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13" to 15"?

Patrick_2001

Patrick_2001

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Jun 16, 2019
12
1
wondering if anyone has gone from a 13" to a 15"? although, I love my 13" I find my self wanting more screen space, little more RAM and more rest space for my arms.....I travel maybe once every 6 weeks or so. Lots of coffee shots or just at home on the desk, so don't think I will have a problem. I do a lot of excel spreadsheets, medical modeling, so at times miss larger screens, not a must have but a very nice have!
Have someone who will give me basically what I paid for my 13", so covered there. And not sure I want to pay $3,000 for the new 16" MBP either... would just get base model 15" for $2399 plus student discount and beats so a decent deal...

any thoughts?
 
I'd say it depends on the balance of time you spend on your desk, against "away". You might consider buying a 24" monitor and Apple's wireless keyboard & Magic Mouse or Trackpad for more desk comfort. I did that when my daily machine was a 17" MBP.
 
FWIW I've gone the other way. A portable is supposed to be just that… portable. The 15" for me is just a PITA even though there are benefits to it when one isn't travelling.
 
kp98077 said:
What about when home and at the coffee shops?
Click to expand...

When I'm at home I have a near maxed out 27" iMac… what do I give a crap about what my MBP does at home?? s for a coffee shop, I have to care enough to carry it. I'm fortunate to have 2 systems that work for me in the way I want them to work for me. A 15" is a good compromise if one can't do that though. Still bigger and heavier and the same PITA when getting on a flight.
 
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I went from a 13" 2011 to a 15" 2015, 13" 2015, and now a 15" 2016. My personal favorite of the bunch was the 13" 2015. I wouldn't have gone back to the 15" except I got a deal I couldn't refuse. I'm strongly considering a 13" 2019 myself.

My personal opinion is that if a 13" screen really isn't enough space for you, a 15" screen generally isn't much better. The money you save with the 13" would be a big portion of nice monitor, or even an iPad with the new sidecar feature.
 
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xb2003 said:
I went from a 13" 2011 to a 15" 2015, 13" 2015, and now a 15" 2016. My personal favorite of the bunch was the 13" 2015. I wouldn't have gone back to the 15" except I got a deal I couldn't refuse. I'm strongly considering a 13" 2019 myself.

My personal opinion is that if a 13" screen really isn't enough space for you, a 15" screen generally isn't much better. The money you save with the 13" would be a big portion of nice monitor, or even an iPad with the new sidecar feature.
Click to expand...
Yeah I had a 15” years ago- but part of me for some reason misses the bigger screen especially knowing the new 16” is coming. Apple clearly is thinking larger ..... I do have a 13” PC too that I sometime use (but it’s not a Mac ) :). I just feel with a 15” you’re more involved with the work -
 
I'll switch back to the upcoming 16". The 13" is perfect for mobility, but I find myself more and more restricted in productivity. This is not an issue in the office, when I have it hooked up to a monitor, but when I travel, am at meetings, etc. and want to get things done. Either I make everything smaller to the point it becomes unreadable or I'm constantly switching between applications. This isn't an issue for someone who only needs a single window/app open however. I originally switched from 15" to 13" years ago due to size and stayed there. The 13" still works perfectly for emails, writing, presentations and such. But when I actually do project work for research and development, it's very limited for me. I think a 16" would fix that. Really hope Apple keeps the footprint on the current 15" and doesn't make it larger/thicker.
 
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I feel similarly to @GrumpyCoder - the 15" gives you enough resolution at a large enough size that proper multitasking is doable, with the 13" I think split screen or multiple windows is a bit too cramped. This forces you to flick back and forward between spaces on a 13" which is sub optimal if you want to have, for example a reference document or page open alongside the one you're working on. It'd probably be ok for short amounts of time, but if you regularly want lots of things on screen at once, the 15" size is the minimum, and 16" will be even better if it allows use of the 1920x1200 resolution without things becoming uncomfortably small.

It's just a shame they really over charge for the 15" outside of video editing usage. Not only is the Pro the only option at this size, but there's not even a cheaper i5/8GB model like the 13".
 
