Which laptop size for the "Work From Home" folks?

[Steamrunner]

I don't travel much these days, so my laptop doesn't leave the house too often.
Now... with that in mind, what size laptop would you guys suggest (11.6 or 13.3) and why?

I posted some observations in another thread yesterday, so apologies for repeating them but they're also relevant to this thread:

I've found the 11" to be perfectly usable; I was expecting there to be some occasions where I might briefly long for a larger screen, but so far there haven't been any. And I don't mean that I've "put up" with the smaller screen, I simply haven't come across a single scenario where it's been an issue (and my smallest desktop is the 27" iMac, so I'm used to a lot more screen estate to work with). CS5, FCP X, remoting servers, running a Win7 virtual machine to enable a remote virtual desktop - no problems anywhere, which has surprised me.

Battery life on the i7 for me is around 2.5 - 3 hours, wifi on, bluetooth off, quite heavy app usage (including Parallels running Win7), screen brightness between 25%-50%, keyboard light off. I did buy a 65W charger to keep at work - it's cheaper than the 45W one and means I've always got a fully charged lappie when I'm mobile.​

So, for working from home, in my experience the 11 has been fine, and the additional portability of it for when I do need to be mobile is excellent. My wife was fixed on getting the 13", thinking the 11 would be too small, but after using my 11" for a while she's changed her mind.

Having said all that, the only person who can decide for you is you - so I'd also suggest you simply buy one and try it out, then return it and try the other.

 

[theSeb]

I guess I just wanna make sure it won't be too small for when I'm not attached to the monitor. And I'm guessing that once I have something this small and light, I'll probably be attached to the monitor less and less often.

I have similar requirements to yours in that I work from home, but I also travel as well. The 2011 MBA 13" is perfect for me. I had a long thought about which one would be best, but the extra screen estate is so worth it (to me) when I am away from the 24" monitor. The 13" is still very portable and light and I am very happy with mine. The 11" physical size and screen resolution are a little bit too low for my needs.

 

[Toonbay]

i have the 11 and its perfect. Had the 13inch 2010 model last year after selling my ipad but then sold the air and back to ipad 2!!
anyway got the new 2011 11 inch and use it for drawing up my designs in ArchiCAD, im suprised that i can work will with it. I do use my imac 24 inch now and again to draw plans but the 11 inch works very well.
I am tempted to get the new thunderbolt display and give the imac to my son so i can hook the air up as and when needed.

I think really only you can decide but i just loved the size of the 11 inch, seen it as an extension of the ipad, i love the ipad but just found i could not do much productive work on it.

 

[lcseds]

Tough choice. I know many debate this endlessly in their minds. I spent about a half hour in the Apple store comparing them. Side by side, the 13" is huge. But if you are not using it next to an 11", it may not be so big. I was ready to go with an 11", but now I am swinging toward the 13". Reasons being I have a 27" iMac and an iPad2. I don't like the iPad as much as I thought I would for a lack of keyboard and ability to run certain apps. But it's great for travel with my collection of movies and such. So I probably will not take the MBA over the iPad when traveling (which I don't do that much of anyway). My current lappy is one from work, a 15" MBP early 2010 with an i5. That feels like a brick compared to either of the MBA's. It also runs pretty hot (although I think all my open Firefox windows may contribute to it). So I guess the 13" more closely matches what I am using now, less about 12lbs it seems. I really like the 11" *a lot*. But with my current hardware, the 13" makes more sense.

 

[Sounds Good]

I don't like the iPad as much as I thought I would for a lack of keyboard and ability to run certain apps. But it's great for travel with my collection of movies and such. So I probably will not take the MBA over the iPad when traveling (which I don't do that much of anyway).

I discovered that I needed my laptop more often than I had hoped for while using the iPad. I don't travel much these days, but when I do I think I might be better off taking something like an MBA rather than an iPad (unfortunately).

 

[meistervu]

A common line of reasoning that doesn't make sense to me:

I often read that people when choosing between the 11" and 13" do so base on what they already have. For example, if one have 24" iMac, go with a 11" because it would compliment the desk top, same for owning large external display, and the opposite if owning an iPad.

The above only makes sense to me of I am ONLY going to use the MBA for a particular task that is more suitable for a smaller screen, like terminal access. But I suspect that most people will use the MBA on its own (ie. no external display) to do the thing that they normally do on a desk top. That being the case, the 27" screen or the desk top sitting at your desk does nothing to help the MBA screen size. Same thing can be said for owing and iPad: it's not going to make the MBA 13" more portable, so don't choose it over the 11" for that reason.

