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can't decide between the 13", 15", 17"? check out these screen resolution comparisons
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Yep, that would be correct -- but just a little bit bigger. Again, 110 vs 113 ppi is very close.
The graphic below might be a better way to demonstrate the difference (even though it's not quite exact). The lighter area is what you'd see with the 13.3" lappy. With the 15.4" you'd also see the darker area. But the size of things would be very close on either screen. Does that help?
Why is it so hard to chose.
13 max portability, small screen, lowest performing graphic in the line
15 good all around size, better graphics card, larger hard drive selection more processing power, better screen resolution
17 power house large screen best graphics, most powerful processor.
13 max portability, small screen, lowest performing graphic in the line
15 good all around size, better graphics card, larger hard drive selection more processing power, better screen resolution
17 power house large screen best graphics, most powerful processor.
Yep, that would be correct -- but just a little bit bigger. Again, 110 vs 113 ppi is very close.
The graphic below might be a better way to demonstrate the difference (even though it's not quite exact). The lighter area is what you'd see with the 13.3" lappy. With the 15.4" you'd also see the darker area. But the size of things would be very close on either screen. Does that help?
That does help. I guess the ppi difference between the two isn't really enough to make a difference but the difference in screen real estate really is quite a bit. Now I just need to convince myself that I really want to spend that much and get the 15.4" refurb.
Well, it's hard to choose because I like the price of the 13.3" but the size of 15.4" and since Apple's lineup doesn't allow for anything else, some of us agonize over what to get.
I've got ya beat... I like the price of the 13, the screen size of the 15, but the footprint size of the 13!
The most important thing anytime I am buying a new laptop is screen size, hands down.
When I have to stare are the thing for hours I want a sizable presentation not something I am having to scroll frequently.
17" too big or my liking
15" perfect size for me
13" good size if I was just surfing the web/email/facebook
If you had a 15" screen with 1280x800, you wouldn't be as happy (unless you're sight-impaired)
And those of us with (Windows) 15" screens with 1680x1050 think 1440x900 is not up to snuff.
Pixels per inch is also important, an the 15" MBP is lacking.
A lot of this depends on your perspective. For example, my current laptop is a big 16.4", but my last one (when I traveled more) was only 12.1" and weighed just 3 lbs. While the screen of the 12.1" was a bit too small for certain things, it was really fine for most things (like email, web, etc). And when I needed more screen real estate for Photoshop or whatever, I'd hook up an external monitor.
What I liked most, though, was how small it was. Not only for portability, but footprint size, too. It took up very little space on the desk -- or kitchen table, in my case. Then I got the Sony FW 16.4" laptop. Great laptop, big beautiful screen -- but the footprint seems huge to me. Takes up a lot of space, which I don't like as much.
So for me, the 12.1 was a bit too small and the 16.4 is a bit too large... therefore the 13.3 might be just right.
A couple of other considerations:
1. The screen on the 13.3" is literally closer to your eyes than the screen on the 15.4" (see pic below for a visual). This eliminates the tiny difference between 110 ppi and 113 ppi.
2. Due to the massive touch-pad on the MBPs, the keyboards are recessed quite far back. I prefer my laptop keyboard to be closer up front. Well, the 13.3" MBP keyboard is closer to the front of laptop than the 15.4" MBP (see pic for visual). I also prefer the keys to be as close to the sides of the laptop as possible (it's just more comfortable for me to type this way). Again, the 13.3" wins in this regard. So overall, I'm guessing I would prefer typing on the 13.3" over the 15.4".
Then there's price. This will be my first Mac. I may love it -- but I may not. Therefore, I'd rather spend as little as possible. Plus, I don't really need the higher specs of the 15.4". And with the money saved on the 13.3" I can buy an external monitor.
So, there's my perspective. Comments? Thoughts?
Here's the pic for reference:
What I liked most, though, was how small it was. Not only for portability, but footprint size, too. It took up very little space on the desk -- or kitchen table, in my case
. Then I got the Sony FW 16.4" laptop. Great laptop, big beautiful screen -- but the footprint seems huge to me. Takes up a lot of space, which I don't like as much.So for me, the 12.1 was a bit too small and the 16.4 is a bit too large... therefore the 13.3 might be just right.
