I have both right now, trying to decide which one to keep but am crushing hard on the 11 inch. I have to say, I do agree with those that say there is a weight difference between the 11" and 13". The 11" feels much lighter, and the 13" almost massive in comparison. I hate bulky items, so the 11" appeals to me in that regard. Note, I'm just saying that the 13" feels bulky to me, a 5'4" girl with small hands. (I'm beginning to feel that I have to disclaim anything of personal opinion thanks to the... strident fans of both sizes..) I do wonder if I would miss the larger 13" screen though... so keep debating.
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So, Anyone regret getting the 13?
- Thread starter h00ligan
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These are such personal decisions due to a person's age, eyesight, app selection, app use, sole computer or not, battery requirements and so on, that threads about preferring 11 or 13 ought more be what size suits your specific needs best.
i personally chose an 11 MBA after previously owning a 13 MBA but a short while and enjoy the enhanced portability. It is not my only Mac computer, being a lifelong Mac user. I have cinema displays, MBP laptop and an old desktop machine at my disposal. These remain on call at both my home and office. My apps and manner of working indeed are better served by a larger monitor, but the size monitor that suits me best exceeds the 13. So therefore, I opted for the most light, portable and, therefore, "fun to have with me perpetually" 11 inch size.
Given that my periodic days traveling require bringing all manner of items to see clients, the conundrum presented itself as to whether to bring my 15 MBP along or not. I always regretted not having it with me. Now, it's a no brainer because the 11 is always with me, fitting into non-laptop style bags of small dimension or hand carried like the way people tote their ever-present iPads. I do seem to get more done, being able to compute on a moment's notice when inspiration strikes.
i personally chose an 11 MBA after previously owning a 13 MBA but a short while and enjoy the enhanced portability. It is not my only Mac computer, being a lifelong Mac user. I have cinema displays, MBP laptop and an old desktop machine at my disposal. These remain on call at both my home and office. My apps and manner of working indeed are better served by a larger monitor, but the size monitor that suits me best exceeds the 13. So therefore, I opted for the most light, portable and, therefore, "fun to have with me perpetually" 11 inch size.
Given that my periodic days traveling require bringing all manner of items to see clients, the conundrum presented itself as to whether to bring my 15 MBP along or not. I always regretted not having it with me. Now, it's a no brainer because the 11 is always with me, fitting into non-laptop style bags of small dimension or hand carried like the way people tote their ever-present iPads. I do seem to get more done, being able to compute on a moment's notice when inspiration strikes.
MRU
macrumors Penryn
Well granted, but it doesn't make the the 11" a Netbook which the poster was claiming. It was Performance wise, where I meant configured identically 🙂 Same processor, same memory, same SSD 🙂
Both the 13" and 11" are fantastic machines, either is a great choice and prob the best value Quality ultra portables on the market.
nope do not regret getting the 13in at all, had the pro but had to return it due to the wifi dropping out all the time. Decided to upgrade to the 13in air and love it more then the pro, finally a light weight laptop that is not gimped. Love it.
I have had both the 11 and 13" since they came out in 2010 (they replaced a rev B).
With my usage patterns I use the 11" probably 90% of the time.
It absolutely feels smaller and more portable - noticeably so. I find it much more comfortable using in bed, carrying around. I worried about small screen fonts but that has worked out well.
I think the 13" will be better for classroom use or using on a table.
The 13" definitely has better battery life but the 11" has been fine (more would be better) and much better than the older Rev A, B and C's.
For those who say the 13" feels the same in portability as the 11" - definitely not true. But if you are just carrying it around in a shoulder strap bag, then it is less relevant.
Portability or the smallness factor is key to me it appears. I didn't use the iPad 1.0 that much but I do use the 2.0 extensively. The slightly smaller form factor made a big difference to me.
And I am a big guy so I can't blame it on my physique.
Both are great though - I ended up with both since I bought the 13" without seeing the 11" and when I did see it, I had to try it...
With my usage patterns I use the 11" probably 90% of the time.
It absolutely feels smaller and more portable - noticeably so. I find it much more comfortable using in bed, carrying around. I worried about small screen fonts but that has worked out well.
I think the 13" will be better for classroom use or using on a table.