The portable you have with you is the one you get to use, 11" or 13". There are personal reasons to choose one over the other after considering all the pluses and minuses. But I don't think other devices I own make any practical difference. They would if I were collecting computers and want to do so based on size.

 

[Sounds Good]

But I suspect that most people will use the MBA on its own (ie. no external display) to do the thing that they normally do on a desk top.

This is true to some extent. If I'm sitting on the couch watching TV, I might check & reply to email and do some typical work -- maybe even most typical work. But if I'm about to do photo editing, or if I'm doing something that requires multiple windows open at the same time, I would do it while hooked up to the external monitor.

 

[DieterRams]

I often read that people when choosing between the 11" and 13" do so base on what they already have. For example, if one have 24" iMac, go with a 11" because it would compliment the desk top, same for owning large external display, and the opposite if owning an iPad.

The above only makes sense to me of I am ONLY going to use the MBA for a particular task that is more suitable for a smaller screen, like terminal access. But I suspect that most people will use the MBA on its own (ie. no external display) to do the thing that they normally do on a desk top. That being the case, the 27" screen or the desk top sitting at your desk does nothing to help the MBA screen size. Same thing can be said for owing and iPad: it's not going to make the MBA 13" more portable, so don't choose it over the 11" for that reason.

The portable you have with you is the one you get to use, 11" or 13". There are personal reasons to choose one over the other after considering all the pluses and minuses. But I don't think other devices I own make any practical difference. They would if I were collecting computers and want to do so based on size.

I sort of see what you mean but in the example you give of 27" screen not helping the MBA screen size - maybe it won't help the MBA screen size by itself but you can either 1) connect the MBA to the 27" screen or 2) Use the 27" desktop screen instead of the MBA. The point of getting something to complement is to get the best of both worlds, in a way. Big tasks, use big screen... smaller/'regular' tasks, use MBA.

However, if I am getting you correctly, I kind of see what you mean. When you have the MBA and a 27" screen, you're still going to use the MBA for most tasks and maybe even the tasks that are better suited for 27" screen. I guess it's up to the user to be conscious of their usage to recognize that the MBA screen isn't enough and move to the 27" instead of "suffering" through with the MBA size. I don't mean "suffer" as in anything bad, just that it's not as appropriate in usage.

 

[Young Spade]

However, if I am getting you correctly, I kind of see what you mean. When you have the MBA and a 27" screen, you're still going to use the MBA for most tasks and maybe even the tasks that are better suited for 27" screen. I guess it's up to the user to be conscious of their usage to recognize that the MBA screen isn't enough and move to the 27" instead of "suffering" through with the MBA size. I don't mean "suffer" as in anything bad, just that it's not as appropriate in usage.

This. Personally I only have a MBP but I can relate. I have a 19 inch monitor hooked up above my MBP. This is all on my desk. What do I use it for? Either watching a movie while browsing, sticking iTunes/Aperture up there, or just offloading a set of tabs in Chrome (all dedicated to forums for example).

BUT, if it were a standalone console, say, an iMac, it would be doing the exact same thing. It's just easier, for me, to use a MBP, that's why I got one. Aside from taking it around the house (strictly talking about using it at the desk here), I would rather have one main machine than to switch and sync two different ones.

Now if you need the power, that's different, however, aside from the occasional game, I don't even use 25 percent of the MBPs power and I edit in Aperture, run iTunes, HD video, and can do Parallels all at the SAME time.

----------

This is true to some extent. If I'm sitting on the couch watching TV, I might check & reply to email and do some typical work -- maybe even most typical work. But if I'm about to do photo editing, or if I'm doing something that requires multiple windows open at the same time, I would do it while hooked up to the external monitor.

Yep. That's why I will probably always just have one laptop and a nice external monitor to hook up to at the desk. I'm waiting until college to get settled in and all (with finances) before I go buy the cable to hook it up, but it's going to be used that way.

 

[Sounds Good]

Same here. I only want one computer, period.

By the way, when you say HD Video, do you mean editing or watching? If editing, what software do you use for this?

 

[Young Spade]

Same here. I only want one computer, period.

By the way, when you say HD Video, do you mean editing or watching? If editing, what software do you use for this?

I meant watching. Right now I have 9 Chrome windows open, Starfall (video game), iTunes, and HD Avatar all running at the same time.

I'm hitting 30 percent CPU usage.

