But is this a good time to upgrade? The new Airs have had rave reviews and half a million of them flew off the shelves within hours. Bench tests show that the base 11.6 Air is twice as fast as its predecessor and that the specced 13in can offer competition for a 2010 MacBook Pro 15in. Out of interest, I filled my Apple cart with a max-spec 11.6 (1.8GHz i7, 256GB SSD, non-optional 4GB RAM) and it comes to £1,399 including 20 percent tax. My current model, slower, smaller SSD, cost £1,160 ten months ago.
The big question is whether to go ahead and buy a new one or to delay for another six months or so to see what might be in the pipeline. There’s a ready market for used Airs on eBay and other sites, so I have no doubt that I could recoup at least half of my original outlay. It’s a question many early adopters must be pondering and there is no easy answer.
Today I resisted pressing the button on the cart, despite the optimistic 3-day despatch. Tomorrow’s another day. As usual, need is battling with want.
Useful reading: Shawn Blanc, 9to5 Mac comparison charts, PocketLint detailed comparison, TechCrunch, MG Siegler’s review of the new Airs.
I don't think you would find the screen a problem. It has a higher resolution than the 13in (or is it the same, but squeezed into the smaller area–I need to check). Anyway, you see as much as you would on the 13in but it is just a bit smaller..I think you would prefer the 11in but go to an Apple Store and have a play.
Hi Michael –
I have a 13 MBA and I am close to upgrading. The big concern I have is moving to the 11. Now that the SSD and CPUs can be matched in the 11 as the 13 I am not concerned about that. It is more the screen size. How do you like the smaller screen for everyday things? browsing , light photo editing, maybe a movie on travel. Obvious an external monitor is idea.
Love to know your thoughts if you can