The 13" definitely has better battery life but the 11" has been fine (more would be better) and much better than the older Rev A, B and C's.
For those who say the 13" feels the same in portability as the 11" - definitely not true. But if you are just carrying it around in a shoulder strap bag, then it is less relevant.
Portability or the smallness factor is key to me it appears. I didn't use the iPad 1.0 that much but I do use the 2.0 extensively. The slightly smaller form factor made a big difference to me.
And I am a big guy so I can't blame it on my physique.
Both are great though - I ended up with both since I bought the 13" without seeing the 11" and when I did see it, I had to try it...
aleni
macrumors 68030
at home, 90% i use a laptop is on the bed, and this 11" makes it a perfect notebook to be used in bed.
13" feels huge after owning the 11". since the first MBA to the rev C, i always bought the 13" because i didn't have choices back then. Now it's 11" for me and fullscreen apps makes the 11" air more pleasant to use.
13" feels huge after owning the 11". since the first MBA to the rev C, i always bought the 13" because i didn't have choices back then. Now it's 11" for me and fullscreen apps makes the 11" air more pleasant to use.
foulmouthedleon
macrumors regular
I don't. It was a bit odd with me selling my 15" MBP for a day or so. But I'm now already used to it and like the better resolution (ok, it's the same resolution but it looks much better). No regrets at all.
My MBA 13 is the best laptop I have ever owned. I am 56 and have owned perhaps 25 computers beginning with a dual 360k floppy IBM PC going back to 1980. I owned the 1st Compaq luggable for those of you who might remember this, supposedly portable, sewing machine sized beasty!
Anyway, we have come an astonishing distance since those days!
I owned the MBA 11 for a week and then sent it back. I (personally) couldn't handle the cramped feeling of the 11's screen. It was super small and wonderfully built - an engineering masterpiece. For me it was also quite a novelty/conversation piece to take to coffee shops as people are shocked that it an entire, very competent, computer that is barely larger than a tablet.
However, for me, the 13 is the cat's meow, perfect in more ways than any computer has been for me thus far. I do think the new 13 with backlit keyboard, faster CPU and faster SSD is a nice set of enhancements, making an outstanding computer even more incredible!
Apple can't please everyone (obviously), but if I could ask them to build a notebook just for me I might ask them to build one in between the size of the 11 and the 13!
Anyway, we have come an astonishing distance since those days!
I owned the MBA 11 for a week and then sent it back. I (personally) couldn't handle the cramped feeling of the 11's screen. It was super small and wonderfully built - an engineering masterpiece. For me it was also quite a novelty/conversation piece to take to coffee shops as people are shocked that it an entire, very competent, computer that is barely larger than a tablet.
However, for me, the 13 is the cat's meow, perfect in more ways than any computer has been for me thus far. I do think the new 13 with backlit keyboard, faster CPU and faster SSD is a nice set of enhancements, making an outstanding computer even more incredible!
Apple can't please everyone (obviously), but if I could ask them to build a notebook just for me I might ask them to build one in between the size of the 11 and the 13!
Interesting responses. My favorite laptop of all time was a 12" powerbook. I wonder if the 11" may be closer to that, however I also use the double tap to zoom on the 13 already - and I am 6'5 - with large hands - so I think the short palm rest would be an issue for me.
I do think the best thing they could have done for the 11 was introduce full screen apps.
I do think the best thing they could have done for the 11 was introduce full screen apps.
At first, I had decided to get the 13", but changed my mind and ordered the 11". It'll be my main computer at the office (can't stand Windows after having used a Mac at home), but it'll be hooked up to an external monitor. Only time I will use the small screen is when traveling, so I figured why not get the small, lighter one. I wouldn't be surprised if a lot of Airs will be used like this.
When these Thunderbolt docking monitors start falling in price, what a great complement to the Air...
When these Thunderbolt docking monitors start falling in price, what a great complement to the Air...
Not 100% true. The 11" has a worse graphics chip than the 13". The 11's hd3000 has 256mb of memory and the 13's hd3000 has 384mb of memory.
