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Crazy to buy 16 inch just for larger display?

J

jiholl

macrumors regular
Original poster
Feb 10, 2003
129
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Assuming one can afford the price, is it "crazy" to buy the 16 inch base macbook pro just for the larger display?....as compared to the high end macbook pro 13 inch? I have always had a 15 inch pro but something is drawing me to the 13....just use at home.

Thanks! Oh, and yes, aging eyes, but nothing terrible....will 13 be too small?
 
If you love bigger displays and you don't mind the extra weight and volume, and you are not planning to bring your MacBook everywhere you go, or if it doesn't bother you to have such a big laptop with you, then of course it's better to have the 16" MacBook Pro. I love the display and it's a big difference from the 13". The 13" is not small, depending on the resolution you configure in macOS.
 
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Since you said you are primarily looking to use this at home - then why not get an even bigger monitor or maybe something like an iMac?
 
mtneer said:
Since you said you are primarily looking to use this at home - then why not get an even bigger monitor or maybe something like an iMac?
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I do have a 27 inch monitor...so I can connect to that...though I have found that I rarely ever do even with the 15. ThoughI could do if I got a 13.

I dont know what it is, but the 13 seems more "personal" than the 16? Nice to sit in chair with or on couch or in bed....

First world problems of course. lol
 
With the current model, assuming the display is the only feature you're paying for, it's actually not that great... it's a nice enough panel, but then the 16" is a very expensive computer. Notably it suffers from poor response times, and the default scaled resolution doesn't match the physical resolution of the display, no HDR, and no high refresh. The latter two might be coming with the next refresh so unless you're absolutely desperate to upgrade, waiting might get you a better display?
 
The display is excellent but definitely not suited for gamers. I wouldn't say that the display suffers from anything. If you are using your computer for work and for anything but games, then this is an excellent display. If you care about games, then this is not the display or the computer for you. This though applies to all Macs, not only the MacBook Pro 💻
 
I'm coming from a 2012 macbook pro. I compared it to my sisters 2019 macbook pro 13. The 13 is noticeably small. Minus an inch both width and depth. The 16in is only an inch wider both ways from my 2012. I ended up buying both the 13 and the 16 to compare. If the 16 really is only an inch larger than my 2012 - I will probably just keep it. My sisters 2019 13 is so much smaller in comparison to my 2012 13 with wider bezels. I didn't really take this into account when ordering my 13.
 
Nope nothing wrong with that I have my 16" as I missed the days of old when I used to lug around my 17" G4 powerbook. So this hits the spot, I also have a 13" on order for when I am travelling with my iPad Pro and to replace my old 12" G4 I have a 12" MacBook.
 
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> Crazy to buy 16 inch just for larger display?

If you plan to use your laptop as a laptop, it is not crazy at all.
A laptop's interface is: the screen, keyboard, trackpad and speakers. All 4 are excellent on this unit.

If you plan to use your laptop as a desktop, and connect several large external monitors to it, then yes, it might be silly to spring for a 16" screen.
 
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b.kind said:
> Crazy to buy 16 inch just for larger display?

If you plan to use your laptop as a laptop, it is not crazy at all.
A laptop's interface is: the screen, keyboard, trackpad and speakers. All 4 are excellent on this unit.

If you plan to use your laptop as a desktop, and connect several large external monitors to it, then yes, it might be silly to spring for a 16" screen.
Click to expand...

Or indeed any screen, buy a mac mini :)
 
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jiholl said:
I do have a 27 inch monitor...so I can connect to that...though I have found that I rarely ever do even with the 15. ThoughI could do if I got a 13.

I dont know what it is, but the 13 seems more "personal" than the 16? Nice to sit in chair with or on couch or in bed....

First world problems of course. lol
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I know what you mean about the 13" feeling more personal. I miss my 13" MacBook Pro and will get another when I save up! As to will it be too small only you will know this. If you have bad eyesight it might be an issue. I have eyesight issues but thankfully I can see good close up. Maybe wait till the Apple stores are open in your area and try to see how it works. Also Apple has a good return policy so you could buy it and return it if you can't see the screen well.

