I went for the 13 inch Air as well when I bought back in July last. Battery life was a consideration but I also like the feel of the 13 inch better than the 11 inch. Ergonomics matter too.
On May 7, 2014, at 10:03 AM, Tristan <theblinddj...@gmail.com> wrote: > I got the 13 inch for the battery life. 11 inch has 9 hours, compared > to the 13 inch which has 12. While using a virtual machine -- or -- > Windows in general, it's important to have as much battery life as > possible, as Windows lacks the excellent power management that OSX > has. That three hours could mean a large difference in terms of how > much battery life is taken off from virtual machines. > > On 5/7/14, Kayaker <sea...@me.com> wrote: >> Hi, >> >> You should be all set. But I have to admit I’m puzzled why you went for the >> 13 inch instead of the 11 inch Air? The screen seems like a silly place to >> invest dollars if you can’t see it. >> >> Regardless, the specs will serve you well for quite some time for what your >> stated needs are. Think hard about using bootcamp or VMware Fusion as your >> Windows solution. Pros and cons both ways. Check the archives here for lots >> of tips. >> >> Best, >> —k >> Faith doesn’t give you the answers, it merely stops you from asking the >> questions. >> >> >> >> >> On May 6, 2014, at 7:45 PM, Tristan <theblinddj...@gmail.com> wrote: >> >>> I opted with the 13 inch MacBook Air early 2014 model. 1.7 GHZ >>> (turboboost up to 3.3 GHz), 256 GB SSD and 8 GB RAM. I think from what >>> I've heard so far I should be more than set for either VM or bootcamp. >>> >>> On 5/6/14, Kawal Gucukoglu <kawa...@me.com> wrote: >>>> Do you only get 32 RAM on an iMac? As this is what I have! >>>> >>>>> On 6 May 2014, at 09:41 pm, 'Chris Blouch' via MacVisionaries >>>>> <macvisionaries@googlegroups.com> wrote: >>>>> >>>>> The main constraint I've noticed when running virtual machines is >>>>> Windows >>>>> beats on the hard drive. So my CPU will be taking a nap while Windows >>>>> does >>>>> who-knows-what on the hard drive. In other words, Windows is an I/O >>>>> bound >>>>> not CPU bound process. Sure, if you're doing something CPU intensive on >>>>> there like encoding audio or calculating 10K digits of pi the CPU might >>>>> matter but generally spinning disks have not kept up with the leaps in >>>>> CPU >>>>> performance. So I would drop more money on SSD than CPU. Of course, >>>>> then, >>>>> there's RAM. If you don't have enough the system will swap least used >>>>> chunks of memory to disk to make room for stuff you actually need. This >>>>> swap to disk process can turn any fast drive and CPU to sludge. Now >>>>> days >>>>> machines ship with 4GB of RAM or more and that seems to work pretty >>>>> well >>>>> in most cases. If you're running Windows in a virtual machine that is >>>>> going to suck up a good chunk of RAM and keep it as long as it is >>>>> running. >>>>> So for virtual machine users I'd bump up the RAM to avoid going into >>>>> swaps-a-lot mode. I just upgraded a Mac Mini from 4 to 16GB. Cost was >>>>> about $160 which, as an old computer geezer, is just crazy cheap. >>>>> >>>>> CB >>>>> >>>>>> On 5/4/14, 12:46 PM, David Taylor wrote: >>>>>> It's plenty. My MBA runs faster with a VM than any Windows machine I >>>>>> ever >>>>>> had >>>>>>> On 4 May 2014, at 17:31, Tristan <theblinddj...@gmail.com> wrote: >>>>>>> >>>>>>> Would the 1.7 GHZ processor in a MacBook Air be enough for a virtual >>>>>>> machine though? Or does most of the dependency rely on RAM. >>>>>>> I don't have much experience with the whole virtual machine front, so >>>>>>> clarification would definitely be welcome. I originally only opted >>>>>>> with the MacBook Pro because of the higher processor statistics, and >>>>>>> glancing at a fully decked out MacBook Air 13 inch and a MacBook Pro >>>>>>> 13 inch retina, they come out to roughly the same price. >>>>>>> >>>>>>>> On 5/4/14, David Taylor <e.david.tay...@icloud.com> wrote: >>>>>>>> Many externals just work, even if they don't say they are >>>>>>>> compattible, >>>>>>>> and >>>>>>>> we are needing such drives less and less often now anyway. >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> On 4 May 2014, at 14:31, Eileen Misrahi <eileen.misr...