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17 macbook pro too big
- Thread starter tim100
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I plug my 17' MBP into my 52' flat screen to watch whatever.
No matter what size, other than Apple i've only seen just as great grafix's on Alienware.
The 52" (not 52 feet) TV will just have a resolution of 1920 x 1080 pixel, even an MBA or Mac mini can use a screen resolution like that.
Btw, what is "grafix's"? That looks like an abomination of plural apostrophes and geek speek and unnecessary double tenderness.
And no, the 17" MBP is not too big. I have one for two years now, and in 2004 I started with a 12" iBook, came to a 13" MacBook in 2008 and bought a 15" MBP in late 2008. The 17" is just wonderful, just because of its good resolution.
While I could use the ExpressCard slot, the trade-off in weight and dimensions led me to click the "Too Big" poll option due to being a frequent traveler. That one extra pound and an inch (approximate) on two dimensions for the 17" doesn't sound like much, but it does take its toll. And besides, it won't fit in my bike's saddlebags either and that just won't do! 
It was (and is) enough of a portability difference that I bought a then-new late 2007 1440x900 15" MBP, despite its dismal resolution compared to the 17". I finally replaced it last month with a late 2011 15" with the 1680x1050 matte display. I find this configuration to be a fantastic compromise between screen resolution & portability, despite losing the ExpressCard slot (which in the end is only a minor inconvenience for me, largely offset by the very handy SD card slot).
It was (and is) enough of a portability difference that I bought a then-new late 2007 1440x900 15" MBP, despite its dismal resolution compared to the 17". I finally replaced it last month with a late 2011 15" with the 1680x1050 matte display. I find this configuration to be a fantastic compromise between screen resolution & portability, despite losing the ExpressCard slot (which in the end is only a minor inconvenience for me, largely offset by the very handy SD card slot
).
I'm not sure where it takes the toll! Mine has been literally round the world with me.
It takes its toll right around the L4-L5 & L5-S1 vertebral joints - and their herniated discs and abused nerve roots in my particular case.
If I'm completely honest, a MB Air or 13" MBP would be the smart choice in my case purely from the weight perspective, but neither satisfies my compute needs.So I should've been more clear by saying that the 17" is too big/heavy for me. I didn't mean to imply that it was unsuitable for travel in all cases. In fact, it's one of the most portable full-feature 17's you can buy. It's just too big for me.
I am seriously considering getting one of these big boys when the next refresh comes in April/May. I am away from home during the week normally, which means that I am away from my lovely big monitors. I've been using a MBA since they were refreshed in June, but there are many things I miss about a MBP, like the connectivity (Firewire and Gigabit Ethernet) and the better viewing angles, which make the laptop more comfortable for me to use.
I think a 17" Anti-glare is just what I need after playing around with one at the apple store the other day. It would just stay in my London apartment so portability is not an issue. I've never really looked at a 17" MBP before. You actually don't realise just how big it is, but that screen and the 1920x1200 resolution are just what I am after - a desktop replacement for a couple of days during the week.
I think a 17" Anti-glare is just what I need after playing around with one at the apple store the other day. It would just stay in my London apartment so portability is not an issue. I've never really looked at a 17" MBP before. You actually don't realise just how big it is, but that screen and the 1920x1200 resolution are just what I am after - a desktop replacement for a couple of days during the week.
This is probably the most portable 17" machine you can find.
With a good backpack the 17" is manageable. I actually don't mind lugging my beloved 17 inch with me, I actually brought it around Asia and Europe without any issues but after I tried traveling with my Air, I wouldn't want to lug around my 17" again. Haha
With a good backpack the 17" is manageable. I actually don't mind lugging my beloved 17 inch with me, I actually brought it around Asia and Europe without any issues but after I tried traveling with my Air, I wouldn't want to lug around my 17" again. Haha
I really can't understand people that think that the 17" MBP is TOO big.
Look, I'm not exactly a big guy. I am 5.4 feet tall (165 cm), about 149 pounds (68 Kg), and I have rather small hands. And, still, I have been lugging around a 17" MBP (first a pre unibody, now an unibody) for the last 4 years and a half and I have NEVER felt it too heavy. It is waaay lighter than the 15" Toshiba Laptop I had before, and I will NEVER EVER get anything smaller than a 17" MBP for my daily needs.
What are those you say?
