11-inch or 13-inch MacBook Air?

Zapdoc wrote:
Also debating on 1.86 versus 2.13 each with 4GB. Is new MBA really like older ones where 1.86 was faster than 2.13 ? True for older one but ?? For new one. Decided to go for 2.13 and 4GB. Hav tried the 1,86 4GB and it IS fast. Only hope same for the 2.13 Any advice anyone ??

The older MBA often suffered from the processor running at lower speeds due to thermal issues. The new MBA is better and the 2.13 is faster (though not a lot) than the 1.86. Macworld has benchmark results on their website from the high end models.

I went to the store today and played with both models quite a bit. I have to say the 13" model seems ALOT bigger....and I just didn't like that. I really fell in love with the smaller lighter 11" model.

They both had Adobe PSE loaded and I got to try editing pictures and such on both. Also Pages, Numbers, iPhoto and such. I really could not tell much difference in speed on the base models of each machine. They are both ridiculously fast. Applications start up almost instantaneously. The keyboards are fabulous and the trackpad is very large on both machines. This would be the machine I get. Good luck with your decision.

I have the latest 15" MacBook Pro (Core i7, High-Res matte screen) and just upgraded my Rev B MacBook Air (1.86 GHz, 128 GB SSD) to the new 11.6" (1.4 GHz, 128 GB SSD). So far, the new Air is about the same as my old one in general performance, which I consider very impressive considering the slower processor, slower memory bus and having only half the L2 cache.

The new Air is also SIGNIFICANTLY faster in booting, wake-from-sleep and general file operations.

Overall, I find the new Air so fast that I rarely bother with my MacBook Pro anymore, and generally leave it at home now and use the Air for just about everything. My usage is not light, as I drive a 23" monitor at work and frequently have about 6 applications open with multiple windows and tabs. All of this on only 2 GB RAM without any slow-downs.

I was coming from the macbook pro 15 inch, and didn't need all the power (at least not with my quad core, i7 iMac a home).

I didn't think I could ever get away form the 15 inch screen, but the 13 inch is NICE! The poster that said the resoultion is the same is wrong. The 13 inch MacBook Air will do 1440x900 (same as 15 inch Macbook Pro) but the 13 inch will not.

The 13 inch is a great machine! I'm really impressed with how well it runs. I have the base model 13 inch. I do wish I would have gotten the upgraded RAM, but I was in NYC and needed to pick one up, so I didn't have time to wait.

The 13" 2010 MBA has the same resolution 1440x900 as my 15" mid-2009 MBP. However, the 2010 MBA has a higher pixel density than my 15" MBP. So the image is more crisp and clear.

Bryan

I love my 11 inch air compared to coming from my 2009 13 inch. Totally noticeable in a great way. THe 13 inch seems bulky if you can even fathom that. One thing I notice no one is mentioning is these things run sooooo cool compared to the previous 2009 air. I hated the fans running and the heat on top left. My new air rarely even gets warm when running flash etc. and that for me is huge.

I'm really blown away by how small the 11" looks next to my 15" MacBook Pro. Which, I suppose, is why I love it so much... because in deciding to purchase it, I was going for small, light and portable above any other feature. I won't get rid of the MBP.... it will be my go-to computer for Adobe Creative suite and video editing, but the Air is going to be the go-to for schlepping around to meetings, through airports, and on road trips. It is soooo small - but the screen is surprisingly readable and it feels like it has more real estate than it really does. It is the iPad I wish they'd built - you know, the one with the full built in keyboard. 🙂

Love it, love it, love it. Fast and responsive. Small and sexy. Perfect.

I chose the 11 inch model. I chose the smaller version because I need a laptop primarily for portability. I'll almost always be using the laptop for web surfing, email, and word processing. I have an i7 iMac at home to do all my heavier computing. I would have chosen the 13 if I knew I wanted the portability of an air and planned to use it as my sole computer. The differences in hardware between the two weren't deal breakers for me. I personally would get a MacBook Pro if I wanted a laptop as my sole computer and/or if my vision was an issue. In short, if you plan on using an Air for your primary computer, get the 256 GB 13" so you'll have enough room for all your apps, photos, music, etc., but if you plan on getting an air as a secondary computer, I'd get the 11 inch (hard drive space depends on how much luggage you want to carry). Due to the topic, I assumed cost wasn't an issue.

To answer the initial question, I'm just at the same dilemma (and that's why I'm here), and you have to use both the 11- and 13-in MBA, because the screen size it what's really different between them. At first, I was excited about the 11-in, but then I tried to open different apps that I use daily and switch between them and suddenly I realized that the 11,6-in screen may actually be too small and this cute, tiny size may turn out to be a problem in daily work routine. So, I'm now considering the 13-in model, which I believe should be at least a couple of hundreds cheaper. The 11-in basic model is actually a well made mac netbook, so the $999 price tag maybe fair, but not cheap...

Since I can only afford one, I bought the 13" MBA, fully maxed out with all the upgrades. It's fantastic and serving well as my only computer. But the 11" is a truly awesome machine as well, and if portability was an overwhelming criteria it might be a good choice. During my playing in the Apple Store, I found the screen size didn't seem like much of a compromise - I was amazed at the speed and usability of even the base model in that size. Either would work fine for casual use, but the 13" won the toss as a daily production computer.

Totally agree with you on this. I bought the 11" because it is going to be a secondary computer. It doesn't have enough hard drive to be a primary computer, for one thing. But for toting around in a backpack, it's perfect.

I guess you have to figure what your main use is going to be and buy accordingly.

Use a maxed out Mini as my main machine with a 24" Cinema Display. Have a 2008 MBA. Just took advantage of the black Friday pricing which paid for the RAM upgrade and ordered 13" 128 4GB. Would have loved the 11" based on size but realize my failing eyes benefit from the extra real estate. I also use the iPad and iPhone and personally benefit from a larger form factor of the iPad...again it's the aging eyes thing. At age 20 to 30 I would have gone 11".

I haven't even gone into the local Apple store to demo but implicitly trust that benefits include faster boot and app boot as well as instant on from a sleeping state. No need for a mouse on this puppy. It will be interesting to see this thing docked with the cinema display to see if it pushes my mini out to peform as a full time media server.

I'm 51 and wear glasses. I'd say my eyesight isn't fabulous by any means (blind as a bat without my spectacles!), but I'm really having no trouble reading the screen on the 11". I'm probably unusual in that I prefer smaller type over larger, and am constantly adjusting screen views accordingly. I guess if eyesight is an issue, it pays to go to the Apple store and compare them before deciding which one to purchase.