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DILEMMA -- 15" or 17" MBP????

I

iTony88

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Jan 23, 2009
13
0
Hey guys

I am in a bit of a dilemma, I need to get a MBP for work (im an editor, just so you know what I'll be using it for) So I've come to the conclusion that I will be either getting the 2.53 GHz 15" ... OR the 2.66 GHz 17"

Now, I do my editing on FCP, and I use after effects and photoshop, but nothing TOO heavy on the computer, so I know both these machine will be able to handle what I do. So the real question is: is there a really good reason to hold off and buy the 17"?? The only thing that is keep me from buying a 15" is the ability to upgrade to 8GB of ram on the 17"!! This alone is why I want the 17", because in 3 year, I would assume that 8GB of ram will be MUCH cheaper, and in that sense, it is futureproof. I may be horribly mistaken, but that is a huge selling point to me...

So what I want is for someone to convince me to either buy the 15" right away, or hold off and buy the 17"
 
iTony88 said:
Hey guys

I am in a bit of a dilemma, I need to get a MBP for work (im an editor, just so you know what I'll be using it for) So I've come to the conclusion that I will be either getting the 2.53 GHz 15" ... OR the 2.66 GHz 17"

Now, I do my editing on FCP, and I use after effects and photoshop, but nothing TOO heavy on the computer, so I know both these machine will be able to handle what I do. So the real question is: is there a really good reason to hold off and buy the 17"?? The only thing that is keep me from buying a 15" is the ability to upgrade to 8GB of ram on the 17"!! This alone is why I want the 17", because in 3 year, I would assume that 8GB of ram will be MUCH cheaper, and in that sense, it is futureproof. I may be horribly mistaken, but that is a huge selling point to me...

So what I want is for someone to convince me to either buy the 15" right away, or hold off and buy the 17"
Click to expand...

Quick question, when you edit do have FCP, After Effects and Photoshop open at the same time or any combination of the 3? Those are pretty hefty programs (from what I understand).
 
No generally I have FCP open, and possibly another. But I generally keep it to 2 or less, cause I know they are pretty intensive programs. BUT i know that the MBP would be able to handle it, like I said, I dont do too many crazy effects and whatnot, its generally a lot of clean cutting!
 
The 17 is coming fast. The cost difference isn't that much. I personally am waiting. If you can wait a couple of weeks, get the 17. If you can't wait a couple of weeks, get the 15...
 
nopassn said:
The 17 is coming fast. The cost difference isn't that much. I personally am waiting. If you can wait a couple of weeks, get the 17. If you can't wait a couple of weeks, get the 15...
Click to expand...

I personally love my 15. I also do a lot of work with FCP (I work at a local ABC-affiliate station) and it can keep up very well, even with heavy (uncompressed) rendering. You're not going to notice a huge jump in performance with the stock 17 inch processor, and right now it costs too much to upgrade the ram past 4gb. With the video card being the same, you're basically paying for the battery and screen real estate. Personally, I don't mind the lower resolution screen, but it's really a matter of personal preference. For me, the smaller footprint is important, as is the lighter weight. I used to own a 17 inch MBP, and it just seemed too heavy for me. Again, personal preference.

Just examine the pros and cons of each laptop and decide based on your needs. You know better than anyone what you need.
 
cool thanks guys, i really appreciate your responses.

Right now, I am completely split between the two. Between the two, there really isnt any cons... I dont mind the glossy screen, or the smaller screen, but at the same time, a higher res screen is a plus, and the upgradable memory.

SO i am split, I really want one ASAP, but I dont want to make a desicion and regret it. I think I am thinking about this too much LOL!
 
Alucardx03 said:
I personally love my 15. I also do a lot of work with FCP (I work at a local ABC-affiliate station) and it can keep up very well, even with heavy (uncompressed) rendering. You're not going to notice a huge jump in performance with the stock 17 inch processor, and right now it costs too much to upgrade the ram past 4gb. With the video card being the same, you're basically paying for the battery and screen real estate. Personally, I don't mind the lower resolution screen, but it's really a matter of personal preference. For me, the smaller footprint is important, as is the lighter weight. I used to own a 17 inch MBP, and it just seemed too heavy for me. Again, personal preference.

Just examine the pros and cons of each laptop and decide based on your needs. You know better than anyone what you need.
Click to expand...

I agree... at the end of the day, performance out the door is going to be about the same. But the 17 can go up to 8 gig (once the price comes down on RAM) and you get a bigger screen - if you don't mind an extra pound of weight. Ultimately, it all comes down to: when do you need said computer, and how much screen size do you want/need - it completely comes down to a personal preference.
 
nopassn said:
I agree... at the end of the day, performance out the door is going to be about the same. But the 17 can go up to 8 gig (once the price comes down on RAM) and you get a bigger screen - if you don't mind an extra pound of weight. Ultimately, it all comes down to: when do you need said computer, and how much screen size do you want/need - it completely comes down to a personal preference.
Click to expand...

