Really? I thought it was fairly split. I guess it's time to re-read my own thread.
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.
Which laptop size for the "Work From Home" folks?
- Thread starter Sounds Good
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
Really? I thought it was fairly split. I guess it's time to re-read my own thread.
Actually, I'd say it weighs slightly in the 11" favor. Those little guys sure have a lot of fans out there!
I can also add some input...
I originally wanted an 11" because I thought it would work perfectly and fit my form perfectly...plus the price was lower. However, I went in to Apple last night to purchase my MBA and I tried both the 11" and the 13" and I must say, the 13" definitley stole my heart. I also do a lot of remote work from home and the extra 1.6" will help with that. It is still just as portable and versatile.
Hope you enjoy your MBA!
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.
well thats 16 different posters in this thread that suggested the 13",
and only 8 members, including myself that said get the 11". Makes the score 16-8 in favor of 13" if you didn't see my line further up. So I do think the scales are tipped in that direction. Like I said, its seems like the one you truly want is the 11", but just want some reassurance that it'll work for you. Get the 11", if its too small then take it back and get the 13", no harm, no foul.
Last edited:
I agree, 13" is the best option. Better battery, faster processor in the base model, extra slot if you ever need it, higher screen resolution, louder sound, and slimmer bezel around the screen. The 11" screen looks a bit stunted both due to the lack of vertical resolution & the thicker bezel surrounding the screen. The battery is also a bit frustrating it's getting 2-4 hours in real-life scenarios as opposed to 5-7 in the 13".. if they ever improve that in a future model and thin out the bezel around the screen a bit more then the 11" may get some consideration.. but for now its close, yet not "fully" there yet.
SD card slot (it's only in the 13" MBA in case you ever need it)
Here look: http://storeimages.apple.com/1909/a...13-ports?wid=365&hei=191&fmt=png-alpha&qlt=95
As per Apple's website:
"Connections and Expansion
USB 2.0, Thunderbolt, headphone port, MagSafe power port, SD card slot (13-inch model)."
Last edited:
Ah, you should have said SD instead of "extra"; extra could imply RAM, HD, or other (for people who aren't knowledgeable about the computer).
The SD card slot can come in handy. It works with the Eye-Fi card so no adapter is needed. I have about a dozen SD cards for my cameras and being able to stick them in there is nice.
I've provided a link with a graphical image for clarification to those not knowledgeable.
----------
You also have a thinner bezel, greater screen resolution, longer battery, louder sound availability, same slimness, and faster processor (when comparing base models) to go along with your SD card slot. Is that really all worth sacrificing just to have a smaller/stunted screen when moving the laptop from your bedroom to the kitchen OP?
Last edited:
Wow, Fernandez, awesome work. Thanks very much for that!
For Jboater: I'll Google Eye-Fi, but what the heck is it?
For Amitdoc: You mentioned a thinner bezel a couple of times. Is that just a cosmetic thing, or ?? (I guess I'm not sure what you mean)
Thanks, guys!
For Jboater: I'll Google Eye-Fi, but what the heck is it?
For Amitdoc: You mentioned a thinner bezel a couple of times. Is that just a cosmetic thing, or ?? (I guess I'm not sure what you mean)
Thanks, guys!
Eye-Fi is an SD card that has a built in WiFi antenna. It lets you wirelessly send pictures you take on any camera that uses SD cards (like my Rebel T2i) to my MacBook or iPad. You sometimes need to stick the card into a computer to configure it, and it comes with a USB SD card reader (which I've misplaced somewhere). I have several lying around, but not having to carry one is great. I have three cameras that all use SD cards, and being able to stick them into the MacBook to download and edit my photos is very convenient.
OP and I are in a very similar position so thought I would answer as well. For me, it's about the smaller all-around size/weight and footprint that make it worth it. If you physically compare the two, it's a drastic difference in that regard that makes the 11" so desirable and almost negates the 'stuntedness' of the screen. I figured that, with Lion's fullscreen and zoom gestures, it would help as well. I also would not use the SD slot at all, the bezel is thicker but I actually don't notice until someone points it out, I would rarely take it out of the house so longer battery isn't a huge influence, I would plug it into speakers for any sound that matters, and I would get the highest config of either one so performance isn't an issue. Man am I trying to justify the 11"... :\
Very interesting. I wasn't aware of this. My main camera (40D) actually uses a CF card (which I'm not fond of, frankly) but lately I've been getting more use out of smaller cameras (still and video) that DO use SD cards. So... interesting.
