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So, which size 2012 MBA did you all end up getting/want to get?

Which size MBA did you get/want to get.

  • Total voters
    421
Went from a 2011 13" MBP to the 13" MBA.

the MBP had an SSD and 8GB Ram but was feeling heavy when in my backpack on my push bike.

MBA is half the weight and can't tell I've got in in the backpack!
 
Ordered the 13-inch. But it was really hard for me to choose. Originally I even put an order on the 11-incher but backed out.

First off, I've had a 1366x768 display before. (On a 15-incher, myah!) The PPI on it on a 11-inch screen is CERTAINLY ok but I know how much screen-estate it will be in applications such as Adobe After Effects and I know I will come to find it annoying. The small bump up in resolution on the 13-incher will make some difference here, I believe.

Second off I want the expandability that comes with an SD-card slot. An SSD upgrade costs a ton, and my portable video/music/document library won't benefit much from the speed. Now I just need to wait until November and then I'll hopefully have the "Nifty Minidrive" + 64GB Micro SDXC.

And third I believe the battery of the 11-incher won't survive my work day.

In the end the 11-incher's size wasn't enough of a reason for me, although very tempting. I can certainly see and understand the rather big niche that values the smaller footprint, though.
 
Wow, this year is a lot more lopsided towards the 13" than last year's. I wonder if actual sales reflect this.
 
the 13 is THE perfect size. the 11 is is too delicate and the screen is too small for any real work or for even surfing. i can see a college kid using it for notes etc and a business guy who is on the road all the time. but for someone with aging eyes who does a lot of writing, it's perfect. moreover, it is SO light weight. i even have an m-cover on it and it adds nothing. i sold my 2011 mbp for the 2012 air and what a difference. the 13" mbp isn't even really portable. at 4.5 lbs or whatever it is it's very heavy to lug around. one caveat. i could really see the 11 inch mba replacing my iPad 3 down the road UNLESS apple does bring out the 7.85" iPad as rumored.
 
interesting poll results:

what led 11 inch buyers to pick to over the 13?

why are the 11 results lower than last year?
 
tim100 said:
interesting poll results:

what led 11 inch buyers to pick to over the 13?

why are the 11 results lower than last year?
Click to expand...

For me, I went with the 11" over the 13" b.c I mostly use my computer when sitting in bed or sitting on the couch. The size difference is very noticeable in these positions. When I am at work, I use a windows desktop and when at home I do simple task or will use airplay (ML). I feel like the smaller size is perfect for me and the screen does not bother me. I like 16:9 (11") vs 16:10 (13")
 
Jobsian said:
Wow, this year is a lot more lopsided towards the 13" than last year's. I wonder if actual sales reflect this.
Click to expand...

I'd imagine so. The thing is, 13" is a balance of portability with a screen large enough to make daily use relatively comfortable. The 11" is really only going to appeal to people who need the utmost portability. I'd image the average consumer going for the 13" every time.
 
Went with the 13"/i7/8/256 myself.

I am however happy that I stopped by the local Apple store to get some hands on experience on both the 11" and 13" before deciding.

On paper and pictures online the 11" seems like a total winner. However, the screen real estate and battery life was the deciding factor for me. The MBA will be my only computer and be used at home with an external monitor but also at lenghty times at university reading papers, assignments, articles, and so on.

In general I'd advice everyone deciding between both to spend a few hours at the Apple store.

Pp.
 
Last edited:
I bought the an Air for book writing, and I went w/ the 13" due to its taller display. And a longer battery life also doesn't hurt. The 11" is cute, but less servicable for what I want it for.
 
Originally bought the 11" i7/8/256 but returned it after two weeks. Form factor was amazing, but I found the real estate too small to be truly productive. Just ordered the 13" i7/8/256 yesterday and it should be arriving within a week or so. Looking forward to the added real estate and battery life!
 
Zzari said:
Originally bought the 11" i7/8/256 but returned it after two weeks. Form factor was amazing, but I found the real estate too small to be truly productive. Just ordered the 13" i7/8/256 yesterday and it should be arriving within a week or so. Looking forward to the added real estate and battery life!
Click to expand...

was the 11 mba your only machine, did you have a desktop?
 
Have been using a 13" at work and when I order mine (as soon as the Mountain Lion comes out of its cave) 13" it will be. 11" is not a functional ultrabook for Word processing and medium to large spreadsheets (IMO).
 
tim100 said:
was the 11 mba your only machine, did you have a desktop?
Click to expand...

