Apple Predicted to Discontinue 17-Inch MacBook Pro

[Zendokan]

I'm happy that I bought the 2011 model of the 17" MBP in 2012 when I found out that the 17" was discontinued.

Working as a consultant in the bank, insurance and electronic payment sector, I'm not only happy for the 17" inch screen, but also for the ethernet port and the build-in Superdrive.

I know that progress should not be stopped, so I have made my peace with carrying an USB3toEthernet dongle and an external Superdrive if they are still acquired in a few years when I have to replace my MBP with a rMBP.
Hell, probably in a year, I will remove my internal Superdrive and put it in an external housing when I build-in a SSD.

The only thing I hope is that the second or third generation of rMBP will have a 17" again.

[kingtj]

I currently own a Macbook Pro 17" (2010 edition) which I upgraded with a 512GB SSD and 8GB of memory, and purchased a Henge dock to put it in when it's on my desk.

I'm one of the people who owned a 17" Powerbook G4 at one time, went to a 15" MBPro after that, and decided I preferred the 17" ... so moved back to one this last time around.

Even a few months ago, if you asked me what I thought about Apple discontinuing 17" MBPros, I'd have said "It's a terrible idea!"

But honestly, now that I've handled more of the 13" Ultrabook portables out there, used a few Macbook Airs, and took a closer look at the 13" and 15" retina display MBPros? I'm starting to think a 17" laptop and screen really isn't that worthwhile. I doubt I'd buy another 17" model in the future....

The main reason I was so pro-17" models before was the need for more screen resolution/real-estate. 1440x900 really wasn't enough space for your application windows - especially when using MIDI and music or video editing packages. The newer, better displays make everything fit without the need to go 17" wide on the LCD. Yes, everything looks a little bit smaller, but realistically, I'm going to have my laptop docked to an external display, keyboard and mouse much of the time. When I undock it and take it with me to use as a true portable? It's better if it takes up less space (like trying to open and use it in a cramped airline seat).

And while sure, you could theoretically offer a retina 17" display with even MORE screen space? There really aren't any video chipsets for mobile devices yet that can push that many pixels around at a decent rate of speed. So in that respect ,the tech. just isn't ready yet for it.

Originally Posted by runeapple

I highly doubt it, especially with the different resolutions with the Retina 15" - You can get just as much screen estate as you could with the 17"

[Benbikeman]

Originally Posted by kingtj

And while sure, you could theoretically offer a retina 17" display with even MORE screen space? There really aren't any video chipsets for mobile devices yet that can push that many pixels around at a decent rate of speed. So in that respect ,the tech. just isn't ready yet for it.

I'm not sure that's true. My MBP 17 is hooked up to an ACD 30 running at 2560×1600 as well as the internal monitor at 1920x1200 without even breaking sweat.

It really depends how much of your time is mobile. A 15-inch screen is just too cramped when you need to run two major apps side-by-side.