Then again, sticking an SD card into a laptop is pretty convenient too. My current Sony Vaio has one, but again, I often need a CF card reader doo-hickey thingamajig.
Wow, Fernandez, awesome work. Thanks very much for that!
For Jboater: I'll Google Eye-Fi, but what the heck is it?
For Amitdoc: You mentioned a thinner bezel a couple of times. Is that just a cosmetic thing, or ?? (I guess I'm not sure what you mean)
Thanks, guys!
Yeah, the thicker bezel is more of a cosmetic thing.. which I thought may be important to most people who by Apple products since looks are important. If you look at the screen bezel of the 11", its about double the thickness of the areas bordering the keyboard which may contribute to making it look a bit weird.
However, if you look at the screen bezel of the 13", you will notice that it is the exact same matching size as the area around the keyboard. This leads to greater evenness and matching beauty in my eyes.
Exactly, you wouldn't be trying so hard to justify it unless that I'd the one you truly want. So just go for it, you can always return it for the 13" if you end up not liking it.
Ahh, good, I was wondering where you were! I've been slowly getting sucked into the 13" camp (it really DOES make logical sense, as you know) but you continue to keep me grounded in my undecided state of being attracted to the smaller/lighter 11". Hee-hee.
Well the OP plans to use this laptop in the kitchen, while having coffee, etc. Let's pretend he/she spends 2-3 hours in the kitchen, and then another 2-3 hours eating, having coffee, mingling in family room, etc.. before moving back to the main desk where the laptop is being charged.
Well, the OP would inconveniently need to carry the charger WITH him/her if he/she was using the 11" and maneuver it around whatever is on his/her kitchen table, dining table, etc to make space to plug it in because it will not last more than 2-4 hours on battery in that combined 5-6 hours of above usage time before returning to the main desk where the OP leaves it for charge/main work.
However, with the 13" the OP will likely not have to worry about this at all. I mean, does the OP really want to have to monitor their battery everytime and carry the charger back and forth and maneuver the wires between obstacles/food/coffee on the table to plug it into a socket all the time? It takes away from the experience in my opinion.
For the OP, this becomes a choice between carrying an 11" + Charger around (or without charger and keeping an eye on the battery all the time), versus just carrying the 13" around alone with no worries.
And for what? To lose all the extra bonus features I mentioned in previous posts, just to get a smaller footprint that isn't needed? Sure its cute, but wait till the cute product can become just as convenient one day. From my understanding, neither DieterRams nor the OP will be inconvenienced from 13" but want a cute tiny laptop that nobody is gonna barely ever see outside their home and take its inconveniences on a daily basis for it.
At the end of the day, its all about personal preference. These two systems perform very similarly when configured the same. One may be a little faster, have a little more battery, but really, not enough to make that a deciding factor. The primary difference is SIZE. (Duh).
So whether the extra screen/trackpad real estate is worth it or better is really a personal choice. Some people like having more space, some don't mind having a little less and having an EVEN more portable unit. A couple of years ago, when you got one of the first netbooks, you really were compromising a lot. I had the HP Mini and it was a marvel in size, but even with an SSD Windows 7 was a DOG (slow). It almost made it unusable. So the smaller you went, the more compromises you had to make in terms of performance.
Apple changed the game with the MBA. And with this latest model, they have most definitely blurred the line. So 11" or 13", there is no right or wrong answer. There is a right or wrong answer FOR YOU. Its all about your usage patterns, your personal preferences, and your budget.
That being said, why would anyone want a puny little 11" laptop???
(I'm just teasing!!!!)For the record:
1. I'm a he.
2. I do drink coffee every morning, but gee, not THAT much!
3. I'm on/using my computer more than not using it. Chances are pretty good that it won't be sitting for too long while I "lounge around the house." If I leave it unattended (like if I go grab some lunch, for example) I would absolutely plug the laptop into an outlet.
Just wanted to set the record straight.
P.S. -- does the 13" really get THAT much more battery life than the 11"??
