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Another 11" vs. 13" Post...
- Thread starter A4orce84
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Except that unlike most Windows machines, MBA comes with soldered RAM, which means:
1) It's not just some crappy $25 4GB DDR3 stick we are talking about.
2) Apple, like any other manufacturer in this scenario would, takes advantage of the fact that RAM is non-upgradable and sets the prices accordingly.
The 11" still has the resolution of the cheapest PC laptop but 13" is 1440x900. The retina laptop I have here and MBA 13" don't really have a discernible difference in display quality. The 1440x900 is retina enough for me I guess.
Yeah, the 11" actually has a higher PPI than the 13", despite being lower res (1366x768 vs. 1440x900, respectively).
Huh, I didn't know that! Interesting. Maybe it's because I see cheap 15.6" PC laptops with the 11" resolution. 768 vertical pixels is pretty useless on such a mammoth screen but now you mention the higher density it might not be so bad for the 11". I'll need to look at that again next time I go into an Apple store.
This is the danger of focusing on specs. Many look at the raw numbers of screen resolution without considering pixel density. The result: they claim that because the MBA 11" doesn't have a retina-class display then it is a "pixelated blurry abomination".
I've long since stopped trying to explain to people why the MBA 11" is an amazing ultrabook. They want to miss out, that is on them.
I had this dilemma last month. I guess we shared the same situation here... as I owned rMBP 15" but now I have to travel a lot places to places and also to the class, so I look for something that serve my need the most.
as for me... I considered only the base models, 11' and 13", since I'm not gonna use it with super complicated task. So the price different between these two, I assumed, is not included into consideration.
The points to consider...
1.) The foot print , where you gonna use it most of the time? believe me it's really different between 11" and 13" when you put it on the table and in your bag.
* some said that the palm rest is too small for 11" (for me I find no problem at all) So you may also need to consider this.
2.)The screen aspect ratio. Personally I kinda like the screen aspect ratio of 11" (16:9), I find it fit so well with this size, but certainly it's not for everyone.. so better be sure your personal preference.
3.)And the most important one, the size of the screen. From what I had done my research before making my decision, many people who bought 11" mostly because they like the form factor and its ultra portability (like me) but after using, they found 11" is too small and scarified too much of the screen real-estate in order to be portability and usability. To meet half way, in this case, Air 13" would be suitable and the right product for them.
For the portability, I think both are designed with that priority in mind. So it's a matter of what is your comfort zone.
After all I bought 11" and I could say it's done what it promised (evermore for battery life) and I found it a perfect solution for me. Actually, I treat it as a tablet with zero hesitation to put it in my bag everyday.
I hope this help you make a right decision and meet your expectation.
as for me... I considered only the base models, 11' and 13", since I'm not gonna use it with super complicated task. So the price different between these two, I assumed, is not included into consideration.
The points to consider...
1.) The foot print , where you gonna use it most of the time? believe me it's really different between 11" and 13" when you put it on the table and in your bag.
* some said that the palm rest is too small for 11" (for me I find no problem at all) So you may also need to consider this.
2.)The screen aspect ratio. Personally I kinda like the screen aspect ratio of 11" (16:9), I find it fit so well with this size, but certainly it's not for everyone.. so better be sure your personal preference.
3.)And the most important one, the size of the screen. From what I had done my research before making my decision, many people who bought 11" mostly because they like the form factor and its ultra portability (like me) but after using, they found 11" is too small and scarified too much of the screen real-estate in order to be portability and usability. To meet half way, in this case, Air 13" would be suitable and the right product for them.
For the portability, I think both are designed with that priority in mind. So it's a matter of what is your comfort zone.
After all I bought 11" and I could say it's done what it promised (evermore for battery life) and I found it a perfect solution for me. Actually, I treat it as a tablet with zero hesitation to put it in my bag everyday.
I hope this help you make a right decision and meet your expectation.
It is, I am hoping Apple will send the 11" out in style with a retina screen, for a couple of years, and laugh all the way to the bank
Try travelling with an 11" MBA and then you will be able to answer this question.
I went from a 2008 15" MBP to a 2011 13" MBA to a 2013 11" MBA. I love the 11" MBA, it really is the perfect machine for travel.
Try travelling with an 11" MBA and then you will be able to answer this question.
I went from a 2008 15" MBP to a 2011 13" MBA to a 2013 11" MBA. I love the 11" MBA, it really is the perfect machine for travel.
I would consider one if it had a retina screen or at the very least 1080p since it is a 16:9 aspect ratio I believe?