I have a 27" iMac, 13" MBP, iPad 2, and a Windows desktop (for gaming). The MBA was primarily for taking out to places (coffee shops, traveling, etc.). I found the screen too small to really get anything done, and found myself hunching over the computer resulting in usage of >1hr being uncomfortable.
 
I upgraded my 2010 11" to a new 2012 11". I also bought a RMBP at the same time. If I hadn't decided to get the pro as my main laptop, then I probably would have just got the 13" Air maxed out and used that both at home and while travelling.

I will usually take the 11" Air travelling when heading to countries that I'm moving around a lot like when I've been through S. America and when I will be heading to SE Asia next year. I will bring the 15" RMBP when I'm heading somewhere like a mexican resort or a cruise when I don't care how light the thing is. Best of both worlds but I think the 13" Air could have worked equally well as an "all in one" as it is a really nice size with a much more useable screen size but still a really thin and light package. I use my macs mostly for photo editing and then just normal browsing of the internet. The new 11" has greatly improved the speed of LightRoom over the 2010 version but using the RMBP is just in another league.
 
Purchased a 13" i5, 256gb, 4gb ram. It's the quickest or most instant computer I've ever used. It's replacing a custom gaming rig from 09', and a 2010 2.4ghz i5 MBP.

I've found that my primary need these days is portability, and I haven't actually used the desktop in months. Because of this I've ordered a 13" i7, 8gb ram. Returning the i5 because I figured I might as well max it out since it's going to be my primary.
 
I am going to be going with the 13 inch when I get the cash. I have an iPad, and iPhone, and a desktop (PC.). 3.5 inches, 9 inches, 13 inches, and 21 inches seems like a healthy balance of screens to waste my life looking at.
 
arbitrage said:
I upgraded my 2010 11" to a new 2012 11". I also bought a RMBP at the same time. If I hadn't decided to get the pro as my main laptop, then I probably would have just got the 13" Air maxed out and used that both at home and while travelling.

I will usually take the 11" Air travelling when heading to countries that I'm moving around a lot like when I've been through S. America and when I will be heading to SE Asia next year. I will bring the 15" RMBP when I'm heading somewhere like a mexican resort or a cruise when I don't care how light the thing is. Best of both worlds but I think the 13" Air could have worked equally well as an "all in one" as it is a really nice size with a much more useable screen size but still a really thin and light package. I use my macs mostly for photo editing and then just normal browsing of the internet. The new 11" has greatly improved the speed of LightRoom over the 2010 version but using the RMBP is just in another league.
Click to expand...

I also thought hard about whether to go with the 13" as my only machine but ended up buying the rMBP as well. Now I'm deciding which Air I'll get for travel.

I've owned both 11 and 13" before and this time I think I may go for the 13". I'll likely spend a lot of hours with it and will benefit from the larger screen and added battery life, although I'm sure going to miss the 11" form factor.
 
arbitrage said:
I upgraded my 2010 11" to a new 2012 11". I also bought a RMBP at the same time. If I hadn't decided to get the pro as my main laptop, then I probably would have just got the 13" Air maxed out and used that both at home and while travelling.

I will usually take the 11" Air travelling when heading to countries that I'm moving around a lot like when I've been through S. America and when I will be heading to SE Asia next year. I will bring the 15" RMBP when I'm heading somewhere like a mexican resort or a cruise when I don't care how light the thing is. Best of both worlds but I think the 13" Air could have worked equally well as an "all in one" as it is a really nice size with a much more useable screen size but still a really thin and light package. I use my macs mostly for photo editing and then just normal browsing of the internet. The new 11" has greatly improved the speed of LightRoom over the 2010 version but using the RMBP is just in another league.
Click to expand...

i have been thinking of pairing an air with the rmbp. how do u like the 11 air
 
entatlrg said:
I also thought hard about whether to go with the 13" as my only machine but ended up buying the rMBP as well. Now I'm deciding which Air I'll get for travel.

I've owned both 11 and 13" before and this time I think I may go for the 13". I'll likely spend a lot of hours with it and will benefit from the larger screen and added battery life, although I'm sure going to miss the 11" form factor.
Click to expand...

the 11 inch form factor is great. i wonder why the 11 inch has such a low percentage in the poll.
 
11" here. Had a 13" laptop but wanted something smaller for travelling. Pretty much got tired of taking my tablet and laptop whenever I went somewhere so after much research I figured the 11" Air was the best thing to replace both. Small enough to whip out and watch movies on the plane yet still a fully functional computer for when I reach my destination. Have an i7 desktop so the MBA is mainly for surfing the internet in various locations around the house and for travel.
 
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