly the 13" MBA has a larger footprint compared to a 13" MBPR. I am guessing to spread it out, but still ultimately lighter.

As for getting scammed, I'm covered by the eBay buyer/seller protection. I just meant i would have to find another good deal on a 13", and still prob come out of pocket another $150-ish. Perhaps the 11" will suffice until i see what the 2nd version of the MBR brings

 

[David58117]

That's an amazing price, and even despite having the 15" retina - I think my 11" air is my favorite laptop that I've ever owned.

I go between a retina screen and it all the time, and find I quickly adjust to the airs screen.

The power per size is just insane, and it's what ultimately replaced my iPad.

I would try the air out for a few days before you decide to sell it..

 

[vanimal]

That's an amazing price, and even despite having the 15" retina - I think my 11" air is my favorite laptop that I've ever owned.

I go between a retina screen and it all the time, and find I quickly adjust to the airs screen.

The power per size is just insane, and it's what ultimately replaced my iPad.

I would try the air out for a few days before you decide to sell it..

I do agree, the 11" has surprised me. I have always played with it in store and wrote it off saying nah too small. I stilly kind of want to get a 13" 2013 or up. But i just don't know if it would justify itself after selling the 11" with the good deal and than putting out a extra $100 or a little more.

 

[Airboy1466]

I do agree, the 11" has surprised me. I have always played with it in store and wrote it off saying nah too small. I stilly kind of want to get a 13" 2013 or up. But i just don't know if it would justify itself after selling the 11" with the good deal and than putting out a extra $100 or a little more.

I honestly got a 2013 13” inch MBA with apple care until 2017 off eBay for $589 free shipping so I’m pretty sure if you keep looking on eBay you will find you self a deal like i did

 

[vanimal]

I honestly got a 2013 13” inch MBA with apple care until 2017 off eBay for $589 free shipping so I’m pretty sure if you keep looking on eBay you will find you self a deal like i did

I agree, i do like "finding" the deals too. Fun for me hunting it down if i have the extra time. The thrill of victory.

 

[motrek]

I do agree, the 11" has surprised me. I have always played with it in store and wrote it off saying nah too small. I stilly kind of want to get a 13" 2013 or up. But i just don't know if it would justify itself after selling the 11" with the good deal and than putting out a extra $100 or a little more.

I've noticed the same thing at stores like the Apple Store and Best Buy.

The 11" MBA looks ridiculously small in those settings for some reason. Maybe because they're often positioned right next to the 13" models? I always see them and think, holy crap, what is that tiny tiny laptop?? Oh right, it's the one I've owned for the last 4 years and look at every single day.

 

[vanimal]

I've noticed the same thing at stores like the Apple Store and Best Buy.

The 11" MBA looks ridiculously small in those settings for some reason. Maybe because they're often positioned right next to the 13" models? I always see them and think, holy crap, what is that tiny tiny laptop?? Oh right, it's the one I've owned for the last 4 years and look at every single day.

Exactly! And i am a bigger guy! Plus another thing i noticed is you get much less "black bar" area for watching media purposes since its a 16:9 not 16:10. So the extra space doesn't always come in handy for media so to speak. But i can pop the MBA onto my 27" Asus monitor that i use when i play Xbox one at my desk. Or on my 65" TV on the wall for that matter. If i really want the extra space and want to use a keyboard/mouse.

I think i am being "greedy" here. I stumbled across a VERY generous deal. And I'm trying to stretch it to get the 13". Granted i would enjoy the extra 1.3" and more wrist area for my larger hands. However i mean with the dock on auto hide, the 11" screen isn't so bad. Especially for the $450 i paid. I could easily stretch it a year or two until Apple makes my dream device. MBA 13.3" with Retina "not gonna happen" OR... The current MBR with Skylake & a 14" screen in the small footprint factor

 

[motrek]

Exactly! And i am a bigger guy! Plus another thing i noticed is you get much less "black bar" area for watching media purposes since its a 16:9 not 16:10. So the extra space doesn't always come in handy for media so to speak. But i can pop the MBA onto my 27" Asus monitor that i use when i play Xbox one at my desk. Or on my 65" TV on the wall for that matter. If i really want the extra space and want to use a keyboard/mouse.

