Do you find the 15" MacBook Pro too much to carry everyday?

[entatlrg]

I just returned a 15" MacBook Pro and ordered a 13" MacBook Pro ...

It is heavier, and as mentioned it's the footprint on a desk or table ... it seems quite large and bigger than a 13" for sure...

Then considering the fact it's a 'laptop' you may want to use it on your lap at times in which case the 15" will feel a lot heavier, to me it's too heavy to comfortably use on your lap for a few hours compared to the 13" not just in weight but in bulk, handling, and general use ...

To me, 15" MPB = bulky, heavy, 'in the way' not convenient to grab and type on anywhere/anytime... the MBA is the best of that of course... the new 13" MBP is the perfect blend of power and portability, it's the sweet spot for sure.

13" MBP is going to be a HOT seller, wait and see, some who were going to opt for the 15" just to get all the features can now do that with the new 13" (less the video card)... and, for many who were considering the MBA but where concerned with lack of power now have the 13" MBP option.

Just plug in one plug to an external monitor and poof it's a desktop !

 

[wesrk]

Nope, no trouble at all.

I have the 15" early '08 version and carry it with me to school every single day. I park about a 10 minute walk away from campus, and have no problem taking it with me back and forth. It's a pretty big campus, but the 15" MBP is a very manageable laptop.

same scenario for me, exactly the same
I'm sure a 13" would feel lighter, but a 15" is really no problem

 

[ecstasy]

I'll be entering college this fall, and am soon going to pull the trigger on the 13," based on the fact that I'll be commuting 3 hours each day and carrying the laptop with me to class.

Sounds reasonable, right?

PS - I'll be in a business program. Yay or nay?

 

[InvalidUserID]

No, not at all. And I'm a petite girl...

Then again, I was used to walking miles in NY with a backpack full of books, a purse, and usually a latte.

 

[PolySciSurfer]

I'll be entering college this fall, and am soon going to pull the trigger on the 13," based on the fact that I'll be commuting 3 hours each day and carrying the laptop with me to class.

Sounds reasonable, right?

PS - I'll be in a business program. Yay or nay?

YAY!

Excellent choice.

 

[ecstasy]

YAY!

Excellent choice.

The thing that might be worrisome for me is that my college enforces a Core Curriculum, so I'll have to do the usual English, Calculus/Statistics, and maybe Art/Graphic Design classes.

Could the 2.26GHz 13" handle all of this?

 

[PolySciSurfer]

The thing that might be worrisome for me is that my college enforces a Core Curriculum, so I'll have to do the usual English, Calculus/Statistics, and maybe Art/Graphic Design classes.

Could the 2.26GHz 13" handle all of this?

Well as far as your core classes go, you should have a choice and you won't have to take a graphic design class. And if you do, it will more than likely be held in a computer lab. I don't know what school you go to, but that's how it's been so far for me. English and Calc have nothing to do with your computers graphics processing muscles.

 

[ecstasy]

Well as far as your core classes go, you should have a choice and you won't have to take a graphic design class. And if you do, it will more than likely be held in a computer lab. I don't know what school you go to, but that's how it's been so far for me. English and Calc have nothing to do with your computers graphics processing muscles.

I'm going to Fordham on the east coast.

And I don't think I have the ability to choose classes. They pretty much give you the class schedule on Orientation Day. All the freshmen have the same core classes, and don't really go for their major until the first 2 years are done to complete core classes (well, 2 years is the max time period to complete core classes).

 

[Ropedartman]

You'll be fine...

I'm going to Fordham on the east coast.

And I don't think I have the ability to choose classes. They pretty much give you the class schedule on Orientation Day. All the freshmen have the same core classes, and don't really go for their major until the first 2 years are done to complete core classes (well, 2 years is the max time period to complete core classes).

I've done some intense graphic work on my MacBook 2.2, it wasn't great, but for you, it will be!

If they would do the 13" MPB with dedicated graphics...I would be a happy camper. I love the size, but for graphics work (a lot) I need that chip. The 15" doesn't seem that bad, but a few weeks in my backpack will tell. Since I have a 24" monitor at home, the extra screen size isn't that big of a deal, but couldn't hurt. I do love the 13" though

 

[ecstasy]

If they would do the 13" MPB with dedicated graphics...I would be a happy camper.

So would I.

And I won't be dorming either. Also, it sucks that I'll have to carry my laptop with me everyday to school (3-hour commute total), so I think the 13" would work in my favor, but oh how I love the 15" screen.

I'm just confused.

