Does 1 lb. make a big difference in portability in your experience?

[wineandcarbs]

I currently have a 2014 13" rMBP. It does everything I need it to do.

I'm considering a 2017 rMB because I carry my laptop to work with me every day now. I'm wondering, though, does that 1lb make a significant enough difference to justify switching to the rMB IYO (I realize the footprint of the rMB is also smaller)? I know it's somewhat subjective. If any of you made a similar change, was it a noticeable difference for you?

Thanks!

 

[sna3]

depends on your shoulders ... but for me anything below 3lb is okay wont feel the difference under 3lb ...

 

[throAU]

It can do. It's not that more weight is unusable, but if you carry the thing around a lot, with a bunch of other stuff in a backpack it all adds up.

It's not just weight, it is physical size. Also the size of the charger. However the biggest draw card for me to the retina macbook is that it is fanless.

This is also why i'm using an iPad pro for my regular portable now. The lack of weight compared to the macbook pro makes it a lot easier to carry around, use away from a desk, hold in one hand while i manipulate something else, etc.

I've used laptops in that situation before as well (need to temporarily hold it in one hand or whatnot and there is where even a pound can make a massive difference.

But if you don't do that sort of thing and mostly use it at a desk you'll mostly feel the backpack weight. whether or not that is important to you is a choice for you to make. For me, any weight reduction so long as performance is enough is welcome in a portable.

All that said i bought the 2015 Pro because of the ports.

 

[wineandcarbs]

depends on your shoulders ... but for me anything below 3lb is okay wont feel the difference under 3lb ...

Thanks! Hmm. My rMBP is 3.4 and the MacBook is 2.03. I'm generally carrying other stuff with me too, though, in addition to the computer. Would 3.4 to 2.03 make a difference IYO?

It can do. It's not that more weight is unusable, but if you carry the thing around a lot, with a bunch of other stuff in a backpack it all adds up.

It's not just weight, it is physical size. Also the size of the charger. However the biggest draw card for me to the retina macbook is that it is fanless.

This is also why i'm using an iPad pro for my regular portable now. The lack of weight compared to the macbook pro makes it a lot easier to carry around, use away from a desk, hold in one hand while i manipulate something else, etc.

I've used laptops in that situation before as well (need to temporarily hold it in one hand or whatnot and there is where even a pound can make a massive difference.

But if you don't do that sort of thing and mostly use it at a desk you'll mostly feel the backpack weight. whether or not that is important to you is a choice for you to make. For me, any weight reduction so long as performance is enough is welcome in a portable.

All that said i bought the 2015 Pro because of the ports.

Thanks! The ports are the reason I wouldn't give my rMBP up or sell it. I like the variety of ports since there are occasions I need them and this way I have multiple ports and generally don't need adapters. That being said, the rMB would probably end up becoming my main computer simply because it's kind of a hassle (for me at least) to switch between multiple computers.

Right now it's not that the rMBP ISN'T portable as you said, it's that everything adds up. I sometimes am carrying things in a laptop bag, sometimes in a tote, occasionally a backpack (depending on the setting). And between files, my personal effects, the laptop, the charger if needed, and everything else after a while it can make a difference. When I get to work I am generally using the computer at a desk (though I can see those occasional "holding in one hand while checking something else" moments; I'd probably do it more if the laptop lent itself to it) but I move from office to office, floor to floor with the laptop to said desks. lol.

iPad Pro is a cool option but I think if I were to downsize (literally) I'd need something with full macOS so I'm trying to decide if the weight and size reduction would justify the purchase in my situation.

 

[sna3]

Thanks! Hmm. My rMBP is 3.4 and the MacBook is 2.03. I'm generally carrying other stuff with me too, though, in addition to the computer. Would 3.4 to 2.03 make a difference IYO?



Thanks! The ports are the reason I wouldn't give my rMBP up or sell it. I like the variety of ports since there are occasions I need them and this way I have multiple ports and generally don't need adapters. That being said, the rMB would probably end up becoming my main computer simply because it's kind of a hassle (for me at least) to switch between multiple computers.

