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

17 inch notebook too big

  • yes

    Votes: 170 52.6%
  • no

    Votes: 153 47.4%

  • Total voters
    323
One of the nice things about the 1920x1200 size of the 17", is that when I hook it up with my 24" external monitor its the same size information (just more 'compacted' in look). Gives me two 24" screens.

But if I'm lazy and just use the screen of the 17" MBP its a nice amount of real-estate with multiple windows I can really see.
 
I just got my 15" MBP and was somewhat surprised at how big it feels right now, but I am coming from a Macbook. But 15" seems plenty big too me so far, but have only really used it with my 19" monitor. I can't say I'd ever want anything bigger.
 
Depends on what you are doing. If you plan to go to class, this laptop is retarded in terms of portability. You will have to bring a large backpack, and find a desk that is large enough to accommodate it.

My MBP13 doesn't even fit on some of the desks!

This. 15 was perfect for me. Desktop replacement and portable enough for class
 
to the OP-

I had the 17". I sold it because I needed money. I'm now on a 15".

Not that big of a difference at all. I moved it everyday with me. It's plenty portable. I miss mine. :(
 
i too have a 17 inch. i have a weird perspective though. i'm coming from a toshiba x200 which was a HUGE 17 inch laptop. great computer, but it dwarfed my macbook. i took that bad boy to class every day. never had a problem with the big guy in the lecture theatre seats. occasionally it would have to be supported by a knee or something because it was too big for a desk. i've never owned a laptop that wasn't a big 17", so maybe i'm just used to it but i never had any mobility issues with the bigger computer, with a bigger power adapter. i got a backpack that can hold all of it, it's not that heavy, and i'm not even that big of a guy.

i'd tell you what the mbp is like when i took it to class, but i just got it and school doesn't start till september :p.
 
I don't think that 17" is too big per say, but I do think that it's less than ideal. It makes more sense to go with a smaller, more portable notebook and use an external monitor when at home or work. I bought my 15" MBP at an Apple store and looked at a 17" model when I was there for comparison. The 17" is actually a better size when using it at a desk as the extra 2" and resolution make it more usable as a desktop replacement. However, it's still a low-quality TN display that serves little purpose when you consider the cost of going from a 15" to a 17" versus just getting a 15" and a high-quality external display. That's why I chose to buy a 15" high-res antiglare MBP; it's the ideal size for portability and when I'm home I simply connect it to my Dell IPS display.

The 17 is big. I find it uncomfortable when using on a couch. it also the keyboard is pushed back far.
 
It must be the angle of my lap or something but I find my 17" perfect, even the distance to the keyboard, when I'm sitting in my chair and surfing. I don't take my MBP with me everywhere I go, but I haul it around enough to know it's not a problem for me. And the extra pixels are wonderful.
 
If you need to fit 2 moderate-sized USB peripherals it's the only way to go (hint: :apple: ?).

Otherwise, it simply depends on your needs. For me the 15" was the best of what :apple: offered, which isn't the same as the best possible. For others it will be the 17", or the 13", according to what they use it for.
 
there comes a point when a laptop is just too big 19 inch? Also at some point if you need something that big how about an imac?
 
I've never yet seen a woman anywhere with a 17inch MBP in public. I do see men with them however.

To an adult male of medium build a 17inch laptop isn't any significant weight (it's around 5lbs). To a weak or slightly build boy then it could make a bit of difference.

Either way, I'd reckon that even if you are a medium build or even an athletically built bloke, you'd be better off downsizing if you're using your laptop out of office/home every day. I'd have no problem at all carrying around a 17inch MBP, but I'd still rather have an MBA if I had to carry it around a lot.
 
I've never yet seen a woman anywhere with a 17inch MBP in public. I do see men with them however.

To an adult male of medium build a 17inch laptop isn't any significant weight (it's around 5lbs). To a weak or slightly build boy then it could make a bit of difference.

Either way, I'd reckon that even if you are a medium build or even an athletically built bloke, you'd be better off downsizing if you're using your laptop out of office/home every day. I'd have no problem at all carrying around a 17inch MBP, but I'd still rather have an MBA if I had to carry it around a lot.

alot of people with 17s talk about getting a 13 or air for portability. i guess it makes sense because the 17 is a desktop replacment.
 
With the recent bump in screen resolution on the 15", unless you absolutely need the extra resolution over it, get the 15". Cheaper, same guts on the inside. The 17", from the few times I've had to pick one up for a friend or whatnot, doesn't seem all to different from the 15". Slightly wider, slightly heavier, but that's it. The REAL issue is finding cases/bags that will fit it. If I were to ever move to a 17" MBP, I'd have to rebuy all of that.
 
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.