@gmail.com> >>>>>>>>> wrote: >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> Hello, >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> I will ditto what David said. The way I handle a DVD/CD ROM drive >>>>>>>>> is >>>>>>>>> using >>>>>>>>> an external one. There are plenty out there that shouldn't cost >>>>>>>>> more >>>>>>>>> than >>>>>>>>> $20. The one I have is from my PC netbook days that didn't have an >>>>>>>>> internal DVD drive. Just make sure that the drive is compatible for >>>>>>>>> Macs. >>>>>>>>> HTH. Oh by the way, I purchased an 11 inch MBA with all specs max >>>>>>>>> out >>>>>>>>> and >>>>>>>>> it's well worth the cost if you can do it. I'm in the process of >>>>>>>>> loading >>>>>>>>> all the software that I can't run on the Mac on the PC side through >>>>>>>>> bootcamp and it's doing a terrific job, barring the user's mistakes >>>>>>>>> and >>>>>>>>> learning Win 8. Good luck and I know you will enjoy the MBA. >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> Take care. >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> Eileen >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> Sent from my iPhone >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>> On May 4, 2014, at 5:31 AM, David Taylor >>>>>>>>>> <e.david.tay...@icloud.com> >>>>>>>>>> wrote: >>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>> Hi, >>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>> I've gone for the 11 inch myself. I maxed everything out on it and >>>>>>>>>> find >>>>>>>>>> it is plenty good enough for me. If you don't need a built in SD >>>>>>>>>> slot, it >>>>>>>>>> has everything the 13 inch does, and easy enough to get any >>>>>>>>>> adaptors >>>>>>>>>> you >>>>>>>>>> need for connections it doesn't have, such as Ethanet if you want >>>>>>>>>> that. >>>>>>>>>> The portability is just awesome, performance perfectly good enough >>>>>>>>>> for >>>>>>>>>> almost every conceivable use, and I get hours of battery even when >>>>>>>>>> sat >>>>>>>>>> outside, streaming, tweeting, downloading and all sorts. I have a >>>>>>>>>> USB >>>>>>>>>> 3 >>>>>>>>>> hub I plug in for connecting and charging everything. Works for >>>>>>>>>> me, >>>>>>>>>> anyway. >>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>> Cheers >>>>>>>>>> Dave >>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>> On 4 May 2014, at 07:31, Tristan <theblinddj...@gmail.com> wrote: >>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>> This was a great post. It really reopens the door to potentially >>>>>>>>>>> getting a Mac Air -- thanks Kayaker. I'd even maybe go for the >>>>>>>>>>> 13-incher, as it offers a longer battery life; though I may be >>>>>>>>>>> unnecessarily attempting to over compensate in terms of >>>>>>>>>>> statistics. >>>>>>>>>>> I'd be happy to discuss this further with you offlist. >>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>>> On 5/3/14, Kayaker <sea...@me.com> wrote: >>>>>>>>>>>> Hi, >>>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>>> There have been a lot of unsupported and non objective replies >>>>>>>>>>>> to >>>>>>>>>>>> your >>>>>>>>>>>> query. >>>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>>> All Macs you can buy today are solid performers. We have reached >>>>>>>>>>>> the >>>>>>>>>>>> point >>>>>>>>>>>> in CPU performance that there's little difference between bottom >>>>>>>>>>>> of >>>>>>>>>>>> the >>>>>>>>>>>> line >>>>>>>>>>>> and top of the line machines for us who can't see, what's the >>>>>>>>>>>> difference >>>>>>>>>>>> between 500 frames per second in some game vs. 450 frames per >>>>>>>>>>>> second >>>>>>>>>>>> when >>>>>>>>>>>> your eye can't tell the difference. I promise you the average >>>>>>>>>>>> blind >>>>>>>>>>>> user's >>>>>>>>>>>> Mac barely breaks 30% cpu day to day. This part of the reason >>>>>>>>>>>> why >>>>>>>>>>>> the >>>>>>>>>>>> PC >>>>>>>>>>>> market is declining--people don't need to upgrade as often as >>>>>>>>>>>> they >>>>>>>>>>>> had >>>>>>>>>>>> in >>>>>>>>>>>> the past. >>>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>>> There