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

[entatlrg]

But... you have both though...so you don't have to "deal" with the negatives of either one. Get what I'm saying? If you want a larger screen, you just pick up the 13. If you want to lay around you get the 11.

Having both and being content is great, but it doesn't help when you can only have one... Not saying I don't value that bit of information but I think it would just confuse the OP into not knowing what to get again :/

What I think the OP might benefit from is that I have both and I choose to use the 11" far more often than the 13"....

I think it's foolish to own both and it's soon decision time for me. I buy Mac's for my staff. It's great because I get to play with them before I pass them on.

It's for sure *personal* taste ... I got excited to get my wife loaded up with her MBA of choice in the days of the revB, in October 2010 she tried the 11 and 13" Air ... she loves the 11" Air but in her words the screen is too small for working on all day. So she's used a 2010 13" MBA since it came out and really likes it.

A few weeks ago I gave her an i5 13" Air to play around with, she didn't notice much difference and suggested I give it to my office manager who's a female and wanted badly to go from a 15" MBP to an Air. So, I gave her my wife's i5 and my wife planned to stick with her 2010 MBA.

I guess my wife saw the 15" MBP sitting there on a desk decided to clean the screen or something ... to make long story short she typed the 15" for an afternoon and loved it ... now that's turned into her taking the 15" as her computer and her 2010 MBA sits. Surprised me

She likes the larger screen, always types on a table or laptop tray, (Table-mate). Her tasks are managing the finances of the company, invoicing, book keeping, surfing web for research/entertainment, nothing too intense ... the 15" screen won her over, she couldn't care less about weight or footprint.

The difference in usage is for example when we're in the back yard, I'm sitting with my feet up typing on my little 11" and she'll sit at the patio table or use a laptop desk. To each their own ...

Every notebook size has it's advantages and disadvantages. For my wife a 15" Air would be ideal, I agree then I'd really see the benefit of the larger footprint ... but, I bet I'd still use the 11" for lounging around and travel ... but hey, that's about all I do, I'm a CEO who dislikes desks and offices ... as an Industrial Designer there's better places to be creative too.

 

[amitdoc2b]

Don't you dare say anything about 11 or 13 inches!

We will let the ladies decide on that one..but I don't think they'd find your argument about it being cute and small making it more fun to play with

 

[Sounds Good]

I don't think they'd find your argument about it being cute and small making it more fun to play with

I think that was DieterRams argument, not mine. I was more impressed by the footprint size. Call it a foot fetish.

 

[Ken S]

I also work from home quite a bit and use an 11" as my main computer. For me the 11" size works as I can chose to hook it up to an external display or, when the mood strikes me, I unplug and can decide to sit outside in the yard or just go to a local cafe and work there. For me the portability of the 11" is too hard to beat.

Good luck with your choice!

 

[ZBoater]

I just came back from the Apple Store and thought I'd share my 30 day perspective. I've had my 13" MBA for almost a month now, and I've been using it non-stop all this time, I mean, a LOT. I went to the Apple Store to see the Thunderbolt displays. They didn't have any, but I bought a trackpad and a USB keyboard after trying the wireless keyboard (didn't like it, too small). I then strayed over to the MacBook Air table and played with the 11"

OMG! That thing is TINY!!!! I could never get used to that screen. Granted, I am biased because I've been using the 13" so much over the past few weeks, but the contrast was striking. I just don't see myself using that small of a screen for extended periods of time (as I type this post on my 30" Dell screen while I wait for my brand new NAS to configure itself )

Like I said before, personal preference, but if you spend a lot of time in front of your computer, IMHO, bigger is better. YMMV.

 

[Sounds Good]

Well, currently I spend a lot more time hooked up to the external monitor than unhooked. That may change once I have a smaller lighter laptop. Then again, it might not. Hard to say at this point.

By the way, as much as I prefer a wireless keyboard (I have one now) I would most likely get the wired Mac keyboard, not wireless, since it has the extra keys that I'm used to using every day. Too bad the larger keyboard didn't come in a wireless flavor. Oh well.

 

[ZBoater]

Well, currently I spend a lot more time hooked up to the external monitor than unhooked. That may change once I have a smaller lighter laptop. Then again, it might not. Hard to say at this point.

