13inch or 15inch?

[robby818]

I like the look and feel of the 13" more, palm rest on the 15" is too big and that sharp edge digs into my forearms. BTW, both keyboards are the exact same size, even though the 15" looks like the keys are more spaced out.

But the 13" screen is really kind of small, particularly vertically I feel squished when using a 13" screen. I have a 12" laptop (4:3 screen) ThinkPad and for some reason it just feels a lot more comfortable even though the pixel height is the same.

If I traveled a lot, which I do, I'd get the 13", but if I planned on leaving the laptop at home mostly then I'd get the 15".

 

[Canuckistan]

Focus

Here's another reason to opt for the 13... Not everyone is going to agree...

In presenting a narrower panel of information, the 13 provides greater funelling or focus than a larger (wider) screen... A more blinkered view.

When looking at your email, document, etc. there is less clutter... less to distract to the left and right.

Smart use of "Window" in the menu bar allows the user to hop from screen to screen.

For creating or reading emails and many documents, the greater width is not required.

Lighter, portable, cheaper... Could less be more?

====

This is not to say that I don't appreciate the virtues of a larger screen.

If the truth be known, I'm trying to convince myself that 13 is a smarter choice than 15.

 

[Sounds Good]

For creating or reading emails and many documents, the greater width is not required.

You're right. I've got a 16.4" laptop with 1600x900 resolution. I have to admit that most of the time I'm only using around 1200 of the 1600 pixels.

There's no doubt that it's nice to have the extra real estate when I want it -- like having the email client on one side, web browser on the other... or anytime I'm using Photoshop -- but most of the time I could get away with 1280x800.

In any case, 13.3" vs 15.4" is a tough call, for sure.

 

[splashnader]

I agree with what others have said. I would go with the larger screen, given your situation. I have a early 08' MBP 15" and like others have said it is very portable. I mean it's no Air, but still not a pain at all to carry around.

 

[pik.]

Am i the only one considering the entry 15inch MBP?

I think I need no elese since I play games only 2 hours a week or something...

 

[t0mat0]

Nearly all the productivity reviews on it say - increase your screen (at some point you get into dual screens etc, but there is a definite quantifiable productivity increase as you go larger up to 20-30 inches.

 

[dangerfish]

I find myself torn as well. I currently have an Air and I LOVE it. The only thing I dont like is the battery life and a new 13" Pro would remedy that problem. The 13" Pro adds 1.5lbs over the Air but the 15" gives me another 2" of screen and only weights an additional pound. Would I notice the extra pound? The 15" just looks so much nicer when setting right next to a 13" but I dont know if I am sacrificing too much of the portability by going with a 15".

 

[unagimiyagi]

when u have 15", u want 13". When you have 13", u want 15".

 

[mrrippey]

Went to the store in Short Hill, NJ and I am going to get the 13"

Power is going to be fine, I will up it to 4GB RAM ASAP, get a SSD in a month or two.

Why 13"? Portable and at work, I will be connected to a 20" monitor so I can extend desktop. I get everything I wanted, plus with the change saved, I will get a sweet Gucci bag.

 

[dangerfish]

I find myself torn as well. I currently have an Air and I LOVE it. The only thing I dont like is the battery life and a new 13" Pro would remedy that problem. The 13" Pro adds 1.5lbs over the Air but the 15" gives me another 2" of screen and only weights an additional pound. Would I notice the extra pound? The 15" just looks so much nicer when setting right next to a 13" but I dont know if I am sacrificing too much of the portability by going with a 15".

Well, I just went to the Apple store and I think I have decided on the 15". Holding the two at the same time, I cant tell a weight difference between them. And the extra real estate is nice. But had I never seen the 15", the 13" would have been fine.

 

[Sounds Good]

Holding the two at the same time, I cant tell a weight difference between them.

I believe that. I think part of it is psychological (size difference vs actual weight difference).

 

[shadowmoses]

To me the 15 feels more like a real computer rather than a notebook/2nd computer like the 13" felt. Its great if your planning to spend most of your time with the laptop at home and using it to watch movies etc go for the 15......

Although people say the extra space on the 15 over the 13 doesn't make that much difference once you start using it its much much nicer to work with. Thats coming from someone who has used a 13" notebook as a primary computer for years now.

On the other hand if your carting it about and are happy to hook it upto an external monitor at home then the 13" is perfect or if you have a desktop already....

For me the 15 makes for an ideal desktop replacement and media center for a small room.....Plus the screen is nicer on the 15 regardless of what was announced this week its brighter and more vivid....

Shadow

 

[dra3b]

I would go with 15"
The bigger display for movies (and video editing) and gaming is excellent, portability is not an issue at all. Plus, (something that no one else seems to agree with me about) The separate audio in (mic) port that is not available in the 13" MBP is kinda important to me for the video/audio chat.

 

[brentsg]

I'd easily swap my 15" for a 13" if I could do it right. I spend 99% of my time either docked to my 24" display or using it for travel. In neither case does the extra bulk help me.

 

[unagimiyagi]

The 13" base model mbp jr. is a far better value. But other than that, the 15" is the way to go. The footprint is kinda big but the weight is not a dramatic increase at all from the 13". I didn't expect that.

 

[Pravda]

I'm pretty much in the same dilemma.
Stopped by BestBuy today to give the 13" and 15" a quick spin.
Side by side the 15" looks much much bigger than the 13".
I do think i'll be going for the 15" jut for the screen size but not 100% sure yet.

I've been using a Sony Vaio Laptop 13" inch for the past few years.
I mostly use my laptop when i'm chilling on the sofa, websurfing, emails, or buying/listening to music. I think the 13" is fine for that. But never had a 15" laptop, so still not sure if i should upgrade.

Can someone tell me where the speakers are located on the 13" MBPro?
It seems to me that the sound would be better/louder on the 15".
Am i right?


Thanks

 

[Sounds Good]

I do think i'll be going for the 15" jut for the screen size but not 100% sure yet.

I've been using a Sony Vaio Laptop 13" inch for the past few years.

Funny, I'm in the opposite camp. I've got a 16.4" Sony Vaio (FW) and I'm considering a move to a 13.3" MBP.

 

[xpovos]

It seems to me that the sound would be better/louder on the 15".
Am i right?

Yes you are. Big difference between the two in sound quality and volume.