I think i am being "greedy" here. I stumbled across a VERY generous deal. And I'm trying to stretch it to get the 13". Granted i would enjoy the extra 1.3" and more wrist area for my larger hands. However i mean with the dock on auto hide, the 11" screen isn't so bad. Especially for the $450 i paid. I could easily stretch it a year or two until Apple makes my dream device. MBA 13.3" with Retina "not gonna happen" OR... The current MBR with Skylake & a 14" screen in the small footprint factor

Yeah, if you put the dock on the side, then the 11" MBA has basically the same screen real estate as the 13" rMBP at default settings.

I'm 6'1 and 180 lbs. and if you gave me a 13" MBA I would sell it immediately and buy the 11" model. I don't see the 13" MBA as better at all.

I do most of my work on a 27" 1440p monitor at my desk. So the main thing I want from my laptop is portability.

 

[vanimal]

Great points. I'm roughly 6'1 205 more athletic muscular build. But I see no reason is it works for you that it won't for me. Plus the 11" is badass in bed compared to my past MBRP 13" which was a tad cumbersome in bed after a while.

I think your points make sense now and put me at ease. Granted I don't do "work" on it. But I could easily hook it to my 27" Asus 1080p monitor and watch media etc or browse.

Thanks for the insight!

 

[jdechko]

I could easily stretch it a year or two until Apple makes my dream device. MBA 13.3" with Retina "not gonna happen" OR... The current MBR with Skylake & a 14" screen in the small footprint factor

Nothing wrong with keeping the 11" for now and seeing how it works for you. And if it doesn't, you can always try to sell it and recoup your cost.

Also, I agree with motrek. Dock on the side makes a huge difference. And I'm convinced that full-screen apps were designed with the 11" in mind. And the portability of the 11" is wonderful (I can't comment on the new 12" MB, however).

 

[bubulol]

I got exactly same model as yours for 550$
So i can assume it would be a great deal
11 inches toward portability, i don't know why 13 is more popular than 11 because if i pick 13, i would go for MBP 13
I spent 550$, i have bought couple accessories (mCover, Be.ez sleeve, usb hub 3.0, thunderbolt to hdmi/dvi/vga, usb 3.0 to ethernet)
For about 100$ spent, i got a decent MBA 11 + i can use as main computer at home which i can connect it through external screen monitor

 

[vanimal]

I got exactly same model as yours for 550$
So i can assume it would be a great deal
11 inches toward portability, i don't know why 13 is more popular than 11 because if i pick 13, i would go for MBP 13
I spent 550$, i have bought couple accessories (mCover, Be.ez sleeve, usb hub 3.0, thunderbolt to hdmi/dvi/vga, usb 3.0 to ethernet)
For about 100$ spent, i got a decent MBA 11 + i can use as main computer at home which i can connect it through external screen monitor

I happened to have a thunderbolt to a HDMi laying around to hook up to my 27" monitor. 27" is awesome for screen real-estate. And than I can just unplug it and bring it into bed while I watch TV. 11"s seems to be prefect using while laying down. I deff have warmed up to the 11". Totally different story using it at home compared to seeing it in store!

 

[sracer]

I happened to have a thunderbolt to a HDMi laying around to hook up to my 27" monitor. 27" is awesome for screen real-estate. And than I can just unplug it and bring it into bed while I watch TV. 11"s seems to be prefect using while laying down. I deff have warmed up to the 11". Totally different story using it at home compared to seeing it in store!

In addition to autohiding the dock and placing it on the side, I have found that using fullscreen mode whenever possible is another way to maximize the usefulness of every pixel. Combine that with multitouch gestures on the touchpad, and it is a buttery-smooth experience. (On Mavericks anyways)