Right now it's not that the rMBP ISN'T portable as you said, it's that everything adds up. I sometimes am carrying things in a laptop bag, sometimes in a tote, occasionally a backpack (depending on the setting). And between files, my personal effects, the laptop, the charger if needed, and everything else after a while it can make a difference. When I get to work I am generally using the computer at a desk (though I can see those occasional "holding in one hand while checking something else" moments; I'd probably do it more if the laptop lent itself to it) but I move from office to office, floor to floor with the laptop to said desks. lol.

iPad Pro is a cool option but I think if I were to downsize (literally) I'd need something with full macOS so I'm trying to decide if the weight and size reduction would justify the purchase in my situation.

yes 3lb is the max for me anything above is not acceptable . ... but again the new macbook pro (Weight: 3.02 pounds (1.37 kg) is better option for you , dont get the mac book

 

[jmoore5196]

Having just lugged my 15" rMBP to Rome and back, while my wife carried her rMB, I can tell you firsthand: The difference between 4 lbs and 2 lbs is night and day. Whether a single pound makes an appreciable difference is a personal value judgment, in my view, but I'm not going to be taking my 15" overseas again anytime soon.

 

[ZapNZs]

Yes, there is a difference that can be noticed pretty easily, IMO. Beyond the computer's weight, the form factor is smaller and the cases/bags you can carry them in have smaller form factors and weights. If you are walking long distances carrying your computer, you may or may not consider the difference to be significant.

If you are currently using certain ports (e.g., Thunderbolt 2, multiple external USB 3.1 SSDs, UHD displays - in combo), the MacBook is probably not a good match for your needs IMO.

 

[jetlagged]

get the lightest notebook you can get. i have a mba 13", and i still found it way too big and heavy. the MBA 11" would have been better. if you're moving a lot and carrying your notebook, get the smallest and lightest. i know, i traveled for 2 years carrying a mba 13"

 

[wineandcarbs]

Yes, there is a difference that can be noticed pretty easily, IMO. Beyond the computer's weight, the form factor is smaller and the cases/bags you can carry them in have smaller form factors and weights. If you are walking long distances carrying your computer, you may or may not consider the difference to be significant.

If you are currently using certain ports (e.g., Thunderbolt 2, multiple external USB 3.1 SSDs, UHD displays - in combo), the MacBook is probably not a good match for your needs IMO.

I have been a little concerned about the lack of ports on the MacBook. Right now I don't use multiple ports frequently (except the USB ones, but even then not on a daily basis), but I do like having them for the times I do need them. I occasionally connect my MBP to a projector, for example, in which case I'm connected via HDMI cable and have the laptop plugged into the charger. That being said, I'd still have my rMBP so I'm wondering if perhaps the MacBook would work for me since my day to day work is just on the laptop and I could use the MBP if I find myself in a situation where I need to use multiple things? I would probably look into getting an adapter that would let me charge the laptop and use a USB 3.1 drive.

 

[ascender]

Due to where I currently work, I often have to run for part or all of my commute when I'm in the office. Over the last year I've done this commute with the following devices in my rucksack.

• 13" Non-Touchbar MBP
• 13" Touchbar MBP
• 15" Touchbar MBP (only the once)
• iPad Mini & 10.5" iPad Pro
• 12" Macbook

The best way to describe all of them apart from the iPads and the Macbook are that there's no disguising the fact you're carrying a chunk of metal which weighs something significant. I think its about bulk and form factor as much as the raw weight - they're a decent sized "thing" to be carrying.

With the iPad Pro or the rMB, I notice the weight, but its just a slightly heavier rucksack.

When walking between meetings or on public transport, weight is much less noticeable across them all and I'm usually carrying more stuff with me. The difference across the range here is that I know i'm carrying a MBP, but I'll often have to double check just to make sure i've remembered the iPad or the rMB as they weigh so little - its like having another A4 notebook in my bag.

 

[ZapNZs]

I have been a little concerned about the lack of ports on the MacBook. Right now I don't use multiple ports frequently (except the USB ones, but even then not on a daily basis), but I do like having them for the times I do need them. I occasionally connect my MBP to a projector, for example, in which case I'm connected via HDMI cable and have the laptop plugged into the charger. That being said, I'd still have my rMBP so I'm wondering if perhaps the MacBook would work for me since my day to day work is just on the laptop and I could use the MBP if I find myself in a situation where I need to use multiple things? I would probably look into getting an adapter that would let me charge the laptop and use a USB 3.1 drive.

If you use ports infrequently (or if you have a second computer that you use with your wired devices), it's a potential good match as when you do use them occasionally a hub works. (If you need high-speed IO, then the MBA or MBP is a better match because the rMB only has USB 3.1 gen 1.) There are USB-C-->HDMI cables that are inexpensive and work reliably, and the rMB has good enough battery life that for use with a projector you can usually get by without having to plug it into a charger.

 

[misterbig]

I think it mainly depends on your bag. My work bag weighs about 12 lbs fully loaded so I don't think 1 lb makes a huge difference. Back when I carried a much smaller bag which weighed less than 7 lbs fully loaded then 1 lb was definitely a game changer.