Is the 13" MBP Really that much more portable then the 15"

[Alexx90]

I am working online as an independent Internet marketer and will take the laptop daily to work at near by coffee shops and co working spaces in my city (I don't like working from my place) so will be carrying the machine in my backpack on a daily basis.
I don't really need the extra CPU power of the 15" or the GPU - my main thing is how more comfortable it is for me to use the 15.6 screen vs the portability of the 13"

So I am really curious of the opinion of those who made the switch from 13 to the 15 or from the 15 to the 13 on the 2016/2017/2018 models.
since the 15 is already so light and thin, is the 13 is really all that more comfortable to carry around, working in coffee shops etc?

 

[cheezeit]

I am working online as an independent Internet marketer and will take the laptop daily to work at near by coffee shops and co working spaces in my city (I don't like working from my place) so will be carrying the machine in my backpack on a daily basis.
I don't really need the extra CPU power of the 15" or the GPU - my main thing is how more comfortable it is for me to use the 15.6 screen vs the portability of the 13"

So I am really curious of the opinion of those who made the switch from 13 to the 15 or from the 15 to the 13 on the 2016/2017/2018 models.
since the 15 is already so light and thin, is the 13 is really all that more comfortable to carry around, working in coffee shops etc?

I enjoy the form factor of the 13” more than 15”. It fits in backpack a little easier and is easier i feel to take out and use at coffee shops etc. 15” takes up most the space.

I do enjoy the larger screen but like the extra portability with the sacrifice of a little screen. BUT i do like the 15” more for being able to dock and be a much more powerful desktop solution.

The amount of times i go back and forth between 13” & 15” models is more than i can count but i notice i stay on 13” longer and go 15” when i “want” more power to only realize i don’t “need” it and only “want” it.

With the new quad cpu it helps with power for me and the new egpu solution to be able to use my 5k at home opens up options. Even though I’ll pay a little more than the 15” itself i just prefer for portability.

 

[smallcoffee]

I am working online as an independent Internet marketer and will take the laptop daily to work at near by coffee shops and co working spaces in my city (I don't like working from my place) so will be carrying the machine in my backpack on a daily basis.
I don't really need the extra CPU power of the 15" or the GPU - my main thing is how more comfortable it is for me to use the 15.6 screen vs the portability of the 13"

So I am really curious of the opinion of those who made the switch from 13 to the 15 or from the 15 to the 13 on the 2016/2017/2018 models.
since the 15 is already so light and thin, is the 13 is really all that more comfortable to carry around, working in coffee shops etc?

I went from a 12" MacBook to the 15" MacBook Pro (I also have a 15" for work) so I typically carry two 15" every day. I'd say that what really matters is what your carrying in. If you have a backpack like something you would have had from school? I think you're fine with the 15". The 13" is lighter, but if you're carrying a backpack I think the 15" is worth it.

 

[svgn]

I purchased the 13" for myself, but as a secondary bed/couch computer. I am a programmer and I am on a desk all day long, so I wanted something portable that I can use away from a desk. BUT. If I was in your position, I definitely would choose the 15". You gonna appreciate the bigger screen size as your main computer.

 

[johannnn]

It’s definitely more portable.
1) It fits normal-sized messenger bags.
2) It weights like the MBA, while the 15” weights more like the 2012 non-retina MBP. If you’ve owned them both, you know it’s a big weight difference.

How much you value this difference though, only you would know. The extra screen space on the 15” is very nice as well.

 

[CreeptoLoser]

If you need to multitask larger documents and images side by side then the answer is obvious.

 

[Wehrwolf]

I have an older 15” and just bought a new 13”. For me portability is not so much about thinness or weight, but the actual dimensions of the footprint. The 13” will fit into smaller bags, and is better suited for smaller workspaces like you might find on a coffee shop or cafe table.

The weight difference may only be 1lb but if you’re constantly carrying the laptop around from one place to another, every ounce of weight does add up.

If you need extra screen space when you sit back down at home or the office after being out all day an external monitor is a an option too.

 

[Newtons Apple]

I will gladly pay the penalty for a slightly larger device for that 15” screen. The 15” packs just as well in backpacks, sits on coffee house tables and even on the small table on the back of a seat on a plane.

This is my personal preference, you will have your own.

 

[jerryk]

I just went through this analysis and found the 2016 and later 15" felt much closer in size and feel to their 13" counterparts. And while the 15" is heavier, when I tried them out it actually feels less dense than the 13" because the weight is spread over a larger area.

Then there is the whole cost of getting closer speced configurations, which quickly makes the 13" quite expensive.

 

[537635]

For me personally the 13'' doesn't make much sense. 15 has power, large enough screen for even more complex apps and is still light enough to carry around (in a backpack).

For portability, 12'' Macbook is a much better choice in my opinion. Sure it has worse specs that 13'' Pro but on the other hand it is also much more portable than any of the Pros. I do hope it gets updated soon (keyboard, webcam, another USB-C and Thunderbolt). Then I will seriously think about getting one just for traveling. Much better for my needs than an iPad (Pro).


Of course for somebody else 13'' Pro might be the sweet spot.

