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My take on the new 11" vs 13"
- Thread starter nph
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I have had laptops of many different sizes in past 10 years. iBook 12, PowerBook 12, PowerBook 15, MacBook rev 1, MacBook Pro 15, MacBook Air rev 1, MacBook Pro Unibody 15, and most recently the MacBook Air 11" core2duo...
Of all of the laptops I've had the PowerBook 12 and the MacBook Air 11" are my favourites.
Sold my MBA 2010 just couple weeks ago in prep for my MBA 2011. For portability I don't think I would ever go to a higher dimension in the future.
Of all of the laptops I've had the PowerBook 12 and the MacBook Air 11" are my favourites.
Sold my MBA 2010 just couple weeks ago in prep for my MBA 2011. For portability I don't think I would ever go to a higher dimension in the future.
And, of course, my DSLR is not getting much use these days, as my new smaller Panasonic Micro 4/3 G3 is much smaller to carry around on a daily basis; with almost as good pictures 95% of the time.I went for the 11 due to ultraportability and the fact that I have other Macs and a large standalone display. Hot rod feel, for me, like a 2 seated Porsche over a station wagon. Guys, this decision is so much like lens discussions on the DSLR forums. Canon, for example, has models with overlapping features leading to endless consternation. Bottom line is your personal situation in mission critical requirements. Trouble is, lust gets in the way. Like the little head telling the big head what to do.
Stan
Get the 13 and then you wont feel the need to make up excuses as to why you're constantly squinting at a tiny screen on a laptop that's probably overpriced by about 400 dollars.
Great points brought up in this thread.
I had the 2010 11" but have been wanting more disk space so I started looking at the 4gb/128gb 11". I have been going through the same "the 13 is ONLY $80 more (MacMall), only a little heavier etc) but you all are absolutely right... What I loved about the 11" was the ultra portability and taking it everywhere without thinking about it. Using it on my lap in the recliner for hours while my wife watches reality TV and I occasionally look up -- and never getting tired of holding it.
I think the 13" would be an amazing device, but it isn't the same device that I've loved using for the last 7 months. The 11" made the iPad expendable (I sold on Craigslist about a month after getting the Air) for me, but I don't think the 13 will fill the same role.
Again great points, I am finally ready to make my purchase.
I had the 2010 11" but have been wanting more disk space so I started looking at the 4gb/128gb 11". I have been going through the same "the 13 is ONLY $80 more (MacMall), only a little heavier etc) but you all are absolutely right... What I loved about the 11" was the ultra portability and taking it everywhere without thinking about it. Using it on my lap in the recliner for hours while my wife watches reality TV and I occasionally look up
-- and never getting tired of holding it. I think the 13" would be an amazing device, but it isn't the same device that I've loved using for the last 7 months. The 11" made the iPad expendable (I sold on Craigslist about a month after getting the Air) for me, but I don't think the 13 will fill the same role.
Again great points, I am finally ready to make my purchase.
11" is the perfect laptop in my opinion. Bring it home and plug it into an external monitor and you have a powerful desktop.
I'm totally a 13" laptop guy but I was playing with the new 11" and wow... the first think that came to mind was my old 12". We've decided to to get the 11" for my partner based on that alone (she uses an old 12" iBook because of it's footprint... time for an update).
It's amazing how little in size difference there is between the two. That said, that little bit really is a big difference.
I understand the portability argument, and obviously the 11" is a little more portable than the 13". The way I see it though is that I spend a lot more time working on my computer than carrying it. So I'd rather struggle a little bit while carrying than compromise on screen resolution and real estate.
But that is just me...
But that is just me...
I gave up on mft because i'd say it's 50% of the time, and the other 50% is where I live frequently, low light and shallow dof. It's shocking they haven't improved noise much on the smaller cameras (G3 is better)
On the 11", I tried one last year, but the text was too small, I was zooming all the time, which was frustrating.. and it lacked an sd card and had worse battery life. So this year I bought the 13"!
Great to be so spoiled for choice though, to be sure (cameras and computers).
I chose the 13" because the battery lasts 2 hour more than the 11 inch and the screen is larger and if I'm gonna be using a computer for long periods of time I want a larger screen. I also have large hands so the 11" just felt a bit cramped for me.
