2019 MBP 13” vs 15”

[ascender]

Yes but for me, no. When you're always having to get on flights, even the bus, the 15" is a PITA.

I definitely agree that the 15" is the best value model to go for, but as someone who has spent the last few weeks doing a lot of traveling with a MBP, I grew really weary of the form factor when using it on trains and planes!

I love the extra screen size on the 15, especially if you're working all day from the laptop. And it is a nice neat package compared to old designs, but it is a bigger footprint.

The 13 is still a very capable machine, so I wouldn't go chasing specs unless you need the most powerful machine you can get.

 

[smallcoffee]

I’ve been waiting on a spec bump, but I much prefer the 13” form factor over the 15”.

However now it seems the performance gap between the 13” & 15” is even bigger with this update.

The 15” now has a newer gen processor, as well as all the previous advantages of the 15” like the discrete graphics card.

Mostly this doesn’t affect me day to day, but I do use Parallels a bit as well as video editing time to time.

Considering getting the 15” now over the 13”, just feels bang for buck going to be getting better deal, much newer tech.

Is it really going to make a difference day to day?

Interested to hear some thoughts.

I'd go with the 15" based on what you're saying here. The form factor of the 13" is better (I like the design better because it's more proportional) but the 15" isn't like, hard to carry around or anything and given the nature of your work as described - you could probably benefit from the extra screen real estate and hardware.

 

[reserves]

Thanks all. Going to see the 15” again tomorrow.

However pretty sure I’m going to go with the 13” again, the 2018 felt way faster than my 2017.

I plug in to an external monitor when doing any daily work, but do move the laptop around quite a bit.

There was a YouTube comparison between the 2018 13” vs the 2nd top of the range 2017 15” and the 13” was equal, that’s good enough for me I think.

 

[parestailor]

Would the 2.8GHz quad-core 8th‑generation Intel Core i7 16GB RAM while plugged into a monitor struggle with video editing? Sketch? Photoshop? After Effects? I keep getting the feeling the 13" is basically good enough for email, browsing the web and that's it...

 

[Howard2k]

Would the 2.8GHz quad-core 8th‑generation Intel Core i7 16GB RAM while plugged into a monitor struggle with video editing? Sketch? Photoshop? After Effects? I keep getting the feeling the 13" is basically good enough for email, browsing the web and that's it...

It depends on the size of your projects. I do Lightroom, GIMP, and iMovie on my dual core (count them - 2 cores ) and it works great. Only has 8GB of RAM too. Having said that, it's not used professionally. It doesn't matter to me whether an HDR render takes 1 minute or 2 seconds, since I'm not getting paid for that time.

Reading Macrumors sometimes it seems like to open Chrome you need an 8-core with 32GB of RAM.

What are you using to do these tasks today and how is it working?

 

[parestailor]

What are you using to do these tasks today and how is it working?

My day-to-day 85% (work):

• Google Chome (Google Apps)
• Sketch
• Adobe InDesign
• Adobe Photoshop

In small dosages 15%, finding myself dabbling with

• Adobe After Effects
• Adobe Premiere
• Adobe Audition
• Adobe Lightroom

I currently have an iMac 27" (Mid 2011) 2.7GHz quad-core Intel Core i5 with 6MB on-chip shared L3 cache, 16GB RAM, 256GB SSD.

My MBA (Mid 2014) is 1.4GHz dual-core Intel Core i5 (Turbo Boost up to 2.7GHz) with 3MB shared L3 cache, 8GB RAM, 256 SSD.

Will the 2019 model I mentioned blitz the above in performance? At the moment everything is feeling super slow. I can't update the OS on my iMac Mid 2011 either. I also want to move to one machine, and portability is so important hence the 13" plus I actually prefer the form factor.

Much appreciated all!

 

[Howard2k]

My day-to-day 85% (work):

• Google Chome (Google Apps)
• Sketch
• Adobe InDesign
• Adobe Photoshop

In small dosages 15%, finding myself dabbling with

• Adobe After Effects
• Adobe Premiere
• Adobe Audition
• Adobe Lightroom

I currently have an iMac 27" (Mid 2011) 2.7GHz quad-core Intel Core i5 with 6MB on-chip shared L3 cache, 16GB RAM, 256GB SSD.

My MBA (Mid 2014) is 1.4GHz dual-core Intel Core i5 (Turbo Boost up to 2.7GHz) with 3MB shared L3 cache, 8GB RAM, 256 SSD.

Will the 2019 model I mentioned blitz the above in performance? At the moment everything is feeling super slow. I can't update the OS on my iMac Mid 2011 either. I also want to move to one machine, and portability is so important hence the 13" plus I actually prefer the form factor.

