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

[HiRez]

I assume if there's a "foreseen" reason for returning it, you wouldn't buy it in the first place. Hence, I think the "unforseen" bit is unnecessary.

 

[s.hasan546]

just got thru the first day with my 11". i got 3 hours of battery the first charge with watching 3 hours of video while emailing, internet browsing (20 tabs).

I just went through another battery cycle. I got 2 hours and 25 minutes. Watching a tv show the whole time, emailing, and browsing the internet (20 tabs).

idk if this will be enough battery life. It seems like even the mba 13" will only get me another hour, which idk if it is worth the extra $100 +$50 lost from reward zone points (i bought the 11" at the BB private sales event).=

 

[reputationZed]

Back on topic with a 13" v 11" question. Obviously a 13" screen offers more real-estate than an 11" screen, but I wonder how other factors, aspect ratio (16:10 v 16:9) and resolution (1440 x 900 v 1366 x 768) play into the perception of increased workspace. As enticing as the 11" footprint is the 16:9 aspect ratio seem a bit squashed. Do you find it all comes down to a question of size or are aspect ratio and resolution equally important.

 

[KPOM]

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.

Exactly. It's a little like my situation with my 2010 MacBook Air. As I indicated in my Marketplace listing, I spilled a glass of wine on it last weekend. I went into the Apple Store fully expecting to pay for the repair, but to my surprise, they gave me a one-time exception and fixed it, returning it in better shape than it was when I bought it refurbished (delivered on Saturday, no less). I didn't expect it or ask for it, but Apple won a long-term customer that way.

Apple's flexible return policy is more explicit. The ability to return a major purchase (and for most people, a $1000-$1700 purchase is major) helps make people more likely to make that purchase, since it reduces the risk. Someone not sure if the MacBook Air is the right purchase has 2 weeks to decide. Even with Apple's limited hardware selections, there are still a lot of variants, each with its pros and cons. A flexible return policy helps build long-term customer relationships.

 

[urkel]

The reason Apple puts in the policy is so that people are completely satisfied with their purchase. It goes alongside their position in the market as a premium brand.

Its always interesting when people start slamming their fellow consumers in order to defend the big corporations. I dont believe in ripping anyone off, but in this situation then Apple is a company where "The Experience" is 50% of the product. And this has worked out very well for them.

For anyone to act as if Apple is going to suffer because people are trying their products is silly because when it comes to very good products then a lenient return policy usually SELLS more products than deters a purchase.

 

[Matthew9559]

Having a good return policy makes for a much more satisfied customer! These are high end computers.

 

[webster69]

Back to the 13" and very happy with the decision. Absolutely no issues with the second return and Apple store was completely understanding.

I ended up with the 13" ultimate and the biggest improvement is the screen real estate and battery life. I could have lived without the sd card slot and larger palm rest but for the apps I run the screen difference is night and day.

For those of you who care I run Photoshop CS5. Aperture, Lightroom, Sitegrinder, Freeway Pro, GarageBand etc.

Again not knocking the 11" it is a wonderful machine but for anyone who is in need of something for any type of development work I think you should strongly consider the 13". I wanted the portability of the 11 to take to clients etc. but the 13" is not that much larger and I find it easier to use as a regular day to day system.