The only monitor I have is my Thunderbolt Display, but the 11" MBA runs it without a problem. I'm sure others can weigh in.
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Going Back to 2015 11" MBA
- Thread starter jmoore5196
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The only monitor I have is my Thunderbolt Display, but the 11" MBA runs it without a problem. I'm sure others can weigh in.
I've attached my 11" MBA to a variety secondary displays from a 21" monitor to a 60" HDTV and projectors. It was able to drive them all at their native resolutions... by VGA or HDMI.
As zone23 noted in 2012:
I'm not an apologist for the MBA display. When Apple creates a comparable laptop (comparable in size, performance and specification) with a retina display, I'll be among the first to order it.
I'm not an apologist for the MBA display. When Apple creates a comparable laptop (comparable in size, performance and specification) with a retina display, I'll be among the first to order it.
It seems to me price is the issue because the 13" MBP is more comparable to the MBA then the older MBP it was supposed to replace. When I say comparable I'm talking about weight and size.
I don't disagree. The only reason I reverted to the 11" MBA is because I was able to buy a new one for $850. If it were $1700, I'd opt for the 13" MBP.
I gave up on using dual monitors on my 2013 MBA. It is supposedly possible with an external dock but you also need a thunderbolt pass-through port on another device connected to the dock, such as a disk drive. I tried this with the OWC Thunderbolt dock and it would not work reliably so I returned it and gave up (ended up getting a quad core 2012 mini for that, which is twice as fast as the MBA also).
Now the 2013 MBA has HD5000 graphics, I believe newer models have the HD6000 so that might make a difference, not sure. Another option would be using a USB monitor interface but that is going to have more latency. Airplay though an Apple TV is another way to add a second external screen, but again there will be a lag.
Matrox makes a box called something like DualHead2Go (?) that can drive two monitors however they are treated as one single large screen. So if you connect two 1920x1080 screens you get a 3840x1080 desktop spread across both screens. Basically, I think Apple wants people to buy a MacBook Pro if they need more than one external screen.
I just spotted a top of the range 11" in the refurb store (UK), i7 8GB 512GB. Hovered, hummed, ahh'd, then got one. My wife wouldn't be without hers. With the state of the new Mac's, especially prices, loss of mag safe and usb-c dongles, I thought I'd be better of with this and no waiting for Apple's new machines and new prices. My wife is happy she has a spare Air now as she relies on it so much.
Nice purchase, depending on your usage that should last you a while too!
Still rocking a 2013 11" MBA, it's a beautiful machine. Not so sure about Sierra on it though.
Bravo and well done; I have just gone on line myself, but that 'maxed-out' model is no longer around.
The is a terrific machine - indeed, it is the very one I am using to type this post, and mine (exactly the same specs as the computer you have just bought) has travelled the world with me.
Enjoy your purchase.
My girlfriend/partner has the 11" Air.
I'm jealous of it.
I have the 13" 2015.
It's so much more portable in handling.
The screen is not that much smaller, to watch video content you don't loose that much.
She has the last model where you can change the battery.
But mine can do the full 4K 60hz ...
That 11" model gives me the same feeling as the 12" powerbook did,
It's very powerfull for such a small device.
I don't mind the screens once I'm two days away from an IPS monitor.
I've had laptops witch worse screens. But also much better, but none is as portable/powerfull.
Have 13" 2015 MBP and prefer the air.
Haven't used the 2016 models, only just typed, it feeled a little less solid than the airs and 2015 MBP's.
I'm jealous of it.
I have the 13" 2015.
It's so much more portable in handling.
The screen is not that much smaller, to watch video content you don't loose that much.
She has the last model where you can change the battery.
But mine can do the full 4K 60hz ...
That 11" model gives me the same feeling as the 12" powerbook did,
It's very powerfull for such a small device.
I don't mind the screens once I'm two days away from an IPS monitor.
I've had laptops witch worse screens. But also much better, but none is as portable/powerfull.
Have 13" 2015 MBP and prefer the air.
Haven't used the 2016 models, only just typed, it feeled a little less solid than the airs and 2015 MBP's.
I have two MBAs - a 2013 and a 2015. Both run Sierra fine w/o a hitch. In all honesty, I can barely tell any performance difference between the 2013 with the 1.3 GHz i5 and the 2015 with the 2.2 GHz i7.
What apps do you run on your MBA? I'll be running Adobe CC apps and Camtasia. Thanks.