Much appreciated all!

The 2018 13” will slam both of those, but all the same I would consider a base 15” as minimum if those machines are really struggling today. Nothing wrong with a few extra horses just in case, from your description. I’m a fan or the 13” too, but this 15” is really not much bigger than the older 13”. I’m sure that 13” would do the trick all the same though.

 

[parestailor]

The 2018 13” will slam both of those, but all the same I would consider a base 15” as minimum if those machines are really struggling today. Nothing wrong with a few extra horses just in case, from your description. I’m a fan or the 13” too, but this 15” is really not much bigger than the older 13”. I’m sure that 13” would do the trick all the same though.

Thanking you! If I need more juice I will get my workplace to get me an eGPU. The other thing is my backpack currently has an MBA 11" and by the time I throw everything into it, it's super weighty! I understand the immense pro's of the 15" but I really need to keep weight and size down. I might hate myself in a few years for this ha

 

[kp98077]

I ordered both the 13" and 15" and will then decide, but I have had both. The truth is, there is ONL 1 lb. difference between the two and a slightly larger form factor. Something is sexy about the 15" however, and the is priceless. I do like the wider screen on the 15 as well. I have a main work PC that is a 13" so I wont need to lug the 15" everywhere, but I do a bit of work in coffee shops and some trips.... decisions....decisions...

 

[chabig]

slightly larger form factor

It’s just my opinion, but having had both machines the difference in size is more than “slight”. The 15 inch machine is a monster to carry around compared to the 13 inch computer.

 

[kp98077]

It’s just my opinion, but having had both machines the difference in size is more than “slight”. The 15 inch machine is a monster to carry around compared to the 13 inch computer.

Maybe true, but it feels so nice to work on it.... they are both nice of course..

 

[Beau10]

It’s just my opinion, but having had both machines the difference in size is more than “slight”. The 15 inch machine is a monster to carry around compared to the 13 inch computer.

Yep - it's not just the machine, it's the bag + charger. At least for me, the battery life is that much better with the 13 that I rarely bring my charger yet getting only 5'ish hours w/ the 15 had me always pack it. Battery weighs .8 lbs, extra weight of a larger bag is at least a quarter pound so the difference really is over 2 lbs in practice, then it's just all that more awkward because the extra size of the bag.

All that said, an octo-core is incredibly seductive (I'd actually take advantage of that power at least sporadically) and if I were mostly desk-bound I'd strongly consider going back to the 15 just for that alone.

 

[kp98077]

Yep - it's not just the machine, it's the bag + charger. At least for me, the battery life is that much better with the 13 that I rarely bring my charger yet getting only 5'ish hours w/ the 15 had me always pack it. Battery weighs .8 lbs, extra weight of a larger bag is at least a quarter pound so the difference really is over 2 lbs in practice, then it's just all that more awkward because the extra size of the bag.

All that said, an octo-core is incredibly seductive (I'd actually take advantage of that power at least sporadically) and if I were mostly desk-bound I'd strongly consider going back to the 15 just for that alone.

well, guess its different depending, I carry the same tumi backpack so either would fit just fine...didn't realize the charger was larger.. hmmmm have to consider that!

 

[Beau10]

well, guess its different depending, I carry the same tumi backpack so either would fit just fine...didn't realize the charger was larger.. hmmmm have to consider that!

Well the charger is larger, but what I'm saying is go without the charger on the 13" as I get over 8 hours, whereas the 15" I'd be lucky if I could get 6.

 

[ascender]

It’s just my opinion, but having had both machines the difference in size is more than “slight”. The 15 inch machine is a monster to carry around compared to the 13 inch computer.

For me its less the weight and more the footprint of the machine which makes it a bit of a pain. Although having picked up a 13" MBP yesterday, I'd forgotten just how tiny and light it is compared to the 15".

Its funny how quickly your perceptions change when you're using a machine day in, day out.

 

[reserves]

I ordered both the 13" and 15" and will then decide, but I have had both. The truth is, there is ONL 1 lb. difference between the two and a slightly larger form factor. Something is sexy about the 15" however, and the is priceless. I do like the wider screen on the 15 as well. I have a main work PC that is a 13" so I wont need to lug the 15" everywhere, but I do a bit of work in coffee shops and some trips.... decisions....decisions...

It’s not just total weight difference, I think you’ll find when you pick them both up, the 13” is so easy to pick up and carry as the weight is all near the center, it’s beautifully weighted. The 15” doesn’t lend itself to being grabbed with one hand, strangely it looks huge compared too the 13”.

When the new MBP were released I instantly went for the 15”, however soon returned it for the 13” and haven’t regretted it.

