Has anyone switched from 15" to 13" MBP?

[Teague]

I currently have a 15" 2010 MBP with a failing hard drive and battery. I'm trying to decide which MBP to get---either mid 2015 15" MBP? Or 2016 13"?

Not sure I can make the switch from 15" to 13" but thought I'd post here to see what others have experienced.

(I do photography, film and light music editing, writing (lots of writing so keyboard matters).

ETA: Portability isn't an issue but cost is.

 

[PaulWog]

13" is nice, but 15" is better for photoshop by a mile.

I use a 27" desktop screen though...

 

[Teague]

13" is nice, but 15" is better for photoshop by a mile.

I use a 27" desktop screen though...

That's what I was thinking. I'm used to using photoshop with the 15 inch screen. I've played with the idea of getting an external monitor.

 

[motime]

I would recommend you try it out in the store or purchase it and return it within 14 days if it doesn't suit your needs.

 

[miamialley]

I have a 15" 2008 (late) MBP and I plan to get the 13" for portability. It will be my main computer...I'm a light user.

 

[Macshroomer]

Went to 13" sized laptops a number of years ago and won't go bigger. I use my computers as a full time professional photographer ( real one, not weekend wedding hack / flickr hack ) and find the 13" is fast enough but *much* easier to travel with, especially in economy class.

The 15" is nice, my first portable was a Ti-400, but the 13" is the go to for travel hands down.

 

[Teague]

Went to 13" sized laptops a number of years ago and won't go bigger. I use my computers as a full time professional photographer ( real one, not weekend wedding hack / flickr hack ) and find the 13" is fast enough but *much* easier to travel with, especially in economy class.

The 15" is nice, my first portable was a Ti-400, but the 13" is the go to for travel hands down.[/

Was the smaller screen size hard to get used to?

Also concerned about speed. Sometimes I'm uploading hundreds of pics (I'm a bird photographer and author)

 

[jerryk]

Also concerned about speed. Sometimes I'm uploading hundreds of pics (I'm a bird photographer and author)

Ha! Glad I am not the only one that does that.

"But Canon told me my 1D could focus fast." "Shut up and hold down the release".

 

[oneshotpro]

I've got the same 2010 15" at home and received a "13 at work, which I use with an external monitor.

I think I prefer the smaller size, just don't get the lowest end as it can slow down with some big files.

 

[iizmoo]

I currently have a 15" 2010 MBP with a failing hard drive and battery. I'm trying to decide which MBP to get---either mid 2015 15" MBP? Or 2016 13"?

Not sure I can make the switch from 15" to 13" but thought I'd post here to see what others have experienced.

(I do photography, film and light music editing, writing (lots of writing so keyboard matters).

ETA: Portability isn't an issue but cost is.

If money isn't an issue, the new one is 0.5 lbs lighter, way smaller, and faster than your old one if that helps

I would get it too, but I couldn't justify the extra $1400 over a $2250 13" MBP already, just for 2" of screen and 2 cores of CPU.

 

[Teague]

Ha! Glad I am not the only one that does that.

"But Canon told me my 1D could focus fast." "Shut up and hold down the release".

Haha! That didn't come out quite right.

I've got the same 2010 15" at home and received a "13 at work, which I use with an external monitor.

I think I prefer the smaller size, just don't get the lowest end as it can slow down with some big files.

Thanks for the reminder. I was just checking that one out.

If money isn't an issue, the new one is 0.5 lbs lighter, way smaller, and faster than your old one if that helps

I would get it too, but I couldn't justify the extra $1400 over a $2250 13" MBP already, just for 2" of screen and 2 cores of CPU.

That helps a lot actually.

I hear you about the price. If my hard drive and battery weren't failing I'd wait. I still may end up with 2015 MBP and save some money. It's too bad I need a lot of storage.

 

[UltimateSyn]

I am coming from a 15" MBP and I'm temporarily using a non-Touch Bar 13" MacBook Pro while I wait for my 15" BTO Touch Bar model.

I'm not a huge fan of the extra pound of weight or the bigger footprint, but the usable screen real estate on a 15" is much more comfortable and it gives you a more enjoyable experience when watching full-screen videos or running two applications side-by-side. This 13" feels cramped to me and I can't wait to go back to 15".