Yes, the 16:9 screen and long battery life makes it very nice as a media player. I really don't think Retina adds much. As has been mentioned, the dot pitch is very high on this screen already. Viewed at a "lap distance" I think a full HD screen would look about the same. And I would not want default fonts any smaller than they already are on the 11" screen.
The 11" i7/8gb/512gb MBA is my primary machine and it is tethered to a big monitor and other peripherals much of the time. A retina screen wouldn't help there either.
The 11" i7/8gb/512gb MBA is my primary machine and it is tethered to a big monitor and other peripherals much of the time. A retina screen wouldn't help there either.
[doublepost=1452655826][/doublepost]it's fine. I bought the adapter with the rMB.
doesn't take much getting used to.
the device flies and works perfectly for my tasks
I used to always use 15's as a primary computer I would take everywhere, and it's just a tad too big/wide. People bump into it all the time in public if I'm sitting down with it on my lap. It also takes up a big piece of a typical nightstand, coffee table, etc. It's not very portable, feels like a boat.
You answered your own question with the statement above: Go for the 11 inch (for portability).
No offence, but people who say "I would consider one if it had a retina screen" are clearly spoiled. Current MBA screen is still VERY good and MUCH better than many/most windows laptops. Resolution is not everything, there are plenty of windows 1080P machines that output much worse quality image than MBA. So it's definitely "above average" at the very least.
I was unable to watch last night, so this morning I pulled up my favorite recliner and my 11" MBA to watch the president's State of the Union address. After reading this and other posts on video quality, or lack thereof on an MBA, I paid some attention to what I was seeing. The picture was amazing. My only retina device is my iPhone 6. I don't think the video would have been any better on it than the MBA.
I have no experience with the 13" model, but the 11" rocks in my opinion. YMMV (but I bet it won't).
I have no experience with the 13" model, but the 11" rocks in my opinion. YMMV (but I bet it won't).
Many? Most windows laptops are 1080p and are still better than the MBA..... I'll take most windows laptops over the MBA..... And in the price range of the MBA I'll get the base model of the Dell XPS 13....at 1080p and a better screen will the it's ips technology.
Let's not just talk about price alone. What about the additional price you pay to maintain your Windows laptop ? When you purchase a MacBook you are rest assured to use it without any issues for 4-5 years. Can you say the same thing about a windows laptop ?
Expenses - Windows OS, anti virus, battery issues after 1 year. All of the above you need to either purchase or keep renewing.
No need to go into details, after 2-3 years that windows laptop in 2nd hand market will be worth no more than 5-6 years old MBA.
EDIT: Just to back this up:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/ASUS-Zenboo...870124?hash=item2eea6345ec:g:5R4AAOSwZG9WkuRh (2012/2013 model)
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Apple-MacBo...107145?hash=item2a5f6565c9:g:FXYAAOSwaA5Wiz61 (the absolute cheapest I could find from 2009)
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This is the danger of focusing on specs. Many look at the raw numbers of screen resolution without considering pixel density. The result: they claim that because the MBA 11" doesn't have a retina-class display then it is a "pixelated blurry abomination".
I've long since stopped trying to explain to people why the MBA 11" is an amazing ultrabook. They want to miss out, that is on them.
I have just recently purchased a 11 MBA , should be delivered sometime between the 22 to 27. Yeah for me.
I went with the 11 inch specifically for travel . I selected the 128 gb with the i7 and 8gb ram upgrades. Long story short I was approved for apples 0% financing and had to choose upgrades or larger ssd. I choose upgrades.
I'm a working professional who is taking technology management courses. I choose the 11 strictly because tablets can not provide me with tools that I will need daily.
During my uni years I had a 15" MBP , after uni attended a technical college and used a 13" MBP and on my current schooling binge I have decided with a 11" MBA , as I have gotten older I have started to use my laptop's less for media and more for work.
Finally after saving nearly 300 ponies by going with a 128gb ssd I purchased a qnap ts series nas to hold all my media and photos.
It's all preferences , I find using 11" sufficienint for using ide's or any source code editors sufficient. I probably would have opted for a 10" MBA if available.
Much as I love my iPad, I need a file management system and access to Adobe apps that aren't available on iOS. The 11" MBA is, I think, the next best thing. I know the 12" MB has its adherents, but the ability to dock to my TBD if necessary is also important. I keep my 15" rMBP for long trips and the 11" MBA for short hauls. I wish I could get down to a single laptop and my iMac, but the only solo laptop solutions involve substantial compromise. For the moment, I'll keep on keeping on with both the MBA and MBP.