Each to their own though.

 

[maflynn]

The 15” doesn’t lend itself to being grabbed with one hand,

I have to disagree, and I totally understand this is a personal preference but I never had an issue grabbing the 15" MBP up with one hand and carrying it.

 

[PeterJP]

Yes but for me, no. When you're always having to get on flights, even the bus, the 15" is a PITA.

That's why I got an iPad Pro 11", latest model. I'm using my late 2013 13" MBP more as a desktop machine now. The upgrade will most likely be a 15" with 8 cores, 32GB because I'm playing more with VMs now than before and I'm planning to start playing with some soft synths and DAWs.

The difference between the older 13" and the newest 15" is actually not that big. It's a larger surface area on the desk, but because it's thinner and lighter than the older 15", the feeling in-hand is pretty close to the older 13". But that's from grabbing a few of my colleagues' 15" to test, not from day-to-day carrying it around.

 

[sosumi99]

Reading Macrumors sometimes it seems like to open Chrome you need an 8-core with 32GB of RAM.

This made me laugh out loud. It's so true.
[doublepost=1558707821][/doublepost]

It’s not just total weight difference, I think you’ll find when you pick them both up, the 13” is so easy to pick up and carry as the weight is all near the center, it’s beautifully weighted. The 15” doesn’t lend itself to being grabbed with one hand, strangely it looks huge compared too the 13”.

When the new MBP were released I instantly went for the 15”, however soon returned it for the 13” and haven’t regretted it.

Each to their own though.

Right. I tried to make the 15" my daily machine for a few months and absolutely hated it. The overall footprint made it hard to work with it on my lap, on small tables, on the train, etc. And it always felt bulky in a way that discouraged taking it with me. It's one of those things that I didn't even realize would bother me until I tried living with it.

 

[Infinite Vortex]

That's why I got an iPad Pro 11", latest model. I'm using my late 2013 13" MBP more as a desktop machine now.

There are just too many things I need to do that a tablet simply can't do. Don't get me wrong, its great that an iPad Pro works for you, but I have to comprise on too many things for it to even remotely work for me. The only time a tablet only strategy will work is if I'm on vacation… even then things still happen enough that its not worth dealing with the hassle of not having a laptop.

 

[parestailor]

Right. I tried to make the 15" my daily machine for a few months and absolutely hated it. The overall footprint made it hard to work with it on my lap, on small tables, on the train, etc. And it always felt bulky in a way that discouraged taking it with me. It's one of those things that I didn't even realize would bother me until I tried living with it.

This is exactly what I'm imagining my experience will be.

 

[bgalakazam]

I had a 2015 15" for a while and it was just too big for travel. Almost a no-go for airplanes and the size was awkward for cars and non desk usage. I don't like that the 13" is priced so closely to it with much lesser specs. If I get the i7 quad I am pushing 2k whereas base 15" is slightly above that for much more specs. Regardless, form factor alone makes it an easy choice for me. I have eGPU for desk usage.

 

[maflynn]

Almost a no-go for airplanes and the size was awkward for cars and non desk usage.

I use my 15" on the planes no problems at all. Yes, its larger then a 13" but i've had no issues, and at times, my daughters used it on flights as well. That is, I intended to use it, but my kids getting bored asked for it.

 

[reserves]

Went to see the new MacBook Pro’s today.

The 15” looks huge to me. I’ve been using the 13” for 2 years so I’m used to that size, the 15” almost looked comical to me. Funny what you get used to.

I used to have an iPhone 7 Plus. When I first got it it seemed ridiculously large. However a few days later seemed normal.

I’ve ordered the 13” with 512gb / 16gb today, pain that it’s CTO as takes few weeks.

I’m sure whatever anyone orders you’ll be happy with it, I did test the new 15” and it seemed ‘snappy’ but 13” for me.

 

[mcpix]

I'm debating this same question, but coming at it from a little different perspective. I have a 15" 2015 MBP and a 13" 2017 MBP. The 15" is my work horse and I use it with Final Cut, Lightroom and Pixelmator Pro. My favorite computer however, is the 13" MBP. Whenever I'm at home reading emails, surfing the net, or watching Youtube videos it's my go to machine. I also choose the 13" when I have to travel, although I don't really travel all that much. I'm planning on upgrading one of these machines, but I'm having a tough time figuring out which one to buy. The 8 core 15" MBP would be a great upgrade for my work, but I'm wondering if the new quad core 13" might encourage me to use it more for photo and video projects.

One other consideration for me, is that since the 2019 13" isn't that much faster than the 2018, if I decide to upgrade the 13" machine I could buy one of the discounted 2018 models.