17 macbook pro too big

[oxfordguy]

4) People ignore the advantages such as native 1080p videos, better cooling, bigger screen, extra USB port and overall prestige.

It also has an ExpressCard/34 slot, useful if you want to use eSATA external drives, for example, as could then make use of an eSATA ExpressCard/34

5) People make the 15 out to be the sweet spot because they think one is too big, one is too small, one is juuust right in the middle. But thats not the case. Anything less than the 17 is a concession usually due to money and we don't live in a fairytale world.

I'd still go for the 15" model personally, if buying again today, and not just because of the money, but everyone has different requirements

 

[Bobby Corwen]

It also has an ExpressCard/34 slot, useful if you want to use eSATA external drives, for example, as could then make use of an eSATA ExpressCard/34



I'd still go for the 15" model personally, if buying again today, and not just because of the money, but everyone has different requirements

My theory is that its a mind trick so for lack of a better example, if the sizes in a parallel universe were 15/17/19, people might gravitate towards a 17 just because how it is setup from a marketing perspective.

 

[thundersteele]

My theory is that its a mind trick so for lack of a better example, if the sizes in a parallel universe were 15/17/19, people might gravitate towards a 17 just because how it is setup from a marketing perspective.

Yeah, I don't think so. While there is a small market for 18''+ laptops as desktop replacements, that market is mostly populated by all in one machines.

Most people who use laptops as mobile working places seem to use 13''-15'' machines. This is also true outside of the macbook product family, where essentially any size is available. Actually I think that 13''-14'' is the most popular range. For a while apple was offering three different 13'' machines.

Anyways, now I'm thinking about that 19'' MBP. I guess apple designers spend a lot of time with these things.

I see it like this (laptop size is screen size + 0.5'-1' usually):
11'': handbag
13'': letter format, fits every backpack in neoprene sleeve
15'': fits most laptop bags, backpacks
17'': requires relatively large bag/backpack. Is ok for tall people, but easily runs into space issues, e.g. with economy class flights, train seats

 

[Risasi]

I have a 13" MBP, a couple months ago. I wanted a second computer so I bought a 17" MBP. Within 24 hours I took it back because it was too big. I exchanged it for a 13" MBA instead. Because of my work I can use pretty much whatever I want. When Ivy Bridge comes out next year, I intend to upgrade to either a 13" MBA, or a 15" MBP/MBA. So I choose 13"-15".

Bobby Corwen, you are wrong. And frankly you come off as a major douche. It's not about price, it's about user preference. And this poll indicates that for the majority of users a 17" IS too big...

 

[Eddyisgreat]

Like I have said in previous threads, the idea that it is too big is just grand misconception for the following reasons:

1) Most people don't have one or know anyone that has one.

2) Most people don't realize that that 15 and the 17 are pretty much the same size and if you put a 15 on top of a 17 the difference on the edges is insignificant.

3) The 17 is the smallest 17 there generally is and is itself very thin and should not be described as hard to carry on any level.

4) People ignore the advantages such as native 1080p videos, better cooling, bigger screen, extra USB port and overall prestige.

5) People make the 15 out to be the sweet spot because they think one is too big, one is too small, one is juuust right in the middle. But thats not the case. Anything less than the 17 is a concession usually due to money and we don't live in a fairytale world.

Thumbs up-I totally agree with this. As an owner of the 13" and 17" (and once owned the 15"), I think the 17 inch is just as portable in all but the stickiest of situations (computing in buses, crawl spaces and secret missions). The 17" is a beast but i've seen people completely overreact. When I ask them to pick it up to feel how light it is they are afraid they will break a nail. It's ridiculous.
Some people even have the cajones to try and tell me that the 17" is over twice as heavy and 3 or more inches difference than the 15". Nonsense. Its 1 pound people. ONE , POUND.

Bobby Corwen, you are wrong. And frankly you come off as a major douche. It's not about price, it's about user preference. And this poll indicates that for the majority of users a 17" IS too big...

It's a SLIM majority, not a landslide.

 

[Risasi]

It's enough to lose a presidential election.


And don't get me wrong, I would love to find a way to make the 17" work. And I actually would if say I only took it out of the house once a week or so. But I carry daily, sometimes to two or three offices for work in that same day. For me its not that it is too heavy, it was more of a balance issue. I still might go with a 17 next year, odds are it will be another 13" or possibly a 15".

 

[DoctorOwl]

ONE , POUND.

We prefer to call that half a kilo... it sounds even less.

 

[wrinkster22]

IMO it is too big but like the previous poster said, it was right for him. Everyone has something. For me I require the portability but not much power thus that is why I use the air. I have friends who require that power and have 17" which they essentialy use as a desktop.
[I like my air more though ]

 

[Bobby Corwen]

If you had plenty of funds you would get:

HYPER PORTABILITY ABOVE ALL ELSE (in order of importance)
1) MacBook Air 13
2) Macbook Air 11 (less money)
3) Macbook Pro 13 (less money+power)


POWER ABOVE ALL ELSE (in order of importance)
1) MacBook Pro 17
2) Macbook Pro 15 (less money)

Considering the iPad exists, it makes even more sense to go with a 17 and use the iPad whenever you want to by hyper-ultra-portable. Pretty much anytime you don't need to use Logic or Final Cut, etc, you can use the iPad for anything else that is common to do.

