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Is 15'' small for serious development?

sioannou

sioannou

macrumors member
Original poster
Mar 25, 2010
99
0
Nicosia Cyprus
Just wondering what you guys think. Since I've beginning use my 15'' as my primary development machine I feel I am missing some small but important features a bigger screen could offer.

I've tried many times to write a code on the 15" screen but I don't feel very comfortable with it. Mainly, because most of the times i need Xcode to be side by side with my browser which is impossible in 15" screen. Of course when I am at home I use my samsung synchmaster 2232bw 22" but again I am kinda of missing the two monitors where I have the browser open in one screen and on the other visual studio for example.

Of course there is a solution to this and this is called thunderbolt displays, but for the moment there are out of my budget :p

When I am in the road I could use the laptop's screen for checking the code etc. I've been playing around with this issue recently and I've came across with a temporary solution. I've enabled the "minimize windows into application icon" which helped me a lot because I was always searching for the correct firefox window in my dock. I know the apple + tab key combination and spaces which actually I am using a lot, but are there any applications which you think that could make my life easier when switching from application to application?

2. Do you also find the 15" a small screen for using with Xcode or is me that I am used to like big screens?

Thanks in advance.
 
I don't see a need for anything bigger than a 13" screen, others want a bigger screen. The screen is usually 18 to 24 inches from my face.

Others don't like a small screen, so to each their own.

Sounds like you need a 17" or bigger.
 
I think you are inching closer to a MBP 17"...

For my development work, I find that a higher resolution is a must, but an external monitor is not always a must.
 
Get a 17inch than. sounds better if you don't like 15inch although it will be more expensive.
 
Do you have the standard or the hi-res 15''? The hi-res has exactly the same resolution as your external monitor.

The 17'' has about 25% more pixels than the 15'' hi-res. This is quite notable, and could make a difference for you.

I'm fine with the 15'' hi-res.

Connecting two external displays is a different issue and has nothing to do with the 15'' vs. 17''.
 
I'm an iOS developer (with 20/40 vision, near-sighted) with >100,000 users and I've done everything on MBP and MBA 13". I just use Spaces with Chrome in full screen mode for browsing and then Xcode in my main space. Works great.
 
You could just the 13" if you want to travel with it and cut down on the weight and connect it to a 27" TB display. Sure, the display will cost you another $1000 but this is an alternative. 17" on a laptop isn't my cup of tea so I wouldn't suggest that (notice the first person reference there). If you don't need portability, iMac is ideal for your usage. On the other hand, you could always buy a $400 TV and connect the HDMI to your Mac. I have a 32" and I plan on doing just that after New Years. If only I could somehow do it wirelessly...
 
if its your primary workstation go with 17", for carry and use in desk/bed.

but if you plan to use the mbp anywhere you go, the 17" might be a bit big to use in your lap or public places, a 15" hi-res would be more mobile.

for me the min I can use for dev is a 15" 1680x1050, If you don't mind carrying the 17" around, go for the bigger one.
 
there is a mini-dp -> DVI adapter in the apple store that lets you use virtually any external monitor with the macbook pro. No need to spend $1000 on apple's thunderbolt monitor.
 
Freyqq said:
there is a mini-dp -> DVI adapter in the apple store that lets you use virtually any external monitor with the macbook pro. No need to spend $1000 on apple's thunderbolt monitor.
Click to expand...

He wants to connect two external displays, not just one. A splitter should do the job, I'm not sure what the maximal resolution is that the GPU can handle.

Amazon has cheap splitters:
http://www.amazon.com/StarTech-com-8-Inch-Female-Cable-DMSDVIDVI1/dp/B0017K6BBO/ref=pd_sim_e_2


edit: After a bit more search, I'm not sure if the cheap splitters will do the job (or, rather, I'm quite sure they won't). Have a look here: https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/1267675/
 
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My 15" mid 2010 hi-res anti-glare works for development work. I wouldn't want to use a low-res model.

Yet that said, I greatly prefer my new 17" hi-res anti-glare MBP for the same work since I have more room for two or more windows to be open concurrently. I've been using 17" MBP's for several years now and find them ideal for my usage. At a mere one pound more than a 15", with a footprint only marginally larger the size & light weight make it easily portable for me. Best of all is it's gorgeous & very spacious display.

Your preferences may differ.
 
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