Had the 11" and 13" and Settled on 13"

[webster69]

So you're comparing purchasing and opening up two different Macs to test-driving a car?

When you test drive a car, you get to test drive a model on the lot. The car might be new, or it might have been test driven before; who knows. But they keep a test driving model out. You don't get to take the car home, etc, etc. The car also doesn't come wrapped in shrink-wrap that, when opened, deems the car as "used", and worth less on resale. One car can be used for many different test-drives from people... but with a Mac, only one person can unwrap a new one.

There's a reason Apple has their laptops out on display. There's a reason you can book free appointments with them. You can go and spend an hour+ easily with a model of your choice to try it out in the store. If we're comparing car lots to MacBooks, then that's basically it: You don't get to see how the car you're test driving parks in your driveway. Or how it works on a vacation drive. Or how it drives down that highway you like that's 100 miles away. You get to test drive it around the block, or few a few km's around, and see what it's like. Same with an Apple computer: You get to test drive it in the store for quite a while, and you can ask questions, etc, etc.

It's just not appropriate to take advantage of a return policy in that way. Such behaviour can ruin things for the rest of us. Those sorts of actions are what can cause a company to have to modify their policies. Who knows? Maybe if there weren't people who took advantage of the policy like you are, we might have had a 3-week return policy. Apple keeps track of everything in their business; returns, when things are returned, etc... those are things they keep numbers on. I'm not saying people like you are in the masses (because I don't know)... but what I do know is that it's odd that you're justifying it all, as if it should be common-practice for people who are uncertain of which model they want to simply pick up every model they're considering and take it home as a rental.

I am guessing you are very young, have never purchased a new car. I have absolutely taken cars home and have even been encouraged to keep them over the weekend to see if it met my needs. The Nissan vehicle in my driveway was brand new and I had it for a weekend before I decided to buy. I have bought new cars with mileage already on them - again you are very ignorant.

So to hopefully set you straight I contacted the Apple store this morning and explained the situation. The Manager had zero concern about the return and indicated "we want to make sure you are satisfied with the purchase as it is a big investment". He also said that a person can't always make an informed decision on the sales floor as it is not a real world environment when you take into consideration custom app's, personal situation how the system will be used etc.

The reason for this post was to advise people of my situation and my feedback to hopefully help them make an informed decision (possibly to help them avoid returning something that won't meet their needs).

It's so uplifting to have to deal with people like you

 

[AbeFroman77]

Wait, he didn't tell you that it's unethical and you shouldn't return something you are not satisfied with?

 

[s.hasan546]

So you're comparing purchasing and opening up two different Macs to test-driving a car?

When you test drive a car, you get to test drive a model on the lot. The car might be new, or it might have been test driven before; who knows. But they keep a test driving model out. You don't get to take the car home, etc, etc. The car also doesn't come wrapped in shrink-wrap that, when opened, deems the car as "used", and worth less on resale. One car can be used for many different test-drives from people... but with a Mac, only one person can unwrap a new one.

Actually i take the test drive car home for a day many times. When i was looking at the lotus evora ($70,000 car) they let me take it home to test and see if i liked it. Now Apple is just as expensive relatively in the computer world so why shouldn't i be able to take a long test drive?

Also i buy everything through best buy. Im a silver member. About $10,000 in spending year with them. They don't give a crap if i buy a laptop and keep it for 44 days and return it on the 45th day. **** their just happy they have my business. Same as Apple. They get a lot of business from us loyal mac users. They already account for "losses" with selling refurbs. In my business, returns, damaged merchandise, operating costs; etc are all taken into account to set my selling price.

 

[s.hasan546]

I am guessing you are very young, have never purchased a new car, or are just ignorant and like to make comments you know nothing about. I have absolutely taken cars home and have even been encouraged to keep them over the weekend to see if it met my needs. The Nissan vehicle in my driveway was brand new and I had it for a weekend before I decided to buy. I have bought new cars with mileage already on them - again you are very ignorant.

