MacBook Air 11 inch
Discussion
I'm planning on buying a laptop for the wife for her birthday. She keeps stealing mine so I think it's time she had her own!
As everything in my home is Apple, I figured a MacBook Air would be best, but she doesn't like anything too big so I figured the 11 inch MacBook Air would be ideal.
However, is it genuinely a full-size keyboard or is it one that's been squished together making it next to impossible to use?
She doesn't need anything mega powerful, and while I did consider the MacBook Retina, I don't like the lack of ports and the price. Plus in Gib a MacBook Air 11 inch base model is only £540 which is a cracking deal.
Any feedback on the usability of it would be great.
As everything in my home is Apple, I figured a MacBook Air would be best, but she doesn't like anything too big so I figured the 11 inch MacBook Air would be ideal.
However, is it genuinely a full-size keyboard or is it one that's been squished together making it next to impossible to use?
She doesn't need anything mega powerful, and while I did consider the MacBook Retina, I don't like the lack of ports and the price. Plus in Gib a MacBook Air 11 inch base model is only £540 which is a cracking deal.
Any feedback on the usability of it would be great.
The keyboard is nigh-on full sized - there's almost an of space either side of the keyboard on the 13", so they get the keyboard in on the 11" by using that space. Not much squishing involved. I know a journalist who uses one as their main computer (and had exactly the same concerns before buying), but has no qualms.
Cheers. I think it's a done deal. She only needs it for email, web browsing and some photos. We have a huge storage server at home so 128GB SSD will be just fine. It's a shame however the 13 inch version has a much faster SSD controller but I suppose you need something more to justify those extra dollars for the larger version.
The 11" squishes the top row (function/media keys) quite heavily and the bottom rom (ctrl/option/command/space and arrow keys) less so, to fit them in. The number row and the three letter rows are the same size on both. Overall width seems the same - the 13" has a lot of extra space to the sides which is lost on the 11". You lose a lot of depth so much smaller palmrests and a smaller trackpad - hence I prefer the 13", as my hands are sat right on the edge for typing on the 11" which is much less comfortable. If you're spending full days typing though it may not be an issue.
US layout but you get the idea:
US layout but you get the idea:
Good point with regards to the palm rest.....that could actually be a small issue as she uses the laptop while on the couch. It would rarely if ever be on a desk.
I'll have a play with them some time this week. Just need to decide by next week and hope they have the one I want in stock!
I'll have a play with them some time this week. Just need to decide by next week and hope they have the one I want in stock!
I've been using an 11" for the last 4yrs or so. It's a great machine, but....if absolute foot print isn't the biggest priority I'd get the 13" (and will be getting one to replace my OH's aging Macbook). The extra screen size is very useful for couch surfing.
What would be really great is if Apple released a retina version soon...but can't see that happening.
What would be really great is if Apple released a retina version soon...but can't see that happening.
Digitalize said:
The MacBook Air is a dying product, maybe not next year, but the year after, there will just be the Retina MacBook and the MacBook Pros.
I agree but since it's my wife's birthday in just 2 weeks, I can't really wait that long. Plus the MacBook Retina is double the price for little more than just a marginally bigger screen at a higher resolution.....(and no ports)Worth a look, I understand it is a guesstimate?
http://buyersguide.macrumors.com/#Mac
Not much change on the horizon for the Macbook Air?
http://buyersguide.macrumors.com/#Mac
Not much change on the horizon for the Macbook Air?
beanbag said:
I agree but since it's my wife's birthday in just 2 weeks, I can't really wait that long. Plus the MacBook Retina is double the price for little more than just a marginally bigger screen at a higher resolution.....(and no ports)
Oh yeah, I wouldn't suggest buying an rMB until the 2nd gen.
Well I've got a Macbook Air 11 and Macbook Pro 13inch. The Air was going to be just used for work and as a download/Plex media server and guess what I very rarely use the 13inch pro. I've been meaning to sell it but I just can't let it go even though I use it very little.
TBH for the price it's a fantastic machine that never lets me down :-)
TBH for the price it's a fantastic machine that never lets me down :-)
Does she just use it for web browsing ? my son has nicked my 17 inch beast of a Dell XPS to take to Uni and I decided I wanted something slinky, I too have a lot of Apple in the house but the Laptop I realised I just used for web browsing, I bought a Toshiba Chromebook 2 HD and it is superb for browsing, it weighs a third of what the Dell did and doesnt sound like hovercraft when its trying to cool a full on Desktop processor.
The Macbook for the web browsing doesnt offer anything else so the Chromebook is fine, I have a decent work laptop, Ipad Air 2 and a desktop so can do other stuff, but these are ace for surfing and the odd email, plus it cost £219, not £1500 so if its not needed you could save yourself a few quid.
The Macbook for the web browsing doesnt offer anything else so the Chromebook is fine, I have a decent work laptop, Ipad Air 2 and a desktop so can do other stuff, but these are ace for surfing and the odd email, plus it cost £219, not £1500 so if its not needed you could save yourself a few quid.
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