A couple of other considerations:
1. The screen on the 13.3" is literally closer to your eyes than the screen on the 15.4" (see pic below for a visual). This eliminates the tiny difference between 110 ppi and 113 ppi.
2. Due to the massive touch-pad on the MBPs, the keyboards are recessed quite far back. I prefer my laptop keyboard to be closer up front. Well, the 13.3" MBP keyboard is closer to the front of laptop than the 15.4" MBP (see pic for visual). I also prefer the keys to be as close to the sides of the laptop as possible (it's just more comfortable for me to type this way). Again, the 13.3" wins in this regard. So overall, I'm guessing I would prefer typing on the 13.3" over the 15.4".
Then there's price. This will be my first Mac. I may love it -- but I may not. Therefore, I'd rather spend as little as possible. Plus, I don't really need the higher specs of the 15.4". And with the money saved on the 13.3" I can buy an external monitor.
So, there's my perspective. Comments? Thoughts?
Here's the pic for reference:
I am going in the other direction.
I was looking to get the top-of-the-line 15" MBP but then realized
for $200 more I could get the 17" MBP.
But I had been down this road years before with a Dell 17" that
was enormous and heavy (10lbs. at least). Made me switch to
a 15" in a hurry. However, as years have gone by, the 17" notebooks
have gotten more streamlined and less heavy. The new unibodies are
a perfect example of that adding only a mere 1" and 1lb. (approx.)
over their smaller counterparts.
It's a tough decision.
So, I took a trip to the Apple Store some 25 miles away to look at
both models side-by-side. The store was crowded at 10:15am. There
was a line outside for something inside the store, though I had no
idea what as I just walked in.
Looked at both. Picked up both. Played with both.
Next to the 15" the 17" is a monstrosity, though in actually, we
are only talking about an inch bigger all around. It just looks huge.
As for weight, there is only a 1 lb. difference between both. However,
picking each up individually, I could feel a noticeable difference with
the 17" though it wasn't overwhelmingly heavy.
Slightly easier to type on the 15" keyboard as the keys seem spaced
more like a desktop keyboard. On the 17" I noticed that the keys were
more spread out. Not a big deal. I think I was typing just as fast on
both.
Screen resolution was nicer on the 17". Everything looked smaller
which to some may be an inconvenience as it makes things harder
to read. However, if you want my opinion, I actually felt text looked
neater on the 17" and you could definitely see that you could readily
have more windows open without sacrificing real estate.
Finally, it seemed the 17" had better color and definition than
the 15" model though the difference wasn't overwhelming. The one
thing I was surprised about was that both screens were surrounded
with black bezel which I though was only inherent of the 17" model.
When it got right down to it, I was more impressed with the
17" Macbook Pro. However, I fly several times a year on business
and it scares me to use it in coach including trying to fit it beneath
the seat. Last time I flew on a plane the guy across from me had
a 17" Dell (I think) and he had to use it on his lap rather than the
fold-down tray.
My heart really wants the 17". I think that is probably what I will
purchase.
I was looking to get the top-of-the-line 15" MBP but then realized
for $200 more I could get the 17" MBP.
But I had been down this road years before with a Dell 17" that
was enormous and heavy (10lbs. at least). Made me switch to
a 15" in a hurry. However, as years have gone by, the 17" notebooks
have gotten more streamlined and less heavy. The new unibodies are
a perfect example of that adding only a mere 1" and 1lb. (approx.)
over their smaller counterparts.
It's a tough decision.
So, I took a trip to the Apple Store some 25 miles away to look at
both models side-by-side. The store was crowded at 10:15am. There
was a line outside for something inside the store, though I had no
idea what as I just walked in.
Looked at both. Picked up both. Played with both.
Next to the 15" the 17" is a monstrosity, though in actually, we
are only talking about an inch bigger all around. It just looks huge.
