Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
Should I choose 11" or 13"?
- Thread starter t101
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
If you have really big pants...
I did see a Youtube video of someone putting it in their cargo pants pocket. It was a very big pocket as far as pants pockets go. Point is that there are some spots where the 11" will fit that the 13" doesn't. But they are not very common.
If you have really big pants...
I did see a Youtube video of someone putting it in their cargo pants pocket. It was a very big pocket as far as pants pockets go. Point is that there are some spots where the 11" will fit that the 13" doesn't. But they are not very common.
Not that I would do it, but the 11" will probably fit in my cycling wind breaker jacket easily
As for me, I tried the 11" extensively for a day, then bought the 13" and love it.
I love the way the 11" looks. It feels less of a computer, so it may be more socially acceptable in a place a larger computer may be not. For example, if I were to take notes or refer to notes at a meeting with a client and don't want the computer be a barrier, the 11" is better.
The 13" is much more practical and comfortable for me though. I like the larger size on my lap as it feels more stable, and the resolution is enough (1440x900) that it doesn't feel cramp especially with full screen apps and maximized apps. In summary, the 13" is so small and light that I don't really need to be any smaller and lighter (i.e.. be the 11"), yet the increase in screen size is significant that makes it a lot more practical for me.
One observation I made in previous threads regarding the same subject is that one should not make the choice based on having own other devices: iPad, 24" display, iMac, etc. The reason is that none of those devices help when you are using a MBA by itself which is what most people do when they get a MBA, otherwise a Mac Mini is a better choice.
Good point. I *mostly* use my 16.4" laptop while hooked up to an external monitor. Others may have very different uses.
Some of those lecture forum desktops are TINY. One of my classes has a fold-up top that's about 6" wide and 5" tall and triangular which loses one even a bit more real estate. All the rest are bigger. My 13" fits on it but I find putting in my lap makes typing easier. The 11" would fit on that tiny thing just fine. My own quibble with the 11" is battery life. If its battery life were longer I'd probably take it over the 13" for school sessions.
Thats about the size of the ones in our college. The battery life is fine with me. I only have a couple classes a day except on Thursday I am there from 11am to 5:15. So my Air and iPad 2 will get me through the day. I'll have to test it out this next week, I may not bring both iPad and Air to school, because I really won't have a need to have both. If I need it, I'll just throw the power cord in my bag.
It depends on the size of the photo collection and on how iCloud will work (I'm not entirely clear on that). My music collection is on the small side but I had a fair amount of TV shows bought on iTunes (misfits! farscape!), to such an extent that I had to start deleting content on my old pc laptop. Now, however, apple seems to be phasing in iCloud & I can see and download deleted TV shows, definitely a very nice surprise
So she might be able to keep her photos in the iCloud rather than on the hard drive. The other thing is, with USB storage becoming cheaper and cheaper, that's also an alternative. Bestbuy had 16GB USB drives for less than $20 a few weeks ago. My TV content wouldn't fit on it but I used it to move the music to the macbook air with space to spare.
For the record I bought the 128GB air just to give myself some wiggle room before I have to worry about running out of memory but between iCloud, cheap USB drives & relatively cheap external hard drives that's less of a worry.
I'd love to hear other people's thoughts on managing content storage with limited memory on macbook airs.
I have my whole iTunes and iPhoto libraries on a 1TB Western Digital External drive. Some of you may say it takes away from being an ultra portable laptop, but I don't keep it connected at all times. Since most of my music is on my iPhone 4 I just plug the headphones to that when on the road to listen to music. But if I want to share some photos from my library or show a video I can just take my portable hard drive out of my bag and plug it in and have everything available.
I keep all my music on my MBA, but I only have 12GB. Movies I keep on an external drive (600GB of those).
i hate how wide the 11" screen is. everything looks so weird...
but then if you get the 13, you sacrifice the portability factor which ironically is what you are paying for by choosing an Air.
decisions decisions
but then if you get the 13, you sacrifice the portability factor which ironically is what you are paying for by choosing an Air.
decisions decisions
Go with the one that "calls to you." Trust me, you'll be happier if you go with the one you really want and not the one you think you should get.
While the dimensions and weight are facts, the "feeling" of portability is just that. If you have a tiny briefcase or backpack or cargo pants pocket that ONLY the 11" will fit, well there you have it. But at just over 9 ounces heavier and one inch wider/longer, the 13" fits is just about any "normal" briefcase or backpack. And being just as thin as the 11, you can slip it in there just as easily.
