15 or 17 MBP for college?

[mrmackie305]

Hello! I plan on buying a MBP after WWDC (or maybe this Tues!) to use at college next year. I will be working on audio and video editing using FCP and Pro Tools.

Obviously the bigger screen size would make sense for these applications, but I was wondering if anyone here regretted getting the 17'' because of portability? I will be lugging this around campus, so would it make more sense to get the 15" and then use an external monitor in my dorm? I would appreciate any input on this (especially people who have used their MBP in college)!

[fairnymph]

15" + external monitor. Esp since external monitors can be had pretty cheaply these days.

The 17" is huge. It's hard to find laptop bags for it. And it's heavy. My mom has one, and it's beast of a machine.

[failsafe1]

I work with folks using a 17 MBP and I use the 15 MBP. The tote difference is huge! Get the 15 and a nice monitor. Apple, Dell or other and you will be pleased. To me the 17 seems flimsy. I am one of those folks who would like a 12 MBP and monitor.

[gr8tfly]

Since you mention FCP, I would say it depends on how much editing you think you might be doing mobile. If a lot, I'd go with the 17". FCP needs lots of desktop space. You can still go multiple monitors in a desktop environment.

It's heavier, but the same thickness. In other words, it's similar when carrying it under your arm. The depth is only .8" more than 15" It's not flimsy any more than the 15" (which is to say it is not flimsy at all). Cases are hard to find, though. Brenthaven makes a couple that fit perfectly. Someone probably makes a sleeve case for the times where you don't need to carry accessories into the classroom.

I may be a bit prejudiced, though, as my MBP is my 2nd 17" :)

[stevehp]

I have a 17 and I carry it around almost every day...

I find people on these forums that don't have the 17 always say its too big, too heavy, and hard to find a bag for.

All that is nonsense...The weight difference is negligible and I can fit my MBP on any desk, even if its tiny...unless you have a 12 inch laptop, you wont have a computer that will fit 100% perfectly on a tiny desk in class.

Having the size of the 17 inch screen when i am away from my house is amazing.

[zioxide]

17 is way to big to be lugging around campus.

I have a 15'' dell and a 12'' ibook and even the 15'' dell can be a pain in the ass sometimes. the 12'' is great. however, since you're doing video editing you need the pro because fcs2 won't run on the macbook. I'd wait until after WWDC though, because Steve could go out and announce a 13'' MBP and if he does, that will be the machine you need.

[Kermit the frog]

From one college student to another...I've used both 15 inch macbookpro and a 17 in macbookpro. And really they are all in the same. I like the 17 inch cause its got the bigger harddrive and the extra firewire port. But If that isn't important to you then totally go with the 15 inch. But if you feel that the screen is too cramped for you then go with the 17. Its all about preference and price.

[Spanky Deluxe]

I've given this same advice many times before and I always say that if you can afford a 17" MBP then you might want to consider a 20" iMac + MacBook, all for cheaper than a 17" MBP. The MacBook is much more portable than a 17" MBP and you get loads of screen estate when you're back in your room. That would be for $2598, just over $200 less than for a 17" MBP. Or if you can stretch to $3098, just under $300 more than a 17" MBP, you could have a 24" iMac + MacBook.

I always consider the 17" MacBook Pros to be for those few professionals that really need the extra screen space while out and about, i.e. some photographers for example. I'm someone that uses loads of CPU power and general grunt. I've got a 2.66GHz Mac Pro with a 30" ACD at home yet my laptop is an iBook G4. I used to have a (what was at the time) powerful 15.4" Dell Laptop but in the end I realised that I rarely actually needed more power or graphics capability while on the road or when on holiday whereas the one thing that I really do like while I'm out and about is the extra portability.

[iPhil]

Hello! I plan on buying a MBP after WWDC (or maybe this Tues!) to use at college next year. I will be working on audio and video editing using FCP and Pro Tools.

Obviously the bigger screen size would make sense for these applications, but I was wondering if anyone here regretted getting the 17'' because of portability? I will be lugging this around campus, so would it make more sense to get the 15" and then use an external monitor in my dorm? I would appreciate any input on this (especially people who have used their MBP in college)!



