17 inch MBP too big for college?

[NightFlight]

If I were taking it to class every day I would say 17" is too big. If you only do it occasionally it is okay. I always laugh when some kid pulls a monstrous laptop out of their bag, it looks rather rediculous.

 

[PDE]

these statements are getting ridiculous; i doubt any of you have actually used a 17". i have (for a couple of weeks when my 15" was dead) and the difference is noticeable, but not problematic. the footprint of a 17 vs. a 15 is about 1.3" wider and 0.8" deeper. you are telling me that the extra 1.3" and 0.8" makes the laptop not fit on small tables? please. 🙄

is it heavier? yes. is it bigger? yes. is it "not portable?" no. i went to the 15 for 2 reasons: 90% was i would be using it primarily at home on a big external monitor and the size difference would not have really been a benefit for me; and 10% was that i had a hard time finding a bag for a 17 that did what i wanted it to do.

I do think that the 17" feels bigger and definitely not as portable as the 15". On many occasions when I'm sitting at one of those typical small round coffee shop tables I can't fit anything on the side of the 17". The 15" was a little better, but for size I think the 13" is the ultimate comfort portable size. You sacrifice a little screen size, a little everything, but it still feels like a good compromise that you can work with. THe 17" is a great luxury in comparison,but it really does feel awkwardly big. Objectively, it's not that much bigger than the 15", but when you're handling it and lugging it around, it feels much less manageable to me. Just my opinion.

 

[MaaseyRacer]

I graduated school in december. Over the 5 years I was in school, I had a 15 inch PowerBook, a 12 inch iBook, a 12 inch PowerBook, and two MacBook Pros. The 12 inch powerbook and iBook were my favorite class computers. I worked on them at school, and went home to my G5 with a 20inch display. However, when I sold the G5 I just had a 15inch MBP and my 20inch display, that combo seemed to work the best.
My recomendation is to get a 15inch MBP, and with the money saved get a 20" Apple or Samsung display. The Samsungs can be obtained inexpensivly at newegg, and look far better than a dell monitor. However, I sprung for the Apple display, it looks awesome, and it matches the computer🙂 .

 

[crazydreaming]

If your main reason for a laptop is ultimate portability, then the 17 definately is not the answer.

However, I used to have a 15" powerbook. Now I have the last rev. 17" powerbook, and I am in love with this machine. It is such a nice computer and I don't mind hauling it around at all. I live off campus and commute to school and always bring my PB with me in my backpack because I hate doing work on the school computers. I use my powerbook in 2 out of my 3 classes. All of my classes have big tables for desks for space is not an issue. I also sit in the back. I have never had a problem and don't notice much difference between my old 15".

If you can afford the 17" and you desire it, go for it I say.

 

[TraceyS/FL]

I have a new 17" and don't find it that big. I have only had 12" laptops before this. The size difference between the 15 & 17 isnt' that much physcially really. I have a friend that hates 17" laptops though, and just got a new 15". It seemed so small to me when i saw it!

That said, back when I was in college computers where rare... i had a MacSE and was the only one at the "upscale" off campus apartment complex i lived in. So lugging the SE to class would have been a bit much. 😉

I think 1/2 of my classes would have been fine with the 17", and 1/2 wouldn't have fit the 12".

I'd go with what you wanted - but if i was lugging it around everyday, i might be inclined to go with the 15 & a monitor. The best of both worlds - and you have more choices in bags! (which is the only hard part right now!)