high end 15 inch Vs 17 inch

[Erasmus]

How does it differ?

It's literally a sheet of glass.

Normal glossy screens are just perspex or something similar, ie plastic.

 

[tim100]

i have owned both. 17 is great but it is not very portable

 

[akdj]

I have both. The 17" is my favorite. The only concern I have is reading that you've ordered glossy.

It's not glossy like other brands, it's a mirror. The glass cover is just brutal. A change Apple made a few years ago after a market study revealed shiny toys in the store sell best. The people that have never had anti-glare simply don't know any better. Eye strain (no matter how good your vision is) is an issue. Especially using it for work.

At first glance glossy "looks nice" but are you buying it to admire or use?

My Macs are the tools I make my living with, I don't care what they look like, I care about functionality. The 17" hi-res anti-glare is ideal for software creation and design work.

Cheers

LOL...I will have to remember that the next time I send my invoices out. My "Glossy machines aren't capable of creation and design work" Totally ridiculous. Doesn't matter what type of panel you choose...it's all personal preference. For TRUE, high end "design" work...especially high end video/photo/graphics work...NONE of these "included" MBP panels are of premier quality...you'll have to go with an external Pro model...Eizo, NEC, et al. My Macs are also paying my mortgage (both of them), car payments, etc. I prefer glossy...but I also have a couple of Eizo Color Edge monitors for true color grading...the CG245 and CG243. BIG difference!!! Big HUGE difference!!!

When it comes to buying your MBP, buy what you prefer...you'll be able to calibrate either of them "pretty" well...but neither are of professional caliber, and either can "Make you money" if that's what your job necessitates.

Things you should keep in mind:

1) The 17" is simply too big to feasibly be a portable computer. Anyone who's carried around a laptop this big will tell you that this is exclusively a desktop-replacement system, so forget any type of mobility. That being said, in my opinion the 15" is also too large for mobility needs.

3) The resell value of a 15" is slightly better since it's more popular than the 17". That being said, the difference shouldnt be that significant.

All in all, if you are looking exclusively for a desktop-replacement laptop that won't be leave your desk at any point, I'd go for the 17" for the extra screen resolution.

PS: the glossy screen is simply ridiculous in my opinion: WAY too much reflection.

YOU need a trip...or several trips to the gym my friend! I carry my 17" MBP every day to my jobs in the field...they go everywhere, all the time! With the exception of airplanes, where I prefer my iPad....my MBP is always with me. To me it's mind blowing how many folks chime in with this non-fact! It's pitiful that you guys have a hard time carrying a 6 pound laptop! Seriously. Pitiful! Goodness....get out from behind that keyboard, lift some weights, go for a jog...something, ANYTHING!!! Just get in some sort of shape (other than round)....and again, "Ridiculous" is a ridiculous way to define Apple's glossy screen. There are few other, if any laptops on the market...from ANY manufacturer that compare to the look of Apple's laptops...display-wise!

I should mention...I own BOTH! I have a couple of 23" ACDs (non-glossy), a couple of 15" MBPs and a 15" PB...all anti-glare, and a 15" and 2 17" MBPs all glossy...as well, all of our field computers are iMacs...obviously Glossy. All used in less than optimal conditions....constantly. I've never, every had an issue with the glossy screen reflections. This is an overblown, non fact! If you dig it, OP....good job, and congratulations on the new purchase! You got yourself one bad ass machine!

J