17 inch vs 15 inch for Web Design and High Usage

[Archerious]

Hello all, I've been unhappy with my 2013 MBA, the lack of ram and processing power became apparant to me. Unfortately, I don't want to spend more than $1500 a mac, so my choices are limited. Essentially I want some advice of which of the mac's are better. No matter which choice, I'll add a SSD and bump the RAM to 16GB. I do a lot of web design, coding, and linux vm work, so 4GB RAM is really bad for me lol. I intended to use the MBA 2013 only for person use, but before I knew it I've got the usually 20 tabs, 3 windows, so 60 sites on, dreamweaver in background, sublime on, cyberduck on, while composing email lol. Photoshop weekly as well. My PC is a powerhouse with 16GB RAM, GTX 680 (gaming on days off), and 3570k. If I want to avoid having to be a hermit at my desk 18 hours a day, I need a powerful laptop. Let me know the best option even if it's a mac I don't have listed here

CMBP 15 inch high res 2011 model (i think) based on model number I heard MD035 is high res.
MD035LL/A-R
Intel Core i7 2820QM(2.30GHz) Quad Core
15.4" (unknown resolution) I'll assume 1650X1050 based on model number
4GB Memory DDR3 1333 (will bump to 16GB, which is said to be supported)
750GB HDD 5400rpm
DVD±R/RW
AMD Radeon HD 6750M 1GB

CMBP 17 inch Feb 2011 model
MC725LL/A
Intel Core i7 2.20GHz
17.0" Wide UXGA 1920X1200 (confirmed resolution)
4GB Memory (will bump to 16GB, which is said to be supported)
750GB HDD 5400rpm
DVD±R/RW
AMD Radeon HD 6750M 1GB

Which is a better option? Both cost $1300 with new casing but refurb.

Thanks!

 

[Archerious]

Bump? No replies! Cmon!

 

[The-Pro]

Well it all comes down to if you want a bigger screen and higher resolution to work on and if you want to carry the extra 0.5kg around. The inside of both models are about identical (you wont notice the 0.1GHz quicker CPU on the 15".

I have a 2009 17" with antiglare, and to be honest apart from processing and graphics power I prefer to work on it over my 2012 15" with Hi-Res and Antiglare. I also have heaps of tabs, photoshop daily, 3D rendering, illustrator and those apps.

 

[Archerious]

Well it all comes down to if you want a bigger screen and higher resolution to work on and if you want to carry the extra 0.5kg around. The inside of both models are about identical (you wont notice the 0.1GHz quicker CPU on the 15".

I have a 2009 17" with antiglare, and to be honest apart from processing and graphics power I prefer to work on it over my 2012 15" with Hi-Res and Antiglare. I also have heaps of tabs, photoshop daily, 3D rendering, illustrator and those apps.

One more question, what in your opinion looks sharper? 1650X1050 or 1920X1200? I ask because I do freelance photo editing and logo making on occasion, but the retina is more than I prefer to spend on a laptop, plus I need the user upgradable parts for RAID 1.

Thanks,

T

 

[The-Pro]

One more question, what in your opinion looks sharper? 1650X1050 or 1920X1200? I ask because I do freelance photo editing and logo making on occasion, but the retina is more than I prefer to spend on a laptop, plus I need the user upgradable parts for RAID 1.

Thanks,

T

hard to say, very very similar. But I do somehow prefer the 1920x1200 as opposed to 1680x1050. Mainly because of space for more windows next to each other. When working on the go I always take the 15" though.
Another great thing about the 17" which I am furious about that they no longer have in the 15" is the express card slot. Its amazing. You can get adapters for like everything. I have one to give me 4 more USB ports. All types of memory card readers and I even have SSD to put in there. Its genius that slot
If you can live with the heavier and bulkier 17" then get it.

Yeah dont bother with the retinas. Too expensive in my opinion as well. I also like to be able to exchange something if I have too and on top of that I need an absolutely antiglare screen. So not getting a retina anytime soon.
I really recommend you get a antiglare model because the glass on all others increases the contrast, makes blacks darker etc. Colours you see on screen and print out will not be anywhere near the same. Ive switched from my MacBook Pro's to MacBook Pro's from friends (without antiglare) for a couple days now and I am so amazingly annoyed by the reflections and the difference in colours. Personal taste for many but just what I think.

 

[Archerious]

hard to say, very very similar. But I do somehow prefer the 1920x1200 as opposed to 1680x1050. Mainly because of space for more windows next to each other. When working on the go I always take the 15" though.
Another great thing about the 17" which I am furious about that they no longer have in the 15" is the express card slot. Its amazing. You can get adapters for like everything. I have one to give me 4 more USB ports. All types of memory card readers and I even have SSD to put in there. Its genius that slot
If you can live with the heavier and bulkier 17" then get it.

Yeah dont bother with the retinas. Too expensive in my opinion as well. I also like to be able to exchange something if I have too and on top of that I need an absolutely antiglare screen. So not getting a retina anytime soon.
I really recommend you get a antiglare model because the glass on all others increases the contrast, makes blacks darker etc. Colours you see on screen and print out will not be anywhere near the same. Ive switched from my MacBook Pro's to MacBook Pro's from friends (without antiglare) for a couple days now and I am so amazingly annoyed by the reflections and the difference in colours. Personal taste for many but just what I think.

Ok I think I'm going to order the 17 inch

Thank you very much for your responses

T

 

[The-Pro]

Ok I think I'm going to order the 17 inch

Thank you very much for your responses

T

Im sure you'll love it

sure thing

 

[SPEEDwithJJ]

Might also want to consider if you prefer an anti-glare or a glossy screen.

MD035LL/A - 15" 1650x1050 anti-glare screen
MC725LL/A - 17" 1920x1200 glossy screen

 

[Archerious]

Might also want to consider if you prefer an anti-glare or a glossy screen.

MD035LL/A - 15" 1650x1050 anti-glare screen
MC725LL/A - 17" 1920x1200 glossy screen

Oh I also see MD036LL/A for sale. Which is the anti glare 17 inch 1920X1200 screen. It is $200 more than MC725LL/A though, so I might get the glossy screen.

Thanks,

T

 

[960design]

All this depends on your usage.

I spend about 4 hours a day coding on a 15" MacBook Pro and about 4 hours a day on a 27" iMac. I take my pro home and continue work until late into the night, so add another 4 hours or so.

I had a 17 and it is too hunky to haul around and too small to serve as a full time desktop.

You will not be able to tell the difference in res without a magnifying glass. They both look quite amazing.

 

[Squareball]

I have a 17" from 2011 that I'm going to sell. It's actually a fast machine with an SSD and tons of ram but honestly after lugging this around I wish I'd have gone smaller. It's great on the desk but is terrible to travel with or try to use anywhere but a desk. Before this I had 15" MBPs and I am even thinking now I'd go down to a 13".