By the way, as much as I prefer a wireless keyboard (I have one now) I would most likely get the wired Mac keyboard, not wireless, since it has the extra keys that I'm used to using every day. Too bad the larger keyboard didn't come in a wireless flavor. Oh well.

I am typing this on the wired keyboard, and it is taking some getting used to. I tried both at the store and preferred the wired, but truth be told I am a Microsoft Natural Keyboard nut. This one is going to be an acquired taste.

The trackpad I also am not too crazy about. I mean, I like it on the MBA, but on my desk I am more used to the mouse, and the Magic Mouse is pretty nifty. I suspect the trackpad is going back in less than 14 days.

I switched to another monitor to use the MBA with a mini-display port to dvi adapter I picked up tonight (my consolation prize after not finding the Thunderbolt Display!) and I am having somewhat of a hard time figuring out the dual mode display. When I expand an app full screen, it always seems to want to expand on the MBA display, even if I have it on the external LCD.

Maybe if I read the manual... :roll eyes:

EDIT: Heh, figured it out. Under Display / Arrangement I had to drag the top menu bar from my MBA display to my LCD display. Voila! This is a lot more fun than reading a manual...

 

[Sounds Good]

I'm a mouse guy all the way. Even when I *DO* use the laptop on it's own, away from the desk, I still take the Bluetooth wireless mouse along. I'm just much, much better with a mouse.

 

[ZBoater]

Not sure if you've seen this pic but it does put the size thing in perspective. It's from the Anandtech review.

http://images.anandtech.com/reviews/mac/macbookair2011/DSC_4297.jpg

 

[Young Spade]

To OP, did you ever get the machine yet? How many days has it been? What's taking you so long? Lol

 

[amitdoc2b]

Not sure if you've seen this pic but it does put the size thing in perspective. It's from the Anandtech review.

http://images.anandtech.com/reviews/mac/macbookair2011/DSC_4297.jpg

Wow and the 13" is already a very small computer when sitting alone or next to something else. There's no way I could use an 11" as my primary computer and degrade myself to such a small screen year-round just to lose 1 inch footprint by length and width. I have an iPhone for that LOL. It's not like the 13" isn't portable, I carry it around in one hand from one room to another and its super light.

 

[alecgold]

I'm doing just that!
The 11" has become my portable laptop to take everywhere. Literally, right now it's with me in the hammock in the backyard, but it's everyday in the office, at home on the couch, with my parents and in-laws, when going to friends. It is quite convenient to have all my files and work with me. And the excellent standby times make a little bit up for the loss of battery life when using it. Although 5 hours of use is still very, very good for such a slender laptop.

And there is some contradiction in your post, as it is "just to lose 1 inch footprint by length and width" but if you loose the 2" of a screen it's too much?


To be honest, 11" is small, but it has the same pixels as the 13" MBP! And at the same time the difference between 13" and 11" is quite a lot when handling. I'm still amazed how easier it is to hang on the chouch with this thing than it is with the 13" MBA I have. And comparing it with the 13" MBP is like holding a bank vault door.

 

[christophermdia]

I work all day everyday on a 13" MBA. Its just the right screen size and resolution. I would be less productive on a 13" MBP. It would definitely take a 15" to do what I do daily if it were the MBP. I suppose that if I had an LED display I would use it with the MBA docked, which is what I do at home sometimes.

 

[Sounds Good]

Not sure if you've seen this pic but it does put the size thing in perspective. It's from the Anandtech review.

Thanks for that. Hey, I've got a question for you: remember I asked about zooming in on TextEdit, and you said it could be done by hitting Cmnd+? Well, I tried it again yesterday and it didn't work, so I asked an Apple employee and he couldn't get it to work. He called over an "expert" and she said it that you can't "zoom" in TextEdit, period. So... how did you get it to work?