So in terms of portability, I see them very, very close together. A lot closer than some posts here make it seem.
And my advice to people on the fence is that you will be USING it a lot more than you will be CARRYING it....
Touche on your last point there, but I would counter that the 11" factors positively into usage as well since what you say makes it sound like the 13" is the only one that benefits in that situation. For example, I find that the 11" sits and balances quite well on one leg (not saying the 13" doesn't but the length/width approaches or even is at the same as a standard laptop), there are no black bars at the top or bottom while watching a movie (as far as I've seen for movies), and I've read from others that it fits airplane seats better, etc. I just got mine a few days ago so still testing it out but the size actually augments my looking-forward-to-ness of using it, if that makes any sense.
I personally never use SD cards and I've heard that, although screens on both sizes aren't top notch, the 13" makes the contrast issue (getting differing values of contrast even at slightly different angles) more pronounced as there is more vertical viewing angle. This last issue makes me think hard on getting the 13", as it might make any web/graphic design a bit tougher. Again, I realize the 11" is not top of the line either but the issue is supposed to be less of a problem.
The 11" is also just small enough that its size does indeed make a difference, I'd say. Yes, it's only so and so lighter or longer/wider so it's not that much but when you actually hold and use both to compare, there is definitely an appreciable difference. Still testing so will be doing more work on it, etc to see and I may very well change my tune in the end, but I can definitely see the benefits of the 11"
Edit: Just discovered another very crucial benefit of the 11"
-- it fits just right sitting on my torso as I recline low in bed with an upright pillow behind my head & neck against a wall, where the MBA is nestled between where my ribcage starts and my right thigh, the back part of the MBA sitting on my right hipbone, as my right knee is bent upwards and my left leg is entirely resting on the bed so that my left backside is supporting most of my weight (if that description makes sense). Mousing around isn't bad at all while typing is a bit awkward, but that would be true of any size laptop. The point is that the size from front to back of this is just right.. any longer and it would not fit in this position (that I likely will do when just relaxing). Not sure why I went into so much detail with this one but there you have it
Last edited:
For me, that's been the 11"... definitely calls to me. It's called to me since the ultraportable Sony notebooks in the late 90s. I've always wanted a super thin/light notebook, and especially one running OS X (officially.. none of that netbook hackintosh crap). However, I can't discount the practical advantage that the 13" offers like a bigger palm rest and trackpad and, of course, display. I'm still conflicted, even though I'm on an 11" right now that I bought to test. I just got done downloading CS5 though, so let's see how this is doing work... because even though the 11" does call to me and its size makes it pleasant to want to use, I may not think so if I feel it hinders my usage in work and such. I wish I could get both!
Well I had a good look at both models and have to say I favour the 13", mainly because of the extended battery life but also because the better screen resolution and actual larger screen size makes it easier to work on in my opinion. In terms of portability the difference is nowhere near as large as some people here have described, and I will probably spend much longer using the laptop than I ever will carrying it around. There is still considerable weight and size difference between the 13" MBP and now that it has the new procesors the Air seems like a much better option. The large trackpad and palm rest also makes it easier for typing as some people have said and I honestly believe that as a main notebook the 13inch is a better option wheras if you want it just for working on the go the 11inch will probably benefit you over time.
Hopefully I will have it ordered today.
Hopefully I will have it ordered today.
mostly sold-out on 13 inch
Hi
I was like many here very drawn towards the tiny size of the 11 inch. I have spoke to a few that have it (and they do love the 11 inch), and they all say it is great, but that at times the screen is a bit small when working with e.g spreadsheets. Likewise my father-in-law decided upon a 13 inch due to screen size and his eyesight.
So, I went to the store to see for my self.
I held them both, surfed a bit, looked at maps and ended up thinking:
" The 11 inch is the one I lust for, but my common sense tells me that I would be more happy with the 13 inch."
The screen estate was definitely better on the 13 inch plus it was slightly snappier also.
The sales guy told me that they were totally sold-out on the 13 inch, so I would have to wait...
stj.
Hi
I was like many here very drawn towards the tiny size of the 11 inch. I have spoke to a few that have it (and they do love the 11 inch), and they all say it is great, but that at times the screen is a bit small when working with e.g spreadsheets. Likewise my father-in-law decided upon a 13 inch due to screen size and his eyesight.
