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Owners of the 11 incher - do you wish you went for 13'?
- Thread starter Uguubot
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received mine today - ultimate 11" with Samsung LCD/SSD - and I'm in LOVE with that little machine. The screen size is no issue for me at all, and I very much prefer the 16:9 aspect ratio. If that little powerhouse gets me through the next 2-3 years, I'm happy.
No.
My maxed out 2012 (2.0 i7) is a beast.
With the 1440P external screen, I honestly feel like I have an iMac and an ultra portable. The 256 SSD makes it though. No more worrying about HD space (previously had the 128GB 2011 MBA).
The portability to productivity ratio is absolutely unparalleled.
My maxed out 2012 (2.0 i7) is a beast.
With the 1440P external screen, I honestly feel like I have an iMac and an ultra portable. The 256 SSD makes it though. No more worrying about HD space (previously had the 128GB 2011 MBA).
The portability to productivity ratio is absolutely unparalleled.
Agreed. LOVED my x220, great size, and the IPS panel was top notch! But at least these 11" Airs don't sacrifice the keyboard.
I just stepped down from a 13" MBA to the new 11" MBA, and was a little concerned initially that I may not like the screen size and shorter battery life. I have to say, however that I am really enjoying this. I don't notice much of a difference in screen size but like the smaller form factor as well as the way it is lighter as well. The battery absolutely does not last as long, but still, 5 hours seems to be pretty good.
In short, so far, I'm very glad I got the 11".
In short, so far, I'm very glad I got the 11".
Nope, very happy with the 11 inches.
Took a little while to get used to it, as I had a 13 inch macbook before this, but now every time I pick up a 13" macbook air it seems huge. I think losing the height rather than the width makes a big difference, and for the most part it is all the screen I need. (although saying that I wouldn't complain for it to be slightly bigger when editing/viewing photos.)
The only trouble is that it will spoil you having a laptop so small and light and it is difficult to go back to carrying a 'normal' laptop. The regular MacBooks seem like they are made out of bricks now..
I am rocking the late 2010 1.4ghz with 2gb of ram as my main computer..and no complaints. Should do me for another year or two at least until they put a retina screen in the airs.
Took a little while to get used to it, as I had a 13 inch macbook before this, but now every time I pick up a 13" macbook air it seems huge. I think losing the height rather than the width makes a big difference, and for the most part it is all the screen I need. (although saying that I wouldn't complain for it to be slightly bigger when editing/viewing photos.)
The only trouble is that it will spoil you having a laptop so small and light and it is difficult to go back to carrying a 'normal' laptop. The regular MacBooks seem like they are made out of bricks now..
I am rocking the late 2010 1.4ghz with 2gb of ram as my main computer..and no complaints. Should do me for another year or two at least until they put a retina screen in the airs.
I had an 11 bought soon after the 2010 models came out and just switched to the 13 2012.
The 13 inch is, by far, the BEST computer I've ever had. Just a tad more cumbersome than the 11, but with a nicer screen, and just overall more pleasant to deal with. I don't think I could go back to a laptop with any other screen size.
The 13 inch is, by far, the BEST computer I've ever had. Just a tad more cumbersome than the 11, but with a nicer screen, and just overall more pleasant to deal with. I don't think I could go back to a laptop with any other screen size.
I purchased an 11" MBA last year and my wife got a 13" MBA (yes there's a comment there ). I was a little apprehensive about getting the smaller screen as my previous laptops had all been 15" and I was used to that size.
While my primary work is done on two 22" screens and I could not really imagine doing my day job on the 11" screen. But everyday duty falls to the 11" MBA and it does it wonderfully.
While the screen size and resolution are not great for my day job, the use of full screen applications make it perfect for multi-tasking. I can work on email, web browsing, blogging, instant messaging and doing basic coding within a UNIX env without a problem. Even using photo editing programs does not seem to be a problem with the screen size, mind you for proper colour calibration I'd rather the two 22" screens
The weight is perfect, and the overall size is great for use in cafes, waiting rooms, terminals, on planes, in lectures/training sessions without sacrificing too much room, not to mention lazing in an arm-chair or sofa. It has been knocked off the arm of the sofa by my Son (it was an accident) and suffered no damage.
The battery life does leave a little to be desired, but it is better than the previously mentioned 15" laptops I used to have and I still get 4 hours with ease.
In the almost year I've owned it I have never once wished I had the 13" version, and have never reached for my wife's 13" MBA to do anything even though it has the i7 versus my i5 as well as the additional screen real estate.
Overall if you go into the store look at both and decide you can work with the screen size and resolution in what you need, then go for it, you will not regret it.
). I was a little apprehensive about getting the smaller screen as my previous laptops had all been 15" and I was used to that size. While my primary work is done on two 22" screens and I could not really imagine doing my day job on the 11" screen. But everyday duty falls to the 11" MBA and it does it wonderfully.