This probably won't influence your decision, but I'll still throw it out there. When the 17 incher comes out, people will use it to find a way to install more than 4 gigs of ram in the 15, even if it involves altering some system files. From a hardware perspective, the two machines should be able to use up to 8gb of ram, so it's only a matter of time.

If you search around the forums, you'll find the MBP 2.53 ram thread.
 
wait till they both are at the store then go try them out for a while, pick the one you have a shining too
 
Alucardx03 said:
This probably won't influence your decision, but I'll still throw it out there. When the 17 incher comes out, people will use it to find a way to install more than 4 gigs of ram in the 15, even if it involves altering some system files. From a hardware perspective, the two machines should be able to use up to 8gb of ram, so it's only a matter of time.

If you search around the forums, you'll find the MBP 2.53 ram thread.
Click to expand...

You can use 6 GB of RAM on the 15" MBP:
http://eshop.macsales.com/shop/memory/Apple_MacBook_MacBook_Pro/Upgrade/DDR3
 
iTony88 said:
The only thing that is keep me from buying a 15" is the ability to upgrade to 8GB of ram on the 17"!! This alone is why I want the 17", because in 3 year, I would assume that 8GB of ram will be MUCH cheaper, and in that sense, it is futureproof. I may be horribly mistaken, but that is a huge selling point to me...
Click to expand...

If you're not planning to buy the extra ram for three years (???), what's the point of thinking about it? In three years time, you'll have an out-of-date computer with the questionable consolation of being able to shove a couple of extra GB of ram in it. Doesn't sound like much of a selling point to me under those circumstances.
 
I personally would get the 15-inch model. This 15-inch MBP I have is plenty heavy enough when I put it in my bag, not to mention bulky enough. I wouldn't want one that's thicker and heavier. If you need extra memory, go to crucial.com and upgrade from whatever the LOWEST amount you can get from Apple is.

Since you can save about $800 if you get the low-end MBP, that's enough for one of those new LED displays. If you're a video editor (I assume that's what you mean. I'm also an "editor," but I edit copy), you probably won't do all that much editing while on a train or somewhere that you'd need the notebook only. I have a 20" screen about permanently hooked up to mine. It runs Photoshop and all the other CS3 stuff quite well, even with only 2GB of RAM -- and it's coming up on 2 years old.

So I'd suggest the $2000 model and then spend the other money on accessories.
 
I bought the 15" 2.53ghz model and returned it. The higher resolution screen is definitely worth the extra money, size and weight to me.
 
The main factor in your decision should be deciding on the form factor. Despite being the world's thinnest 17" notebook, the 17" MBP has a large footprint - so large that you might not want to take it with you all that much. Go to the Apple store and try both of them out before deciding. Feel it, hold it, etc.
 
Alucardx03 said:
I was under the impression that, while the 15" can use 6gb of ram, it still doesn't "officially" recognize it.
Click to expand...

What do you mean by "'officially' recognize"? It will show up on activity monitor etc. Apple won't admit it, but it works just fine.
 
Thiol said:
What do you mean by "'officially' recognize"? It will show up on activity monitor etc. Apple won't admit it, but it works just fine.
Click to expand...

That's what I mean. According to Apple, the 15" only supports 4gb, which means that it is not officially recognized. So, if you have a problem with it (a few problems have been encountered by pro app users, if I remember correctly...) you're S.O.L.
 
If you write a ton on the computer, and you really need portability, the 17" is way wrong. If those things don't matter, take a deep breath and it'll be here.
 
Hey everyone

Thanks for the responses, I really appreciate it. As of right now, I am going with the 2.53 15" MBP. I thought about it, and read a lot of different opinions, and it seems like a better choice to go with the 15", for portability reasons, and just cause there isnt enough in the 17" to justify spending the extra money.

I probably wont buy it for another couple days, but unless someone convinces me otherwise, I am getting the 15"!!

Thanks again everyone!
 
iTony88 said:
Hey everyone

Thanks for the responses, I really appreciate it. As of right now, I am going with the 2.53 15" MBP. I thought about it, and read a lot of different opinions, and it seems like a better choice to go with the 15", for portability reasons, and just cause there isnt enough in the 17" to justify spending the extra money.

I probably wont buy it for another couple days, but unless someone convinces me otherwise, I am getting the 15"!!

Thanks again everyone!
Click to expand...

Either way you go, it's a good choice. I love my 15", and I'm sure you'll love yours. Good luck.
 
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