So, I went to the store to see for my self.
I held them both, surfed a bit, looked at maps and ended up thinking:
" The 11 inch is the one I lust for, but my common sense tells me that I would be more happy with the 13 inch."
The screen estate was definitely better on the 13 inch plus it was slightly snappier also.
The sales guy told me that they were totally sold-out on the 13 inch, so I would have to wait...
stj.
first time poster and sorry its not of much value to most.
I just have to vent, i have never sat on the fence for so long undecided... i cant choose between 11" or 13" air, i have a n Asus G73J for all my M$ Grunt work but that laptop is far from portable due to weight and battery life, i have never owned a Mac buy love the portability of these things...
11" slightly smaller = slightly more portable
13" more battery life and more screen realestate,
i was sold on the 13" until i found out about the screen angels and colour issue etc...
i want to mainly use it as the take everywhere device an i believe they all are capable of this... guess it comes down to personal preference on is the screen really that bad... all this machine will be used for is web surfing youtube included, emails etc as well as html and css editing via notebook, ill save photo editing for the fat ass G73J
so how bad are the screens? viewing angels etc...
I just have to vent, i have never sat on the fence for so long undecided... i cant choose between 11" or 13" air, i have a n Asus G73J for all my M$ Grunt work but that laptop is far from portable due to weight and battery life, i have never owned a Mac buy love the portability of these things...
11" slightly smaller = slightly more portable
13" more battery life and more screen realestate,
i was sold on the 13" until i found out about the screen angels and colour issue etc...
i want to mainly use it as the take everywhere device an i believe they all are capable of this... guess it comes down to personal preference on is the screen really that bad... all this machine will be used for is web surfing youtube included, emails etc as well as html and css editing via notebook, ill save photo editing for the fat ass G73J
so how bad are the screens? viewing angels etc...
I have used both extensively, and eventually I went for the 13".
The 11" is INDEED more portable. The different in size is noticeable: not in weight, but certainly in size because it fits in far smaller bag. Trust me guys, size-wise there is a noticeable difference.
However, as a one-stop solution, the 13" is a far better balanced machine: better battery life and better screen resolution (specially vertical resolution) makes it more versatile and flexible.
CONCLUSION: I would only go for the 11" is portability is your number-one deciding factor, meaning that you'll be carrying your laptop around on a daily basis. Otherwise, if this laptop will be your sole machine, the 13" is an all-around more rounded machine.
The 11" is INDEED more portable. The different in size is noticeable: not in weight, but certainly in size because it fits in far smaller bag. Trust me guys, size-wise there is a noticeable difference.
However, as a one-stop solution, the 13" is a far better balanced machine: better battery life and better screen resolution (specially vertical resolution) makes it more versatile and flexible.
CONCLUSION: I would only go for the 11" is portability is your number-one deciding factor, meaning that you'll be carrying your laptop around on a daily basis. Otherwise, if this laptop will be your sole machine, the 13" is an all-around more rounded machine.
Honestly, to properly decide, you need to know what you are going to do with this thing. And if you don't know what your intentions are, get the 11.
As a desktop or pro replacement (so doing the same tasks you were doing on a desktop or macbook pro), you'll probably want to get the 13 inch.
If you are going to keep your desktop or pro, and just want something for "the family room or kitchen", or to travel, or because it is fun... I think the 11 inch is the safest bet.
One more... if you are going to dock it and use an external monitor a lot, then 11inch.
Either way, it is doubtful you'll regret your decision. Both are beautiful computers.
As a desktop or pro replacement (so doing the same tasks you were doing on a desktop or macbook pro), you'll probably want to get the 13 inch.
If you are going to keep your desktop or pro, and just want something for "the family room or kitchen", or to travel, or because it is fun... I think the 11 inch is the safest bet.
One more... if you are going to dock it and use an external monitor a lot, then 11inch.
Either way, it is doubtful you'll regret your decision. Both are beautiful computers.
For what you want, the 11" is better. As for the screen, well I only played with the 13" for a couple minutes in the apple store and the viewing angles didn't seem too bad, same as my 11". The only thing I notice is sometimes it looks like it's lacking in color, but the resolution more than makes up for that.
I love the guys at Anandtech. But there are too many variables. I'd rather believe Apple. They say two hours difference. With that much more space to put that much more battery, it just makes more sense.