is absolutely no reason to buy the Macbook Pro if you are >>>>>>>>>>>> blind. >>>>>>>>>>>> The >>>>>>>>>>>> cost is mainly in the retina screen. >>>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>>> The single most important factor is internal memory. That will >>>>>>>>>>>> be >>>>>>>>>>>> the >>>>>>>>>>>> most >>>>>>>>>>>> significant real world speed boost for you and will help you in >>>>>>>>>>>> both >>>>>>>>>>>> bootcamp and or a virtual PC situation. >>>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>>> Don't bother paying for the processor upgrade. Do max out your >>>>>>>>>>>> RAM >>>>>>>>>>>> though. >>>>>>>>>>>> The internal hard drive SSD is the other place to put your >>>>>>>>>>>> money. >>>>>>>>>>>> The >>>>>>>>>>>> sweet >>>>>>>>>>>> spot in price seems to be 256G. >>>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>>> Some people will argue that using VM to run Windows needs every >>>>>>>>>>>> ounce >>>>>>>>>>>> of >>>>>>>>>>>> processor speed. I'll again argue the real world throughput for >>>>>>>>>>>> a >>>>>>>>>>>> blind >>>>>>>>>>>> user >>>>>>>>>>>> will be negligible. I suggest you test it out for yourself at an >>>>>>>>>>>> apple >>>>>>>>>>>> store. >>>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>>> I've been using Macs since the beginning. They last. I still use >>>>>>>>>>>> a >>>>>>>>>>>> PowerMac >>>>>>>>>>>> G 5 that's 10 years old. Part of it works better than my MacBook >>>>>>>>>>>> Air >>>>>>>>>>>> 2012 >>>>>>>>>>>> running the latest version of Mavericks. >>>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>>> For a blind person, the 11 inch MacBook Air is a steal. Max >>>>>>>>>>>> out >>>>>>>>>>>> the >>>>>>>>>>>> RAM on >>>>>>>>>>>> the entry level version and pick a HD size that fits your needs. >>>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>>> Doubt my suggestions? Go to an apple store and see if you notice >>>>>>>>>>>> any >>>>>>>>>>>> difference between the two models. You won't. >>>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>>> Take the lightness, portability and power of the current 11 inch >>>>>>>>>>>> Air, >>>>>>>>>>>> and >>>>>>>>>>>> put the extra dollars towards apps. And if you don't want a >>>>>>>>>>>> laptop, >>>>>>>>>>>> save >>>>>>>>>>>> even more and get the MacMini. >>>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>>> Best, >>>>>>>>>>>> --k >>>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>>> Faith doesn't give you the answers, it merely stops you from >>>>>>>>>>>> asking >>>>>>>>>>>> the >>>>>>>>>>>> questions. >>>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>>>> On May 2, 2014, at 7:13 PM, Tristan <theblinddj...@gmail.com> >>>>>>>>>>>>> wrote: >>>>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>>>> Hello, >>>>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>>>> I've been a part of this group for some time now, and have >>>>>>>>>>>>> enjoyed >>>>>>>>>>>>> the >>>>>>>>>>>>> wealth of information that I've gleaned from observing. I've >>>>>>>>>>>>> finally >>>>>>>>>>>>> come to the decision on switching from Windows to Mac. I'll >>>>>>>>>>>>> either >>>>>>>>>>>>> be >>>>>>>>>>>>> getting a MacBook Air, or MacBook Pro. >>>>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>>>> One of the big things for me, however, is virtual machines (or >>>>>>>>>>>>> bootcamp). I still want to be able to virtualize a copy of >>>>>>>>>>>>> Windows >>>>>>>>>>>>> in >>>>>>>>>>>>> case I have programs that will only work on the Windows side. >>>>>>>>>>>>> Right >>>>>>>>>>>>> now, the main things I do on Windows are word processing, >>>>>>>>>>>>> internet >>>>>>>>>>>>> browsing, Skype which would be possible on the Mac side, music >>>>>>>>>>>>> and >>>>>>>>>>>>> the >>>>>>>>>>>>> occasional game (mostly MUDs using a low memory client). I >>>>>>>>>>>>> would >>>>>>>>>>>>> like >>>>>>>>>>>>> to get a steady balance between battery power and processing >>>>>>>>>>>>> power >>>>>>>>>>>>> without having to deal with busyness and lag. >>>>>>>>>>>>> I have my eye on the MacBook Air 13 inch (with both processor >>>>>>>>>>>>> options) >>>>>>>>>>>>> or