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17 Inch MBP vs. 15 inch MBP

T

TeddyLeroux

macrumors member
Original poster
Sep 28, 2009
89
0
Im thinking about getting a macbook for college and was pondering between the 15 inch and the 17 inch... i was thinking of the 3.06 or 2.8 ghZ models for the 15 and the 2.8 ghz for the 17... i like the 17 because it has a very high resolution screen... i like the 15 inch because it is more portable and still has high performance and a decent size screen... so thats what i think... i just wanted some other opinions... i wont be getting my macbook until the back to school promo:apple:
 
Depends which is more important to you. Portability or screen real-estate?

If you will travel a lot w yr MBP then get the 15"

If you use mostly around the house, and occasionally take it places then the 17" will suit better
 
I'd wait as the specs are going to change. I use the 17-inch and find that is plenty portable, I tend to be in the minority. Wait until you know where you are going, because that can change things. For example, I have to walk no more then 5 minutes to class, if I went to a larger school and had to walk 30, my opinions might change. I've also had a 17" Apple notebook for over five years.

This topic gets debated constantly.
 
I know that I am going to a tech school/two year college so i wouldnt have to carry it that far... but i would mainly use it for browsing the net,checking email, facebook,twitter,video editting, podcasting... thats prolly it.... when does the back to school promo usually start and what kind of spec bumbs will we see??
 
TeddyLeroux said:
I know that I am going to a tech school/two year college so i wouldnt have to carry it that far... but i would mainly use it for browsing the net,checking email, facebook,twitter,video editting, podcasting... thats prolly it.... when does the back to school promo usually start and what kind of spec bumbs will we see??
Click to expand...

No one is sure about the speed bump. But the new processors are rumored to be coming in the first part of 2010. If they are released, the machines will be completely redesigned on the inside. So if you can wait, do so.

Since your use of the machine is really general use, you may want to consider the 15, as the 17 draws more attention, some times the wrong kind. I worked at a University for 10 years, and laptop theft is one of the biggest problems on any campus of any size and kind.
 
I'm very happy with my 17", but it is a bit more to lug around. I loved my 15" laptops, but I don't think I'll ever go back after the screen on this one :p

You really need to try out both and decide.
 
My $.02 is that the size of the 17" makes it a but ungainly to wield around. If you're going to school, you'll need to consider your other books and supplies.

Personally, I'd opt for the 15" (which I have ;) ) its a fabulous machine, great size, and performance. Plus its cheaper then the 17"
 
For me, the 17 inch was the way to go. A point that is often lost in the debate is screen resolution (not just screen size).

The 15 inch MBP has a 1440 X 900 screen for a total of ~1.3 megapixels. The 17 is 1920 X 1200, for a total of ~2.1 megapixels. Do the math and you can fit ~40% more on the 17 inch screen. Also, many programs are hard wired for its elements to be a certain amount of pixels...too few makes the workspace looks cluttered.

If Apple had a higher resolution screen on the 15 inch, I might have gone with that. However, the 1440 X 900 is a JOKE.


One more thing, what size are you? I'm about 6-3, so carrying around a 17 inch to me is not a big deal. However, when someone in my lab who is 5-2 picks it up, it looks like a shield from 300. So, personal size is also a factor in my opinion.
 
15 is as big as I would have wanted to go for something I might move. I'd only get a 17 if it sat on a desk as desktop replacement and didn't move.

I spent a lot of time trying to decide between 13 and 15 and while the 17 looked nice it was never really on deck. but with all 3 of them there it showed me the 15 is a pretty good compromise. I just couldnt live with the 13" screen as much as I use it and I couldn't live with the 17"s size and weight.
 
I'm a college student with 17" inch and I love it.


People really overplay the "size" of this boy, it's not that much bigger than the 15".

I say if you have the cash, there's no reason to not go 17 unless you are running a obstacle course every day.
 
if you're considering 17MBP

you might also want to consider the imac.

I mean if that's if you don't need to be moving about constantly of course.
 
I was thinking about not carry it around too often but i still wanted to have the option to have a portable computer... also my brother has a 17 inch hp computer...which is heavier than the macbook pro... and it is plenty portable and it has a great hd screen... does anybody know when the back to school promo starts... I want it to be in March or April:apple:
 
TeddyLeroux said:
I was thinking about not carry it around too often but i still wanted to have the option to have a portable computer... also my brother has a 17 inch hp computer...which is heavier than the macbook pro... and it is plenty portable and it has a great hd screen... does anybody know when the back to school promo starts... I want it to be in March or April:apple:
Click to expand...

Apple's back to school promo usually starts late summer to early fall. I don't think they ever offered one during Spring.
 
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