In need of a new setup.

Of course its a good deal. A 2011 MBA+TBD is pretty much perfect for your needs; bring your laptop to classes, and then plug it in to the TBD when your at your dorm.

If its possible for you to do so, then do it. Not only that, but a 2011 MBA is more powerful than a 2009 iMac, so you will notice a performance increase too (and a significant one at that). It really is better in every way. Personally I would sell your iPad as well, I don't see you using that very often if you have a MBA; sell it, buy Applecare for your MBA, or drink it.

If you cant wait till mid 2012, buy the MBA now. The performance increase Ivy Bridge will bring isnt astronomical; it will be something like 10-20%, which really isn't noticeable at all in general everyday use. Saying that, the new Intel HD 4000 will be alot better than current generations HD 3000, which would help to power your TBD. If you can wait, great, if not, buying the 2011 version will still be an excellent purchase.

 

Go for it, my father is buying me a 2011 MacBook Air 11" on the terms that I sell my 2010 macbook air (base 11") and pay for the difference
if you are coming from C2D (or in your case 1st gen. Core iX)
it will be a large speed upgrade that'll last you a long time

I also recommend getting the belkin thunderbolt express port when it comes out in september because you stated you are getting a cinema display and so to get all the ports of ATD you can buy this
Thats what I am going to do to pair up with my external monitor so I have ports of ATD and a screen that is much cheaper!

 

Although I have never had any problems with my 13" Air KB, there are a couple of threads here mentioning typing on the 11" for extended periods of time was really not all that good. If you can try going to the apple store and see if you are ok with the KB.

That being said, the setup you mention sounds perfect

 

I think it would be a safe bet, and there will probably be USB 3 on the new machines as well.

 

That is highly questionable.

 

Why? USB is supposed to be built into Ivy Bridge, do you think Apple would almost go out of the way not to include it?

 

Just because its built in, doesn't mean Apple will support it. I'm not saying they won't, but I definitely wouldn't be surprised if they don't.

 

I am using a 13" mid 2011 air to take into uni, and so are two other people on my course, and I can tell you it is great, so light, slips into my bag, will be even better with the 11" and I would of got the 11" too but I just felt too uncomfortable on it, they are so small, but they look awesome, as you are getting the TB display, you sound good to go.
However, we don't know what Apple has up its sleeve with the next pro, and the top news story on macrumors right now is that a retina display may be coming it's way, there could well be a new air out by August too. So obviously you will reconsider your options then. If you were going now, I would say that it would be a pretty sweet uni set up.

Out of interest, why are you giving up your 27" iMac, they are beautiful machines, I am considering a TB display with my MBA too right now, but I am waiting for the 2012 iMac update and deciding then which to get.

 

The current gen MBA right now is awesome... it boots up so fast and is remarkably fast for it's specs... I think it's due to having a solid state drive. It definitely suits your needs as a college student as well.

As for the Cinema Display... if you can afford one I say go for it! It's so sleek looking and minimizes in cable clutter since you can hook it up via the Thunderbolt port. It's definitely on my to-buy list thats for sure

 

I really think the TB display is awesome, it runs seamlessly with the MacBook, look at some youtube videos for the air and TB display. If you can afford the TB display, I think it's awesome anyway.
Plus, I don't know if it is the same in the USA but here in the UK we get a student discount on computers and displays, so I could buy the TB display for around £730 rather then £900. You should look into it.

 

If I were you I would go with the 13. I absolutely love my machine....but personally after working on the 11", I found it too small. Have you spent time on one at the Apple store? The best way is to spend some time on it and then make the decision.

 

Reviews on anandtech seem to indicate that the displays are more or less equivalent. One does better here, the other there. Unless you're looking at really graphical stuff (for print in particular) I think it comes down to if you want the apple extras (thunderbolt, charger, etc...) or you want the increased connectivity (The Dell has a wider variety of input ports). There is also the infamous glare of the Apple Display (Though it never really bothered me). And if you are looking to do print media I think you would be looking at higher end displays in the first place.

 

If I was absolutely forced to have only one computer, I would definitely choose a 15" MacBook Pro.
There are a lot of rumors that a 15" MBP will be more Air-like (loss of optical drive, slimmer, and lighter), also possibly a Retina Display. MacBook Pro's and iMac's are generally refreshed in the beginning of the year, and the MBP will likely be a complete redesign for this year.
The MacBook Air probably will not change in design for at least another year, if not two years, so a redesigned MacBook Pro would be a better investment for resale purposes.

Also, a MacBook Pro can handle 16gb of Ram, can be a quad core, has a much better graphics card, and the ability to upgrade the hard drive (or 2 hard drives) for much cheaper. If you can afford a $2000 laptop and can carry 2 more pounds, get the Pro if it is redesigned.

 

Damn I wish my parents would buy me stuff.

 

IMO, the chances of Apple providing USB 3.0 are slim. They would want to promote Thunderbolt devices, wouldn't they?

 

USB 3.0 will come standard with all motherboards supporting Ivy Bridge, so chances are good.

 

With all the Ivy Bridge-based ultrabooks announced at CES last week, I think the odds are extremely good that the new MacBook Air will be out by August, if not sooner, and that it will support USB 3.0, since it's included in the Ivy Bridge chipsets.

I have used a MacBook Air since 2008 and so far have resisted the iPad, partly because the MacBook Air is so small. Be aware that the MacBook Air can't run iOS content, though, so if you have any iBooks you should keep an iOS device of some sort (unless Apple changes that as part of its education-related announcement later this week).

Regarding the 11" model's keyboard, it is virtually identical to the 13" model, apart from the shorter FN keys. I have not had a problem with it since I started using an 11" model last year.