Pulling off the charger and keyboard light at 50, brightness at 50, I have....

3:58 left on the timer. And that's with a plethora of CPU graphs and behind the scenes applications.

 

[meistervu]

I sort of see what you mean but in the example you give of 27" screen not helping the MBA screen size - maybe it won't help the MBA screen size by itself but you can either 1) connect the MBA to the 27" screen or 2) Use the 27" desktop screen instead of the MBA. The point of getting something to complement is to get the best of both worlds, in a way. Big tasks, use big screen... smaller/'regular' tasks, use MBA.

However, if I am getting you correctly, I kind of see what you mean. When you have the MBA and a 27" screen, you're still going to use the MBA for most tasks and maybe even the tasks that are better suited for 27" screen. I guess it's up to the user to be conscious of their usage to recognize that the MBA screen isn't enough and move to the 27" instead of "suffering" through with the MBA size. I don't mean "suffer" as in anything bad, just that it's not as appropriate in usage.

Yes, you got me right in the second paragraph. I find the 13" screen 1440x900 is suitable for most tasks. I run most apps maximized, unlike on my 24" where to to make the most use of the screen I have to size the app to fit multiple windows on the same screen. It's simpler with the 13" screen using Spaces and full screen apps. There are a few apps like Aperture that benefit from the size and accuracy of my external display. On the other hand I find the 11" 1366x768 too short for my liking. Had I gone with the 11" every time I use it without connecting to an external display (quite often, as it's the reason I got a portable instead of a Mini) I would wish for a larger screen. My owing a nice external display doesn't help me at all in those times.

Again, the main reason to get a MBA is its portability which by definition not connected to an external display, otherwise a Mac Mini is a better choice. So the decision should be on the MBA itself and not other things that I own.

 

[Sounds Good]

For those that are still following this hopeless thread let me throw this out there:

There's a chance that I *might* be going out to see clients to talk with them about their websites. Not every day, only occasionally.

Now... in your opinion, would it be better to have the smaller lighter 11" machine for easier transport, easier placement (smaller footprint), etc. Or, do you think it would it be better to have a larger screen for this purpose?

What do you guys think? Thanks again...

 

[ZBoater]

When sharing the screen, bigger is always better.

Although, the smaller 11" might be a great conversation starter with your clients...

 

[meistervu]

As ZBoater stated, sharing screen is easier on a larger screen.

On the other hand, it depends on the kind of clients and business. If you don't want a computer to be a barrier between you and your client, then the 11" is a better choice: it feels less of a computer. If you want to show some photos, enlarge some text so that 2 people can read comfortably, then the 13" will accomodate more content.

 

[Sounds Good]

Yeah... More food for thought. I'm getting full.

Thanks guys!

 

[Sounds Good]

Well, the posterboard cutouts I made help, but not enough. Gotta go back to the Apple store once more.

Hey DieterRams, come to any conclusions yet?

 

[theSeb]

Well, the posterboard cutouts I made help, but not enough. Gotta go back to the Apple store once more.

Hey DieterRams, come to any conclusions yet?

Buy one, use it and if you don't like it, then return it within 13 days for a full refund. Then buy the other.

 

[Sounds Good]

Buy one, use it and if you don't like it, then return it within 13 days for a full refund. Then buy the other.

I hate to do this... but as a last resort I just might have to.

Does this have to be done at an Apple store, or does it apply to Amazon.com too?

Thanks.

 

[theSeb]

I hate to do this... but as a last resort I just might have to.

Does this have to be done at an Apple store, or does it apply to Amazon.com too?

Thanks.

You have to do this via the Apple store. I do not know about the Amazon.com return conditions, but they won't be the same.

 

[kustardking]

For those that are still following this hopeless thread let me throw this out there:

There's a chance that I *might* be going out to see clients to talk with them about their websites. Not every day, only occasionally.

Now... in your opinion, would it be better to have the smaller lighter 11" machine for easier transport, easier placement (smaller footprint), etc. Or, do you think it would it be better to have a larger screen for this purpose?

What do you guys think? Thanks again...

Consider that the Airs have so-so viewing angles, and not at all comparable to a Macbook Pro. Try one out in the store and see if standing at oblique angles is workable. The 11" is a "hand-it-here" kind of experience, and if you find the angles acceptable, the 13" could be "gather 'round"

 

[Young Spade]

For those that are still following this hopeless thread let me throw this out there:

There's a chance that I *might* be going out to see clients to talk with them about their websites. Not every day, only occasionally.