 

[therealseebs]

My current machine is a 2015 13" rMBP, before that I was always on 15" or 17". It's a bit of a downgrade, but it's been tolerable for the most part. I run it with an external display most of the time. Conveniently, the actual native retina resolution is identical to the resolution of my 30" monitor.

 

[Teague]

I am coming from a 15" MBP and I'm temporarily using a non-Touch Bar 13" MacBook Pro while I wait for my 15" BTO Touch Bar model.

I'm not a huge fan of the extra pound of weight or the bigger footprint, but the usable screen real estate on a 15" is much more comfortable and it gives you a more enjoyable experience when watching full-screen videos or running two applications side-by-side. This 13" feels cramped to me and I can't wait to go back to 15".

I tried out the 13" and it definitely feels too cramped. I need that extra screen real estate. Now I have to decide between 2016 vs 2015 15". I'd rather wait until all the kinks get worked out with the 2016 but I don't have that luxury.

My current machine is a 2015 13" rMBP, before that I was always on 15" or 17". It's a bit of a downgrade, but it's been tolerable for the most part. I run it with an external display most of the time. Conveniently, the actual native retina resolution is identical to the resolution of my 30" monitor.

After giving the 13" a spin I don't think I could adjust to the smaller screen and would need an external display. Which display do you use btw?

 

[papa8706]

I switched from a 15" a few years back and have had a couple of 13" since then. I've flirted with the idea of bouncing back to the 15" but only because the price gap has closed in with these new updates. I have a desktop I use for more intensive purposes, but I've never had any performance issues with logic pro and or light video editing on the MBP with upgraded RAM.

I def recommend playing around with display and resolution settings if you get a chance. Makes a world of difference when it comes to screen real estate and editing projects.

If the money isn't an issue, the 15" is a powerhouse and the screen size is a plus for editing. That being said, the 13" feels more managable on my lap and under the right settings still works well. External monitors running 60hz and charging off USB-C are really slick nowadays too. Best wishes on whatever route you go

 

[Teague]

I switched from a 15" a few years back and have had a couple of 13" since then. I've flirted with the idea of bouncing back to the 15" but only because the price gap has closed in with these new updates. I have a desktop I use for more intensive purposes, but I've never had any performance issues with logic pro and or light video editing on the MBP with upgraded RAM.

I def recommend playing around with display and resolution settings if you get a chance. Makes a world of difference when it comes to screen real estate and editing projects.

If the money isn't an issue, the 15" is a powerhouse and the screen size is a plus for editing. That being said, the 13" feels more managable on my lap and under the right settings still works well. External monitors running 60hz and charging off USB-C are really slick nowadays too. Best wishes on whatever route you go

I'm going back and forth. I do a lot of editing whether it's images or words. Now I'm toying around with the 13" and external monitor. I injured my back pretty badly trying to get a good shot of birds. I need to figure out how much light the 15" 2016 would be compared with 2015. I don't have a desktop but it would be an easier decision if I did.

 

[MacUserUK]

Sold my top spec 15" 2015 MBP and purchased a entry 13" 2016 MBP

Absolutely zero complaints so far. I do however miss the MagSafe charger

 

[Teague]

Sold my top spec 15" 2015 MBP and purchased a entry 13" 2016 MBP

Absolutely zero complaints so far. I do however miss the MagSafe charger

Yeah I hear you about that. I'm concerned about how much all the dongles will cost. If I went with the 13" I can afford the dongles.

How fast is the 2016 entry model? Any difference between the one you just sold?

 

[MacUserUK]

How fast is the 2016 entry model? Any difference between the one you just sold?

Browsing, emailing and general use I'm pushed to notice any difference. Editing in FCP may be a little slower but I guess you can expect that.

The 13" is so much lighter, the keyboard is a huge improvement and the display (IMHO) is also an improvement

 

[NJRonbo]

No problem going from a 15" MBP to a 13" MBP.

Made that move two years ago.

Loved the smaller footprint. Much lighter. Much better to travel with. Did not miss the screen real estate.

Then I bought a 12" MacBook. Loved it just as much.

I would have stayed with the smaller footprint for the 2016 MBP, but the higher specs (more power) has persuaded me to go back to 15" for my main workstation and use the 12" MacBook for traveling.

However, you will not be disappointed going to a smaller screen. Lighter is always better.