Is a 15" Retina Macbook Pro too big to carry around a college campus?

[gametime10]

The issue with the 15" rMBP is not the weight but size. It does have a larger footprint that can be difficult to fit on some college desks.

As far as weight, get a good backpack and you'll be fine.

 

[inhalexhale1]

Just curious..

Also, do I still get the one-year warranty if I purchase from Amazon?

If I get the 13" model.. I'm going with Amazon since I'm not taxed there. With Apple's Store I'll be paying like $120 I think... even with education discount it will be around $1500 and on Amazon it's only $1419..

I've carried my 15" rMBP around and it's very mobile. It won't be iPad or Air light of course. Compare it to the cMBP 13": It weighs the same, and many college students carry that around. Also, when I picked up a 13" rMBP at the Apple Store, it really didn't feel all that much lighter than my 15". I think the difference is less than a pound.

 

[PDFierro]

I would highly recommend a new MacBook Air over either rMBP. I have a 15" and although it isn't terrible to carry around campus, it barely fits in most of my lecture halls and feels cramped to use. If I could do it all over, I definitely would have purchased either the 13" MBA or 13" rMBP.

That's debatable. The Retina screen is a big deal for some people.

 

[F1 Fan]

Weight shouldn't even enter your decision making process. If I were carrying my 15" rMBP in a rucksack with a couple of books and someone removed the rMBP, I might not even notice!

Assuming you can manage to open doors and you don't get crushed to death by your duvet at night then you'll be able to carry a rMBP around

 

[Mr. RPG]

Hi Mr. RPG. There is tax in Macmall for TN. I think you should try to get a 15", just know that your parents will likely not want to pay for that. The 13" is still a great computer and very powerful for your uses.

I am still going to try for the 15" refurb.. Curious, will it be without scratches and dirt? Because that's a deal breaker for me. Have you seen complaints about that?

I sure do hope so. The ONLY reason I don't really like the 13" is.. that HD 4000.. It screams weak to me. With the 13" can I use the HDMI to have two screens at once? (one from a HD monitor and then my 13" rMBP)

It's only 1 pound in difference. I can't see how it's that BIG of a deal like the OP is making it out to be. It's absolutely going to break your back.

For me, it's about the size and how much larger the 15-inch is. Not to mention the price difference.

Yeah, the size is probably more important and is what I meant.

The issue with the 15" rMBP is not the weight but size. It does have a larger footprint that can be difficult to fit on some college desks.

As far as weight, get a good backpack and you'll be fine.

You're right. Size is probably more important.

Weight shouldn't even enter your decision making process. If I were carrying my 15" rMBP in a rucksack with a couple of books and someone removed the rMBP, I might not even notice!

Assuming you can manage to open doors and you don't get crushed to death by your duvet at night then you'll be able to carry a rMBP around

Duvet..?

 

[CJM]

My ex had me lug her 15" cMBP back and forth from her house a few times and though it was noticeable, I don't think it would have put me off buying one considering the extra power you got. And I was skinnier then than I am now.

So I can't imagine a rMBP being that much of an issue if you have it in a satchel that goes across your back. I can't wait to buy one for myself so I can see what it's like day to day.

----------

You're right. Size is probably more important.



Duvet..?

It was a joke. As in, 'don't get crushed under the weight of your duvet at night'.

 

[kis]

I am still going to try for the 15" refurb.. Curious, will it be without scratches and dirt? Because that's a deal breaker for me. Have you seen complaints about that?

I sure do hope so. The ONLY reason I don't really like the 13" is.. that HD 4000.. It screams weak to me. With the 13" can I use the HDMI to have two screens at once? (one from a HD monitor and then my 13" rMBP)



Yeah, the size is probably more important and is what I meant.



You're right. Size is probably more important.



Duvet..?

Blanket.

 

[Brandon0448]

I am still going to try for the 15" refurb.. Curious, will it be without scratches and dirt? Because that's a deal breaker for me. Have you seen complaints about that?

I sure do hope so. The ONLY reason I don't really like the 13" is.. that HD 4000.. It screams weak to me. With the 13" can I use the HDMI to have two screens at once? (one from a HD monitor and then my 13" rMBP)



Yeah, the size is probably more important and is what I meant.



You're right. Size is probably more important.



Duvet..?

If I were you I would get the 15". I was a computer science major but just recently changed over to computer system engineering. I have a 13" MBA and find that the small screen can become very cramped while programming. While I doubt the extra 2" will make all that much of a difference I would get the 15" for the better processor and discrete graphics. I find the integrated graphics to be a bit underwhelming at times.

