Anyone using the new 11" Air as their main machine?

[waltercln]

i been using my MBA as my main as well after my windows laptop got into some problems.

my question is, does it matter if i use an external monitor and leave it plugged in most of the day? the battery is what i mean, im a bit paranoid and feel the battery would wear down and become crappy if i leave the charger plugged in most of the day everyday because of an external monitor. should i worry about this? or am i becoming too paranoid and loving with my new machine.


also is there a way i can output to the external monitor only and not have the image also run on the MBA? can't seem to figure that out yet. i would like to use the airs keyboard thats why.

 

[urkel]

I posted earlier how I went to an 11" and one of the things that bugged me was managing data on a 128GB SSD. Well, I gound a solution. I gave in and bought an open box last gen Mac Mini from Best Buy for $400.

I thought I could live off one computer (and I could) but this solved so many problems.
- DVD can be shared so I saved $80 there
- Firewire drives arent wasted anymore
- Main Aperture library resides there and I can just export projects to the Air (which clears a ton of space and makes the 128GB SSD feel very roomy)

The only problem I have now is sharing two computers which is kinda a pain but i wont complain.

 

[h00ligan]

i been using my MBA as my main as well after my windows laptop got into some problems.

my question is, does it matter if i use an external monitor and leave it plugged in most of the day? the battery is what i mean, im a bit paranoid and feel the battery would wear down and become crappy if i leave the charger plugged in most of the day everyday because of an external monitor. should i worry about this? or am i becoming too paranoid and loving with my new machine.


also is there a way i can output to the external monitor only and not have the image also run on the MBA? can't seem to figure that out yet. i would like to use the airs keyboard thats why.

no - http://www.apple.com/batteries/notebooks.html

yes - http://osxdaily.com/2010/04/27/set-the-primary-display-mac/

 

[waltercln]

no - http://www.apple.com/batteries/notebooks.html

yes - http://osxdaily.com/2010/04/27/set-the-primary-display-mac/

thanks a ton for the links

 

[h00ligan]

Glad to help.

 

[B J M]

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11" 1.6 i5 with 128GB/4GB hooked up to a 46" Sony Bravia 3D HDTV.

I plan on getting the 11" as my main computer 4gb 128 ssd i5, and hooking it up to a 42 inch tv instead of having to invest in another monitor, I take it this works for you and your 46inch screen is fine on your eyes?

 

[jbanning]

I had a 2010 13" MacBook Air and went a bought the 11". I like it soooo much better. To me the size if perfect. Fits easier in my bag, easier to carry IMO. It's my main computer for work and i have a 27" iMac for personal.

Full screen apps are really nice under Lion (I had my doubts initially, but once you learn all the gestures for app switching, it really does work well). I work from home most days and have the 11" hooked up to a 24" monitor.

When I'm at a client or the office, the 11" form factor is perfect for taking notes during meetings (it seems to stay out of the way). All in all, it's the best laptop I've ever owned (and I've had plenty over the years).

 

[Sounds Good]

I work from home most days and have the 11" hooked up to a 24" monitor.

This is like my situation except I work from home EVERY day and hook up to a 24" monitor 95% of the time. Still trying to make sure 11" is the right way to go (for me) rather than 13". Since you're in a similar boat and have used both sizes, got any thought for me on this subject?

Thanks!

 

[DieterRams]

I had a 2010 13" MacBook Air and went a bought the 11". I like it soooo much better. To me the size if perfect. Fits easier in my bag, easier to carry IMO. It's my main computer for work and i have a 27" iMac for personal.

Full screen apps are really nice under Lion (I had my doubts initially, but once you learn all the gestures for app switching, it really does work well). I work from home most days and have the 11" hooked up to a 24" monitor.

When I'm at a client or the office, the 11" form factor is perfect for taking notes during meetings (it seems to stay out of the way). All in all, it's the best laptop I've ever owned (and I've had plenty over the years).

If you didn't have an external monitor and didn't have the option of getting one, would you still have gone for the 11"? Would you be able to use it as normal, comfortably, without an external monitor at all as opposed to the 13"?