To OP, did you ever get the machine yet? How many days has it been? What's taking you so long? Lol

The truth? I'm so uncomfortable when I use a Mac that I'm hesitant to make the switch. Here's just one example: I'm very accustomed to the Windows keyboard, and the Mac keyboard is a lot harder for me to use. Not just different, but more difficult. For instance, I very much like the placement of the Ctrl key on Windows (the first key on the left directly under the Shift key). I'm not a true typist (and never will be) so the way I type my left index finger and thumb sit directly next to the Shift and Ctrl keys. This makes it very easy for me to edit text by doing keyboard shortcuts like Ctrl C, Ctrl Home, Ctrl End, Ctrl Delete, Ctrl I, Ctrl B, Ctrl Arrow Left, Right, Up or Down. On a Mac keyboard, not only is the Cmnd key in a less comfortable position (for MY liking) but there's no Home, End or regular Delete key. This makes it pretty darn uncomfortable for me to do normal everyday typing. So... I'm stalling because even though I want to get a Mac, I'm just not 100% sure it's the right move for me.

 

[glen e]

I use a MBA, 27" monitor and Microsoft keyboard/mouse. The windows key is my Ctrl key and works just like my old lenovo setup. What i really like is I disconnect my 11 mba for a business meeting or going on the road, and I have the smallest laptop that is still the total office files/setup as my home office.

 

[ZBoater]

Thanks for that. Hey, I've got a question for you: remember I asked about zooming in on TextEdit, and you said it could be done by hitting Cmnd+? Well, I tried it again yesterday and it didn't work, so I asked an Apple employee and he couldn't get it to work. He called over an "expert" and she said it that you can't "zoom" in TextEdit, period. So... how did you get it to work?

Cmd + increases the font size. You would need to have the text selected, or start typing new text. So I guess technically, it's not zooming. I cheated.

----------

I'm very accustomed to the Windows keyboard, and the Mac keyboard is a lot harder for me to use.

Me too. I am a Microsoft Natural keyboard fan, and the Apple wired keyboard I bought yesterday is not working for me.

I'm going to try the Microsoft keyboard like the previous poster said to see how that works...

 

[Sounds Good]

Cmd + increases the font size. You would need to have the text selected, or start typing new text. So I guess technically, it's not zooming. I cheated.

Ahhh, gotcha. I've got at least 100 Notepad files that I need to access on a now and then basis. I suppose I could "open / select all / change font size / save" each file. Not super convenient, but...

Me too. I am a Microsoft Natural keyboard fan, and the Apple wired keyboard I bought yesterday is not working for me. I'm going to try the Microsoft keyboard like the previous poster said to see how that works...

Good luck. I suppose I could just use the wireless HP keyboard I'm currently using, but (A) it won't have the special Mac commands, and (B) it won't help when I'm away from the desk and just using the MBA's keyboard.

 

[Young Spade]

I'm doing just that!
The 11" has become my portable laptop to take everywhere. Literally, right now it's with me in the hammock in the backyard, but it's everyday in the office, at home on the couch, with my parents and in-laws, when going to friends. It is quite convenient to have all my files and work with me. And the excellent standby times make a little bit up for the loss of battery life when using it. Although 5 hours of use is still very, very good for such a slender laptop.

And there is some contradiction in your post, as it is "just to lose 1 inch footprint by length and width" but if you loose the 2" of a screen it's too much?


To be honest, 11" is small, but it has the same pixels as the 13" MBP! And at the same time the difference between 13" and 11" is quite a lot when handling. I'm still amazed how easier it is to hang on the chouch with this thing than it is with the 13" MBA I have. And comparing it with the 13" MBP is like holding a bank vault door.

1) If you just look at the dimensions on Apple's page

11
Depth: 7.56 inches (19.2 cm)
Width: 11.8 inches (30 cm)

13
Depth: 8.94 inches (22.7 cm)
Width: 12.8 inches (32.5 cm)

You will see he is right. Check your sources. Depth 1.48 inch. Width 1 inch. Screen size? 2 inches.

2) Pixels aren't the solution. You still have to look at a smaller screen which means you'll see "the same" but everything is smaller.

Doing the math (somebody correct me if I'm wrong) you lose 21.205 inches of space by going to the 11 from the 13.

3) All of the laptops have an amazing standby time. That doesn't help your battery life. If you don't use anything (it's sleeping) the battery won't drain a noticeable amount.

Thanks for that. Hey, I've got a question for you: remember I asked about zooming in on TextEdit, and you said it could be done by hitting Cmnd+? Well, I tried it again yesterday and it didn't work, so I asked an Apple employee and he couldn't get it to work. He called over an "expert" and she said it that you can't "zoom" in TextEdit, period. So... how did you get it to work?