You're being sensible, nothing wrong with that.
But, it doesn't make up for the absolute 'wow' and fun factor the 11" Air provides ...
I have both the 11 and 13" within reach everyday. The larger screen is a benefit for the kind of work I do ... Right or wrong I grab for the 11" 80% of the time... I love that little computer.
For the record:
1. I'm a he.
2. I do drink coffee every morning, but gee, not THAT much!*
3. *I'm on/using my computer more than not using it. *Chances are pretty good that it won't be sitting for too long while I "lounge around the house." *If I leave it unattended (like if I go grab some lunch, for example) I would absolutely plug the laptop into an outlet.
Just wanted to set the record straight. *
P.S. -- does the 13" really get THAT much more battery life than the 11"??
I get about 5.5 hours on mine with FULL brightness and bluetooth still on (without messing with any settings) while just doing normal surfing, e-mailing, and nothing intense. I have not seen many posts under similar conditions, but saw a few saying 2.5-3 hours for the 11" and it wasn't at full brightness (but somewhere close to it). A 2-3 hour battery life in normal conditions kind of reminds me of a Windows/PC laptop LOL.
I wanted the 11" just like you, but then looked at it realistically and realized its just not ready for prime time just yet.. but its almost there.. maybe next year?
And for the record, the 13" is very small.. at the Apple Store you see them side by side so it messes with your head since 13" looks much bigger. But home alone, with just one laptop, its tiny, easy to carry around, super slim and sexy.. and I don't have to compromise anything to enjoy it. The best part is, the resolution of the 15" screen is jam packed into a small, full-laptop experience, 13" screen thats super duper slim and has an equal battery to the Macbook Pro line.
And that's as a brand new computer.. down the line the batteries are just going to get worse as your laptop gets older. For $1200-1300, the MBA that gives you the closest MBP experience (i.e. screen real estate, battery, sd card slot) in a compact, slim, profile is the 13". If one day Apple can fix one of those, such as the battery, in the 11" (along with a thinner bezel haha) then I would go for it.
----------
You're being sensible, nothing wrong with that.
But, it doesn't make up for the absolute 'wow' and fun factor the 11" Air provides ...
I have both the 11 and 13" within reach everyday. The larger screen is a benefit for the kind of work I do ... Right or wrong I grab for the 11" 80% of the time... I love that little computer.
And what will the OP do that 20% of the time when the larger screen could benefit them if thats their only computer? Plus the size difference looks big to you because you have both side by side.. if you didn't, either one would be small. Before you owned an 11" did you own just the 13"? Did it seem huge and inconvenient? If so, why did you purchase the 13" MBA in the first place instead of a 13" MBP? Do you see my point? I think the OP would "wow" to either one... don't tell me you didn't say "wow" to your first MBA if it was a 13" before you owned them both...they are both compact, slim, and convenient.. one just does a better job at handling everything more than the other thanks to real estate, extra battery, and an additional slot..
Last edited:
Keep in mind that I've got a 24" external monitor. So regardless of 11" or 13", I'll be able to access a 24" screen whenever I want or need to.
Just wanted to re-mention that.
Just wanted to re-mention that.
I had the Macbook unibody for about a year, then I switched to the 2010 13" MBA. Yesterday I took delivery of my 2011 MBA 11".
I have been on the fence about the 11" and knowing that until you get some actual real use is the only way to judge.
I must say I am pleasantly surprised at how big the 11.6" screen feels compared to the 13.3" It may have a lot to do with lion, shrinking the dock.
But honestly I am really liking this size of screen and form factor for around the house and taking it with me daily. For me it is a much bigger screen then when I would stand at it at the apple store.
I love this size and I have upper 40's eyes. I don't see going back to the 13" for me, for a non desktop laptop.
I have been on the fence about the 11" and knowing that until you get some actual real use is the only way to judge.
I must say I am pleasantly surprised at how big the 11.6" screen feels compared to the 13.3" It may have a lot to do with lion, shrinking the dock.
But honestly I am really liking this size of screen and form factor for around the house and taking it with me daily. For me it is a much bigger screen then when I would stand at it at the apple store.
I love this size and I have upper 40's eyes. I don't see going back to the 13" for me, for a non desktop laptop.