How old are you and how are your eyes? As I head further into middle age, my MBA 11 is getting pretty hard on my eyes for text. My 2013 MBA purchase is going to be a 13 as my 2012 11 gives me headaches after prolonged use.
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Help me decide 11" or 13"?
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How old are you and how are your eyes? As I head further into middle age, my MBA 11 is getting pretty hard on my eyes for text. My 2013 MBA purchase is going to be a 13 as my 2012 11 gives me headaches after prolonged use.
WHAT ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT?
I kid, this is a valid point - and another point for trying it out before you buy.
WHAT ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT?
I kid, this is a valid point - and another point for trying it out before you buy.
ROFL, I did and I thought I would be ok with the MBA 11. After using it for about 30 minutes or so is when my eyes start to get pretty fatigued. I don't get this effect with the MBP 13 and certainly not the rMBP. I don't know if the OP or I would be comfortable tooling around the Apple store for 30 min + on a laptop.
i hear you - but i don't think you should feel bad about doing that. you're looking to drop a grand or two, they can handle you messing with the machines.
i had 4 going at one point before i purchased - i open up every program, reboot,load up word and look at documents. watch youtube videos etc - i go the whole 9 yards.
the other option is of course to just buy both and play with them and then return one a week later... the home user experience.
Now I'm definitely convinced and will wait for the 13" rMBP update. I do have a 27" thunderbolt display but I want to use it mainly away from the desk and the retina with the IPS panel is so gorgeous.
And the Choice Was.....
13"!
I saw that Best Buy was having a sale on the Air so I decided to take a ride and check out the 2 models. Was able to use my rewards also.
Hands down, it was the 13" at first sight. The 11" was tough on my eyes where as the 13" felt great. Typing on it right now and am sooooo happy!
Thanks for all of the help!
Craig
13"!
I saw that Best Buy was having a sale on the Air so I decided to take a ride and check out the 2 models. Was able to use my rewards also.
Hands down, it was the 13" at first sight. The 11" was tough on my eyes where as the 13" felt great. Typing on it right now and am sooooo happy!
Thanks for all of the help!
Craig
I had the same dilemma, but ultimately decided on the 11". I love the smaller profile and portability of the smaller notebook. I'm also well past middle age, and have no problem with the screen size (I also have good contact lenses).
I've only had my MacBook for less than a week, and already love it as a second Mac. I have a 27" iMac at home, so I have both ends of the spectrum when it comes to size.
I've only had my MacBook for less than a week, and already love it as a second Mac. I have a 27" iMac at home, so I have both ends of the spectrum when it comes to size.
This is the biggest reason I went with the 11". I knew I would be hooking it up to a 27" display at home. You can't beat the portability of the 11" Air.
I personally think the portability difference between the two is overblown. And yes, I've owned them both. You're still going to have to carry the 11 in a bag. And once you're using a bag, the 1/2 lb difference isn't that noticeble, nor is the footprint. So since portability is a wash, with the 13 you get the bigger screen, SD card slot and longer battery life. Can't overstate how much better the bigger screen is. I have an external monitor as well but never use it. When I previously had only the 11, I couldn't use it for extended periods of time unless I had an external monitor. In fact, had I gotten the 13 first, I may never have bought a monitor!
You don't have kids I'm assuming then. For me the 11" is a world better than the 13" as every little bit of space/weight saving is a absolute blessing when flying the family around.
To me it's either an 11" MBA, or if 13" is a must, the 13"rMBP. 13" Air makes no sense. But hey, etto.
You use most of your text to try and convince us that the portability differences between the 11 and 13 are "overblown". IMO, the differences regarding weight and size (length, width and depth) are MORE THAN JUST NOTICEABLE, and especially when you have to put it in a bag that you like to use, and that bag has limited space, a bag in which the 11 but NOT the 13 can be placed and carried in a convenient way. Further, IMO the difference between the 11 and 13 is NOT big when it comes to the keyboard (I have no problems with the 11 keyboard), and actually I don't need the extra area of the 13. In fact, I prefer the ratio of the 11 screen: For me, it's more comfortable and "natural" to look at the 11's ratio.
Battery time is no longer a problem for the 11, IMO, with Haswell. I can live with the missing SD slot. (I don't like that the SD card in the slot of the 13 does not go all the way in, either.)
For me portability (weight and size) is very important, and even though the difference is not very big, it's is big enough for me clearly to prefer the 11. Therefore, I strongly disagree with the poster who says that these differences are "overblown".
i'm also currently in the evaluation phase and wonder if there are any differences regarding heat and fan noise? ... does the fans of the 11" kick in faster or does the 11" get's hotter? ... because the 13" (with the same specs) has a larger case to compensate the heat better i guess
It all depends on your wants/needs:
Screen Size:
11.6" vs 13.3" (13": 15% longer on diagonal)
16:9 ratio vs 16:10 (13": 11% taller per ratio)
1366x768 vs 1440x900 (13": 24% more pixels, 17% more vertical rows)
135 DPI vs 127 DPI (11": slightly sharper)
57.5 sq.in vs 79.5 sq.in. (13": 38% more surface area)
Weight:
2.38 lb. vs 2.96 lb. (13": 24% heavier)
Footprint:
85.2 sq.in. vs 114.4 sq.in. (13": 34% bigger)
Battery Life:
7 hours vs 10 hours real-life usage (13": 43% longer)
SD Reader:
11" No vs 13" Yes
Speakers:
2012 13" louder/better than 2013 11"
Price:
13": $100 more at equivalent processor/RAM/SSD spec levels
Unlike previous years, the 11" and 13" now have the same processor spec levels/options at the entry level. If you connect the MBA to a monitor for a high % of your usage time or really want something barely bigger than the retina iPad, then I'd say go with the 11". If you do not connect to a monitor, the 13" is nice to have a bigger screen, especially the vertical pixel rows.
