On CNN yesterday evening, the topic of discussion on their technology minute was the MacBook Air. Most of the potential MacBook Air buyers said that they preferred the 11-inch version. Some said they liked the 13-inch better because it replaced their other laptops. We have spent a lot of time with both units, so let's compare and see what is best for you.
Build and design
The all-aluminum unibody design on both units is perfect. Both MacBook Air units feel extremely light, but also extremely sturdy. The units never feel like they are going to fall out of your hands.
The main difference between the 11-inch and 13-inch units is that the 13-inch unit has an SD card slot on the rear right of the unit. It is a shame that the 11-inch unit doesn't have this. Yeah, you can buy an SD card adapter. However, nothing is more convenient than having it on the actual unit.
The 13-inch unit is also more square, while the 11-inch unit is rectangular. The 13-inch unit feels like an ultra-portable laptop while the 11-inch unit feels like an ultra-portable mobile device. The 11-inch can easily take the place of an iPad, where the same can't really be said for the 13-inch unit.
Screen
The 11-inch MacBook Air has a 1366 x 768 pixel resolution screen while the 13-inch has a 1440 x 900 pixel resolution screen. Neither have "Retina" displays, but the 13-inch screen gives you a better bang for your buck. After seeing how crisp and clear everything looks on the 13-inch screen, you won't be craving a Retina display anytime soon.
Neither screen compares with IPS panel screens, even though they have pretty wide viewing angles. The colors on both screens aren't saturated enough, but will satisfy the common user. It is important to note that if your unit is shipped with a Samsung screen, the colors will be sharper. If your unit is shipped with an LG screen, the colors will be more dull. However, there is a fix for those with LG screens.
Continue to Part 2
