09-15-2009, 05:06 PM

i'm heading towards the 13" but 15" would be nice, i wont be doing gaming just the basic use plus picture editing and things of that sort.

i wanna make the right choice, this would be my first APPLE computer i'll owned?

09-15-2009, 05:52 PM

Do you want a bigger screen? Do you want to spend more money? Only you can make that decision. No one here can decide for you.

09-15-2009, 06:01 PM

If you have the money, go for the 15"....simple as that...to me at least!

09-15-2009, 06:09 PM

You need to supply more information. Either one will be MORE than enough of a computer for your basic needs. Have you ever gone to a store which sells MacBooks ? If you can, it would be best to actually pick them up to check size and weight.

While you might not think that 2 inches worth of screen makes a difference in terms of portability, it does. I own a 15" 2008 MacBook Pro and a new 13" MacBook Pro as well, and I can tell you this:

1. The 13" is significantly lighter after you've been carrying it around for a while in comparison to the 15".

2. The 13" is also significantly smaller than the 15", so portability wise it's a no-brainer.

3. If you're only talking about a Macbook and not a MacBook Pro, then matte screen vs. glossy is irrelevant, so skip this one.

4. I actually prefer the size of the 15" screen. I'm more comfortable with it from a viewing perspective. But that's just me, and this is a VERY personal prerogative.

5. Will it be home more or will it be on the go all the time ? If you're using it at home, chances are that you should be hooking it up to an external monitor anyway.. so the screen size is again, irrelevant. I do this when editing photos with CS4 and Lightroom. Nothing like keeping the MacBook out of the way, under the desk and using a bluetooth mouse and keyboard and 22" LCD.

09-15-2009, 07:31 PM

As an owner of a 13 inch unibody macbook (so the precursor to the 13in MBP), I can say that I love my computer to death, and am so glad I got it. I like the 13 inch build for the portability it offers. It's very easy to carry around and use about the house. However, there are times when I find myself wishing I had a bit more screen real estate. If this is going to be your primary computer, I'd recommend either going for the 15 inch (if you don't want to have to hook it up to an external monitor) or buying an external monitor so that if you are bringing it home and need to do something that requires a lot of screen space, you'll be able to get it.

I have an old 23 inch monitor from my PM G5 that I am thinking of trying to hook up to this, but I've also read that the minidisplay port to DVI adapters suck... Anyway, that's what I gotta say.

Own a 13 inch, but will get a 15 inch next time (if I go laptop... I may just keep this and get an iMac for my studio).

09-16-2009, 11:13 AM

Originally Posted by Doug b

1. The 13" is significantly lighter after you've been carrying it around for a while in comparison to the 15".

2. The 13" is also significantly smaller than the 15", so portability wise it's a no-brainer.

now.... i've just switched from windows to MAC...

Many years with a company 15" Dell.....

then bought a Sony TX for myself - it's the ~ 11" screen, very hi res screen, very light - absolutely excellent (made sure i bought it BEFORE vista got force-installed onto them, though - so XP ) -

Now - bought a 13" macbook pro. It is very nice. Make no mistake....

BUT

seriously - i was surprised how much heavier it feels after 'carrying' the sony TX around for 3 years or so...... never mind a 15" version.

So do take a few moments to seriously consider what's important to you (portabilty/weight v screen size)

I'd grossly generalize by saying - frequent carrying around take the 13", often/part time take the 15" - and 17" if it's only occaisonal luggability.

(note the sony - 3 year sold mind - had screen resolution of 1366 x 768 vs a mac 13" now of 1200 x 800....... and today you can get a sony NETBOOK - yup the one for what 700ish dollars with that screen size and resolution....) hmmmmmmmm



coops

09-16-2009, 11:54 AM

I personally like the 13'' screens better. I want a laptop that's small and easy to carry around and this size is perfect for me. Unless you love watching movies with friends using your laptop, I'd say go for the 13''.

In terms of weight, I find that in macbooks it's the battery that's the heaviest part.

09-16-2009, 02:24 PM

I just bought the 15 inch last week and i love it. Same size screen as my old laptop just a lot lighter and better. I personally think you should go for it because you get the side speakers next to the keyboard and a little bit more hand room when typing. Good luck with your purchase.

09-16-2009, 06:16 PM

Coop, you can get LOTS of Windows machines at a cheaper price... but they're still running Windows. You can't really put a price on (what I feel is) a superior OS. There are definitely lighter netbooks too, but that's because most of them aren't made out of a single chunk of aluminum like the MBP's. I like the substantial weight of my MBP over even the flimsy plastic of the white Macbook.

09-16-2009, 06:40 PM

I don't know what y'all are talking about regarding the 13", the aluminum one I have is definitely lighter than the white macbook I used to have both in specs and carry feel. It's nothing for me to shut the lid and unplug if I want to take it to the break area to watch a DVD or keep surfing at places other than my desk.

My current company issued me a Dell, which is about the equivalent to a 15" and when I was allowed to take it home (I bring my Macbook to work) while I could easily fit it and my Macbook in my bag I stopped taking it home because it (the Dell) made the bag heavy enough that I bought a little folding hand-truck to wheel it out to the car. Stopped doing that altogether because I deemed it better just to leave it on my desk and VNC into it with my Macbook if I have to work from home from any reason.

Of course this will all change as I move over to my new job. Not sure what I'll be issued there, but my 13" Macbook will continue to accompany me wherever I go because it is that portable.

09-17-2009, 02:19 PM

I have a macbook pro 13" that I lug around school all day. I put it in my backpack along with lots of school books, and let me tell you all that weighs enough. I couldn't imagine having the extra weight of the 15" on my back, so if you are going to be doing a lot of moving around with your new computer definitely go for the smaller size. I personally find that when next to all the huge screens at the apple store the mbp 13" looks like a tiny netbook(which some rude kid called mine the other day, dont know what he meant because netbooks are the size of my school planner) but by itself its not that small. I take notes on it at school, watch movies on it and TV shows from iTunes and the smaller screen size has never bothered me.

09-17-2009, 04:45 PM

i went through the same exact thing last month...i figured if i was was gonna get the upgraded MBP i minus well get the 15' if its like only 100 difference...i did end up buying the MBP 15 and im very happy with it...