What you really need for programming is a decent multimonitor setup. Whether you do that with a cheap desktop or a rMBP. You will find yourself switching between pages so much trying to look stuff up / view example code and program at the same time. It is easy to code on one screen if you know what you are doing but not while learning.

Also I would be surprised if you even use your laptop in class for any actual school work so the size doesn't really matter. Trying to take notes on a laptop is a joke. You just can't beat a good old pencil and notebook for efficient note taking. Plus it is hard to pay attention when you have much more entertaining stuff just clicks away in front of you. All the kids I see on their laptops in class are either on facebook, browsing the web or playing a game.

I am seriously considering giving my mom my MBA and getting myself a 15" rMBP once the Haswel versions come out. The extra battery life Apple has been able to get with those processors is just amazing. Plus my poor MBA struggles trying to launch Kerbals into orbit.

 

[iPoopeh]

I am still going to try for the 15" refurb.. Curious, will it be without scratches and dirt? Because that's a deal breaker for me. Have you seen complaints about that?

I personally don't have any experience with refurbs, however my friend has a refurbished cMBP 15''. He loves it, no scratches or anything. However if you do, you can always return it for a replacement!

 

[sofianito]

My ex had me lug her 15" cMBP back and forth from her house a few times and though it was noticeable

Who broke first?

 

[Mr. RPG]

I personally don't have any experience with refurbs, however my friend has a refurbished cMBP 15''. He loves it, no scratches or anything. However if you do, you can always return it for a replacement!

My parents would be infuriated if they had to return it, haha.

If I were you I would get the 15". I was a computer science major but just recently changed over to computer system engineering. I have a 13" MBA and find that the small screen can become very cramped while programming. While I doubt the extra 2" will make all that much of a difference I would get the 15" for the better processor and discrete graphics. I find the integrated graphics to be a bit underwhelming at times.

What you really need for programming is a decent multimonitor setup. Whether you do that with a cheap desktop or a rMBP. You will find yourself switching between pages so much trying to look stuff up / view example code and program at the same time. It is easy to code on one screen if you know what you are doing but not while learning.

Also I would be surprised if you even use your laptop in class for any actual school work so the size doesn't really matter. Trying to take notes on a laptop is a joke. You just can't beat a good old pencil and notebook for efficient note taking. Plus it is hard to pay attention when you have much more entertaining stuff just clicks away in front of you. All the kids I see on their laptops in class are either on facebook, browsing the web or playing a game.

I am seriously considering giving my mom my MBA and getting myself a 15" rMBP once the Haswel versions come out. The extra battery life Apple has been able to get with those processors is just amazing. Plus my poor MBA struggles trying to launch Kerbals into orbit.

I have one 24" HD monitor that I will use as an external monitor. I think I'll be okay with that AND the 15"/13" rMBP.

Have you dealt with refurbs before? How are they?

 

[maxosx]

Those who find a 15" MBPr a bit on the heavy side for carrying around daily have a far more serious problem than deciding which laptop to buy.

You have a fitness problem. If less than 5 lbs in addition to what's already in your bag to backpack is too much, you're not even close to average fitness levels.

Time to get fit!

 

[Mr. RPG]

Those who find a 15" MBPr a bit on the heavy side for carrying around daily have a far more serious problem than deciding which laptop to buy.

You have a fitness problem. If less than 5 lbs in addition to what's already in your bag to backpack is too much, you're not even close to average fitness levels.

Time to get fit!

That's not it. I was just curious what most people thought though.

I'm more worried of getting a dented, scratched, DoA 15" rMBP though.

 

[sofianito]

I'm more worried of getting a dented, scratched, DoA 15" rMBP though.

Worries = loss of vital energy!. Stop worrying and be confident.

WYTIWYG pattern: What You Think Is What You Get. This is the fundamental law of attraction. Your thoughts get materialized...

 

[Mr. RPG]

Worries = loss of vital energy!. Stop worrying and be confident.

WYTIWYG pattern: What You Think Is What You Get. This is the fundamental law of attraction. Your thoughts get materialized...

Maybe you should get it for me then Save me the trouble. Bahahaha.

I guess I'll just have to risk it.

 

[iPoopeh]

My parents would be infuriated if they had to return it, haha.

I say stay positive. The Apple Refurbished Mac's are usually 'good as new' quality. Don't forget, you're on a forum, a place where you shall see people complain. I'm more than sure a lot of people out there don't really have these problems as soon as they open up their rMBP's/MBP's! :'D
Are you also getting Apple Care for your rMBP? I'm debating if it's worth the extra money to get it.