Exactly. Kids :roll eyes:. Of course if your an 18 year old kid coming into the mercedes dealership asking to take home a brand new s550 they aren't going to say yes. But I've had extended test drives on many high end cars. and it is actually how my family has bought all of our bmws, mercedes; etc.

 

[bigp9998]

Actually i take the test drive car home for a day many times. When i was looking at the lotus evora ($70,000 car) they let me take it home to test and see if i liked it. Now Apple is just as expensive relatively in the computer world so why shouldn't i be able to take a long test drive?

Also i buy everything through best buy. Im a silver member. About $10,000 in spending year with them. They don't give a crap if i buy a laptop and keep it for 44 days and return it on the 45th day. **** their just happy they have my business. Same as Apple. They get a lot of business from us loyal mac users. They already account for "losses" with selling refurbs. In my business, returns, damaged merchandise, operating costs; etc are all taken into account to set my selling price.

Exactly. Kids :roll eyes:. Of course if your an 18 year old kid coming into the mercedes dealership asking to take home a brand new s550 they aren't going to say yes. But I've had extended test drives on many high end cars. and it is actually how my family has bought all of our bmws, mercedes; etc.

While I agree with your opinion on returns, let me just summarize your posts so others don't have to read them:

"I have a lot of money."

 

[AbeFroman77]

While I agree with your opinion on returns, let me just summarize your posts so others don't have to read them:

"I have a lot of money."

So what if he does, it must bother you if that what stands out to you.

 

[PaulWog]

I am guessing you are very young, have never purchased a new car, or are just ignorant and like to make comments you know nothing about. I have absolutely taken cars home and have even been encouraged to keep them over the weekend to see if it met my needs. The Nissan vehicle in my driveway was brand new and I had it for a weekend before I decided to buy. I have bought new cars with mileage already on them - again you are very ignorant.

So to hopefully set you straight I contacted the Apple store this morning and explained the situation. The Manager had zero concern about the return and indicated "we want to make sure you are satisfied with the purchase as it is a big investment". He also said that a person can't always make an informed decision on the sales floor as it is not a real world environment when you take into consideration custom app's, personal situation how the system will be used etc.

The reason for this post was to advise people of my situation and my feedback to hopefully help them make an informed decision (possibly to help them avoid returning something that won't meet their needs).

It's so uplifting to have to deal with people like you

Quit with the ad hominem insults here. Calling me a "kid" won't get you anywhere with your argument. It's better to stay on topic rather than start with name calling.

Fact of the matter is I think it's somewhat of a lifeskill to be able to make simple decisions like these. I mean, what's next? Test drive an oven, fridge, barbecue, microwave, and shoes as well? Take them home for a few days and give them a spin?

Anyways, it's good that you've gotten the model your enjoy. I guess if things happened in a different order: You bought the 11-inch first, didn't like it, then bought the 13-inch instead, it would've been the same thing in the end.

 

[AbeFroman77]

LOL, I don't understand why people are sensitive over what Apple allows and is part of their policy.

 

[s.hasan546]

While I agree with your opinion on returns, let me just summarize your posts so others don't have to read them:

"I have a lot of money."

Lol does that bother you or something?

I'm just comparing apple the high end computer brand in the computing world right now to high end cars. Someone stated you can't test drive these cars past the lot, I'm just simply stating that there are expensive cars out there that dealerships will let you take home, so why should an expensive laptop be any different?

 

[s.hasan546]

Fact of the matter is I think it's somewhat of a lifeskill to be able to make simple decisions like these. I mean, what's next? Test drive an oven, fridge, barbecue, microwave, and shoes as well? Take them home for a few days and give them a spin?

Sorry but you make yourself seem like a kid. You know ovens and other appliances have return policies too right? sometimes when you get it home the wife will hate it

 

[AbeFroman77]

LOL, since when did retail stores start selling stuff as is. No returns, "no matter what" (CYE reference)

 

[PaulWog]

Lol does that bother you or something?

I'm just comparing apple the high end computer brand in the computing world right now to high end cars. Someone stated you can't test drive these cars past the lot, I'm just simply stating that there are expensive cars out there that dealerships will let you take home, so why should an expensive laptop be any different?

