Take the 2-minute tour ×  When working with MacTeX 2010, I
noticed that XeLaTeX generates files considerably smaller than
pdfLaTeX on the same input.  Even with the small example
pdfLaTeX generates a pdf-file around 10KB, while XeLaTeX
produces one around 2KB. With larger projects, I was still able
to reduce the size by a factor of 2 with no noticable changes in
the output.  Does anyone know what causes the difference in the
file size?  share|improve this question The discussion on this
question may be relevant. –  ESultanik Mar 23 '11 at 15:40 As
mentioned in the thread posted by @ESultanik: The compiler
version is important. Which version of pdflatex and xelatex are
you using? They print its version onto the terminal and into the
log file. I don't know which version come with MacTeX 2010. – 
Martin Scharrer Mar 23 '11 at 15:42 The versions are pdflatex:
3.1415926-1.40.11; xelatex: 3.1415926-2.2-0.9997.4. –  noumea
Mar 23 '11 at 15:52  1 Answer 1  For you minimal example it is
the font format which makes t