 

[picklesmand]

13" + 24" external monitor = perfect for me.

the 13" is actually lighter than my all time favorite, the 12" powerbook. I don't understand the people saying theres not much difference between the 13" and 15". It's a full pound, and it's noticeable. (and yes, I work out). The 13" is so compact I have no problems holding it with 1 hand (next to the trackpad, or near the ports for instance) Doing that with the 15" just doesn't feel right.

as for the resolution, expose and spaces make it pretty much a non-issue for me. Also the 15" is not THAT much bigger in terms of sheer resolution, 1440 vs. 1280 horizontal and 900 vs 800 vertical. not nearly as much as the diff between the 15 and the 17. If I were to get a 'desktop replacement' it would def. be the 17. But the 13" is my absolute perfect form factor.

All that said, it's a personal thing, so try one out, preferably for a couple of hours, and try your usual workflows.

 

[Philflow]

Do you find the 15" MacBook Pro too much to carry everyday?
Yes

I had the 13" uMB, I did not like carrying it every day. Only the MBA satisfied me.

 

[JasonR]

13" + 24" external monitor = perfect for me.

the 13" is actually lighter than my all time favorite, the 12" powerbook. I don't understand the people saying theres not much difference between the 13" and 15". It's a full pound, and it's noticeable. (and yes, I work out). The 13" is so compact I have no problems holding it with 1 hand (next to the trackpad, or near the ports for instance) Doing that with the 15" just doesn't feel right.

as for the resolution, expose and spaces make it pretty much a non-issue for me. Also the 15" is not THAT much bigger in terms of sheer resolution, 1440 vs. 1280 horizontal and 900 vs 800 vertical. not nearly as much as the diff between the 15 and the 17. If I were to get a 'desktop replacement' it would def. be the 17. But the 13" is my absolute perfect form factor.

All that said, it's a personal thing, so try one out, preferably for a couple of hours, and try your usual workflows.

Probably the best post in this thread, especially the last part. I have both a 13" MBP (using now) and a 17" MBP. The 17" is perfect for a desktop replacement (it replaced my iMac) and the 13" is perfect for taking EVERYWHERE.

However I disagree with the person who said the 17" is uncomfortable on a lap. It's fine on my lap, and it's not that heavy. However, the 13" feels comfy on just one leg. I really like having the best of both worlds. Now to purchase a 24" monitor.

 

[Freyqq]

i have a 15" mbp and an old 12" pb.

The 15" is manageable to carry around...i don't want to make it sound like it is heavy b\c it isn't

but

the 12" is noticeably lighter and the smaller form factor is more conducive to travel

 

[PDE]

on its own I find it fine, but as soon as I add a few books, paper, pens, mouse etc, it feels damn heavy. Even in a backpack. I had the AIR for a while and that was amazing, didn't even notice it was there!

So, yes, it's great for what the size is, but it's still not light weight. Depends on what else you're lugging around and where you're going, I suppose. I found that in NYC it was quite heavy.

 

[cardjoseph]

ever try a bookendz product?

My main issue is I don't use it enough outside my home and I've got so much crap to unplug from it. If Apple were to make a docking station with video, USB, audio, etc. ports, it would be kinda nice. I can't use my mini external HDD on my cooling fan's ports because it needs more power. I also have to put the DVI cable on, which isn't the easiest cable to plug in.

As far as the weight, it's weighty, but not too much for me. I would rather carry around a MacBook Air if I had to do that every day, but then I'd need all that software. I want ONE configuration, so unless there's some way to literally sync everything between two Macs, I probably won't use a second one and just deal with all the unplugging.

Apple doesn't make a docking station but a company called Bookendz does. Check it out at bookendzdocks.com. I have one for my MacBook Pro from 2007. It replicates ports on the back of the docking station and I have a 23" monitor attached to it so I can easily plug and unplug my computer without having to disconnect 4 or 5 wires each time. They are pretty expensive though - that would be my one complaint.

 

[harcosparky]

Out of curiosity .....

Does anyone have an old 15" G4 Powerbook

I'd like to know the external dimensions to compare them to the 15" Macbook Pro.

The 15" Macbook Pro does not fit into two different cases I have, one was designed for the 15" Powerbook.

I know the MBP is not 15", that it is 15.4", and I honestly do not recall the exact screen dimension of the 15" Powerbook.


Looking for footprint dimensions.

 

[cardjoseph]

if I remember things...

Out of curiosity .....

Does anyone have an old 15" G4 Powerbook

I'd like to know the external dimensions to compare them to the 15" Macbook Pro.

The 15" Macbook Pro does not fit into two different cases I have, one was designed for the 15" Powerbook.