I guess what I was getting at there is that a car and a laptop are quite different. Anyways, I guess the simple answer to the argument I've perpetuated is this (as stated by someone else in this thread): if it gets to be a problem, Apple will accordingly change their policies.

 

[AbeFroman77]

I guess what I was getting at there is that a car and a laptop are quite different. Anyways, I guess the simple answer to the argument I've perpetuated is this (as stated by someone else in this thread): if it gets to be a problem, Apple will accordingly change their policies.

It's not a problem because more and more people are buying Macs because of policies like this. That's what makes them stand out like certain high end automakers. This isn't the first time Apple has been compared to high-end cars.

 

[bigp9998]

So what if he does, it must bother you if that what stands out to you.

I could not possibly care less how much money he has, I just thought it was funny how he designed his post to include as many references to his lavish spending habits as possible.

 

[webster69]

Quit with the ad hominem insults here. Calling me a "kid" won't get you anywhere with your argument. It's better to stay on topic rather than start with name calling.

Fact of the matter is I think it's somewhat of a lifeskill to be able to make simple decisions like these. I mean, what's next? Test drive an oven, fridge, barbecue, microwave, and shoes as well? Take them home for a few days and give them a spin?

Anyways, it's good that you've gotten the model your enjoy. I guess if things happened in a different order: You bought the 11-inch first, didn't like it, then bought the 13-inch instead, it would've been the same thing in the end.

You about summed it up - this is not an argument it is to express my likes\dislikes on each model and hopefully help others make informed decisions. If anyone went off topic I would say it was you.

Give me a shout when you are in the market for a new fridge I will give you some pointers.

 

[s.hasan546]

I could not possibly care less how much money he has, I just thought it was funny how he designed his post to include as many references to his lavish spending habits as possible.

Lavish spending habits? I wish

I compared apple with high end cars. That's it. Not how much i spend on the car, remember bmw and mercedes has cars in a big range of price.

And my best buy spending habits is mainly for work w/ a few toys thrown in

 

[dacapo]

Not sure how the OP's experience is really meant to help anyone in particular, except as a good lesson about how easy it is to waste time installing and wiping the hard drive 3 times.

Not sure how the others' criticism of the OP's really helps anyone either.

One thing I know for a fact after using my MBP13 (1280x800) for about a year is that my next MBA will be the 13" for my needs. I don't need to test out 2 machines at home.. I just know it from experience.

Come to think of it, the OP is probably new to the Mac world, and he's definitely new to MR, so I'd say cut him some slack.

 

[berkleeboy210]

My 13" just got delivered today. I'm very happy with it!

 

[vell0cet]

The discussion of whether or not it's okay to return is silly. Part of buying Apple products is the service. Being able to return it is part of the service that you're paying for when you buy an Apple product.

I personally think this adds a great deal of value as I have purchased laptops in the past and after a week felt like it's wasn't powerful enough or it was too heavy and then just "had to make do".

ANYWAYS, this thread got totally hijacked by someone who seems to just like to judge the (IMO justified) actions taken by others to ensure that they get the best product for their needs. Apple wants to MAKE and SELL you the best product for your needs/wants. If you don't get what you need/want, they're not getting what THEY want.

What I'm more interested in is what everyone thinks about the 11" vs 13" situation. I bought an 11" last thursday but I'm thinking the screen size and battery life are just not big enough for me. The portability is great though. Do you have any comments on how the physical size difference hampers (or does not hamper) your portability. For instance, have you noticed many situations where you would have brought the 11" but elected to leave the 13" at home?

 

[ZBoater]

I bought an 11" last thursday but I'm thinking the screen size and battery life are just not big enough for me. The portability is great though. Do you have any comments on how the physical size difference hampers (or does not hamper) your portability. For instance, have you noticed many situations where you would have brought the 11" but elected to leave the 13" at home?