Falhófnir said:
I feel similarly to @GrumpyCoder - the 15" gives you enough resolution at a large enough size that proper multitasking is doable, with the 13" I think split screen or multiple windows is a bit too cramped. This forces you to flick back and forward between spaces on a 13" which is sub optimal if you want to have, for example a reference document or page open alongside the one you're working on. It'd probably be ok for short amounts of time, but if you regularly want lots of things on screen at once, the 15" size is the minimum, and 16" will be even better if it allows use of the 1920x1200 resolution without things becoming uncomfortably small.

It's just a shame they really over charge for the 15" outside of video editing usage. Not only is the Pro the only option at this size, but there's not even a cheaper i5/8GB model like the 13".
Click to expand...

Great feedback ! Agreed for workflow 15 is best ....
 
Falhófnir said:
I feel similarly to @GrumpyCoder - the 15" gives you enough resolution at a large enough size that proper multitasking is doable, with the 13" I think split screen or multiple windows is a bit too cramped. This forces you to flick back and forward between spaces on a 13" which is sub optimal if you want to have, for example a reference document or page open alongside the one you're working on. It'd probably be ok for short amounts of time, but if you regularly want lots of things on screen at once, the 15" size is the minimum, and 16" will be even better if it allows use of the 1920x1200 resolution without things becoming uncomfortably small.

It's just a shame they really over charge for the 15" outside of video editing usage. Not only is the Pro the only option at this size, but there's not even a cheaper i5/8GB model like the 13".
Click to expand...
Yes. the resolution is a very good point especially when working on documents or spreadsheets. I feel the 15”
Draws you in towards the work .....
 
I have a work-issued 13 and two 15s. I use the 15s for personal and work. The 13 is usually in the file cabinet. I just like a bigger screen and higher resolution.
 
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If I’m only going to have one machine (as I do) without a monitor it’s 15” for sure. More power, and easier on the eyes - I use the classic scaling that looks like 1440x900. Of course that’s the default space of the 13” but I find it too small to be comfortable. I don’t like to hunch over my notebook anymore.
 
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I went from a unibody 13 to the new Touch Bar 15. I was going to stay with the 13 until I realized the 15 now pretty much has the same dimensions and is thinner and lighter. It’s a really nice machine but I’m sure the super portiabilty of the 13 inch is nice too.
 
Patrick_2001 said:
wondering if anyone has gone from a 13" to a 15"? although, I love my 13" I find my self wanting more screen space, little more RAM and more rest space for my arms.....I travel maybe once every 6 weeks or so. Lots of coffee shots or just at home on the desk, so don't think I will have a problem. I do a lot of excel spreadsheets, medical modeling, so at times miss larger screens, not a must have but a very nice have!
Have someone who will give me basically what I paid for my 13", so covered there. And not sure I want to pay $3,000 for the new 16" MBP either... would just get base model 15" for $2399 plus student discount and beats so a decent deal...

any thoughts?
Click to expand...

Went from 5 years of 13" (MBA, and rMBP 2013) to 15" last year and was really obsessing about whether it would be too large.

In the end screen real estate is worth it as I often work outside of the office. With age nothing beats more screen space.
Weight is negligible difference in a backpack. I can still use it on an airplane.

15" is extortionate pricing - but for a work tool, yes, do it.

FWIW I am in the lower 1% of size / weight, so even if you are of a smaller physique it's not a big deal.

If I really want to travel light then I take my MS Surface Pro 2017 with type cover (12.3", 1kg) - that is noticeable easier to grab with me and still just about big enough to use, but I would now regard the 13" MBP as a compromise as the screen is quite a bit smaller than 15", without a commensurate improvement in portability.
 
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xb2003 said:
I went from a 13" 2011 to a 15" 2015, 13" 2015, and now a 15" 2016. My personal favorite of the bunch was the 13" 2015. I wouldn't have gone back to the 15" except I got a deal I couldn't refuse. I'm strongly considering a 13" 2019 myself.

My personal opinion is that if a 13" screen really isn't enough space for you, a 15" screen generally isn't much better. The money you save with the 13" would be a big portion of nice monitor, or even an iPad with the new sidecar feature.
Click to expand...

Alongside the lack of a dGPU to connect to dual 4k display is one of the biggest issues I have with my 13".

If I'm in a desk at my job I sometimes connect up to 2 4k displays... And the 13" starts to slow down a bit alongside a Windows VM... Either that or ending up not having space when I don't have monitors around me say a meeting or at a client.. doing some productivity
 
MrGunnyPT said:
Alongside the lack of a dGPU to connect to dual 4k display is one of the biggest issues I have with my 13".