As for weight, there is only a 1 lb. difference between both. However,
picking each up individually, I could feel a noticeable difference with
the 17" though it wasn't overwhelmingly heavy.
Slightly easier to type on the 15" keyboard as the keys seem spaced
more like a desktop keyboard. On the 17" I noticed that the keys were
more spread out. Not a big deal. I think I was typing just as fast on
both.
Screen resolution was nicer on the 17". Everything looked smaller
which to some may be an inconvenience as it makes things harder
to read. However, if you want my opinion, I actually felt text looked
neater on the 17" and you could definitely see that you could readily
have more windows open without sacrificing real estate.
Finally, it seemed the 17" had better color and definition than
the 15" model though the difference wasn't overwhelming. The one
thing I was surprised about was that both screens were surrounded
with black bezel which I though was only inherent of the 17" model.
When it got right down to it, I was more impressed with the
17" Macbook Pro. However, I fly several times a year on business
and it scares me to use it in coach including trying to fit it beneath
the seat. Last time I flew on a plane the guy across from me had
a 17" Dell (I think) and he had to use it on his lap rather than the
fold-down tray.
My heart really wants the 17". I think that is probably what I will
purchase.
As someone who has tried doing this with a 16.4" laptop (and failed) I would strongly advise not doing it with a 17 incher.
A lot of this depends on your perspective. For example, my current laptop is a big 16.4", but my last one (when I traveled more) was only 12.1" and weighed just 3 lbs. While the screen of the 12.1" was a bit too small for certain things, it was really fine for most things (like email, web, etc). And when I needed more screen real estate for Photoshop or whatever, I'd hook up an external monitor.
What I liked most, though, was how small it was. Not only for portability, but footprint size, too. It took up very little space on the desk -- or kitchen table, in my case
So for me, the 12.1 was a bit too small and the 16.4 is a bit too large... therefore the 13.3 might be just right.
A couple of other considerations:
1. The screen on the 13.3" is literally closer to your eyes than the screen on the 15.4" (see pic below for a visual). This eliminates the tiny difference between 110 ppi and 113 ppi.
2. Due to the massive touch-pad on the MBPs, the keyboards are recessed quite far back. I prefer my laptop keyboard to be closer up front. Well, the 13.3" MBP keyboard is closer to the front of laptop than the 15.4" MBP (see pic for visual). I also prefer the keys to be as close to the sides of the laptop as possible (it's just more comfortable for me to type this way). Again, the 13.3" wins in this regard. So overall, I'm guessing I would prefer typing on the 13.3" over the 15.4".
Then there's price. This will be my first Mac. I may love it -- but I may not. Therefore, I'd rather spend as little as possible. Plus, I don't really need the higher specs of the 15.4". And with the money saved on the 13.3" I can buy an external monitor.
So, there's my perspective. Comments? Thoughts?
Here's the pic for reference:
You know I never thought of looking at those two images side by side and I guess I should have, it really shows off the differences between the two. I've never owned or used a notebook computer (only desktops) so I really don't have a reference point to go by. I really don't have any reason to need a MacBook Pro (as I don't travel) but I really dislike the iMac and the Mac mini just doesn't sit right with me, so I'm considering MacBook Pros.
I don't travel anymore either -- not much, anyway -- and I even work from home.
I love using a laptop vs. a desktop since it allows me to go from the kitchen table to the couch to a quiet room with a desk, to my bed, etc. And when I do travel, I just bring the laptop along, of course.
If I desire a "main base" area for the laptop, I can always set up an external monitor and/or keyboard along with my wireless mouse. Best of both worlds.
do you guys use your notebooks as your main computers? Wow, I just went with the 13" after the EFI update for the sake of portability.
I have a desktop, a Mac Pro with a 30" monitor.
I use a notebook for business and pleasure. Generally I think
that a 17" is overkill for what I need (a 15" suits me best and
that is what I currently have), but it's difficult not to jump up
to a 17" for $200 more and the extra real estate it provides.
