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Do you think the MacBook Pro 17" is too big?

I

iAppleseed

macrumors regular
Original poster
May 11, 2011
177
0
Do you think that it has too many unnecessary spaces that is unimportant and isn't used at all?
Do you feel that it doesn't deserve to be called "portable"?
Do you think that it's hard to use because of the screen size?

I'm going to do a lot of web browsing, a bit of gaming and a bit of video editing, too.
 
It's a challenge to lug around if you need to extensively. It really doesn't have any more power than an equally equipped 15" MBP. For some however it's a viable machine, and each user has to make that decision based on their particular need.

I ran a 13" for a while, as I have large monitors at both ends of my travels. I lusted after and bought a 15" MBP, and the difference in portability for me was noticeable in a bad way. I couldn't fathom trying to lug a 17" with the way I commute and travel. But that's just me.
 
the 17" has the same internals as a top spec 15", so much more space yet the battery life is the same as a 15", it only needs to power a bigger screen which lets be honest here doesnt use all that much power anyway.

whilst the 17" is nice but the 15" is the borderline definition of portable for me.
 
i don't think so

my opinion is that the 17 inch MBP still has a marketplace, it is useful to someone that needs a notebook with big screen estate and lots of horsepower, but also needs to move with the computer.so,it can still be called as "a portable computer".big screen doesn't means it is hard to use, but you will need a table:)
 
Personally I think it is but I can only judge based on what my requirements were, which are more than satisfied by the 13" MBP.
 
I find the 17" way too large unless it is truly supposed to be a desktop replacement and you don't want an external display. I hated lugging a 17" laptop around. 15" is great but I do love the 13" because it fits very well in a smaller bag and fits super well on a plane's tray leaving room for my cocktails. :D
 
I've got a 2006 MBP 17" and I love it, yes it's big, yes it's heavier than a smaller machine - I love it all the same, the screen real estate is what makes it for me.

I think it's personal preference, what is considered large to some, isn't so for others - if you want to see a large portable computer, check out the old Compaq transportables :cool:
 
Yes, because it doesn't meet my needs, so I didn't buy it.

If I was not able to work with an external monitor more than 90% of the time I wouldn't have bought the 13" but, since I do, I had no reason to go to a 15" or even 17" mbp.

If I traveled for work consistently and worked remotely without this capability I would absolutely have considered one of the larger sizes.
 
It depends?

I might have bought one if I commuted by car instead of subway. The extra screen space and ports would've been nice. But I'm small and not exactly athletic, and even the 15" is a little heavy to carry around 2 hours every day.
 
Compared to my 13" MBP the 17" is huge. But it really comes down to what you think it is. In my opinion at 17" its not really a true portable as its too large to really be functional in a take a round with you sense. But to others the 17 may seem like the perfect machine. It all comes down to your personal preferences.
 
I think the 17" is perfect for some people. I have been a lifelong windows user but now want to switch to macs.

I enjoy photography and video editing as a hobby but am certainly no professional. Both are very processor intensive though so need a quality machine and the extra screen size makes a huge difference.

I no longer have a desktop and live in a relatively small place. I do not have a requirement to carry it round much but can use the 17" on the lap and whilst watching TV or move upstairs when required.

If there is no new 17" version I will not switch and will have to look at other alternatives.

I use ipad for general surfing etc but find a 17" invaluable for working in different places in the house when need a more powerful solution
 
strange question

its not too big for those with the 17" already, people with the 15" will likely say yes or they would of bought the 17", for those with the 13" they could say both the 15" and 17" are too big or too expensive.
 
First let me start off by saying that everyone who says 6.6lbs is "too heavy" needs to go out an lift some weights or something cause that is an absolutely ludicrous thing to say!

Secondly, I just bought a 17" last week and absolutely love it! It's my only laptop so I needed something big. I'm a civil engineer major and this is going to work just perfect for all my CADD projects. But if I want something smaller, I bought a new iPad to compliment it as well.

Overall I'd say the 17" MacBook Pro is PERFECT! And btw they look about 10x bigger in the stores than they do once you get them home...dunno why that is but it's true so keep that in mind
 
iAppleseed said:
Do you think that it has too many unnecessary spaces that is unimportant and isn't used at all?
Do you feel that it doesn't deserve to be called "portable"?
Do you think that it's hard to use because of the screen size?

I'm going to do a lot of web browsing, a bit of gaming and a bit of video editing, too.
Click to expand...

1) ?
2)??
3)???

While I personally wouldn't buy a 17", I don't think any of those questions can really be answered.
 
Smiller4128 said:
First let me start off by saying that everyone who says 6.6lbs is "too heavy" needs to go out an lift some weights or something cause that is an absolutely ludicrous thing to say!

Secondly, I just bought a 17" last week and absolutely love it! It's my only laptop so I needed something big. I'm a civil engineer major and this is going to work just perfect for all my CADD projects. But if I want something smaller, I bought a new iPad to compliment it as well.

Overall I'd say the 17" MacBook Pro is PERFECT! And btw they look about 10x bigger in the stores than they do once you get them home...dunno why that is but it's true so keep that in mind
Click to expand...
I found that with my Thunderbolt Display, in store they seem bigger but at home they seem smaller than the one(s) in the store xD
 
In my opinion, a 17" laptop is not portable anymore. It's an awesome desktop replacement, but it's not a mobile solution anymore. I used to have one, but eventually I sold it because it really is not suitable for taking it anywhere away from the desk.

What I dont understand is why the MBP 17" is not really any more powerful than a spec'ed out MBP 15". In that regard, I think Apple would need to muscle up the 17".
 
For me, yes, because I want a laptop that I can carry around easily. While the 17" is portable if you're just bringing it to the car and driving to another location, if you really want to carry it around at work or on campus it is really cumbersome (IMO). I tend to think of 17" as a desktop replacement.
 
Ccrew said:
It's a challenge to lug around if you need to extensively.
Click to expand...
I carry mine quite easily every single day. Perhaps you lack the facts. At a mere 6.6 lbs. it's the same weight as the average 15" Laptop, and barely 1 lb. more than a 15" MBP.

At a full 17", the competitors average weight is 8.9 to 9.6 lbs. Not to mention the MBP is less than an inch thick, compared to 1.6 to 2.0" of the competition.

I travel domestically & internationally. The ease of carrying a lightweight Apple MBP, is just one of their many advantages.
 
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