the MacBook Pro. >>>>>>>>>>>>> MacBook Air configuration - 13 inch (256GB SSD HD): >>>>>>>>>>>>> 1.7GHz Dual-Core Intel Core i7, Turbo Boost up to 3.3GHz >>>>>>>>>>>>> 8GB 1600MHz LPDDR3 memory >>>>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>>>> Or the MacBook pro (without Retina, 13 inch): >>>>>>>>>>>>> 2.9GHz Dual-core Intel Core i7, Turbo Boost up to 3.6GHz >>>>>>>>>>>>> 8GB 1600MHz DDR3 SDRAM -- 2x4GB >>>>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>>>> I'm really stuck at this point -- what will work the bes? It's >>>>>>>>>>>>> also >>>>>>>>>>>>> sort of nerve-racking putting a large amount of money into >>>>>>>>>>>>> something >>>>>>>>>>>>> that's already two years old. In all, I'm looking for something >>>>>>>>>>>>> that >>>>>>>>>>>>> will last, has updated hardware, and can handle an OS running >>>>>>>>>>>>> alongside the Mac environment without any hiccups. I'm on a >>>>>>>>>>>>> budget >>>>>>>>>>>>> of >>>>>>>>>>>>> about 1,550 dollars. >>>>>>>>>>>>> I warmly welcome any advice. And yes, I know this list is >>>>>>>>>>>>> mainly >>>>>>>>>>>>> for >>>>>>>>>>>>> voiceover users -- but I thought, as a visually impaired user >>>>>>>>>>>>> myself, >>>>>>>>>>>>> that it would be appropriate to ask here. >>>>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>>>> Thanks in advance. >>>>>>>>>>>>> -Tristan >>>>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>>>> -- >>>>>>>>>>>>> You received this message because you are subscribed to the >>>>>>>>>>>>> Google >>>>>>>>>>>>> Groups >>>>>>>>>>>>> "MacVisionaries" group. >>>>>>>>>>>>> To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from >>>>>>>>>>>>> it, >>>>>>>>>>>>> send >>>>>>>>>>>>> an >>>>>>>>>>>>> email to macvisionaries+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. >>>>>>>>>>>>> To post to this group, send email to >>>>>>>>>>>>> macvisionaries@googlegroups.com. >>>>>>>>>>>>> Visit this group at >>>>>>>>>>>>> http://groups.google.com/group/macvisionaries. >>>>>>>>>>>>> For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout. >>>>>>>>>>>> -- >>>>>>>>>>>> You received this message because you are subscribed to the >>>>>>>>>>>> Google >>>>>>>>>>>> Groups >>>>>>>>>>>> "MacVisionaries" group. >>>>>>>>>>>> To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from >>>>>>>>>>>> it, >>>>>>>>>>>> send >>>>>>>>>>>> an >>>>>>>>>>>> email to macvisionaries+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. >>>>>>>>>>>> To post to this group, send email to >>>>>>>>>>>> macvisionaries@googlegroups.com. >>>>>>>>>>>> Visit this group at >>>>>>>>>>>> http://groups.google.com/group/macvisionaries. >>>>>>>>>>>> For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout. >>>>>>>>>>> -- >>>>>>>>>>> You received this message because you are subscribed to the >>>>>>>>>>> Google >>>>>>>>>>> Groups "MacVisionaries" group. >>>>>>>>>>> To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, >>>>>>>>>>> send >>>>>>>>>>> an email to macvisionaries+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. >>>>>>>>>>> To post to this group, send email to >>>>>>>>>>> macvisionaries@googlegroups.com. >>>>>>>>>>> Visit this group at >>>>>>>>>>> http://groups.google.com/group/macvisionaries. >>>>>>>>>>> For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout. >>>>>>>>>> -- >>>>>>>>>> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google >>>>>>>>>> Groups >>>>>>>>>> "MacVisionaries" group. >>>>>>>>>> To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, >>>>>>>>>> send an >>>>>>>>>> email to macvisionaries+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. >>>>>>>>>> To post to this group, send email to >>>>>>>>>> macvisionaries@googlegroups.com. >>>>>>>>>> Visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/macvisionaries. >>>>>>>>>> For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout. >>>>>>>>> -- >>>>>>>>> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google >>>>>>>>> Groups >>>>>>>>> "MacVisionaries" group. >>>>>>>>> To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, >>>>>>>>> send >>>>>>>>> an >>>>>>>>> email to macvisionaries+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. >>>>>>>>> To