If I'm in a desk at my job I sometimes connect up to 2 4k displays... And the 13" starts to slow down a bit alongside a Windows VM... Either that or ending up not having space when I don't have monitors around me say a meeting or at a client.. doing some productivity
Click to expand...

And that's completely understandable, if you need the extra power the 15" is definitely the way to go. I was just looking at it purely from a difference in screen sizes.
 
xb2003 said:
And that's completely understandable, if you need the extra power the 15" is definitely the way to go. I was just looking at it purely from a difference in screen sizes.
Click to expand...

I have lagging issues with one 4K display. On my MBP with discrete graphics - no problems. So yes, if you're going to hook up 4K or 5K displays, get one with discrete video.

QHD x 2 is no problem with Intel Integrated.
 
I used 13" laptops for about 15 years until I decided to try a 15" MBP as part of the 2018 refresh. At first it felt too big and awkward, and I thought I would return it immediately. After a few days, the size began to feel a lot more normal and the 13" started to feel tiny. I don't need the additional power, but the extra screen real estate has been a game changer for me. Although I occasionally plug into monitors, I work primarily on the laptop itself, and having more screen space has led to a big boost in productivity, and overall I just enjoy using the laptop a lot more.

15" is plenty portable for me, and unless my needs change to the point where I value portability over everything else, I'll be sticking with 15" (or 16 inch!) from this point forward.
 
xb2003 said:
And that's completely understandable, if you need the extra power the 15" is definitely the way to go. I was just looking at it purely from a difference in screen sizes.
Click to expand...

I know that's why I commented on why I hate to do some work on my 13" outside of emails and spreadsheets, screen is to small to do triple windows of SAP GUI for example or even 2 email threads and one tab of twitter.
 
justinf77 said:
I used 13" laptops for about 15 years until I decided to try a 15" MBP as part of the 2018 refresh. At first it felt too big and awkward, and I thought I would return it immediately. After a few days, the size began to feel a lot more normal and the 13" started to feel tiny. I don't need the additional power, but the extra screen real estate has been a game changer for me. Although I occasionally plug into monitors, I work primarily on the laptop itself, and having more screen space has led to a big boost in productivity, and overall I just enjoy using the laptop a lot more.

15" is plenty portable for me, and unless my needs change to the point where I value portability over everything else, I'll be sticking with 15" (or 16 inch!) from this point forward.
Click to expand...
Good perspective, yes, I can see your point how workig on the 15" is just more enjoyable and productive, because it really is......
[doublepost=1564447375][/doublepost]
laz232 said:
Went from 5 years of 13" (MBA, and rMBP 2013) to 15" last year and was really obsessing about whether it would be too large.

In the end screen real estate is worth it as I often work outside of the office. With age nothing beats more screen space.
Weight is negligible difference in a backpack. I can still use it on an airplane.

15" is extortionate pricing - but for a work tool, yes, do it.

FWIW I am in the lower 1% of size / weight, so even if you are of a smaller physique it's not a big deal.

If I really want to travel light then I take my MS Surface Pro 2017 with type cover (12.3", 1kg) - that is noticeable easier to grab with me and still just about big enough to use, but I would now regard the 13" MBP as a compromise as the screen is quite a bit smaller than 15", without a commensurate improvement in portability.
Click to expand...
yeah guess that is what iPads are for if you really want to travel light.......or watch movies on the plane and the like...
[doublepost=1564447452][/doublepost]Off topic a little bit - does anyone recommend a good laptop with a a built in sleeve? for a 15"?
 
justinf77 said:
I used 13" laptops for about 15 years until I decided to try a 15" MBP as part of the 2018 refresh. At first it felt too big and awkward, and I thought I would return it immediately. After a few days, the size began to feel a lot more normal and the 13" started to feel tiny. I don't need the additional power, but the extra screen real estate has been a game changer for me. Although I occasionally plug into monitors, I work primarily on the laptop itself, and having more screen space has led to a big boost in productivity, and overall I just enjoy using the laptop a lot more.

15" is plenty portable for me, and unless my needs change to the point where I value portability over everything else, I'll be sticking with 15" (or 16 inch!) from this point forward.
Click to expand...
I think you have answered a question that has been bugging me. i may cancel my order and go for the 15
 
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