Advice on 13" vs 15" Macbook

[Schmeiny]

Hello -

Long time reader, first time poster. I am finally making the move to a Macbook from a 15" Dell laptop. I have ran the cost #'s for the back to school promo (see below), and I am having a hard time justifying $550 extra to move to the 15" screen (yes and more RAM, larger HD and slightly faster chip).


13.3 15"

MSRP 1099 1599
Ipod 229 229
w/Tax 1454.16 2001.66
Rebate -225 -225
Sell ipod -175 -175
Total 1054.16 1601.66


Anyone experienced in moving from a larger PC Laptop to a smaller Apple, and do they regret going with the smaller laptop? I plan on using it for basic stuff - web browsing, viewing/editing pictures, checking email, etc.

Thoughts?

 

[friareunuch]

15" would be overkill. 13" is a sweet size, and would have more than enough power for what you're going to be doing.

 

[nefan65]

I used to have a DELL Latitude D830, 15.4. I don't miss it at all. Had Vista on it, and had the 1650x1080 res., and I much more prefer my white MB over it...

 

[striatedglutes]

OP, what resolution are you using on your 15" dell? Do you find yourself staring at pieces of your desktop often? What about white space on web pages? Do you want to see your buddy list + safari + tweetdeck + itunes all at once?

 

[Abstract]

I don't understand the benefit of the low-end 15" MBP. It's essentially a bigger 13" MBP. If the new 15" MBP still had the Expresscard slot, or if the resolution was much better than the 13", then there would be a reason to pay extra for the base 15" MBP. Unfortunately, there isn't right now. Right now, the screen resolution is very close to being the same (the screens even have the same pixel density), and the rest of the hardware is also equivalent.

This brings back memories of the "Should I get a 12" or 14" iBook?" threads. The only reason to get the 15" MBP is if you like bigger screens.

Hopefully, the next iteration of 15" MBP has a 1680 x 1050 pixel screen (or at least an option for it). Until that happens, save your money and buy the 13".

 

[Schmeiny]

OP, what resolution are you using on your 15" dell? Do you find yourself staring at pieces of your desktop often? What about white space on web pages? Do you want to see your buddy list + safari + tweetdeck + itunes all at once?

To be honest, I dont know the resolution, and only stare at pieces on the desktop if I'm reading an article online, etc. Dont really care about the white space on webpages or seeing all my apps at once.

 

[Bengt77]

I went from a 24" (1920x1200) iMac to a 13,3" (1280x800) MacBook. I haven't missed the screen once. Many 15" PC laptops have the same resolution as the 13,3" MacBook, so you won't anything give up resolution-wise.