Again, there is only an increase of about 1" and 1lb. going
from 15" to 17." Not like the old days when 17" notebooks
were bricks to carry.
I use a notebook for business and pleasure. Generally I think
that a 17" is overkill for what I need (a 15" suits me best and
that is what I currently have), but it's difficult not to jump up
to a 17" for $200 more and the extra real estate it provides.
Again, there is only an increase of about 1" and 1lb. going
from 15" to 17." Not like the old days when 17" notebooks
were bricks to carry.
I don't travel anymore either -- not much, anyway -- and I even work from home.
I love using a laptop vs. a desktop since it allows me to go from the kitchen table to the couch to a quiet room with a desk, to my bed, etc. And when I do travel, I just bring the laptop along, of course.
If I desire a "main base" area for the laptop, I can always set up an external monitor and/or keyboard along with my wireless mouse. Best of both worlds.
Yeah, that's one of the things I like about notebooks is that they can double as a desktop, where desktops on the other hand (albeit more powerful) are a one trick pony. Using your Mac wherever you feel like it does sound appealing. Now, if I can just come to a conclusion over what I think I want, versus what I really want to spend.
Yeah, I'll never go back to a desktop.
Have you seen them side-by-side? If not, I strongly suggest you go down to BestBuy or an Apple store to see, touch, play with both sizes. It's really the only (at least the best) way to tell for sure.
I may have to do that. Hopefully Best Buy (no Apple Store nearby) will have something setup that's conducive to a side by side comparison. The last time I was there they had the 13.3" on one end of one side of the display and the 15.4" was on the opposite end on the other side. Makes comparisons a bit difficult.
True, but it helps to use one for a few minutes, then the other, etc. It will give a better "feel" for each machine.
And on a side-note, I can't believe Michael Jackson is dead.
I was in my hey-day the same time he was in his, so it's a very weird feeling for me.
I was in my hey-day the same time he was in his, so it's a very weird feeling for me.
I was stuck between the 15" and the 17". I'm a student and need something fairly portable, but then again I have a backpack.
In the end I went for the 17". It offers a lot more than the 15" and was definitely worth it. It may be 17", but it's actually lighter and roughly the same size as my previous 15" PC notebook. I'm extremely happy with my decision. Now if you'll excuse me, I'm going to go enjoy my 1920 x 1200 resolution.
In the end I went for the 17". It offers a lot more than the 15" and was definitely worth it. It may be 17", but it's actually lighter and roughly the same size as my previous 15" PC notebook. I'm extremely happy with my decision. Now if you'll excuse me, I'm going to go enjoy my 1920 x 1200 resolution.
I just bought my new 13" MacBook Pro, and the screensize is just fine for me.
I went from a 20" iMac @ 1680x1050 to the 13" @ 1280x800, and it doesn't bother me at all.
I'm very happy I went with the 13" over the 15" - it's extremely portable; the resolution isn't a problem at all. It's actually a bit more comfortable as I can see all my work in a smaller, concentrated area rather than spread out absolutely everywhere.
I went from a 20" iMac @ 1680x1050 to the 13" @ 1280x800, and it doesn't bother me at all.
I'm very happy I went with the 13" over the 15" - it's extremely portable; the resolution isn't a problem at all. It's actually a bit more comfortable as I can see all my work in a smaller, concentrated area rather than spread out absolutely everywhere.
After trying the 17", 15" and the 13" MBP's, (we have all three recent models in our offices right now, I've started a real "Mac frenzy" among my staff
I quickly concluded by far the best for me was the 15" MBP. The 17" seemed a little big and cumbersome with too high a res for the screen size, imo... The 13" seemed a little small but if I had to carry it often I'd buy it.
Already having the MBA made the 15" an easy choice for me, no point in having two 13" machine.
~ posted from my iPhone
I quickly concluded by far the best for me was the 15" MBP. The 17" seemed a little big and cumbersome with too high a res for the screen size, imo... The 13" seemed a little small but if I had to carry it often I'd buy it.
Already having the MBA made the 15" an easy choice for me, no point in having two 13" machine.
~ posted from my iPhone