As to connecting and disconnecting a laptop to an external monitor that just seems to be a royal pain to me. I have a laptop connected to an external monitor but it rarely gets disconnected. Perhaps you should consider a iMac or Mac mini for a desktop and the 13" MacBook or even iPad Pro for when you want to sit on the couch. Of course this all depends on your financial situation and if you're willing to spend that much.
 
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russell_314 said:
I know what you mean about the 13" feeling more personal. I miss my 13" MacBook Pro and will get another when I save up! As to will it be too small only you will know this. If you have bad eyesight it might be an issue. I have eyesight issues but thankfully I can see good close up. Maybe wait till the Apple stores are open in your area and try to see how it works. Also Apple has a good return policy so you could buy it and return it if you can't see the screen well.

As to connecting and disconnecting a laptop to an external monitor that just seems to be a royal pain to me. I have a laptop connected to an external monitor but it rarely gets disconnected. Perhaps you should consider a iMac or Mac mini for a desktop and the 13" MacBook or even iPad Pro for when you want to sit on the couch. Of course this all depends on your financial situation and if you're willing to spend that much.
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Yes, thats what I have really enjoyed about my 15 inch macbook pros...I have not had to connect to monitor....unless I wanted to...the 15 has been totally fine for all use. Thats what I worry about going down to 13.
 
If you're patient, you can find the base MBP 16 for under $2000 retail. It's been on sale for that price frequently over the last few months. That's close to the price of the 10th gen MBP 13
 
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jiholl said:
Yes, thats what I have really enjoyed about my 15 inch macbook pros...I have not had to connect to monitor....unless I wanted to...the 15 has been totally fine for all use. Thats what I worry about going down to 13.
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Well if your current 15" is working fine and you're not having issues with it being too bulky I don't see any reason you should be looking at a 13". That sounds like a waste of money.
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magbarn said:
If you're patient, you can find the base MBP 16 for under $2000 retail. It's been on sale for that price frequently over the last few months. That's close to the price of the 10th gen MBP 13
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I'm always cautious of these places that sell Macs for less than what Apple sells for. I understand you don't get the same warranty support as you would if you bought directly from Apple. Maybe Apple is able to sell them cheaper to the retailer because they don't have to provide support for them. I bet a good chunk of the retail price of Apple products is support. That's one of reasons I love Apple products.
 
I’m about to do the same thing.
My current MBP 13” is a complete mess, and I miss the power of my previous MBP 15” from 2011.
 
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russell_314 said:
Well if your current 15" is working fine and you're not having issues with it being too bulky I don't see any reason you should be looking at a 13". That sounds like a waste of money.
[automerge]1589069063[/automerge]

I'm always cautious of these places that sell Macs for less than what Apple sells for. I understand you don't get the same warranty support as you would if you bought directly from Apple. Maybe Apple is able to sell them cheaper to the retailer because they don't have to provide support for them. I bet a good chunk of the retail price of Apple products is support. That's one of reasons I love Apple products.
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Buy from the Apple refurb store, you can make massive savings.... in my case I saved £730 on my machine.
 
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The 13” always felt like a toy for me because of the small screen. Just something just to surf the web with and check emails and such. the 15/16” on the other hand feels like a machine to get things down.

for me it’s the 16 for work and if you want something for the bed/couch - then an iPad is perfect.
 
If you don't mind buying from the Apple refurbished online store, I believe they sell the base model 16" MBP for around 2,039. That's actually a pretty good price.

I bought my 2018 Mini as an Apple refurb, and it was indistinguishable "from new"...
 
Fishrrman said:
If you don't mind buying from the Apple refurbished online store, I believe they sell the base model 16" MBP for around 2,039. That's actually a pretty good price.

I bought my 2018 Mini as an Apple refurb, and it was indistinguishable "from new"...
Click to expand...

I bought my 2014 13" from refurb, and my current 16" last week from refurb. I'd not buy RRP again. Massive savings and 14 day return period and eligible for AC. Why would you not???
 
Fishrrman said:
If you don't mind buying from the Apple refurbished online store, I believe they sell the base model 16" MBP for around 2,039. That's actually a pretty good price.

I bought my 2018 Mini as an Apple refurb, and it was indistinguishable "from new"...
Click to expand...
2,039? Really? Any idea when the new batch of 16-inch MacBook Pros will be in the refurbished section again?
 
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