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How well is the 17" MBP as a portable laptop?
- Thread starter AMacbook
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Well.. it doesn't fit in your average size backpack. I don't precisely have a small backpack and my 15" fits with 2 cm separating it from the zipper. The MBP is no doubt heavier than the Air.. so if you are to carry it from place to place it might not be too much of a comfortable ride
I travel with it everyday by bike for ten kilometres with a good backpack.
It is portable for its size and I wouldn't want it any smaller now, just due to its resolution.
It is portable for its size and I wouldn't want it any smaller now, just due to its resolution.
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Had the same question as you, ended up buying a 17". Compare the size specs on the apple website and you will notice itsnot much bigger then a 15. Buy a good bag andbe happy
Had the same question as you, ended up buying a 17". Compare the size specs on the apple website and you will notice itsnot much bigger then a 15. Buy a good bag andbe happy
I would say a really nice backpack as opposed to a satchel style. You'll be thankful for even weight distribution after a long distance.
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Had the same question as you, ended up buying a 17". Compare the size specs on the apple website and you will notice itsnot much bigger then a 15. Buy a good bag andbe happy
Is the extra 300 bucks worth the 2" of screen real estate?
That's the real question - size really isn't much different. More important than the 2" of physical size is the higher resolution (1920x1200 IIRC). I took the middle route with the 15" hi-res though (1680x1050) and couldn't be happier
That's the real question - size really isn't much different. More important than the 2" of physical size is the higher resolution (1920x1200 IIRC). I took the middle route with the 15" hi-res though (1680x1050) and couldn't be happier
Are either of the 2 screen resolutions HD?
None are 1080P. 1080p is 16:9, whereas the MBP is 16:10. The hi-res screens (1920x1200 and 1680x1050) will both play HD at good quality.
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To the point: only the 17" wil play full hd at native resolution. The 15" in either normal or hires screen will downscale full hd on fullscreen
To the point: only the 17" wil play full hd at native resolution. The 15" in either normal or hires screen will downscale full hd on fullscreen
I had one and now I have a 15.
I considered it a portable desktop replacement. It almost never moved, but it was nice that it was possible to do so. Possible, but not convenient or comfortable.
Now I need to be mobile more often and I'm glad I got the 15.
I considered it a portable desktop replacement. It almost never moved, but it was nice that it was possible to do so. Possible, but not convenient or comfortable.
Now I need to be mobile more often and I'm glad I got the 15.
It's funny me my cousin and his friend all just bought the latest MBP's by no coincidence. I got the 15' my cuz bought the 13' and his mate got the 17' and he really regrets it. He thought he got a good deal because it was the display model and last one so he got it for £500 cheaper, but now he wishes he got the 15" like me. It's just to damn heavy he says and taking it out is just a nightmare. So my opinion is get the 15" and if you have the money just spend it on upgrades on the Apple site.
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There's only a pound difference between any model and the adjacent one, I can't imagine it's such a big deal.
There's only a pound difference between any model and the adjacent one, I can't imagine it's such a big deal.
Exactly.
It's very thin and very flat. It's smaller than my dads 15" Toshiba.
I carry it into the bathroom when I poop and it is very convenient to move it around because of it's sleek solid build. You can carry it with one hand like a tray and walk around using it with one hand, facetiming with people full screen while people watch you in envy like you're from the future.
Carry it in a bag and it's very light.
My boyfriend has had his 17" mbp since either late 07 or early 08, and the size is really annoying to him as of late, and he doesn't enjoy taking it out as a portable machine. Then again, his mom did just get a new 13" mbp, so it could just be new mac envy . But he also has a beautiful 27" HD desktop, so he doesn't really have a reason for such a large laptop anymore.
. But he also has a beautiful 27" HD desktop, so he doesn't really have a reason for such a large laptop anymore.EW^ not to mention all the other things people use their computers for...
"How well is the 17" MBP as a portable laptop?"
It is a portable as you make. When I want my laptop my 17" goes, when I want something smaller or not as much horsepower then the ipad goes.