Now... in your opinion, would it be better to have the smaller lighter 11" machine for easier transport, easier placement (smaller footprint), etc. Or, do you think it would it be better to have a larger screen for this purpose?

What do you guys think? Thanks again...

Buy the 11 and 13 inch, take the screen off the 13 and slap it on the 11?

But seriously, either would be great. The 11 would be good for pulling out and sitting down and doing "work" on it, however, if you are showing them pictures, they'll be more likely to enjoy sitting around you and looking at the pictures together on the 13 inch.

People are more accustomed to larger screens; not everybody has an 11 inch notebook/screen at home. Because of this, looking at an 11 might change or stop the... flow, if you will, of the sale. If everything's going great and how show it to them and they have to stoop down and squint, that won't be good.

On the other hand, sitting down in front and having them sit around or peer over you would be great; they'd also like actually looking at the laptop itself.

TLDR: The presentation would be better with the 13.

 

[Fernandez21]

well, its obvious you want the 11", you're just worried it wouldn't work for you. just about everyone here has advised to get the 13" but you're still looking for justification on the 11". just get the 11" since thats the one you seem to want most, then if it ends up not working well for you, take it back and get the 13". you'll never know if the 11" will work for you until you try it.

 

[DieterRams]

well, its obvious you want the 11", you're just worried it wouldn't work for you. just about everyone here has advised to get the 13" but you're still looking for justification on the 11". just get the 11" since thats the one you seem to want most, then if it ends up not working well for you, take it back and get the 13". you'll never know if the 11" will work for you until you try it.

I'm in the same spot. I *want* the 11" but it seems like I would really *need* the 13". In other words, the 11" is the desirable choice while the 13" is the practical choice.

The 13" has a more "proper" keyboard palm rest size so that there's more room to rest my palms without the edge digging into them or my fingers needing to curl up a bit to type comfortably (this happens on the 11" when I tried it a bit in-store since palm rest and trackpad are shorter on it, though I could perhaps adjust myself if I really had to) and of course the screen is larger and I don't have an external monitor at all or plan to use one, nor will I travel outside the house too often with it. Yet I am absolutely enamored by the 11" overall size and footprint that it is hard to look away and make a definitive decision on the 13".. just placing this little light notebook in the palm of my hand is fun and I could really enjoy the size, bringing it around the house and using it on my bed or tossing it on the couch and resting it on only one leg, etc.

To put it yet another way: Do I go with the safe girl or the hot chick?

Few other things - the MBA I end up getting will be my primary and only computer, doing developing and designing (Xcode, Eclipse, iPhone/iPad Simulators, Photoshop, Fireworks, etc), streaming music/video, and lots and lots of web browsing. And I have no use for the SD slot on the 13"

 

[Fernandez21]

I'm in the same spot. I *want* the 11" but it seems like I would really *need* the 13". In other words, the 11" is the desirable choice while the 13" is the practical choice.

The 13" has a more "proper" keyboard palm rest size so that there's more room to rest my palms without the edge digging into them or my fingers needing to curl up a bit to type comfortably (this happens on the 11" when I tried it a bit in-store since palm rest and trackpad are shorter on it, though I could perhaps adjust myself if I really had to) and of course the screen is larger and I don't have an external monitor at all or plan to use one, nor will I travel outside the house too often with it. Yet I am absolutely enamored by the 11" overall size and footprint that it is hard to look away and make a definitive decision on the 13".. just placing this little light notebook in the palm of my hand is fun and I could really enjoy the size, bringing it around the house and using it on my bed or tossing it on the couch and resting it on only one leg, etc.

To put it yet another way: Do I go with the safe girl or the hot chick?

Few other things - the MBA I end up getting will be my primary and only computer, doing developing and designing (Xcode, Eclipse, iPhone/iPad Simulators, Photoshop, Fireworks, etc), streaming music/video, and lots and lots of web browsing. And I have no use for the SD slot on the 13"

you always take a chance on the hot chick, you never know what could've been if you don't go for it.

I also use the 11" as my primary and only computer. I do most of the stuff you mentioned and have no problem with the screen or palm rest while doing. I don't do any coding or photo editing though, so not sure how well that will work, but for web browsing, document editing, netflix, hulu, chat, and excel it works just fine for me, I haven't found myself missing a bigger screen or felt uncomfortable typing at all since I got it (about 2 weeks).

Also, I'm not a small person either, I'm a male, 6' tall.