About 40% Word processing/web browsing, and about 20% video editing, 20%photo retouch/processing and 20% gaming ( yes I know MBPs are not for gaming but still they fit perfectly my gaming needs - I dont care i f I have to turn down the settings to make the game playable, i rather have everything i need in one sole machine than having to buy a fugly and bulky gaming Alienware Laptop). And for these needs, I really feel anything smaller than a 17 inch is way too small. Just try working with the raws of a 22 Megpixel DSLR camera, you'll see the bigger screen real state pays. Also on video editing: having several takes running at the same time to mix and match the edit is so much better on a bigger screen. Web browsing / Word processing??? Yes my child: When I write an academic paper i have dozens of other papers open to use as a reference, and a bigger screen helps to be able to write a document while at the same having a reference open and visible ( instead of zoomed out to hell). Gaming is the only place where a 15" may be better in the cases where I have to turn down the game resolution to 1680x1050 ( like BF3)but every other game I can run them perfectly at 1920x1200 (Civilization V and Shogun 2, for example)
The only time EVER when I have felt the 17 big is when I have had to get work done on a plane (economic class) or an interstate bus. And still I was able to get it done ... and even if I would have had a 15", I doubt it would have made a that much of a difference.
In this sense, I do understand the need of an Ultrabook or a MBAir. If I'm gonna go to Starbucks and ONLY browse the web while writing emails, well then yes a MB Air would be better. But then again, what if I feel like working on Aperture? On working on that video I was editing? I need the processing power of a MBP.
And for those of you who say that the cases and/or backpacks that can fit a 17" MBP are too big or bulky, then you my friend are obviously looking at the wrong backpack/case. This is what I have been using to carry around my 17 incher for the last 3 years and a half ( and looking good in the process ):
http://skattertech.com/2009/12/built-ny-laptop-backpack-review/
So in conclusion, If the choice was between a 15" and a 17" then for me its a no brainer : 17" all the way!!! ( even for a small guy like me). And if the choice was between a MB Air and a 13 " MBP, then for me the MB Air is the obvious choice.
Hope it helps
Look, I'm not exactly a big guy. I am 5.4 feet tall (165 cm), about 149 pounds (68 Kg), and I have rather small hands. And, still, I have been lugging around a 17" MBP (first a pre unibody, now an unibody) for the last 4 years and a half and I have NEVER felt it too heavy. It is waaay lighter than the 15" Toshiba Laptop I had before, and I will NEVER EVER get anything smaller than a 17" MBP for my daily needs.
What are those you say?
About 40% Word processing/web browsing, and about 20% video editing, 20%photo retouch/processing and 20% gaming ( yes I know MBPs are not for gaming but still they fit perfectly my gaming needs - I dont care i f I have to turn down the settings to make the game playable, i rather have everything i need in one sole machine than having to buy a fugly and bulky gaming Alienware Laptop). And for these needs, I really feel anything smaller than a 17 inch is way too small. Just try working with the raws of a 22 Megpixel DSLR camera, you'll see the bigger screen real state pays. Also on video editing: having several takes running at the same time to mix and match the edit is so much better on a bigger screen. Web browsing / Word processing??? Yes my child: When I write an academic paper i have dozens of other papers open to use as a reference, and a bigger screen helps to be able to write a document while at the same having a reference open and visible ( instead of zoomed out to hell). Gaming is the only place where a 15" may be better in the cases where I have to turn down the game resolution to 1680x1050 ( like BF3)but every other game I can run them perfectly at 1920x1200 (Civilization V and Shogun 2, for example)
The only time EVER when I have felt the 17 big is when I have had to get work done on a plane (economic class) or an interstate bus. And still I was able to get it done ... and even if I would have had a 15", I doubt it would have made a that much of a difference.
In this sense, I do understand the need of an Ultrabook or a MBAir. If I'm gonna go to Starbucks and ONLY browse the web while writing emails, well then yes a MB Air would be better. But then again, what if I feel like working on Aperture? On working on that video I was editing? I need the processing power of a MBP.
And for those of you who say that the cases and/or backpacks that can fit a 17" MBP are too big or bulky, then you my friend are obviously looking at the wrong backpack/case. This is what I have been using to carry around my 17 incher for the last 3 years and a half ( and looking good in the process
):http://skattertech.com/2009/12/built-ny-laptop-backpack-review/
So in conclusion, If the choice was between a 15" and a 17" then for me its a no brainer : 17" all the way!!! ( even for a small guy like me). And if the choice was between a MB Air and a 13 " MBP, then for me the MB Air is the obvious choice.
Hope it helps
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I used to have a 17" running at 1920x1200.
It was an unbeatable desktop replacement, but a terrible mobile computer. It did get heavy while on the road, plus it was so bulky that it took up most of the room in my weekend-trip cabin case (you know, those trollies you bring to the airplane cabin).
I eventually traded the 17" in favor of a 13" hooked to a external monitor: you get the best of both worlds... plenty of real state on the desk while remaining mobile-friend on the road.
