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Getting a MBP, 13" or 15"

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backwardsK126

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Sep 22, 2008
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Hey guys I am going to buy a MBP in the next month or so and I can't decide between the 13 inch and the 15 inch. If i were to buy the 13 inch I would get the high end model and if I were to get the 15 then I would get the mid range model.
I don't know which one would be better. Currently I have a 13 inch white macbook (I only use macs for laptops and PCs for desktops...call me crazy haha) and I like the portability of it. That would be the reason to get the 13 inch. My reasoning to get the 15 inch would be that it has a little extra power with the 2nd gpu and the screen is just a little bit bigger (may not be a factor to some people but it is for me).
I will be using it mostly for school because I am going off to college next year, and I plan to major in computer science. While I am on my laptop I generally use some photoshop, do a little bit of video editing and maybe like a little bit of gaming. But as far as school work goes I would need something to handle essays and stuff like that but also programming and other cpu intensive programs.
Please if you have any insight into which size to get please let me know. Thanks again and sorry about the wall of text

-backwardsK
 
I would say for what you want to do get the 15" purely because video editing on the 13" wont be good and if you want to code and what not you are going to need a larger screen, and its easier to use with PS. And lets not forget that you will have the 9600 going. (You wont be able to use the 9600 while on battery) but I think you would know that already. So basically I would get the 15".
 
Definitely the 15" model. For coding or writing (my line of work), the extra screen real estate alone is worth it. The 9600M will handle most every game on low to mid level settings, as well as be better for any graphics-oriented work. Save some cash by checking the refurbs on Apple.com. They look/operate/smell as good as new for hundreds less. If you want more RAM and/or hard drive capacity, do it yourself (about $170-ish from Newegg vs. over $500 from Apple).
 
go for the 15" all the way for what you are planning on using it for.
 
The 13 inch would be fine for writing papers and even doing computer programming. However, the 15 inch would be nicer for video editing and/or Photoshop work. The larger, higher res screen obviously gives it a leg-up on the 13 inch. With that said however, I would personally want a larger screen then that even, for working in Photoshop. In your sig you mention having a 22 inch monitor, so I would also consider getting a display adapter for the MBP as well, to hook it up to that when you're at your desk.
 
I find myself steering people away from the 15" simply because I found out the hard way that paying that much for a laptop isn't worth it. I guess if you're looking at the high end 13 anyway it may not matter.
I'd still consider the 13 though. My 15" is way more portable than my old HP could have ever hoped to be, but I still wouldn't mind it being smaller sometimes. There's not that much difference between 12x8 and 14x9 so if your happy with you current 13" I don't know if I would change it.
I wish they had the 13" mbp when I got mine. It's a much better value. Considering you already have a good desktop rig to do the bulk of your work I don't think you're going to see a big difference spec wise.

I'm actually looking to get rid of my mbp for something like the acer 1410. Even though it's not worth much now, my conscience doesn't let me forget that I'm carrying around a $2000 machine. I want something I can throw around a little bit and not feel bad about actually using it.:p
 
Thanks for all the advice. Now I am leaning strongly towards the 15", but the only thing I am wondering about is the portability of the 15". I know it is considerably heavier but I am not worried so much about weight. I am just wondering if the 15" has that same sort of "use anywhere" type feel that the 13" does.
 
i have the 13" unibody and it's pretty compact, friend has an older 15" not the unibody and i think it's significant bigger than the 13".
 
Get the 15" and buy it second hand (try to find one with Apple Care). That's probably the best compromise. If you can find one in perfect condition with Apple Care you'll end up saving a decent amount of money (and end up in 13" territory). You could also try looking for the previous Unibody 15" 2.4ghz Pro that's almost identical to the 2.66ghz one out now. I think you could find it as a refurb for around $1199 or so - that's a steal. Good luck.
 
I just got a 13" and love it. If you have a desktop then you may consider the 13 over the 15 simply because of portability. Resolution on the 15 is only slightly better and not enough to justify the larger screen in my opinion. Can't go wrong either way though..
 
I've had my 13" mbp for a little over a month now and before buying it I also pondered 13" vs 15". I'd say I use my mbp 50% of the time in clamshell mode connected to a 2209wa. I have no regrets whatsoever going with the 13" over the 15" but to each his own......
 
backwardsK126 said:
Thanks for all the advice. Now I am leaning strongly towards the 15", but the only thing I am wondering about is the portability of the 15". I know it is considerably heavier but I am not worried so much about weight. I am just wondering if the 15" has that same sort of "use anywhere" type feel that the 13" does.
Click to expand...
The 15.4" weighs a pound more, is about one-half inch wider on each side, and about one inch deeper from front to back. Is there an Apple store nearby? Go play with them. That's about the only way to know for certain which one will work best for you. I always go back to the screen real estate. 15.4"/1440x900 is noticeably more than 13"/1280x800. It makes a big difference for me whenever I work with documents and lots of text. However, if you'll spend 50% or more time plugged into an external monitor, the 13" is definitely easier to carry around.
 
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Mr. Wolf said:
The 15" weighs a pound more, is about one-half inch wider on each side, and about one inch deeper from front to back. Is there an Apple store nearby? Go play with them. That's about the only way to know for certain which one will work best for you.
Click to expand...

Just to add to this, Best Buy stores usually have Apple sections and one of each computer on display. If there isn't an Apple Store nearby, you can get away with a Best Buy.
 
I have the 13, but I only use it for school papers, research, and note taking. Even with just taking notes, I sometimes wish I had a little more real estate.

Go for the 15. It isn't really that much bigger than the 13, and given the things you will be doing on it, the extra horsepower will be appreciated.
 
Well I think Im going to go with the 15 inch. thanks for all the help and advice guys i appreciate it!
 
np, and welcome to the "PC Desktop + Apple Laptop" club. Post pictures when you get it and we'll make sure to drop your membership card in the mail.
 
ryken said:
I have the 13, but I only use it for school papers, research, and note taking. Even with just taking notes, I sometimes wish I had a little more real estate.

Go for the 15. It isn't really that much bigger than the 13, and given the things you will be doing on it, the extra horsepower will be appreciated.
Click to expand...

Hmm, maybe it's just me but I don't see there being much of a difference between the two. Even 14x9 isn't big enough to really have two things side by side.
The 15 isn't terrible, but putting it up and getting it out several times a day becomes a chore. Then again, I'm looking to move to an 11" so what do I know.:p
 
ryken said:
np, and welcome to the "PC Desktop + Apple Laptop" club. Post pictures when you get it and we'll make sure to drop your membership card in the mail.
Click to expand...

Haha thanks. I will post pictures when I get it but Im not getting it for a few weeks but im so excited
 
ryken said:
np, and welcome to the "PC Desktop + Apple Laptop" club. Post pictures when you get it and we'll make sure to drop your membership card in the mail.
Click to expand...

Hey I have been a member of that club for 2 months where is my membership card?:p
 
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