Sidebar Sidebar
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

MacBook Air buying advice (11' vs 13')

M

mcdonoughdr

macrumors member
Original poster
Oct 10, 2011
62
0
Hey everyone!
I am in the market for a new MacBook Air and I was wondering your guys thoughts on the options below. I receive a government discount from Apple. I mainly want the MBA for word processing and web browsing, as well as editing video in iMovie while on the road.

Choice 1: Stock from Apple ($1,049)
11-inch : 128GB
1.7GHz dual-core Intel Core i5 processor
Turbo Boost up to 2.6GHz
4GB memory
128GB flash storage
Intel HD Graphics 4000

Choice 2: Apple Certified Refurbished ($999)
Originally released June 2012
13-inch : 128GB
1.8GHz dual-core Intel Core i5 processor
Turbo Boost up to 2.8GHz
4GB memory
128GB flash storage
Intel HD Graphics 4000
 
well - which do you want, a big one or a small one?

best advice would be to go to the fruitstand and try them. both fine computers but the 13" didn't seem as light to me as i expected so i chose the 11" because that was my priority: small and ultraportable.

but i went into the store expecting to prefer the 13 so you never know until you play with them.
 
I thought I would want the 13 also and left with the 11. IMHO the MBA is for portability so.... 11 > 13.
 
I have both. the 13" is much easier on the eyes, battery life is greater and I have a 512 GB SSD in it vs the 256GB drive in my 11". If I had but one it would be the 13"
 
If you plan to take your MBA everywhere you should probably get the 11. If you don't need that type of portability, get the 13 inch.
 
mcdonoughdr said:
Hey everyone!
I am in the market for a new MacBook Air and I was wondering your guys thoughts on the options below. I receive a government discount from Apple. I mainly want the MBA for word processing and web browsing, as well as editing video in iMovie while on the road.

Choice 1: Stock from Apple ($1,049)
11-inch : 128GB
1.7GHz dual-core Intel Core i5 processor
Turbo Boost up to 2.6GHz
4GB memory
128GB flash storage
Intel HD Graphics 4000

Choice 2: Apple Certified Refurbished ($999)
Originally released June 2012
13-inch : 128GB
1.8GHz dual-core Intel Core i5 processor
Turbo Boost up to 2.8GHz
4GB memory
128GB flash storage
Intel HD Graphics 4000
Click to expand...

If price is not as big a concern, I would get one with 8GB of RAM. IMO 4GB is too little. I would also personally get the i7 and a larger SSD, but that's me.
 
mcdonoughdr said:
Hey everyone!
I am in the market for a new MacBook Air and I was wondering your guys thoughts on the options below.
Click to expand...

So, you were wondering what 'your guys' thought, eh? I think you need to find an 11 and a 13 configured the same. Until then, it's hardly an 11 vs 13 comparison.

Five responses;

  • Two recommended the 11
  • One recommended the 13
  • One stated the obvious
  • One didn't answer your question.

So, what are you going to do, count the votes and get an 11?
 
I believe the Air line of laptop, IMO, are :apple: top sellers. Wicked fast, Ultra light,, choose the one that best fits your style, wait for the Haswells and jump in!
Probably, all 80% of users need. We have 3 2010 11" refurbs that came with a 64 GB SSD, now have 512 OWC SSD's. If the specs on the new ones are to my liking, I'm in, our current three will be repurposed for Grandaughters :cool:
 
I have both.

The big problem with the 11" is its small 16:9 display. So much more scrolling required compared to the taller (when open) 16:10 display of the 13".

There's barely 0.5 lb. difference, not enough to notice, at least for me.

It's personal preference.
 
I have never been one for taking a computer (therefore work) around with me. Better to leave all that on my desk, so a Mac Mini has served my needs just fine. However with a more itinerant phase in my life coming up I have been looking at the Macbook Air too.

If I was thirty years younger, with sharp eyesight, the slightly more svelte 11" would be favourite. But now middle-aged eyes make the slightly more readable screen of the 13" the better choice.
 
I have the 11 inch from 2011. It's great for travel and usage of the apps you mentioned. If at home, I have it hooked to a 25 inch monitor with a bluetooth keyboard and trackpad.

I use 64 G. All of my storage is cloud based, so the hard drive space is not an issue for me (yet).

It likely has the power you need.

Depends on how portable your use case is and if you need ultra portability, can you afford to or do you have a set up at home that minimizes the 11 inch weakness?
 
Drew017 said:
If you plan to take your MBA everywhere you should probably get the 11. If you don't need that type of portability, get the 13 inch.
Click to expand...

If you plan to take your MBA everywhere....and have access to a way to keep it charged, i would say.

The 13" has a longer battery life - just so you know.
:D
 
i went with the 11. portability was my biggest concern, as i use it in college classrooms with pretty small desks.
 
MBP buying advice...

Hey Everyone!
I want to buy my very first Mac notebook tomorrow. Right now I have a mid 2011 iMac and I am looking for something to use on the road. I am looking at either a base 13" MacBook air or a base 13" MacBook Pro. I have also considered a refurbished MacBook Pro Retina. my main uses for the computer are Mic Office and web browsing, as well as some basic Final Cut Pro while on the road. Any thoughts or suggestions?

MacBook Air:
1.8GHz dual-core Intel Core i5 processor
Turbo Boost up to 2.8GHz
4GB memory
128GB flash storage1
Intel HD Graphics 4000

Macbook Pro:
2.5GHz dual-core Intel Core i5
Turbo Boost up to 3.1GHz
4GB 1600MHz memory
500GB 5400-rpm hard drive1
Intel HD Graphics 4000
Built-in battery (7 hours)2

Retina MacBook Pro:
Refurbished 13.3-inch MacBook Pro 2.5GHz Dual-core Intel Core i5 with Retina Display
Originally released October 2012
13.3-inch (diagonal) Retina display; 2560-by-1600 resolution at 227 pixels per inch
8GB of 1600MHz DDR3L SDRAM
128GB Flash Storage

720p FaceTime HD Camera

Intel HD Graphics 4000
 
All three will suffice, but the ones with Flash storage (MBA and MacBook Pro with Retina Display) will feel faster to lower waiting times.

I personally would go with the base MacBook Pro with Retina Display, as you can get more screen real estate with that than with a MacBook Air.
 
questions:

1) how much? the rmbp can be had for much less than on apple store usually
2) I wouldnt get the mbp 13, I would either go for the mba or the rmbp
 
if you can find the 256gb model I would go for it, but thats an awesome price
 
Hello,

I would go for the rMBP. I got the base line with a 256GB refurb and I love it. Super fast while still being light and portable.

Good luck with your choice!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.
Top Bottom
Back