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Resolved MBA 11 or 13 - University Student Use
- Thread starter Seasought
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I feel like the 11 is only an easy choice if this is a rather easy purchase for you to make, financially. My 13-inch MBA replaced a 4-year old MBP, so I wanted this to last. I can certainly see the advantages of the 11, but the 13 can actually be my main computer for the next few years due to the screen size and battery life.
I replaced my 15" 2010 MBP with the high-res display with an 11" i7/256 Air as my school workhorse and it does everything I need.
No, the battery isn't as long as the 13, but it's size is perfect. I don't find the display cumbersome to work with for long periods as some do (this is subjective) and when I'm in classes I have a power adapter with me in case I start running low anyway.
I have 4 hours of classes 4 days a week and have about 1.5 hours remaining after each day, and there are breaks where the machine is closed and stuff like that so don't add that up to 5.5 hours of battery life, but this is while running a Server 2008 R2 VM full-time, so that's pretty incredible to me. I'm an IT/Networking student with lots of programming pre-reqs, so I spent a lot of time in VM's and coding, which while not the *same* as word processing, is quite similar in that it is typing and reading a lot on the screen.
I would buy the 11" again if I had to, it's been an amazing machine, reminds me what it was like to buy my first Mac in that it's build quality and ease of use was just so amazing, but that might just be that it feels like Lion was tailor made for the new Air machines
Either way they're amazing machines and you'll love either one, for me the 11" size/weight was desirable compared to my 15" MBP, despite the loss in overall screen real-estate, although the pixel density was increased from 128ppi to 135ppi.
Spend some time with each machine at the stores if you can and weight the battery vs portability (not that the 13" is a brick or something).
No, the battery isn't as long as the 13, but it's size is perfect. I don't find the display cumbersome to work with for long periods as some do (this is subjective) and when I'm in classes I have a power adapter with me in case I start running low anyway.
I have 4 hours of classes 4 days a week and have about 1.5 hours remaining after each day, and there are breaks where the machine is closed and stuff like that so don't add that up to 5.5 hours of battery life, but this is while running a Server 2008 R2 VM full-time, so that's pretty incredible to me. I'm an IT/Networking student with lots of programming pre-reqs, so I spent a lot of time in VM's and coding, which while not the *same* as word processing, is quite similar in that it is typing and reading a lot on the screen.
I would buy the 11" again if I had to, it's been an amazing machine, reminds me what it was like to buy my first Mac in that it's build quality and ease of use was just so amazing, but that might just be that it feels like Lion was tailor made for the new Air machines
Either way they're amazing machines and you'll love either one, for me the 11" size/weight was desirable compared to my 15" MBP, despite the loss in overall screen real-estate, although the pixel density was increased from 128ppi to 135ppi.
Spend some time with each machine at the stores if you can and weight the battery vs portability (not that the 13" is a brick or something).
CS Major here. Got a 11'' after they stole my 13'' MBP last summer. Reading was kind of awkward for a day or two, now I can't believe I used to have to carry around so much more weight for a few inches more: bigger screens now make me feel like I'm using a cellphone for elderly people
Not to mention how they now look blurred because of the lower DPI, reading is much more difficult than on the 11''.
Bottom line is: you get all you need, at the right size.
Not to mention how they now look blurred because of the lower DPI, reading is much more difficult than on the 11''.
Bottom line is: you get all you need, at the right size.
A hundred bucks is going to make people get the 11" over the 13" Air? You gotta be kidding. As I said, I liked the 2010 model so much, which I only purchased in March of this year, that I bought the 2011 model as soon as it came out. I lost more on the sale of my 2010 than the difference between the 11 and 13. So so much for buying for financial reasons.
I compared the 13" and 11" extensively and came to the conclusion that if I was going to go with 13" I might as well get the 13" MB Pro since they share similar footprints. But my desire was not a laptop "kind of small and light" I wanted SUPER small and light. And, in my opinion I made the right choice.
If the 13" was the right choice for you great... but to assume the 11" only sells to people who can't afford the 13" model is condescending and ignorant--in my humble opinion.
MIchael
Neither, actually. I don't know what you're getting at in terms of your first point about price, but I'm saying that the 11-inch is an easier choice when it isn't going to be your only computer for the foreseeable future. My ideal combination would be an iMac with an 11-inch Air, but since I'm only going to have one the 13 makes more sense.
Should be quite easy to see what I was getting at, and why, as I quoted it for you.
Michael
If I didn't already have a second computer for school work when I'm back at my apartment (27in iMac), then I definitely would have gotten the 13".
11" only works for me because I don't log a lot of productive hours on it. It's more of an iPad replacement, but with the advantage of being able to actually do work on it when I want to. I can't even use laptops in any of my classes, so it's really only for when I'm at lunch, in bed, at my friends' places, or on a trip.
It's a damn good machine though!
11" only works for me because I don't log a lot of productive hours on it. It's more of an iPad replacement, but with the advantage of being able to actually do work on it when I want to. I can't even use laptops in any of my classes, so it's really only for when I'm at lunch, in bed, at my friends' places, or on a trip.
It's a damn good machine though!
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I think I've fallen in love with the 11" (to my surprise). Appreciate the insight on this
Hehe hey, 11" isn't a 'wrong' choice, not at all!