Well since you already said what apps you'll be using, that be said ..


i would go with the mid- 15" for your needs.. It has enough power for the apps n other apps @ the same time .. then buy an external screen for when your in the dorm

[RaMaz]

either a 15.4" MBP, 15.2" PowerBook G4, 12" iBook OR PowerBook G4, 14.1" iBook, and 13.3" MacBook

:apple:

[jordygreen]

I have a 17" and i feel its far too heavy and big for it to be portable i wish i went a 15" instead the 17 is too big for a laptop i feel.

[fairnymph]

I have a 17 and I carry it around almost every day...

I find people on these forums that don't have the 17 always say its too big, too heavy, and hard to find a bag for.

All that is nonsense...The weight difference is negligible and I can fit my MBP on any desk, even if its tiny...unless you have a 12 inch laptop, you wont have a computer that will fit 100% perfectly on a tiny desk in class.

Having the size of the 17 inch screen when i am away from my house is amazing.

My mom has the 17" and we both think it's horribly large for a laptop.

I would definitely go MBP over MB so you can have the extra power, useful for apps like FC.

[smartalic34]

if you have the cash, I'd say get a 15" MBP + an external monitor... if that's too much $ to spend, get the 17" (although if they work out to be comparable, get the 15" + monitor, as you get a larger, and smaller, screen, i.e. 2 screens for the price of 1)

[MovieCutter]

The 17" is huge. It's hard to find laptop bags for it. And it's heavy. My mom has one, and it's beast of a machine.

That's funny, because the backpack I bought for my 15" PB, carries my 17" MBP just fine (Brenthaven RULES btw).

17 is way to big to be lugging around campus.


No it's not. I used a 15" for the first year of college, then went to a 17". I loved the 17". It sat on my lap better, gave me longer battery life, and seeing as I used FCP and Pro Tools almost every day, the screen was MUCH better for those purposes. There's nothing like cutting a documentary at a Starbucks or in the student union on the resolution equivalent of a 20" screen.

Bottom line: If you're using FCP and Pro Tools, and don't mind the whole extra 1 lbs., it is TOTALLY worth it to get the 17".

[MovieCutter]

17 is way to big to be lugging around campus.

I have a 15'' dell and a 12'' ibook and even the 15'' dell can be a pain in the ass sometimes.

What are you...an Oompa Loompa?

[Wild-Bill]

What are you...an Oompa Loompa?

What do you get when you're laptop's too big?

Slumped from the weight like an overgrown twig.

Hauling the laptop is harder each day.

Lugging and lugging all...day.....long.

.....think I'm gonna pass out.

Oompa Loopma doompity doo... I've got another riddle for you.

[MovieCutter]

What do you get when you're laptop's too big?

Slumped from the weight like an overgrown twig.

Hauling the laptop is harder each day.

Lugging and lugging all...day.....long.

.....think I'm gonna pass out.

Oompa Loopma doompity doo... I've got another riddle for you.

THAT....WAS....BRILLIANT!!!!!!!

However, it's 1 lbs. weight difference...shouldn't make a bit of difference. It's all personal preference anyway.

[lamina]

I was wondering if anyone here regretted getting the 17'' because of portability? I will be lugging this around campus, so would it make more sense to get the 15" and then use an external monitor in my dorm? I would appreciate any input on this (especially people who have used their MBP in college)!

I got a sweet deal on my 17" PB, saved about $800 on it, brand new, still in box.

Anyway, I love this machine, but after spending a year and a half with it, I'd say that the 17-inch is kinda lacking portability. It's 1 inch thin, as the MBP is, but man this thing is an unweildly beast. I don't know about your school, but my university's seating arrangement in most lecture halls is such that I can't keep this thing in my lap comfortably because of how narrow the seats are.

I'd say get a 15" and buy an external monitor with the money you've saved. How often will you use Final Cut when you're on the road anyway?

[Wild-Bill]

THAT....WAS....BRILLIANT!!!!!!!


haha. Thanks. Though I meant it in the most lighthearted manner. I have serious back problems from a crash in Afghanistan. I've been using my 12" Powerbook to take notes in class. I leave my books at home. So, I, like the OP am seriously sensitive to weight issues. Just wanted to throw that disclaimer out there.

I love my Powerbook. Wish Apple would produce a new 12" MBP. I wish Apple would do a lot of things, but I'm tired of hoping.

[TimJim]

i would definetly go for the 15 and a moniter. 17" will be a pain lugging around campus.

[zioxide]

17 is way to big to be lugging around campus.

