Is the 13" MacBook Pro good for development?

[danest]

I want a 13" MacBook Pro. Is there enough screen space (1280 x 800) for development for iOS apps and web development, with ruby, php and some photoshop.

 

[Jaimi]

I don't think so - too tiny, and too hard to have your IDE, simulator, web browser (or whatever) all open and visible at the same time. I wouldn't use anything less than the high-res 15".

 

[mjoshi123]

I don't think so - too tiny, and too hard to have your IDE, simulator, web browser (or whatever) all open and visible at the same time. I wouldn't use anything less than the high-res 15".

agreed in terms of screen estate it is real pia...

 

[mashsensor]

I want a 13" MacBook Pro. Is there enough screen space (1280 x 800) for development for iOS apps and web development, with ruby, php and some photoshop.

I use it for development no problem. a 15 incher is better but not much better in fitting everything in either. I just plug it into a big screen when home, and take it with me on the go. I am pretty productive on the go with it using Eclipse, and VS. If you travel alot, id go 13 + external monitor combo. If you dont travel a lot, 15 is probably better overall, though id still recommend external monitor when home even with a 15 incher.

 

[adnoh]

yes it is

 

[seek3r]

I want a 13" MacBook Pro. Is there enough screen space (1280 x 800) for development for iOS apps and web development, with ruby, php and some photoshop.

Yes, I know a lot of people who develop on ~12" ultraportables, and have for many years.

Of course it always depends on personal preference and type of work, I find personally a smaller screen fine for pure development but not for the casual media and web browsing use that goes along with my laptop (and I'd rather not carry 2 laptops), so I have a 15". YMMV, if you can , borrow a similarly sized laptop from a friend/relative and try it out (and if worse comes to worse Apple has their 14 day return policy....)

 

[jvmxtra]

if you go that route, why not 13 inch mba?

If you are looking to code on the go, you will need mba not 13 inch mbp...

 

[mehanika]

Ahoy Danest!

I was in the exact same spot, regarding what Mac to get for programming and mobility,

After much consideration (and testing on both the 15" and 13"), i must conclude that the diffrence is really not that big to be honest. I have been using a 13" for the last years, and i didn't find any need to upgrade the screensize.

If you have a 13" allready, you will find no problem using it for programning.

Besides - the computer can be hooked up to huge screens for, when you are home or just have the posibility.