Screen Size:
11.6" vs 13.3" (13": 15% longer on diagonal)
16:9 ratio vs 16:10 (13": 11% taller per ratio)
1366x768 vs 1440x900 (13": 24% more pixels, 17% more vertical rows)
135 DPI vs 127 DPI (11": slightly sharper)
57.5 sq.in vs 79.5 sq.in. (13": 38% more surface area)
Weight:
2.38 lb. vs 2.96 lb. (13": 24% heavier)
Footprint:
85.2 sq.in. vs 114.4 sq.in. (13": 34% bigger)
Battery Life:
7 hours vs 10 hours real-life usage (13": 43% longer)
SD Reader:
11" No vs 13" Yes
Speakers:
2012 13" louder/better than 2013 11"
Price:
13": $100 more at equivalent processor/RAM/SSD spec levels
Unlike previous years, the 11" and 13" now have the same processor spec levels/options at the entry level. If you connect the MBA to a monitor for a high % of your usage time or really want something barely bigger than the retina iPad, then I'd say go with the 11". If you do not connect to a monitor, the 13" is nice to have a bigger screen, especially the vertical pixel rows.
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I personally think the smaller footprint makes it more portable. In that sense, the portability difference is not overblown. I too have owned both and the footprint does make a difference on small cafe tables or airplanes. The 13 inch is a great computer but just doesn't work as well for me.
I put the 13" on top of the 11" at the store, and the difference is just not that great. Outside of a big pocket in a cargo pant, I can't think of a place that the 11" can go the 13" can't, including the cramped little tables behind the airplane.
No question, the 11" is smaller. It's called physics.
But you give up battery life, an SD card slot, and a bigger screen. It's all a trade off. I would not say one is "better". For someone is particular one might be better than the other, but that depends on one's personal circumstances. Me, I just didn't see myself staring at the smaller screen for longer periods of time, and I spend a LOT of time in front of my MBA. But your mileage may vary.
No question, the 11" is smaller. It's called physics.
But you give up battery life, an SD card slot, and a bigger screen. It's all a trade off. I would not say one is "better". For someone is particular one might be better than the other, but that depends on one's personal circumstances. Me, I just didn't see myself staring at the smaller screen for longer periods of time, and I spend a LOT of time in front of my MBA. But your mileage may vary.
I put the 13" on top of the 11" at the store, and the difference is just not that great. Outside of a big pocket in a cargo pant, I can't think of a place that the 11" can go the 13" can't, including the cramped little tables behind the airplane.
No question, the 11" is smaller. It's called physics.
But you give up battery life, an SD card slot, and a bigger screen. It's all a trade off. I would not say one is "better". For someone is particular one might be better than the other, but that depends on one's personal circumstances. Me, I just didn't see myself staring at the smaller screen for longer periods of time, and I spend a LOT of time in front of my MBA. But your mileage may vary.
Yep, exactly. Not sure why the previous post above is getting people all flustered. Everyone's needs are different. I happen to think the size difference is not significant. But that's just me and that's why I bought a 13" this time around with no regrets whatsoever.
No one looks flustered to me. It comes down to tone. People are sharing legitimate reasons for owning one model or another to give the OP some criteria. If someone calls those reasons overblown or comes back with snark (not that you did that), people feel compelled to expand or defend their position.
Apple makes two sizes for a reason. Both sell very well and each has its advantages.
The same could be said for a 15" laptop. As some posted, the difference in the footprint is over 30%. As you say--physics. That difference is significant to me but that is subjective. The 11" is more comfortable to use on small tables or on planes. That was my take after using both and that is also subjective. Isn't that what the OP wanted: subjective opinions to assist in his decision?
This is the reason that helped me make the decision to go for the 11".
Been several times to the apple stores to compare the two. The thing I disliked about the 13" was the huge area below the keyboard thats unused and looks odd to me.
My use case was a ultra portable machine for travel use and during evenings when I do not want to spend time at my home office desk. Also I plan to get the latest TBD display or a iMac later this year. So this current purchase was to compliment the iMac in a way. And the 11" fits my needs perfectly.
Also agree with John Saddington's comments about the wow factor of the 11"
http://john.do/macbook-air-battle/
I bought the 11", I do feel there is a difference in the portability between the two sizes. They are both awesome notebooks, but for me the 11" was a better choice.
I too have compared the 11" and 13" at the Apple store. I'm still trying to decide which one to purchase.... kind of leaning toward the 11".