No it's not. I used a 15" for the first year of college, then went to a 17". I loved the 17". It sat on my lap better, gave me longer battery life, and seeing as I used FCP and Pro Tools almost every day, the screen was MUCH better for those purposes. There's nothing like cutting a documentary at a Starbucks or in the student union on the resolution equivalent of a 20" screen.

The desks at my college are always really tiny and close together, so if you have a 17'' you're going to have absolutely no room to move or anything. My 12'' is the perfect size for typing notes in class and **** and it fits on all the desks perfectly. And when I have it in my backpack, I can't even tell if it's in there.

On the other hand, the 15'' dell is a tank (it's definitely thicker than the MBP) and it barely fits in the backpack (which is supposed to fit a 15.4'' laptop). I know the MBP is a little bit smaller, so it shouldn't be too bad.

[chadi]

What are you...an Oompa Loompa?


You sir are great. ahahahhahaha.


Anyway, I have the 17" 2.33 / 2GB blah blah. and the mac-case.com leather carrying case for meetings and the Targus 17" backpack for overnight trips / anywhere that I don't want to risk getting the leather case dirty/damaged etc; :)

The 17" Backpack I got bak when 15.4" bags didn't exist and my PC laptop needed a case, 17" was the only option. The Mac-Case I just got recently (with the sleeve and ipod case) which is great.

In all honesty unless you have some sort of disability all the pro's far outweigh the cons for the bigger unit. The one big thing is the money, mine cost over $3000 canadian, that's a big chunk of change. Otherwise there is no reason not to get it IMHO.

Then again...I'm not an oompa loompa :D

[fairnymph]

Well, if you get the 17" you can certainly use it as a weapon in a fight. You'll be safe from campus muggers! I would flee at the sight of someone wielding one. :D

[mrmackie305]

Thanks for all the quick replies! I'm still really not settled on a size yet. It's hard to decide because I really don't know how much and where I'll be using it at college.

I plan on visiting an Apple store to get a feel for the size in person...so hopefully that helps! Thanks again for all your help!

[nutts]

You should definitely visit a store and see them both beside each other. Different people will always have differing opinions and reasons.

I have the 17" matte, which I bought purely for the screen estate. I carry it to and from the office every day (15mins walk), and I do find it quite heavy some days. However, when I bought it I was conscious that there was only 0.5kg in it between the 15", and in all honesty that slight weight saving would not make it much lighter considering the stuff I carry in my bag anyway (DS, phone, ipod, charger, mouse etc).

The real difference though is the screen. Man I *so* love the fact I have a 1680x1050 resolution anywhere. It makes work (coding/admin) a pleasure, and when work is finished I can fire up Aperture full-screen to edit/sort my photos without having to move things around. I love it! And I'd never want a smaller screen for my work and main home machine.

But I would sure love a 13" ultraportable for travelling on holiday with...

[solarthecat]

I have always used a powerbook as my main machine rather than a desktop - even though i work from home... and my upgrade to a 17" when they came out was fantastic.

I love the large screen and still would say it is very portable. I don't want to be tied to a desk even at home, so I work on my sofa, my dining room table, and mostly on my lap - even when in bed! And occasionally when I leave the house I will always take it with me.

I am now on my second 17" MBP. It recently went on holiday with me and has fitted easily into the room safe. It also fits in my small backpack. It fits (just) on an airplane tray table too, but you'll need to breath in if you want the screen open to a good angle, and a friend sitting next to you so you can put your drink on their table!

If you are using it on a small desk at college then there is definitely not any room for a cup of coffee. However, because of its size I love the fact that I can rest both my wrists on it when I am using on my lap. I work like this 10 hours a day at home, and I never use a mouse becuase the track pad is a great size.

Yes, the 17" is awesome. And it is definitely for me. In an ideal world I would want a smaller one for going abroad, but otherwise I would say its size is acceptable for client meetings, public travel, and general use around the country. My laptop never leaves my side as it has my whole life on it. I use it mainly for Photoshop editing, Web Design, Video Editing and DVD production.

When you see them side by side you will know which is best for you. You will either be wow'ed by the screen real estate, or put off by its monster size! Only you can make that decision.

I hope this helps.

[66217]

If you are going to use FCP and Pro tools in college or out of your dorm/house then maybe you could consider the 17" over the 15". But if you are going to do that in your dorm/house then the 15" + external monitor is just much better.

When I see those 17" MBP at college I can only think about how BIG that thing is compared to my 13" MB.:) But I guess that a 15" is still a very good size for college.