You gotta get what you love! I fell in love with my 13" when I stopped by the Store to get one, and I still do Enjoy!
I see. I'm not making this purchase with the goal of replacing my main machine - I am buying this specifically for taking on campus and all the portability issues that go with it. I can see why you chose the 13 in your situation.
I reread your post and you are completely misunderstanding me--I'm not saying that people only get the 11 because they can't afford the 13, but that it's easier to get the 11 if it isn't your only computer. There's no argument to be had here.
EDIT: My point about money was precisely that I can't count on being able to afford another computer for the next few years, so I have to get something that's slightly more functional for the time being.
I bought one of the first 11-inch Airs (it's 11 months old now) to replace my older 13-inch Air, and I wish I'd gone with the new 13. My eyes aren't what they once were, and the tiny text on the 11's screen isn't helping. I'm a writer, so I sit in front of the thing at least 5 hours a day. The screen on the 11 is also a bunch of pixels shorter than the 13, which took a bit to get used to.
And the battery life has really diminished. After nearly a year of use, I'm lucky to get 2.5 hours out of a charge when I'm just writing and web browsing. (And System Information reports my battery condition is "normal" but only charging up to 90% capacity.)
Other than the pixel density and my battery life issues, the 11 is a joy to use. It never heats up much (the fan rarely comes on) and it's a real sturdy piece of hardware. I drag it everywhere I go and barely notice it in my bag. It's barely bigger than an iPad.
And the battery life has really diminished. After nearly a year of use, I'm lucky to get 2.5 hours out of a charge when I'm just writing and web browsing. (And System Information reports my battery condition is "normal" but only charging up to 90% capacity.)
Other than the pixel density and my battery life issues, the 11 is a joy to use. It never heats up much (the fan rarely comes on) and it's a real sturdy piece of hardware. I drag it everywhere I go and barely notice it in my bag. It's barely bigger than an iPad.
If I went back to school, I would buy the 13" (and maybe with a i7 if I had spare cash) just due to battery life and higher res (easier for programming etc).
Ahhhhh... You are right: I did misunderstand. Hope you can understand why I misunderstood.
Michael
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Youre right. There really is no wrong choise here.
heyloo said:I think I've fallen in love with the 11" (to my surprise). Appreciate the insight on this
Hehe hey, 11" isn't a 'wrong' choice, not at all!
Youre right. There really is no wrong choise here.
I'm considering the 11" with the i7 actually...though nothing is final just yet...
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I initially had my heart set on the 13, but having handled the 11 in person...me likey. Hopefully I'm not kicking myself when it comes to battery use - though I don't see myself using my laptop during class for notes; I still prefer to hand write that out for some odd reason.
thats the one I got. and 256 flash storage. Blazing fast imo, but im used to a four year old iMac with c2d.
I have no idea why people would get an i7 for basic, non-CPU intensive like word processing/browsing/etc. Unless your doing some hardcore rendering or something, the i7 is literally just throwing money at money at power you will never achieve when it comes to the average user.
Wow, I ordered my MacBook Air 11" on Friday the 29th (with the expedited shipping), and it was supposed to arrive the earliest on Wednesday the 2nd, but it arrived TODAY!
I was so surprised when I went to check the Shipping information online and saw it had already been delivered to my building. I'm using it right now, and I love it!
I'm having problems restoring from my external hard drive through Migration Assistant though. I would back-up on my older MacBook through Firewire, but obviously this computer doesn't have a Firewire port. My external hard drive also has a USB port, so I tried looking for a spare USB cord that came with a rechargeable battery pack I used to use with my iPhone, and it fits both the hard drive and the Mac, and when I plugged it in the lights on the Hard Drive turned on, but it wouldn't show up on my Mac.
I'm wondering if perhaps I need to buy a USB cord with my power or something? I don't know yet. But other than that, it's a beautiful machine! Can't wait to take it to class tomorrow to take notes.
I was so surprised when I went to check the Shipping information online and saw it had already been delivered to my building. I'm using it right now, and I love it!
I'm having problems restoring from my external hard drive through Migration Assistant though. I would back-up on my older MacBook through Firewire, but obviously this computer doesn't have a Firewire port. My external hard drive also has a USB port, so I tried looking for a spare USB cord that came with a rechargeable battery pack I used to use with my iPhone, and it fits both the hard drive and the Mac, and when I plugged it in the lights on the Hard Drive turned on, but it wouldn't show up on my Mac.
I'm wondering if perhaps I need to buy a USB cord with my power or something? I don't know yet. But other than that, it's a beautiful machine! Can't wait to take it to class tomorrow to take notes.
That right there says 13" to me. I had an 11" laptop and found the real estate just not big enough for extensive use. Obviously, this is a personal preference, and the 11" can certainly handle all of your needed tasks processor-wise. I just think that computers are tools, and you need your tool to be the best at the specific tasks you need it to do. Staring at a small screen for hours isn't *optimal* for writing papers or doing a lot of online research imho. Checking email, streaming music, sure...
I have the 13" MBA now, and it is phenomenal. I wish I could get a way with the 11" MBA because I just think the form factor and portability is insanely rad, but I just couldn't justify it having had to work on an 11" already, and the 13" is also insanely easy to cart around. It was hard to decide with my head on this one in the Apple store while holding the 11" in my hand, lol
I def made the right choice though.