post to this group, send email to >>>>>>>>> macvisionaries@googlegroups.com. >>>>>>>>> Visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/macvisionaries. >>>>>>>>> For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout. >>>>>>>> -- >>>>>>>> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google >>>>>>>> Groups >>>>>>>> "MacVisionaries" group. >>>>>>>> To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, >>>>>>>> send >>>>>>>> an >>>>>>>> email to macvisionaries+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. >>>>>>>> To post to this group, send email to >>>>>>>> macvisionaries@googlegroups.com. >>>>>>>> Visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/macvisionaries. >>>>>>>> For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout. >>>>>>>> >>>>>>> -- >>>>>>> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google >>>>>>> Groups "MacVisionaries" group. >>>>>>> To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, >>>>>>> send >>>>>>> an email to macvisionaries+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. >>>>>>> To post to this group, send email to macvisionaries@googlegroups.com. >>>>>>> Visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/macvisionaries. >>>>>>> For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout. >>>>> >>>>> -- >>>>> ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ >>>>> >>>>> -- >>>>> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google >>>>> Groups >>>>> "MacVisionaries" group. >>>>> To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send >>>>> an >>>>> email to macvisionaries+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. >>>>> To post to this group, send email to macvisionaries@googlegroups.com. >>>>> Visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/macvisionaries. >>>>> For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout. >>>> >>>> -- >>>> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google >>>> Groups >>>> "MacVisionaries" group. >>>> To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send >>>> an >>>> email to macvisionaries+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. >>>> To post to this group, send email to macvisionaries@googlegroups.com. >>>> Visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/macvisionaries. >>>> For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout. >>>> >>> >>> -- >>> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups >>> "MacVisionaries" group. >>> To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an >>> email to macvisionaries+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. >>> To post to this group, send email to macvisionaries@googlegroups.com. >>> Visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/macvisionaries. >>> For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout. >> >> -- >> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups >> "MacVisionaries" group. >> To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an >> email to macvisionaries+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. >> To post to this group, send email to macvisionaries@googlegroups.com. >> Visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/macvisionaries. >> For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout. >> > > -- > You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups > "MacVisionaries" group. > To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an > email to macvisionaries+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. > To post to this group, send email to macvisionaries@googlegroups.com. > Visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/macvisionaries. > For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout. -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "MacVisionaries" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to macvisionaries+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. To post to this group, send email to macvisionaries@googlegroups.com. Visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/macvisionaries. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.
