Switching from Mac Mini to Macbook Air

Hello, this is my first post in this forum and I hope that I chose the right category.
Right now I'm running a Mac Mini 2011 Base model, that is the one with an 2.3 GHz Intel Core i5 processor and I have also upgraded the RAM from 4GB to 8GB.
I know want to take a step further into the Mac laptops and I have my eye on the Macbook Air but I have some questions.
The work I do is mostly writing code and light photo editing with Photoshop, no heavy photo editing or video rendering. I want to know which Macbook Air I should pick to get about the same performance as the 2011 Mac Mini that I'm running right now because I'm very happy with my Mac Mini.
Here are some questions:
1. How do the processors stand up to the Mac Mini? The latest Macbook Air of course runs the new Haswell processors but I'm uncertain if I should pick the upgraded i7 processor that's available. The Macbook Air has a lower clock frequency than the Mac Mini and I was wondering if the Macbook Air can stack up.
2. Should I get the 11 inch or the 13 inch screen? I will be doing most of my work hooked up to an external monitor but sometimes I feel the need to sit down at an more comfortable place. Is there anyone who has any experience with web design/coding on an Macbook Air monitor?
I'm already planning on getting the 8GB of RAM upgrade and probably the 256GB SSD too.
I'm very thankful for any answer whatsoever!
Sincerely,
Fabian Lindfors

Mac Mini is great isnt it? Got a couple of them and typing on one now.
My new base model 2013 macbook Air I5 with 8gig of ram
vs. what im currently using now,... this Mac Mini QUAD CORE with 16 gig of ram.
Honestly on simplex Photoshop editing I notice NO difference between my quad core 16gig RAM Mac Mini and my Macbook Air 13" I5.
Ive had both 11" and 13" macbook Air, I really wouldn't go back to the 11". 
Also the battery life in the 13" is a lot more than the 11".  Much larger Lithium Polymer battery packs on the 13"
Yes, get the 8gig of ram regardless
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/
13" would be basically the same as  above with the 11" new 2013 Air
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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