C2D 15 vs. 17 - the gap narrows (thinking out loud)

[Clix Pix]

For me, one key difference between the 15" and the 17" machines is the fact that on the 15" ones you can only have a hard drive that is 5400 rpm whereas with the 17" you can also choose a 7200 rpm. Yes, there are differences in the drive size, but to me it makes more sense to have the 100 GB 7200 rpm drive and then plug in an external drive of any size for additonal storage space than it does to go with the 5400 rpm drive, regardless of size, as chances are that you'd still need to add an external HD at some point anyway.

My 15" CD MBP, purchased in May 2006, has the 100 GB 7200 rpm drive and I am sorry to see that this option is not available to consumers preparing to buy the C2D 15" machine. If I were in the market for the C2D MBP I would be leaning heavily towards the 17" one just because there is the option of the 100 GB 7200 rpm HD with that machine.

 

[Bill Gates]

For me, one key difference between the 15" and the 17" machines is the fact that on the 15" ones you can only have a hard drive that is 5400 rpm whereas with the 17" you can also choose a 7200 rpm. Yes, there are differences in the drive size, but to me it makes more sense to have the 100 GB 7200 rpm drive and then plug in an external drive of any size for additonal storage space than it does to go with the 5400 rpm drive, regardless of size, as chances are that you'd still need to add an external HD at some point anyway.

My 15" CD MBP, purchased in May 2006, has the 100 GB 7200 rpm drive and I am sorry to see that this option is not available to consumers preparing to buy the C2D 15" machine. If I were in the market for the C2D MBP I would be leaning heavily towards the 17" one just because there is the option of the 100 GB 7200 rpm HD with that machine.

The 5400RPM 160GB drive is faster than the 100GB 7200RPM drive. Moot point.

 

[Clix Pix]

The 5400RPM 160GB drive is faster than the 100GB 7200RPM drive. Moot point.

How is that? I would think that 7200 rpm is going to be faster than 5400 rpm.... setting aside all other factors. Obviously, yes, a 5400 rpm 160 GB drive on a C2D MBP is going to be faster than the 7200 rpm 100 GB drive on my CD MBP..... but why is it that Apple is offering the 7200 rpm drive on the 17" MBPs and not the 15" ?? With a price differential?

 

[Bill Gates]

How is that? I would think that 7200 rpm is going to be faster than 5400 rpm.... setting aside all other factors. Obviously, yes, a 5400 rpm 160 GB drive on a C2D MBP is going to be faster than the 7200 rpm 100 GB drive on my CD MBP..... but why is it that Apple is offering the 7200 rpm drive on the 17" MBPs and not the 15" ?? With a price differential?

PMR, and no, I'm not going to explain it again. However, do a quick search of my recent posts and you'll see I personally covered this topic several times in the past few days. Apple is betting on consumer ignorance.

 

[Clix Pix]

PMR, and no, I'm not going to explain it again. However, do a quick search of my recent posts and you'll see I personally covered this topic several times in the past few days. Apple is betting on consumer ignorance.

PMR? What's that?! No, just kidding, I'll go do my homework and look up the info and I'll look for your recent posts, too. Thanks!

 

[Apple Corps]

dgoss - I agree with your assessment 100%

After over thinking the 17" vs 15" issue too much I ordered a 17" CD MBP - a lot of positives and only a little bigger on the spec sheets. After some experience with it a return is underway. It is simply too "big" for my needs. Very difficult to explain since the specs are pretty wimpy in their differences.

It may have something to do with the ease in lifting it and moving it around when in use. The weight and hauling it around in a case is NOT AN ISSUE. It just feels like it takes a bit too much aditional effort to re-position it on the lap or walking it over to another room.

My business use has it driving a high definition projector so the additional screen real estate is not that relevant for my needs. Kind of sad to see it go back because it is a flawless one - but such is life. The pain is less though because of how impressed I am with the 15" C2D MBP on my desk now - very nice indeed.

 

[numbersyx]

For me, one key difference between the 15" and the 17" machines is the fact that on the 15" ones you can only have a hard drive that is 5400 rpm whereas with the 17" you can also choose a 7200 rpm. Yes, there are differences in the drive size, but to me it makes more sense to have the 100 GB 7200 rpm drive and then plug in an external drive of any size for additonal storage space than it does to go with the 5400 rpm drive, regardless of size, as chances are that you'd still need to add an external HD at some point anyway.

My 15" CD MBP, purchased in May 2006, has the 100 GB 7200 rpm drive and I am sorry to see that this option is not available to consumers preparing to buy the C2D 15" machine. If I were in the market for the C2D MBP I would be leaning heavily towards the 17" one just because there is the option of the 100 GB 7200 rpm HD with that machine.

From what I've read on the internet, in the laptop arena, the difference in speed between the 5400 and 7200 rpm is negligible. To me, the extra 60 GB more than makes up for the slight increase in speed.