I saw an add for a jacket that would hold all your gadgets, and had a pocket for a 11" MBA. That's about the only time I can possibly think a 11" fits where a 13" doesn't. I have a laptop case for work where I carry a ThinkPad and an iPad, and I can STILL fit the 13" MBA inside a Knomo leather case. And my bag is not that big.

I put the 11" on top of the 13" on the Apple Store and the difference does seem huge. The 11" is a work of art, no doubt about that. But I don't carry my $1700 laptop under my arm. I usually have a briefcase or backpack. Your method of carry may be different (maybe you have a tiny sack while you ride a bike, and only an 11" may fit?). But I was unwilling to sacrifice screen resolution and real estate which I intend to benefit from a lot more often than a couple of inches less in my briefcase. YMMV.

 

[webster69]

Hopefully back on track with this Thread.

I was aware the battery life was 2 hours shorter and I really did notice it. It's one of those things where you know all the specs but real world testing really hits home and shows you what you can and can't live with.

I also found myself zooming a few times to pick up details that I was fine on with the 13" and my eyes are fine. For example I found using a spreadsheet on the 13" was fine but had to tweak several settings to make it work on the 11" because the cells were too small for me.

I was also missing the palm space more than I thought I would for typing. Trackpad is fine on the 11 by the way even though it is smaller.


I know these are are compromises that allow us to have a powerful portable device and it really is impressive but it just wasn't for me because I had to tweak too many things to make it what I wanted.

 

[entatlrg]

Those are all good points.

We have both 11 and 13" in the house, it's a tough decision.

Because of the work I'm doing this afternoon I appreciate the 13" and extra 2" of screen real estate ... if I'm using a notebook car or plane leisurely outside on the desk then I like the 11" more ...

 

[macabouttobe]

Good Grief!

I want to personally thank the OP for sharing their experience. I'm going through the same decision process and absolutely appreciate the insight. Keeping a bunch of "refurbished" 11" MBA's off the market!
OP shared data comperable to some compensated authors of some major computer rags for free to us lurking around this thread to kill time. Absolutely helpful to my decision process when I pull the trigger over the coming weeks. The "return policy" detour was absolutely annoying.

 

[vell0cet]

After working with the 11" for a couple of days, I've decided I'm going to return it for the 13". The portability is really nice but I do a significant of development and require tools such as image editors, photoshop, etc. And the small screen space just isn't working out. Thanks for sharing you experience!

 

[reputationZed]

I've got to say: If you're making a $1600 purchase, it is you who should be 100% confident in it.

You shouldn't go and buy multiple products with the intention of returning all but one of them; all with the intention of simply getting to play with everything and picking out your favourite toy from the bunch.

Apple offers their 14-day return policy for one main reason:
So that if someone is actually dissatisfied with the purchase for an unforeseen reason, they can return the product. This is profitable for Apple, since it encourages people to shop at their store: There isn't any worry for the consumer that they'll be stuck with something that they didn't want (ex. present for a birthday, or simply a bad purchase).

It's really not in place so that you can take a bunch of products home, unwrap them, play with them, and keep your favourite one.

Not classy.

It's expensive for a reason. It's a big purchase. So why would you unwrap $3200 worth of products, only to purchase $1600 worth, and dump a $1600 used one on Apple? I mean come on... that's no excuse... "large purchase"... come on.

I highly doubt that Apple is overly concerned that maybe 1 customer in 1000 would bother with multiple returns. On the contrary its in Apples best interest to ensure customer satisfaction, they are far more interested in winning you over as a customer for life than they are with a couple of returns.

The OP not only invested his (I'm guessing his and not her) time and effort in finding the best solution for their needs, but took the time to pass this experience on to the rest of us. The OP wins, because he knows he got the model he wants, we win because the OP shared the experience with us, and guess what Apple wins because they most likely gained another long term customer. Apple can still sell every returned MBA as a refurb and still make a profit, and they win there too because someone got an awesome deal on on mint condition used Mac.

OP, thank you very much for sharing this with us. I'd debated the same question myself and ultimately went with the 13". I'm much to lazy to invest the time and effort you did, but I'm glad you shared it.