Sidebar Sidebar
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

13" or 15" Macbook Pro

MacFanUK

MacFanUK

macrumors 6502a
Original poster
Jul 29, 2009
546
0
UK
I bought a 13" 2.26GHz Macbook Pro about a month ago and already, my fiance has acquired it and left me with a £400 Dell laptop.

Anyway, looking at the Dell and the Macbook Pro, the screens are both 1280 x 800 and it doesn't feel like the MBP is small (I was quite worried about the smaller screen).

However, I am now looking to get a 2nd Macbook pro when they are next updated (purely because I won't have the money til then), and the new one will my mine (hands off woman! lol) so I was just wondering if it was worth going for a 15".

Say they keep the 'differences' between models the same, so the base 15" is basically the same as the high end 13" but with a bigger screen, is the bigger screen worth the extra money of should I stick with a 13"?

I will be using it for business mainly (managing a web hosting/development company), but most actual development will be done on my desktop.

Thanks
 
MacFanUK said:
I bought a 13" 2.26GHz Macbook Pro about a month ago and already, my fiance has acquired it and left me with a £400 Dell laptop.

Anyway, looking at the Dell and the Macbook Pro, the screens are both 1280 x 800 and it doesn't feel like the MBP is small (I was quite worried about the smaller screen).

However, I am now looking to get a 2nd Macbook pro when they are next updated (purely because I won't have the money til then), and the new one will my mine (hands off woman! lol) so I was just wondering if it was worth going for a 15".

Say they keep the 'differences' between models the same, so the base 15" is basically the same as the high end 13" but with a bigger screen, is the bigger screen worth the extra money of should I stick with a 13"?

I will be using it for business mainly (managing a web hosting/development company), but most actual development will be done on my desktop.

Thanks
Click to expand...

If your gonna do your work mainly on your desktop, and you are not going to use it for games, I would say stick with the 13". It's more portable, and it runs great.
 
The screen on the 13" isn't that much smaller then the 15. 1280x800 vs 1440x900 is only 160x100 difference. Now if you go to the 17 yeah that is a big difference 1920x1200.
 
edk99 said:
The screen on the 13" isn't that much smaller then the 15. 1280x800 vs 1440x900 is only 160x100 difference. Now if you go to the 17 yeah that is a big difference 1920x1200.
Click to expand...

not quite. he is losing 1440*900 - 1280*800 = 272000 pixels.
 
I'm in the same boat...13 v. 15. Can we keep the dicussion on pixels going? I need to learn something.
 
For me the 15 was a must because I couldn't stand a smaller screen. It wasn't about pixels or resolution just pure real estate. I don't even run it at full resolution because it's too small and sharp for me at that setting. I think if someone is going for the 13 simply because it's cheaper but really want the larger screen in their gut then they will regret it later. It's pretty easy to look at them both in a shop and see which your eyes prefers.
 
cababah said:
http://guides.macrumors.com/Which_size_MacBook_Pro_should_I_buy

Remove this with a powerful solvent, it's sticky ^
Click to expand...

Try leaving it to people that want to help next time :)

That sticky isn't helpful in the slightest to be honest.

Thanks for everyone else and their comments. Yeah, I have had a 15" MBP before (the old style one) and I loved it, but I also like the 13" that my fiance now has. However, I'm not sure I could live with the 13" screen.

Yeah, the screen real estate (pixels) is the same as the 15" I'm using at the moment, but is there anyone here that struggles using the 13" (and willing to admit it)?
 
I used to have one of those white Macbooks (late 07 I believe) and ever since I switched to this 15" Macbook Pro (late 08), I can't use the Macbook anymore. For what I do, this 15" screen is perfect for me. I would love a 17", but the computer as a whole is too big. The 15" seems like the perfect compromise when dealing with size/weight/screen size.
 
MacFanUK said:
Yeah, the screen real estate (pixels) is the same as the 15" I'm using at the moment, but is there anyone here that struggles using the 13" (and willing to admit it)?
Click to expand...

People will always try to justify their purchase. I think if Apple made a 15" Macbook at a cheaper price they would sell well. But they know that people who just must have the 15" will pay the higher price so while it's kind of crappy it's good business.
 
I've found that the 13 is just too small. The 15 is the best middle of the two. If it's going to be your only computer? You'll thank us for the extra 2 inches...
 
Going through the same conundrum - my take:
I want the 13" for portability
15" for more pixels + matte screen option

Leaning towards the 15" in order to send Apple a message regarding the matte screen, but my flights today made me glad for the slightly smaller 14" (4:3) thinkpad that I currently have (with, gulp, 1024*768 screen :-o). Decisions, decisions...
 
phatcat said:
Once you go 15, you never go back.
Click to expand...

I had a 15" MBP and returned it two years ago for various reasons related to build quality. I now have a mid-2009 13" MBP, and I like it for its portability. Although I haven't had to do this, you can always hook up an external monitor for those situations where you need a large screen.
 