It was an unbeatable desktop replacement, but a terrible mobile computer. It did get heavy while on the road, plus it was so bulky that it took up most of the room in my weekend-trip cabin case (you know, those trollies you bring to the airplane cabin).
I eventually traded the 17" in favor of a 13" hooked to a external monitor: you get the best of both worlds... plenty of real state on the desk while remaining mobile-friend on the road.
I plug my 17' MBP into my 52' flat screen to watch whatever.
No matter what size, other than Apple i've only seen just as great grafix's on Alienware.
Nothing special about the graphics. If you used a Windows laptop with the same specs it, too, would look the same.
You must have a smaller one than standard IATA dimensions. I can carry my MacBook Pro 17, toiletries, a week's worth of clothing and miscellaneous bits and pieces in my standard carry on rollerbag. I always travel hand baggage only, and the Mac has been all around the world with me.
For those considering a 17"
This Thule backpack is an awesome bag to go along with a 17" MBP. I carry a 17" MBP with a hard shell and an iPad every day for work and they fit together snugly and securely in the laptop compartment of the bag. The iPad even has it's own pocket that is lined in a microfiber material if you don't have a screen cover for it. I can even fit my 11" MBA in that compartment with the other two if need be (though I rarely need all 3 devices in a given day).
On top of that the actual "backpack" compartment is still plenty big enough for me to fit clothes for a long weekend (I'm a guy, I pack light), toiletries, a book, power cables, and whatever else you might need in your backpack. Add a hardshell pocket for sunglasses and plenty other pockets and niches and this makes for one hell of a backpack. I have yet to even fill it to capacity. I can't recommend it enough to owners of a 17" MBP.
This Thule backpack is an awesome bag to go along with a 17" MBP. I carry a 17" MBP with a hard shell and an iPad every day for work and they fit together snugly and securely in the laptop compartment of the bag. The iPad even has it's own pocket that is lined in a microfiber material if you don't have a screen cover for it. I can even fit my 11" MBA in that compartment with the other two if need be (though I rarely need all 3 devices in a given day).
On top of that the actual "backpack" compartment is still plenty big enough for me to fit clothes for a long weekend (I'm a guy, I pack light), toiletries, a book, power cables, and whatever else you might need in your backpack. Add a hardshell pocket for sunglasses and plenty other pockets and niches and this makes for one hell of a backpack. I have yet to even fill it to capacity. I can't recommend it enough to owners of a 17" MBP.
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I ust got rid of my early 2008 17" and I kind of regret it because I loved having 17". Im about to sell my new 2011 15" high rez to get another one. This one is great but it just feels to small even with the same screen rez as my old 17". all about personal preference.
Sigh I wish I would have got the 17". For the express card and the 1920x1080 display. o well maybe next time if they still have it
for the average user, maybe.
For me, a photographer and video editor, 17" is perfect/sometimes too small. I recently switched from a 17" to a 15" with hi-res antiglare and I wish I hadn't. Sometimes I wish there was a 19" mb pro!!
For me, a photographer and video editor, 17" is perfect/sometimes too small. I recently switched from a 17" to a 15" with hi-res antiglare and I wish I hadn't. Sometimes I wish there was a 19" mb pro!!
For me, where I'll be doing most of my work on my desktop (and a 24" monitor or two), the 15" saved some money (still went with the HR/AG), a little size, ~1lb of weight, and the fonts appear to be a touch larger on the 15" HR vs. the 17" [standard] and it feels a little more "lap friendly" (and this is semi-crazy, but it has a better aesthetic "balance" to me )
If I was going to do most of my work on the integrated display, I would've probably opted for a 17".
Digging on my new (really "new") MBP in any case, our second machine, and my migration from Winders© (it will still haunt me from a VM due to my profession ...). 13, 15, 17, they're killer machines any way you look at it
)If I was going to do most of my work on the integrated display, I would've probably opted for a 17".
Digging on my new (really "new") MBP in any case, our second machine, and my migration from Winders© (it will still haunt me from a VM due to my profession ...). 13, 15, 17, they're killer machines any way you look at it
They still have 17" MacBook Pros at my local BB. Try Apple, they generally are much better at having all models of all Apple products available (with the exception of the iPhone 4S haha)
Like the "Mac Pro", I see the 17" Macbook Pro as an actual "Pro" machine (i.e. not geared towards the average user.)
The screen size is too big for true portability (and honestly how many non-professionals need that kind of power on the go?), and it's pretty expensive.
The screen size is too big for true portability (and honestly how many non-professionals need that kind of power on the go?), and it's pretty expensive.
ces this year had ultra books at the forefront. what is the future of large notebooks?