While the screen size and resolution are not great for my day job, the use of full screen applications make it perfect for multi-tasking. I can work on email, web browsing, blogging, instant messaging and doing basic coding within a UNIX env without a problem. Even using photo editing programs does not seem to be a problem with the screen size, mind you for proper colour calibration I'd rather the two 22" screens
The weight is perfect, and the overall size is great for use in cafes, waiting rooms, terminals, on planes, in lectures/training sessions without sacrificing too much room, not to mention lazing in an arm-chair or sofa. It has been knocked off the arm of the sofa by my Son (it was an accident) and suffered no damage.
The battery life does leave a little to be desired, but it is better than the previously mentioned 15" laptops I used to have and I still get 4 hours with ease.
In the almost year I've owned it I have never once wished I had the 13" version, and have never reached for my wife's 13" MBA to do anything even though it has the i7 versus my i5 as well as the additional screen real estate.
Overall if you go into the store look at both and decide you can work with the screen size and resolution in what you need, then go for it, you will not regret it.
I agree. A MBA 12" running at 1440x900 would be sweet point between portability and everyday comfortable use, something like the Lenovo X220
If they managed to reduce the screen bezel on the MBA 13", I'm sure they could pull it off. I would certainly buy it in a heartbeat!
The problems I had with the 11" is that it offers an unbelievably travel friendly footprint but not a travel friendly battery. Along with some eye strain from the screen, I was constantly running out of juice so I got a 13" 2012 and absolutely love it.
Maybe if they'd trim the bezel to house a 12" Screen and get decent battery life id go back, but for now then the 11" is more a novelty than the kind of computer I'd like to use every day.
Maybe if they'd trim the bezel to house a 12" Screen and get decent battery life id go back, but for now then the 11" is more a novelty than the kind of computer I'd like to use every day.
For me it was all about portability and even though I agonized back and forth between the 11" and 13" before buying my 11" I'm extremely happy and know I made the right choice for me. The 11" could have SO easily been made into a 12" but still keep the same footprint by getting rid of some of the bezel but then I suppose there wouldn't have been enough differentiation between it and the 13". This thing is great, so light and easy to carry around while being very quick and powerful enough for me. Also, if I really need to work on a larger screen at home I can connect to an external monitor.
What I think Apple should of done is come out with a 12" Air, instead of the 11 and 13". For one, look at the agonizing we have choosing between screen sizes!
They would of hit the ball out of the park with a 12" Air, and satisfied more people too. The comments are obvious, for many the 11" is just a little too small, and for others the 13" just a little too big.
On the other hand maybe Apple's research found they'd sell more volume and make more money if they offered two screen sizes. But, isn't Apple laser beam focussed on the end user experience and not the money?
They would of hit the ball out of the park with a 12" Air, and satisfied more people too. The comments are obvious, for many the 11" is just a little too small, and for others the 13" just a little too big.
On the other hand maybe Apple's research found they'd sell more volume and make more money if they offered two screen sizes. But, isn't Apple laser beam focussed on the end user experience and not the money?
I went for the 11" as I wanted as small and light as possible when travelling with heavy camera equipment. I've already taken it on a five day trip and it was perfect. A friend had his 15" MBP with him and I'm so used to the Air now that when he sat down next to me with his Pro I thought it was a 17" initially
The difference looks small on paper and in specs, but in feel, the 11 feels more like carrying around a book or magazine, while the 13 feels more like a couple of larger books that require using a backpack. I go across the room with a book a lot more than I get out a backpack, so the 11 gets carried around more often. And thus is more useful.
Had the 11" for about 10 days now and am think I'm going to make the switch to 13". While the footprint of the 11" is fantastic, I find the screen a bit too small to multitask and be truly productive away from home. It's a perfect leisure machine to use on trips and around the house (especially on the couch and in bed), but when it comes to getting things done I find that the 11" lacks screen real estate.
Add in the better battery life and the fact that I don't carry the MBA by itself (i.e. it's always in a briefcase or backpack, resulting in no "portability" difference between the 11" and 13") and the 13" becomes even more appealing. Furthermore, I find myself not really using my iPad anymore which kind of makes having the 11" redundant.
I haven't finalized my decision to move to 13" since I feel like I'm going to miss the footprint of the 11", but everything that my laptop-use situation requires points to the 13" as the optimal machine.
Add in the better battery life and the fact that I don't carry the MBA by itself (i.e. it's always in a briefcase or backpack, resulting in no "portability" difference between the 11" and 13") and the 13" becomes even more appealing. Furthermore, I find myself not really using my iPad anymore which kind of makes having the 11" redundant.
I haven't finalized my decision to move to 13" since I feel like I'm going to miss the footprint of the 11", but everything that my laptop-use situation requires points to the 13" as the optimal machine.