I can understand that people want a smaller laptop like the 11" because it fits easier when sitting in lecture halls and airplanes but I don't quite get the portability argument, I can easily carry my 13" anywhere the 11" goes.
I can understand that people want a smaller laptop like the 11" because it fits easier when sitting in lecture halls and airplanes but I don't quite get the portability argument, I can easily carry my 13" anywhere the 11" goes.
I understand the portability argument, and obviously the 11" is a little more portable than the 13". The way I see it though is that I spend a lot more time working on my computer than carrying it. So I'd rather struggle a little bit while carrying than compromise on screen resolution and real estate.
But that is just me...
You just read my mind. I'm going to try carrying both around though (at different times) to see if I really notice a difference once we've received our Airs. I'm also curious if I'll notice a difference while working from an 11".
Gotta wait until Wednesday... *tapping foot*
This one of the reasons I returned the 11". I think 13" is the right size for me.
In reality I'd say it's a need / want thing ...
Need 13" - it's sensible, who doesn't want 'more' screen real estate, longer battery life ETC..
Want 11" - it's so damn cool, extra easy to grab and go anywhere, fun to use.
Sometimes a 'fun to use' item can get more use than the 'yea that's want I need' item ...
Maybe if you're using your Air for productivity reasons, (work/school), it's possible to be more productive. For example on the 11" screen over the 13" because you enjoy the 11" so much you're using it more places and longer hours...
Therefore you're getting more work done on the smaller computer ... maybe not as much screen size or power but since it's fun and always with you you're ahead of the game...
It's like the camera theory, the 'best' camera is the one you have with you...
Did that make any sense?
Need 13" - it's sensible, who doesn't want 'more' screen real estate, longer battery life ETC..
Want 11" - it's so damn cool, extra easy to grab and go anywhere, fun to use.
Sometimes a 'fun to use' item can get more use than the 'yea that's want I need' item ...
Maybe if you're using your Air for productivity reasons, (work/school), it's possible to be more productive. For example on the 11" screen over the 13" because you enjoy the 11" so much you're using it more places and longer hours...
Therefore you're getting more work done on the smaller computer ... maybe not as much screen size or power but since it's fun and always with you you're ahead of the game...
It's like the camera theory, the 'best' camera is the one you have with you...
Did that make any sense?
I understand the portability argument, and obviously the 11" is a little more portable than the 13". The way I see it though is that I spend a lot more time working on my computer than carrying it. So I'd rather struggle a little bit while carrying than compromise on screen resolution and real estate.
But that is just me...
take advantage of the Lion's fullscreen apps, Safari and iTunes are amazing, and reeder is recently updated to support fullscreen.
while fullscreen apps on big screen like 17" mbp or 27" apple cinema display are worthless, it really fits well on 11" and 13" air.
I'm in the same boat and decided on the 11". I agree with the rest that the 11" and 13" are 2 different devices in regards to size. I folded them and imagined just carrying them around in my hand day-to-day and the 13" just didn't seem doable.
Granted I have a nice desktop system at home for my major work, so I'm just looking for something on the go that I can go do light upkeep/work on my websites over lunch etc.
Granted I have a nice desktop system at home for my major work, so I'm just looking for something on the go that I can go do light upkeep/work on my websites over lunch etc.
Hopefully with the Rev F, Apple can find a way to reduce the size of the bezel and make it a 12" screen. It would just require the screen to be .32" wider and .18" taller. If they can make it .64" wider and .36" taller, it would be 12.3" and there would still be plenty of bezel around it.
What would be the next feasible resolution up from 1366x768? Would it be 1536x864?
It reminds me of the Apple ad from the late 1980s/early 1990s. The gist of it was the most powerful computer is the one you actually use.
What would be the next feasible resolution up from 1366x768? Would it be 1536x864?
It's like the camera theory, the 'best' camera is the one you have with you...
Did that make any sense?
It reminds me of the Apple ad from the late 1980s/early 1990s. The gist of it was the most powerful computer is the one you actually use.
Agree!
With the new Apple Thunderbolt Display it would be a great combination.