Azathoth said:
Going through the same conundrum - my take:
I want the 13" for portability
15" for more pixels + matte screen option

Leaning towards the 15" in order to send Apple a message regarding the matte screen, but my flights today made me glad for the slightly smaller 14" (4:3) thinkpad that I currently have (with, gulp, 1024*768 screen :-o). Decisions, decisions...
Click to expand...

What happens if Apple offers the matte option on the 13? Do you gravitate back to the 13?
 
bmstrong said:
What happens if Apple offers the matte option on the 13? Do you gravitate back to the 13?
Click to expand...

Pretty sure I would. I'm a small (120pound) guy, and I shuttle my laptop between home, work and cafe etc. I'm also fairly ugly, so I don't want to see my face the *whole* time I'm using the laptop monitor :p

Currently using a 4:3 format Thinkpad T60, and I'd prefer not to go any larger than that (weight is about the same for the Matte MBP15 as for the T60).

Can I pick the MBP15 up one handed with the lid open (holding at the palm rest)? The MBP13 felt more solid in that configuration - Ive heard a lot of horror stories about bent macbooks - at least the older models...
 
I've been in the same dilemma, I'd suggest the 15" unless you really need portability.

I love the 15" screen when working away from a desk, it's seem like less strain on eyes viewing a larger less cramped screen.

Good luck on whatever you decide.
 
I have all 3 machines: a 13, 15 and 17" MBP. As a desktop replacement machine, I love the 17" the best and run it in dual monitor mode alot.

The 17 is too heavy for travel and impossible to use on an airplane unless I'm sitting at the bulkhead due to the size. The 15 is a little better but still slightly too big to use on a plane. The plus of the 15 is it feels good in my lap; enough screen real estate and not too heavy.

I got the 13 for travel. I've not yet flown with it but believe I'll be able to use it on a plane in most scenarios thanks to it's small size. I also note that it feels cool and light in my lap (unlike the 17).

Bottom line: unless you're flying a lot and/or using an external monitor for extra resolution - I'd go for the 15". But if you need portability and work in tight spaces, I prefer the 13".

Sam
 
Azathoth said:
Going through the same conundrum - my take:
I want the 13" for portability
15" for more pixels + matte screen option
Click to expand...
Same decision here! Hmmmmm... Im thinkin 13.3'' though as I like to move around the house and to others places. So portability would be nice.
Downside is the videocard but I think it should still perform good. The price is a little less and specs are still good. (Talking about high end MBP model)

Azathoth said:
Leaning towards the 15" in order to send Apple a message regarding the matte screen, but my flights today made me glad for the slightly smaller 14" (4:3) thinkpad that I currently have (with, gulp, 1024*768 screen :-o). Decisions, decisions...
Click to expand...
I was at 2 24'' Desktop PC and sold those to go to a 15.4'' laptop as I didn't use my desktop as much and wanted portability. Then currently using an 14'' ASUS N81Vp-D1 which is great!
Being im a PC guy and thinking of buying a MacBook Pro 13.3'', im dropping down to a smaller screen size again and into a whole new OS. Changes never hurt, but when your spending a good amount of cash, I wanna make sure Im doing the right choice!!! :apple:
I guess I can always hook the 13.3'' MBP to a HDMI TV for a larger screen...
 
smchan said:
I have all 3 machines: a 13, 15 and 17" MBP. As a desktop replacement machine, I love the 17" the best and run it in dual monitor mode alot.

The 17 is too heavy for travel and impossible to use on an airplane unless I'm sitting at the bulkhead due to the size. The 15 is a little better but still slightly too big to use on a plane. The plus of the 15 is it feels good in my lap; enough screen real estate and not too heavy.

I got the 13 for travel. I've not yet flown with it but believe I'll be able to use it on a plane in most scenarios thanks to it's small size. I also note that it feels cool and light in my lap (unlike the 17).

Bottom line: unless you're flying a lot and/or using an external monitor for extra resolution - I'd go for the 15". But if you need portability and work in tight spaces, I prefer the 13".

Sam
Click to expand...

Good to hear from someone who has all three MBP's. Overall what's you favorite of the bunch?
 
entatlrg said:
Good to hear from someone who has all three MBP's. Overall what's you favorite of the bunch?
Click to expand...

My octo-core Mac Pro. :D (But to be fair, I do not have an iMac or a Mac mini.)

If I'm working on something that demands resolution like Photoshop, Premiere, After Effects, or Visio (I know, evil) and I'm portable - then I prefer the 17.

I just got the 13 but so far it's turning into my favorite couch potatoe surfing machine since it's light and cool in the lap. The 17 gets very warm in my lap; that sucker will sterilize a fellow! I think I'll tend to prefer the 13 as my travel machine as well. I'm loving the battery life on the 13 so far too.

Here's a photo of the 13 sitting on top of the 17 to give an idea of size. My 17 is an early 2008 model and my 13 and 15 and current unibody models.

Sam
 

Attachments

  • photo.jpg
    photo.jpg
    156.9 KB · Views: 125
You must log in or register to reply here.
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.
Top Bottom
Back