 

[Mr. RPG]

I say stay positive. The Apple Refurbished Mac's are usually 'good as new' quality. Don't forget, you're on a forum, a place where you shall see people complain. I'm more than sure a lot of people out there don't really have these problems as soon as they open up their rMBP's/MBP's! :'D
Are you also getting Apple Care for your rMBP? I'm debating if it's worth the extra money to get it.

I plan on getting it later on, not yet.

 

[Gonzo3333]

Also I would be surprised if you even use your laptop in class for any actual school work so the size doesn't really matter. Trying to take notes on a laptop is a joke. You just can't beat a good old pencil and notebook for efficient note taking. Plus it is hard to pay attention when you have much more entertaining stuff just clicks away in front of you. All the kids I see on their laptops in class are either on facebook, browsing the web or playing a game.

This is very good advice. I tried taking notes with a laptop for a lecture or two and ended up forgetting everything about the lessons. Pencil combined with an eraser as well as a dedicated PAPER notebook are the best way to retain the information from the lessons you just learned. I would suggest getting a scanner to digitize your notes so you can share with others that you may study with. Just make sure you get the HB lead for your pencil, I would always break part of the lead in the middle of a sentence because I write very heavy just like I am an angry typer. If you physically write things down on paper you will probably retain the information much better than if you just typed it out.

Anyway, good luck on your scholastic adventures and remember you can change your mind about your major. Just don't major in English, History or Art.

 

[Mr. RPG]

This is very good advice. I tried taking notes with a laptop for a lecture or two and ended up forgetting everything about the lessons. Pencil combined with an eraser as well as a dedicated PAPER notebook are the best way to retain the information from the lessons you just learned. I would suggest getting a scanner to digitize your notes so you can share with others that you may study with. Just make sure you get the HB lead for your pencil, I would always break part of the lead in the middle of a sentence because I write very heavy just like I am an angry typer. If you physically write things down on paper you will probably retain the information much better than if you just typed it out.

Anyway, good luck on your scholastic adventures and remember you can change your mind about your major. Just don't major in English, History or Art.

My major is Computer Science.

 

[iPoopeh]

I plan on getting it later on, not yet.

Yeah that's what I'm planning to do...> >' Pretty expensive to get it right away.

Anyway, good luck on your scholastic adventures and remember you can change your mind about your major. Just don't major in English, History or Art.

:B What's wrong with an Art Major? My Major is Graphic Design, so far, many people have been telling me that's great to go for. And my mom is a English Major [plus something else, can't remember at the moment.]

 

[Mr. RPG]

Yeah that's what I'm planning to do...> >' Pretty expensive to get it right away.



:B What's wrong with an Art Major? My Major is Graphic Design, so far, many people have been telling me that's great to go for. And my mom is a English Major [plus something else, can't remember at the moment.]

Graphic Design..? Do you do commissions?

 

[iPoopeh]

Graphic Design..? Do you do commissions?

Haha. I did actually take commissions for my artwork. I'm finally breaking out of a VERY long hiatus, due to lack of motivation...

 

[Mr. RPG]

Haha. I did actually take commissions for my artwork. I'm finally breaking out of a VERY long hiatus, due to lack of motivation...

Ah, well if you ever need money, come to me! I am looking for artwork and stuff.

 

[Gonzo3333]

:B What's wrong with an Art Major? My Major is Graphic Design, so far, many people have been telling me that's great to go for. And my mom is a English Major [plus something else, can't remember at the moment.]

Art should be for studied if anything, unless you are a totally creative professional with lots of friends that are successful in the art scene. The vast majority of people with an art degree find out they wasted their time and will not make as much money as somebody that has a useful degree.

 

[thekev]

A good display is crucial for me. No way.

The 13" rmbp also has a better screen than the Air. The weight is very similar to the air. I don't think the 15" rmbp is heavy. I've carried a 17". Notebooks for me are all cramped on screen real estate, so it's just a matter of how cramped. Outside of Apple, 15" is often referred to as the most popular US size. Part of the 13" popularity with Macs is related to the starting price of 15" models.

The issue with the 15" rMBP is not the weight but size. It does have a larger footprint that can be difficult to fit on some college desks.

That's a good point, but it depends on the school. A lot of kids use 15" notebooks though.

Have you dealt with refurbs before? How are they?

You're asking one person right there. Look through the forum. You will find plenty of computer issues listed when it comes to image retention (often referred to as image persistence elsewhere) or yellow screens. You will not find a lot of refurbished complaints. They seem to be a very safe buy.

That's not it. I was just curious what most people thought though.

I'm more worried of getting a dented, scratched, DoA 15" rMBP though.

That won't happen, and I'm not sure the risk of out of the box problems is really lower with a new one. Many of the refurbished models are returns, and they are checked out. Refurbished sales are really just a way of ensuring they don't lose money.