Haswell Macbook Air 11" or 13"?

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Level 1

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Haswell Macbook Air 11" or 13"?

This is my first computer and I have decided to go for the macbook air. The only question is which size? I need the computer to be small, powerfull, and have a big enough screen for me. My device I use now is the 10.1" Galaxy Note so an 11.6" or 13.3" screen is better than I am used to using. Price is not an issue (I will configure either device the same- i5, 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD). I will use my computer mainly for school (word documents and powerpoints with light Python in my programming class), web-browsing, light gaming (mainly minecraft- I will be screen recording it too), Photoshop, and mild video editing for my YouTube channel. The SD card on the 13" is a plus considering I want to get into photography, but if I have to use a dongle it is not a big deal. I will be taking it to and from school daily and will carry it from class to class.

So? 11 or 13 inch? Any help is gladly appreciated, I won't be purchasing til early October

MacBook Air

Posted on Aug 27, 2013 6:47 PM

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Answer 1

Aug 27, 2013 7:27 PM in response to Haphix

Ive had both 11" and 13" I really dont notice any downside on my 13" for packing around.

leaning back and watching video and doing such things is NOT the best pleasure on the 11" however.

13" in the new Air however has a much larger batt pack and 12hr life.

If price isnt an issue, get the 13" I5 8gig and 256gig SSD

Also the 256 and 512 SSD are getting up to 400 mb per sec faster write speeds than 128gig SSD due to SSD density.

Here is an excellent video comparison between the 11” I5 vs. I7 2013 Macbook Air.

http://www.apple-tubes.com/apple-macbook-air-11-mid-2013-haswell-i5-vs-i7-compar ison/

http://www.anandtech.com/show/7113/2013-macbook-air-core-i5-4250u-vs-core-i7-465 0u/2

I5 vs. I7 performance 13” Macbook Air 2013

Boot performance

11.7 I5 ……11.4 I7

Cinebench

1.1 I5….1.41 I7

IMovie Import and Opt.

6.69 I5….5.35 I7

IMovie Export

10.33 I5…8.20 I7

Final Cut Pro X

21.47 I5…17.71 I7

Adobe Lightroom 3 Export

25.8 I5….31.8 I7

Adobe Photoshop CS5 Performance

27.3 I5…22.6 I7

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Answer 2

Haphix Author

Level 1

10 points

Aug 27, 2013 7:29 PM in response to PlotinusVeritas

Thanks a lot! I will definately take this into consideration. Did you ever find yourself straining to view the screen on the 11" or was it just not as pleasant as the roomy 13"?

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Answer 3

Aug 27, 2013 7:35 PM in response to Haphix

both is the answer on that one. Like a large airplane seat, ok, but not just 'ok' as in great.

heres the data link on the larger SSD being faster:

http://blog.macsales.com/19008-performance-testing-not-all-2013-macbook-air-ssds -are-the-same

next best thing to screen size on the 13" , is the battery size is greatly larger on the 13" over that of the 11"

This is really the 1st laptop EVER (by any maker) thats is genuinely a "stay unplugged all day long" proposition

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Answer 4

Haphix Author

Level 1

10 points

Aug 27, 2013 7:39 PM in response to Haphix

Wow! That definately makes the difference considering I won't be able to charge it at school. Thanks so much for all the help!

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Answer 5

Haphix Author

Level 1

10 points

Aug 27, 2013 7:41 PM in response to PlotinusVeritas

Wow! That definately helps with not having to worry about changing your setting to squeeze in an extra hour of usage 🙂

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Answer 6

Aug 27, 2013 7:46 PM in response to Haphix

Dont let the slim size of the Air fool you, its a powerhouse machine. That 12hr life is based on general low task use and non flash web use.

Obviously youre not going to get 12 hrs. running high tasker apps like games, video editing, and youtube (flash) videos all day long.

Still doing same on mine I get around 7+ hrs. doing high tasking apps and vid watching.

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