It is a portable as you make. When I want my laptop my 17" goes, when I want something smaller or not as much horsepower then the ipad goes.
My boyfriend has had his 17" mbp since either late 07 or early 08, and the size is really annoying to him as of late, and he doesn't enjoy taking it out as a portable machine. Then again, his mom did just get a new 13" mbp, so it could just be new mac envy
EW^ not to mention all the other things people use their computers for...
I hope you're not implying about people busting a nut on the keyboard?
But anyway, I have a feeling its just envy because if his is from 07-08, its not quite the same as far as perception. I dunno anyone who would be happy (and not in denial) with any 5 year old technological device.
When I went from the 13 to the 17, I was worried in my mind beforehand about such thoughts but after I got the 17 I realized it was all perception.
I love my MBP 17"! The display is so great with all my musicproduction apps - it's great to be able to really stretch out an arrangement over the screen. The size isn't much bigger than the 15" and the weight is nothing, come on - it's even lighter than my old PLASTIC 15" PowerBook G3 (Pismo)! I carry it around where ever I go in a small 20 litre backpack and it moves around in my home too... Perfect for widescreen sofasurfing!
Like many people here, I've owned all three sizes. As always, the question of which size to get depends on what you're using it for.
Personally, I think the 17" is a quasi-portable desktop replacement--it's just a bit too big and heavy to carry around as frequently as I have to. I love the 13" for its form factor and how easy it is to carry around, and I think the 15" is the best combination of screen real estate and portability.
Granted, the 17" is only 1 lb heavier, but it feels like more to me when you're carrying it around a lot. So to answer the thread question, for me it is OK at best.
Personally, I think the 17" is a quasi-portable desktop replacement--it's just a bit too big and heavy to carry around as frequently as I have to. I love the 13" for its form factor and how easy it is to carry around, and I think the 15" is the best combination of screen real estate and portability.
Granted, the 17" is only 1 lb heavier, but it feels like more to me when you're carrying it around a lot. So to answer the thread question, for me it is OK at best.
The 17" is awesome! Get a good bag that distributes weight like the black hamptions bag from the apple website and youre golden.
On the other hand I'm 6"8' so my idea of small and portable may be different than yours.
To be honest, if I had to carry my machine around to several places all day every day with limited workspace (like school) I would get a MBA, unless youre doing more computing than 99% of users it would work just fine, infact with the ssd its faster than a stock MBP.
get both I'm going to
On the other hand I'm 6"8' so my idea of small and portable may be different than yours.
To be honest, if I had to carry my machine around to several places all day every day with limited workspace (like school) I would get a MBA, unless youre doing more computing than 99% of users it would work just fine, infact with the ssd its faster than a stock MBP.
get both
I'm going to
The question isn't really "Is the 17" portable" as there are plenty of people who carry one around. A much more appropriate question is "Am I going to feel more tired of carrying around a 17" laptop compared to the 15" when I'm not gaining performance, only screen size?"
It's an important fact because if you really needed to move around a 17" laptop, you could, where as you simply can't with a desktop (at least not in your backpack).
I personally have owned 2 17" laptops at different points of time and had to return them because it was just too much for my back to carry around all day. The 15" suited me much better. I also think that if you're getting the 17" for its resolution, you'd more often than not be better suited with an external display (unless you work in a place with no extra desk space or you need that specific resolution on the go).
$200 can go a long way towards buying some nifty things like an SSD, some RAM, or even a 27" Apple Cinema Display which will beat the pants off of ANY laptop screen out there (but of course costs $950+).
It's an important fact because if you really needed to move around a 17" laptop, you could, where as you simply can't with a desktop (at least not in your backpack).
I personally have owned 2 17" laptops at different points of time and had to return them because it was just too much for my back to carry around all day. The 15" suited me much better. I also think that if you're getting the 17" for its resolution, you'd more often than not be better suited with an external display (unless you work in a place with no extra desk space or you need that specific resolution on the go).
$200 can go a long way towards buying some nifty things like an SSD, some RAM, or even a 27" Apple Cinema Display which will beat the pants off of ANY laptop screen out there (but of course costs $950+).