The truth? I'm so uncomfortable when I use a Mac that I'm hesitant to make the switch. Here's just one example: I'm very accustomed to the Windows keyboard, and the Mac keyboard is a lot harder for me to use. Not just different, but more difficult. For instance, I very much like the placement of the Ctrl key on Windows (the first key on the left directly under the Shift key). I'm not a true typist (and never will be) so the way I type my left index finger and thumb sit directly next to the Shift and Ctrl keys. This makes it very easy for me to edit text by doing keyboard shortcuts like Ctrl C, Ctrl Home, Ctrl End, Ctrl Delete, Ctrl I, Ctrl B, Ctrl Arrow Left, Right, Up or Down. On a Mac keyboard, not only is the Cmnd key in a less comfortable position (for MY liking) but there's no Home, End or regular Delete key. This makes it pretty darn uncomfortable for me to do normal everyday typing. So... I'm stalling because even though I want to get a Mac, I'm just not 100% sure it's the right move for me.

1) It only works in applications that allow you to zoom in? We browsers, Word, etc. I only have BBEdit so I can't really look for you there.

2) I see what you mean. When using Windows 7 on the laptop it's really irritating not being able to delete something, take a screenshot, or use the Page up/down, home keys either. BUT, IMO, the keyboard itself is amazing and I don't mind having those problems.

There are a ton of keyboard commands out there (control + d for delete / control + v for page down) but if you're at the office, you could always hook a keyboard up if it means that much.

 

[amitdoc2b]

1) If you just look at the dimensions on Apple's page

11
Depth: 7.56 inches (19.2 cm)
Width: 11.8 inches (30 cm)

13
Depth: 8.94 inches (22.7 cm)
Width: 12.8 inches (32.5 cm)

You will see he is right. Check your sources. Depth 1.48 inch. Width 1 inch. Screen size? 2 inches.

2) Pixels aren't the solution. You still have to look at a smaller screen which means you'll see "the same" but everything is smaller.

Doing the math (somebody correct me if I'm wrong) you lose 21.205 inches of space by going to the 11 from the 13.

3) All of the laptops have an amazing standby time. That doesn't help your battery life. If you don't use anything (it's sleeping) the battery won't drain a noticeable amount.

He also loses 2 hours of battery, 400mhz turbo boost when comparing base model processors, extra cash out of his pocket if upgrades the lower end model to equivalent or better processor, an SD card slot, and higher resolution... but he does gain some extra bezel and extra portability (unless you are going to Starbucks tonite for 5-6 hours like me, then you'll need your charger to carry with you while I just simply take my lightweight 2.9 pound 13" with me without any additional cables).

 

[Sounds Good]

...I just simply take my lightweight 2.9 pound 13" with me...

Easy for you to say NOW. Not so easy THEN.

 

[alecgold]

1) If you just look at the dimensions on Apple's page

11
Depth: 7.56 inches (19.2 cm)
Width: 11.8 inches (30 cm)

13
Depth: 8.94 inches (22.7 cm)
Width: 12.8 inches (32.5 cm)

You will see he is right. Check your sources. Depth 1.48 inch. Width 1 inch. Screen size? 2 inches.

2) Pixels aren't the solution. You still have to look at a smaller screen which means you'll see "the same" but everything is smaller.

3) All of the laptops have an amazing standby time. That doesn't help your battery life. If you don't use anything (it's sleeping) the battery won't drain a noticeable amount.

1. i didn't argue his calculations, I just wondered why loosing 1" +1" is not equal to 2"?
If I loose 1" in length and 1" in width, loosing 2" in screen size seems fair to me?!
If you want to calculate it rightly, I go from a 89.208 sq" 114.432 sq" of footprint. That is an 28% increase of footprint to go from 11.6 to 13.3" in screen size, which is only 1.7" increase, or just 15%...
If you do some more calculations, you'll see that almost everything you calculate is 28% difference.
Only the battery life is almost 40% more, which is a lot.

2. What does it matter that it is smaller? My iPhone has a tiny screen, but I can read ebooks on it. And it reads a lot better than on my MBA13", even when the MBA13" has a lot more pixels.. Every device has it's strong points, every (wo)man has it's own peculiarities.

