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Getting an iPad, 15inch vs. 17inch macbook pro?

A

amarcus

macrumors 6502
Original poster
Feb 26, 2008
361
108
London, UK
Hello everyone!

I'm in some dire need of some quick advice. I had already decided on buying an iPad when my current laptop decided to finally give in. As a hobbiest web/application developer and a light gamer in my spare time I've narrowed down my choices to either a hi-res (glossy?) 15inch or a 17inch macbook pro. Hopefully my iPad should mean that I would only have to move my macbook around once or twice a week. Portability shouldn't be too much of a concern.

To add further complications I've recently grown a new appreciation towards colour accurate displays and have been craving a 24inch ACD or similar IPS panel. I suppose I might pick one up at a later date when my funds allow for it. Owning both a 17inch and a 24inch external monitor seems excessive to me though. Maybe I should just go for the 17inch or 15inch+monitor at later date? Argh decisions!

If anyone of you guys have any experience with the setup - iPad+Macbook Pro+external monitor(?) - i'd really appreciate the advice.

Thanking you guys in anticipation!

Adam
 
appleguy123 said:
For me 17" MacBook Pro+iPad=best experience ever.
Click to expand...

Yes... Same here~
Again, 15 and 17 is no different to me whatsoever :D
You will enjoy the screen and the resolution

It is the world smallest, thinnest and lightest + long lasting battery 17-inch laptop ever :D:D
 
Go for 17". I was a dumbass and decided to go 13". The screen was so small I bought a 26" external monitor. lol
 
I'll chime in and say 17". More real estate never hurts, the weight difference is minor and your intended usage + pairing with an iPad basically seals the deal.
 
henry72 said:
Yes... Same here~
Again, 15 and 17 is no different to me whatsoever :D
You will enjoy the screen and the resolution

It is the world smallest, thinnest and lightest + long lasting battery 17-inch laptop ever :D:D
Click to expand...

My only disappointments with the Pro has been the weak audio and the battery time. I opted for it over a windows machine because of the "7 hours" life.

I barely get over 3 hours and that's just cruising, nothing heavy.
 
HadItWithWindow said:
My only disappointments with the Pro has been the weak audio and the battery time. I opted for it over a windows machine because of the "7 hours" life.

I barely get over 3 hours and that's just cruising, nothing heavy.
Click to expand...

Don't forget that the battery life as given by apple is when working at 50% screen brightness.
 
Ya since you already are getting an ipad, its a no brainer go 17". Personally, I say there is no need for an external monitor due to the size of the 17". But thats personal preference.
 
Two different things. The real question is if you plan on getting a desktop or not? Or how portable do you want your MBP to be? If youre getting a desktop or a ACD then get the 15". If the MBP is gonna be your main computer and you don't need it to be that portable then get the 17". If you need a bit more portability then get the 15".

I don't think having an iPad really affects the size you choose as they would be used for different things.
 
HadItWithWindow said:
My only disappointments with the Pro has been the weak audio and the battery time. I opted for it over a windows machine because of the "7 hours" life.

I barely get over 3 hours and that's just cruising, nothing heavy.
Click to expand...

Well... I can get around 8 hours for using iWorks and iTunes Brightness 60%
What did you do??
 
Well, heres the main two options:

1. Get a 15" MBP and an external monitor.
2. Get a 17" MBP and no external monitor.

If your not taking it out of your house much I'd go for the 2nd option. However, if you want portability plus a big screen at home the 1st option would be better.

If I had to choose, I'd get the first option. Good luck!:D:apple:
 
I think the ideal would be the 15" and an external monitor...

a 17" laptop is NOT fun to lug around and will end up sitting on your desk as a mediocre desktop with a mediocre screen size... not to mention it doesnt have an IPS panel.

My goal is to get the 15" MBP hires and a dell 27 ultrasharp (same panel as the 27" imac... 100% color gamut, IPS panel)

I understand some people like getting mac products exclusively and if thats you, then at least wait for the next ACD refresh which will probably use the same panel as the dell and imac.
 
unamused said:
I think the ideal would be the 15" and an external monitor...

a 17" laptop is NOT fun to lug around and will end up sitting on your desk as a mediocre desktop with a mediocre screen size... not to mention it doesnt have an IPS panel.

My goal is to get the 15" MBP hires and a dell 27 ultrasharp (same panel as the 27" imac... 100% color gamut, IPS panel)

I understand some people like getting mac products exclusively and if thats you, then at least wait for the next ACD refresh which will probably use the same panel as the dell and imac.
Click to expand...

Lol yeah. It will get "desk-bound". Like those horribly heavy, hot clunky Windows 15" laptops that end up being desk-bound with 5 cables sticking out of them *shudder*
 
mrsir2009 said:
Lol yeah. It will get "desk-bound". Like those horribly heavy, hot clunky Windows 15" laptops that end up being desk-bound with 5 cables sticking out of them *shudder*
Click to expand...

I think you meant to say my laptop :D
 

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unamused said:
I think the ideal would be the 15" and an external monitor...

a 17" laptop is NOT fun to lug around and will end up sitting on your desk as a mediocre desktop with a mediocre screen size... not to mention it doesnt have an IPS panel.

My goal is to get the 15" MBP hires and a dell 27 ultrasharp (same panel as the 27" imac... 100% color gamut, IPS panel)

I understand some people like getting mac products exclusively and if thats you, then at least wait for the next ACD refresh which will probably use the same panel as the dell and imac.
Click to expand...

1) a 17 inch i7 macbookpro is not a mediocre machine
2) it is not that much bigger than the 15
3) not sure why it does not have ips
 
amarcus said:
Hello everyone!

I'm in some dire need of some quick advice. I had already decided on buying an iPad when my current laptop decided to finally give in. As a hobbiest web/application developer and a light gamer in my spare time I've narrowed down my choices to either a hi-res (glossy?) 15inch or a 17inch macbook pro. Hopefully my iPad should mean that I would only have to move my macbook around once or twice a week. Portability shouldn't be too much of a concern.

To add further complications I've recently grown a new appreciation towards colour accurate displays and have been craving a 24inch ACD or similar IPS panel. I suppose I might pick one up at a later date when my funds allow for it. Owning both a 17inch and a 24inch external monitor seems excessive to me though. Maybe I should just go for the 17inch or 15inch+monitor at later date? Argh decisions!

If anyone of you guys have any experience with the setup - iPad+Macbook Pro+external monitor(?) - i'd really appreciate the advice.

Thanking you guys in anticipation!

Adam
Click to expand...

Get a 15" i5 High-Res but NOT the external moniter
 
mrsir2009 said:
Man I'm never going to let that happen to my MacBook Pro. By the way, what size it that computer, what type is it, and why is it upside down:confused:
Click to expand...

It is a 15" HP dv6000, I have it flipped over so it runs cooler. The processor fan usually is fine but the HDD and RAM heat up pretty quick and don't have much breathing room.
 
Thanks again everyone who posted. For the sake of closure, I thought you might like to know that I ended up getting the 15inch i7 AG and I couldn't be more happy! I still lust over a big screen and will probably pick one up in the fall sales. At the moment I'm leaning towards the newly released hp zr24w, although a lot can change between now and then. But in the mean time I'm more than satisfied and just enjoying my new mac!

Adam
 
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