Other than that, it's just about the screen size you want/need.
i got the 11.6 inch mba ultimate. I don't find the screen to small at all especially with the new pinch to zoom feature and fullscreen. the 11 inch is much more portable & lighter than the 13inch. the 13inch seems un-necessary to be without more ports because theres a good 5 inches where the machine has nothing but aluminum along the sides. it seems though if your going to go for a skinny laptop. the 13inch mba seems to be a stretched out and compressed version of the pro. honestly the only difference between the 13mba and 13mbp is a couple pounds and a ton of ports.,other than that i assume that the term "portability" is a complete marketing term for "light". should be called the macbook-pro light.
honestly when they make the mbp with ssd standard how will you justify the purchase of the mba 13?.
the thin form of the 11inch version on the mba is some completely unique to the air lineup.
I can never see myself getting a 13mba because i look at it in astonishment that people actually buy it when its just a normal sized computer without any ports and it weighs as much as any dell or acer computer.
if your gonna buy a "portable" computer actually t=get one that is portable. 11.6 inches. very thin and isn't a big ugly slap of aluminum like the 13inch mba...
but you can decide for yourself. 😀
honestly when they make the mbp with ssd standard how will you justify the purchase of the mba 13?.
the thin form of the 11inch version on the mba is some completely unique to the air lineup.
I can never see myself getting a 13mba because i look at it in astonishment that people actually buy it when its just a normal sized computer without any ports and it weighs as much as any dell or acer computer.
if your gonna buy a "portable" computer actually t=get one that is portable. 11.6 inches. very thin and isn't a big ugly slap of aluminum like the 13inch mba...
but you can decide for yourself. 😀
No regrets going with the 13" here. I make extensive use of the additional screen real-estate, longer battery life and SD Card slot. The only time I'd rather have the 11" is when flying, but I rarely fly so the benefits of the 13" far outweigh the ones of the 11" for me.
Also not a fan of 16:9 computer displays.
Also not a fan of 16:9 computer displays.
SCreen size, yes.. but dpi, no. I liked the 12" because it had the perfect feel.. the right amount of travel to a screen corner for expose, what was at the time a good weight.
Actually, i feel like the 13" is really the successor..
Anyways.. a friend just invited me for a month out of state, I don't think I could see using the 11 at that time, especially given it would be partially a photography field trip
P0stalTek
Suspended
I couldn't possibly disagree with you more. I think you are clearly jaded by need for a "justified" purchase if you think the 13" MBP makes the 13" MBA obsolete or useless. There is plenty of distinction between the two in my opinion. For one, I own a MBA 13", and I would *never* purchase a 13" MBP, unless it was yard sale pricing. Too much like my Toshiba sitting on a shelf in my office.
To each their own, but I feel you are definitely speaking from a biased angle.
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i just feel that the 13inch shouldn't be seen as portable just cause its thin...
its just as big as any other computer.
When ever I'm using the 13mba it feel's really big and lots of wasted spec. but everyones different, thank god.
I have had the 11" and although I loved it's size and portability, I decided that my iPad covered both those aspects and that what I needed was something a bit more practicable and comfortable. I therefore just got a new 13" and I love it, and although it is not quite as portable as the 11" compared to my old MacBook Pro 15 it is fantastic both in terms of size, weight and usability. If you want something that is more like laptop go for the 13".
How about because it's thin AND weighs over 1.5lbs less? Oh, and doing so while having a higher resolution.
P0stalTek
Suspended
I guess this is true for me as well. I have an iPad and iPhone for portability (true portability anyways), and I carry a small Wenger laptop backpack with all my trade tools (PC Tech ironically). The 13" MBA is quite easy to tote in that manner, and I would hardly notice the less than a pound difference between the two models.
The footprint doesn't effect me at all to be honest, and certainly not as much as the loss of so much vertical scroll space.
Like you said, Tim, everyone is different and thank god for that 😉
seriously? weight? complaining over weight? seriously its a laptop get over it and stop getting picky. lift some weight if your gonna complain about that stuff. Why don't we focus on something that does matter ***cough***the actual hardware 😛 ***cough***
P0stalTek
Suspended
majority of the comments are basically ppl complaining about the weight difference between the two models. To me that is nonsense, if this is an informative forum then I'm pretty sure ppl would like to hear more input on how the computer actually runs rather than if its a couple hundred grams heavier than the other. Just an opinion but by any means if thats the factor that convinces you to buy one then keep knit picking...😛