Then hook it all up to this projector and you have a portable desktop replacement super-entertainment hub.

http://www.amazon.com/Vivitek-H1080FD-1080p-Theater-Projector/dp/B002I6319Q

 

[Liquinn]

The 17" seemed a little small after using it in the Apple store for 1 hour.

I will be buying mine sometime next year, as I'm spending over 2 grand on it, I want to do as much research as I can into the product. But the 17" MBP seemed to do photo-editing and video editing fine compared from my Windows laptop I'll be switching from to a 17" MBP next year.

 

[Bchagey]

Wirelessly posted (Mozilla/5.0 (iPhone; CPU iPhone OS 5_0 like Mac OS X) AppleWebKit/534.46 (KHTML, like Gecko) Version/5.1 Mobile/9A334 Safari/7534.48.3)

do you think the 17 macbook pro is too big for normal computer usage (not talking about professional usage thay require the extra size like photograhers and video) is it too big for the rest of us? is the extra screen space and pixels not worth the compormise in size?

My 15 inch Mbp is too big

 

[vitzr]

I guess to those who are out of touch they might think so. However the reality is it's the thinnest & lightest 17" laptop by a huge margin. The hi-res display is stunning and the best in it's class. If one reads the specs as compared to other laptops in it's size class you'll have a new appreciation for what Apple has accomplished. Relative to Apples pricing of other sizes of MBP's the 17" is right in line. A hi-res display that size is not cheap. With quality components and a solid build, it's a great machine.

 

[rev.b]

Again, after using my 17" for a week I just don't notice the difference from the 15" anymore in terms of usability and portability.

 

[tim100]

Again, after using my 17" for a week I just don't notice the difference from the 15" anymore in terms of usability and portability.

do you use it on a desk or your lap most of the time?

 

[harcosparky]

Might be too big if you are a girl or a small guy.

It's not the size of the boat that matters...
It's the size of the body of water it is place in that matters !


FWIW: The Apple Macbook Pro 17" is about the same size as ALL OTHER 15" notebooks!


.

 

[canucksfan88]

im using a 17" right now to type this...it is on my lap. i take this computer to school, i design with it, type on it, etc. love this machine.

now i would have probably gotten the 15" in an ideal world but i got my 17" for $1200 and i could not pass up this deal (yes it was legit).

i dont find it too big, infact the 13 is too small. this is my primary computer now, and once i graduate i will probably sell this, but a 27" iMac and a 13" mba since i wont need power on the road.

the 17" is portable, thin...i have zero problems with it. love the screen and the resolution

 

[Burnsie]

I have a 17" MBP, I thought it was too big after having it for a couple weeks, thinking I should maybe have got the 15". Then I took it to my nephew's place and compared it to his 15" MBP by sitting his on top of mine, and we were both surprised that there wasn't a great deal between them in terms of size, nor that big a difference in weight - you could tell the bigger one weighed more, but it wasn't drastically heavier.

I was worried that 17" was too big because I couldn't find a backpack that said it took a 17" MBP on the tag. But after seeing the two MacBooks together, it's not something that concerns me too much now, the backpacks are made for a variety of different branded computers, and so are a one size fits all deal, shouldn't be a problem to find one that fits a 17" MBP.

 

[entatlrg]

I have a 17" MBP, I thought it was too big after having it for a couple weeks, thinking I should maybe have got the 15". Then I took it to my nephew's place and compared it to his 15" MBP by sitting his on top of mine, and we were both surprised that there wasn't a great deal between them in terms of size, nor that big a difference in weight - you could tell the bigger one weighed more, but it wasn't drastically heavier.

I was worried that 17" was too big because I couldn't find a backpack that said it took a 17" MBP on the tag. But after seeing the two MacBooks together, it's not something that concerns me too much now, the backpacks are made for a variety of different branded computers, and so are a one size fits all deal, shouldn't be a problem to find one that fits a 17" MBP.

Incase makes a great 17" backpack perfect for the MBP.

 

[Doc750]

I have a brenthaven bag for my old MacBook, I removed some of the inner foam lining and use it to carry my MBP 17.

I love my 17, but truthfully I usually carry my MBA 11 around

 

[rev.b]

do you use it on a desk or your lap most of the time?

I use it everywhere. It's my main computer at home and I take it every day to my job. Just as I did with the 15".

Actually I'm just typing this with the MBP on my lap.

 

[Enori]

Incase makes a great 17" backpack perfect for the MBP.

second that
I've got this one and it's very comfortable

 

[Benbikeman]

I need the screen size and resolution, so for me it was the only option, but as many others have said, it's the external size and weight of a typical Windows 15-inch laptop. It's really not large or heavy at all.

Yes, don't expect to use it on the tray table in Economy, but I tend to use my iPad on flights anyway. Nowhere else has the size ever proved a problem.

 

[tim100]

does anyone think it looks too big/disproportioned? does anyone have a problem with the idea of a larger portable?

 

[Berius]

It may be too big depending on how you want to use it. I think as an everyday college laptop it may be too large for the desks or an average book bag. I have a 13" pro and I think it is the sweet spot for a laptop give or take an inch.

 

[Danno21]

I bought an early 2011 15 MBP and I do sort of want an 11 or 13 inch MBA now for school since a lot of the classes at my university have super tiny desks...like desks where you can only fit a binder on it and that's it. I had to hold onto my calculator during a math test since my test paper took all of the desk space. Would think the MBA would be more practical for situations like that.