3. Standby time helps me a lot.
When I'm on the road I tend to be at a client for an hour, hour and a half max. I rarely have two clients a day. Because the MBA has an excellent standby feature, I allow it to go to sleep when I'm talking with a client. In this light sleep it is awake within the blink of an eye. If I don't use the MBA over the weekend, it still has 85 or 90% of it's charge, meaning I can go to a client, monday morning 08h30 and not finding my laptop's battery depleted.

2 hours less battery life? Im a lazy bastard, so working 5 hours a day is a lot
So far I haven't missed the 2 hours that my 13" gives me extra. I was really worried about that.
I have missed my MBA11" several times, looking in my bag to see if I brought it with me. Such a light load, it can't be right.

TO EACH THEIR OWN!

I think this sums it up best..

(unless you are going to Starbucks tonite for 5-6 hours like me, then you'll need your charger to carry with you while I just simply take my lightweight 2.9 pound 13" with me without any additional cables).

What on earth are you doing there for 5-6 hours?? I hope it isn't your office?! they have nice chairs, but it must wreck havoc on your productivity and efficiency. I do like Starbucks (alas, we have only two in this odd country, both far away) but when I'm somewhere with one, tend to drink a venti soy cappuccino with enough sugar to keep my dentist happy and read some stuff, look at the cool people that come there (and despise me as I'm geeky as Sheldon (and wish as smart) and not cool so I spoil the cool look of Starbucks)

 

[superstarmc]

i'm doing just that!
The 11" has become my portable laptop to take everywhere. Literally, right now it's with me in the hammock in the backyard, but it's everyday in the office, at home on the couch, with my parents and in-laws, when going to friends. It is quite convenient to have all my files and work with me. And the excellent standby times make a little bit up for the loss of battery life when using it. Although 5 hours of use is still very, very good for such a slender laptop.

And there is some contradiction in your post, as it is "just to lose 1 inch footprint by length and width" but if you loose the 2" of a screen it's too much?
:d

to be honest, 11" is small, but it has the same pixels as the 13" mbp! And at the same time the difference between 13" and 11" is quite a lot when handling. I'm still amazed how easier it is to hang on the chouch with this thing than it is with the 13" mba i have. And comparing it with the 13" mbp is like holding a bank vault door.

x2.

 

[entatlrg]

I'm doing just that!
The 11" has become my portable laptop to take everywhere. Literally, right now it's with me in the hammock in the backyard, but it's everyday in the office, at home on the couch, with my parents and in-laws, when going to friends. It is quite convenient to have all my files and work with me. And the excellent standby times make a little bit up for the loss of battery life when using it. Although 5 hours of use is still very, very good for such a slender laptop.

And there is some contradiction in your post, as it is "just to lose 1 inch footprint by length and width" but if you loose the 2" of a screen it's too much?


To be honest, 11" is small, but it has the same pixels as the 13" MBP! And at the same time the difference between 13" and 11" is quite a lot when handling. I'm still amazed how easier it is to hang on the chouch with this thing than it is with the 13" MBA I have. And comparing it with the 13" MBP is like holding a bank vault door.

x3!

 

[ZBoater]

I'm doing just that!
The 11" has become my portable laptop to take everywhere. Literally, right now it's with me in the hammock in the backyard, but it's everyday in the office, at home on the couch, with my parents and in-laws, when going to friends. It is quite convenient to have all my files and work with me. And the excellent standby times make a little bit up for the loss of battery life when using it. Although 5 hours of use is still very, very good for such a slender laptop.

And there is some contradiction in your post, as it is "just to lose 1 inch footprint by length and width" but if you loose the 2" of a screen it's too much?


To be honest, 11" is small, but it has the same pixels as the 13" MBP! And at the same time the difference between 13" and 11" is quite a lot when handling. I'm still amazed how easier it is to hang on the chouch with this thing than it is with the 13" MBA I have. And comparing it with the 13" MBP is like holding a bank vault door.

-1

(Had to try to even things out a bit... )

 

[Sounds Good]

-1

(Had to try to even things out a bit... )

Ha! Somebody had to do it!