I know the MBP is not 15", that it is 15.4", and I honestly do not recall the exact screen dimension of the 15" Powerbook.


Looking for footprint dimensions.

I use to have a powerbook g4. I believe they were 15".

 

[harcosparky]

I use to have a powerbook g4. I believe they were 15".

I looked it up and found the answer....

15" G4 Powerbooks = 13.7w X 9.5d 15.2" Display Weight 5.7 lbs

15" Macbook Pro = 14.35w X 9.82d 15.4" Display Weight 5.5 lbs

Amazing that .65 in additional width prevents the MBP from fitting into a TIMBUKTU laptop bag made for the 15" Powerbook.

 

[niuniu]

I have the old 15inch from back in 2007 - for me it's a portable computer. I find it light and quite small. It fits snugly in inner stuff pockets in backpacks too.. That said I couldn't quite see the 17inch fitting in the same places so well so I probably wouldn't make the jump there.

I think also if you're a gym goer / athlete you won't think anything of carrying 5lbs wheras if you're a 140lber then a 15inch 5lb laptop might feel luggish in one hand..

 

[xraydoc]

I had a 15" MBP and have since moved to the 13" models (currently on my second). While the weight savings is fairly minor, the footprint to me makes it much more manageable.

Now, my laptop is not my only computer - I do have a desktop with a 30" display for when I need to spread out. If the laptop was my only machine, I'd probably would have either stuck with a 15" or at minimum gone with a 13" plus an external monitor when at home. Know what - come to think of it, even if the laptop was my only machine, I'd still probably stick with the 13" for portability and gotten a good external display for home.

 

[Humey]

I'm upgrading to a 15" MBP from a 13" White MB, and on my commute to and from work I have my work pc laptop which is 15" and my MB 13" I sling them both in my backpack, although I throw the pc in my bag and delicately place my MB (sleeved up) in lol, I can carry that around no worries and I'm commuting a good 4 hours each day.

It all comes down to what you will be more comfortable with and what you want, although everyones advice on MacRumors is priceless we are not the ones paying for your lappy, you are, so get something you want.

 

[Chronos1976]

I have no problems carrying a 15" Macbook Pro around at work in a large, multi-campus FE College. It's not heavy at all and is about the same footprint as an A4 folder. Indeed, the books and paperwork I need to carry around with me weigh a lot, lot more.

I've been considering upgrading to the 17" and used a friends for a couple of weeks (whilst she was on holiday). It wasn't too heavy to carry around all day, but the extra footprint makes it more awkward to carry under a pile of paperwork and it's harder to store in a bag. It is also just a little too big at meetings and starts invading other peoples desk space. People get so possessive over desk space. But that's another story. If I was only carrying the computer, I think it would be OK.

My 17" PC desktop replacement is a different story. You definitely notice a day of carrying that about and has an even larger footprint... not doing that again.

 

[Leo72]

I just returned a 15" MacBook Pro and ordered a 13" MacBook Pro ...

It is heavier, and as mentioned it's the footprint on a desk or table ... it seems quite large and bigger than a 13" for sure...

Then considering the fact it's a 'laptop' you may want to use it on your lap at times in which case the 15" will feel a lot heavier, to me it's too heavy to comfortably use on your lap for a few hours compared to the 13" not just in weight but in bulk, handling, and general use ...

To me, 15" MPB = bulky, heavy, 'in the way' not convenient to grab and type on anywhere/anytime... the MBA is the best of that of course... the new 13" MBP is the perfect blend of power and portability, it's the sweet spot for sure.

13" MBP is going to be a HOT seller, wait and see, some who were going to opt for the 15" just to get all the features can now do that with the new 13" (less the video card)... and, for many who were considering the MBA but where concerned with lack of power now have the 13" MBP option.

Just plug in one plug to an external monitor and poof it's a desktop !

Heavy? I have an Acer notebook, and it's 3 kilograms

 

[joro]

I'll be entering college this fall, and am soon going to pull the trigger on the 13," based on the fact that I'll be commuting 3 hours each day and carrying the laptop with me to class.

Sounds reasonable, right?

PS - I'll be in a business program. Yay or nay?

One thing I'll tell you is after completing a business undegrad and completing an MBA in December, make sure you [gulp] buy Office for the Mac. My undergrad school, East Carolina, was more MAC-friendly and they didn't mind submissions in .doc, .pages, or even .pdf. However, my master's program at Florida State IS very picky and everything has to be in .doc format - not even .docx is acceptable.

So just make sure you’re prepared but I can tell you that you will enjoy having the MB for school. I had 3 different ones over my schooling from the original white MB, the second-generation MBA, and finally the MBP.