Yes, it did.Did that make any sense?
A few years ago, I was just using a 15" MBP.
Later I bought a 13.3" Rev C MBA... and the 15" MBP started feeling huge to me.
I dumped the MBP, and bought a 27" iMac... and with the 13.3" MBA, everything seemed perfect.
When the 2010 MBA was released... I headed to the Apple store pre-determined to buy the new 13.3". After comparing with the 11.6"... I changed my mind and bought the 11.6" Rev D. For the past 9 months... I have been using the 11.6 and my wife took over the 13.3. Now to me, the 13.3" MBA seems large and clunky.
I just replaced my Rev D with a Rev E 11.6" MBA. My wife had her choice of keeping the 13.3 Rev C or using the 11.6 Rev D. She stayed with the 13.3. Isn't choice great?
In any case... I think having a 27" iMac and a MBA is the perfect combination for me. I have personally enjoyed both the 13.3 and 11.6, but prefer the 11.6.
/Jim
BTW: We also have a 30" 2560X1600 display that we can use to dock either MBA... but we almost never use it.
Later I bought a 13.3" Rev C MBA... and the 15" MBP started feeling huge to me.
I dumped the MBP, and bought a 27" iMac... and with the 13.3" MBA, everything seemed perfect.
When the 2010 MBA was released... I headed to the Apple store pre-determined to buy the new 13.3". After comparing with the 11.6"... I changed my mind and bought the 11.6" Rev D. For the past 9 months... I have been using the 11.6 and my wife took over the 13.3. Now to me, the 13.3" MBA seems large and clunky.
I just replaced my Rev D with a Rev E 11.6" MBA. My wife had her choice of keeping the 13.3 Rev C or using the 11.6 Rev D. She stayed with the 13.3. Isn't choice great?
In any case... I think having a 27" iMac and a MBA is the perfect combination for me. I have personally enjoyed both the 13.3 and 11.6, but prefer the 11.6.
/Jim
BTW: We also have a 30" 2560X1600 display that we can use to dock either MBA... but we almost never use it.
air
Dude....crazy I literally just went through the same dilemma. I literally could not decide, they're both just such great laptops, but they really do give off different vibes.
As many of you have said, the 11 inch definitely is funner to use, I've had it for 3 or 4 days and I'm still amazed how powerful this thing is....
As for the 13 inch, you can just realistically do more with the extra screen real estate, and the bigger trackpad are a really nice addition.
I have a 2011 15 inch MBP, and I sold my iPad because it felt like too much of a toy for me. So instead of getting an iPad 2, I wanted to pick up the Air. That's where things got tough.
The reason I decided on the 11 inch is because I already have a Pro. It comes down to this:
Primary device: Hands down, no questions asked, 13 inch air
Mobile Device: To replace an iPad, or a speedy mobile, 11 inch
I'm going to be a college student, and I really do think I'm going to use my Air as my mobile computer I take to most of my classes. It's just so portable, and if you look up pictures, it's barely any bigger than the iPad. Yes the 13 inch would be nice, but that'd just be a waste since I have the 15 inch Pro.
Good luck, and go with your gut.
Dude....crazy I literally just went through the same dilemma. I literally could not decide, they're both just such great laptops, but they really do give off different vibes.
As many of you have said, the 11 inch definitely is funner to use, I've had it for 3 or 4 days and I'm still amazed how powerful this thing is....
As for the 13 inch, you can just realistically do more with the extra screen real estate, and the bigger trackpad are a really nice addition.
I have a 2011 15 inch MBP, and I sold my iPad because it felt like too much of a toy for me. So instead of getting an iPad 2, I wanted to pick up the Air. That's where things got tough.
The reason I decided on the 11 inch is because I already have a Pro. It comes down to this:
Primary device: Hands down, no questions asked, 13 inch air
Mobile Device: To replace an iPad, or a speedy mobile, 11 inch
I'm going to be a college student, and I really do think I'm going to use my Air as my mobile computer I take to most of my classes. It's just so portable, and if you look up pictures, it's barely any bigger than the iPad. Yes the 13 inch would be nice, but that'd just be a waste since I have the 15 inch Pro.
Good luck, and go with your gut.