 

[Thysanoptera]

I would never use a footprint at a coffee shop as a main selection criteria when choosing a primary work tool. Or even weight nowadays, everything is built thin and light now - I only had issues traveling with 8 pound Clevo, that was a little bit too much. I travel all the time, as in planes/trains/automobiles and used everything between 12 to 17 inch. Light 15 is the sweet spot for mobile workstation, 13 is too small to work on for extended periods of time.

If the coffee table is too small change the coffee table, not your tool.

 

[RobbieTT]

Rather definitive there for what is just a choice. For me 'extended periods of time' = 5k iMac - so the small footprint of the 13" works well when I am out and about.

If I was doing most of my work whilst traveling then yes, I would consider a switch to the 15"; but the 13" MBP is not much bigger than a large iPad and far more usable when on the go.

As an aside, I used to prefer the 15" in the pre-retina days but blessed with ok eyesight and a great screen I can have more workspace on my 13" MBP than I achieved in the past. Of course, I have a colleague who says the same of the (forced) switch from a 17" MBP down to a modern 15" MBP.

The agony of choice I guess, especially as the latest 13" has a credible level of performance.

 

[Thysanoptera]

Rather definitive there for what is just a choice. For me 'extended periods of time' = 5k iMac - so the small footprint of the 13" works well when I am out and about.

That's exactly what I think. 13 is ok as a secondary machine or as a desktop replacement, connected to external display(s). I have MBA but, like someone who wrote before, it is delegated to night table. My 12 inch MB is a kitchen/kids toy. Working on 13 inch screen all day long is not something I would even consider doing at this point in my life. I used to have excellent eyesight, not so much anymore to my own surprise, and looking back I should have invested in larger screens earlier. Actually my worsening eyesight is one of the reasons I switched full time to MBP from Windows laptops, because of superior high-DPI scaling and much better anti-reflecting coating. So while 13 vs 15 is of course personal choice, I believe that one could formulate objective arguments from a health and ergonomics standpoint in favor of 15 inch, especially if we're talking about a primary work tool.

 

[kis]

I went with the 15" model. Honestly, if you carry this around in a backpack you won't notice the weight difference. It's very thin and portable.

 

[ann713]

Used to carry an XPS 15 in a backpack with no issues. I'm a little 5 foot person, too, if that's relevant. I imagine the current 15" MBP's are slightly thinner and lighter, so you should be fine. Totally get you on the extra screen estate as well. It makes all the difference when you need to view documents side-by-side, or even photoediting for that matter. My 12" Macbook feels a bit cramped so I've been debating between the 13/15 MacBook Pro's.

 

[blackreplica]

What apple did very well was scaling down the 15 inch to a weight and thinness more akin to the 13 of yesteryear.

I used to own a 2013 13 and my 2018 15 feels more or less the same when travelling with it. But with the huge advantage of a much bigger screen and more horsepower. I honestly found it annoying to consume media, edit photos or manage multiple open apps with the 13 inch screen for more than short periods of time and am very happy with the 15

 

[Lennyvalentin]

is the 13 is really all that more comfortable to carry around, working in coffee shops etc?

Everything is relative of course, and we're all different how we see things, but the 13" is roughly half a kilogram lighter than the 15", and occupies less than 75% the volume. So considerably smaller and lighter.

The 13" version really is quite small, but maybe you would also consider the 15" machine small enough anyway; I just can't say.

 

[darkmatter343]

I am working online as an independent Internet marketer and will take the laptop daily to work at near by coffee shops and co working spaces in my city (I don't like working from my place) so will be carrying the machine in my backpack on a daily basis.
I don't really need the extra CPU power of the 15" or the GPU - my main thing is how more comfortable it is for me to use the 15.6 screen vs the portability of the 13"

So I am really curious of the opinion of those who made the switch from 13 to the 15 or from the 15 to the 13 on the 2016/2017/2018 models.
since the 15 is already so light and thin, is the 13 is really all that more comfortable to carry around, working in coffee shops etc?

Get the 15", you'll appreciate the extra real-estate. If you went with the 13", I don't think the trade off is worth it, loosing 2" of screen space just to loose 1lb. I don't know if you've had the chance to play with the 15" but it's razor thin and very light.

 

[Jacoblee23]

This is completely subjective. I have a 27” iMac and I feel like the 15” pro is way too big for my preference in a laptop. I’m a 13” guy all the way. To each their own though.

 

[dannyar]

The 15" is the better choice. Those saying they are doing things with the 13" are assuming those things would be more cumbersome or not possible with the 15". I tried both machines out before settling on the 15" because at the end of the day its powerful enough to be a desktop replacement, small and light enough to be carried around a regular size backpack, lighter than just about any 15" laptop available, has a larger display reducing eye strain and improving viewing experience, and overall just a better value if you have only one machine. I actually saved money getting one cause i was able to sell a 2014 imac 5k for $1,000 and replace it with my 15". I needed a new laptop for work and instead of spending 1500-2000 on a laptop, i was able to get a home powerhouse and work laptop with one machine and only had to spend $1600 out of pocket after the imac sale.

 

[lllfyc]

well this is very subjective when talking about weight... but it's good for you to hear others' opinion.

my suggestion would be:
1. compare the laptop you are currently carrying all day
2. go to apple store to play around w/ it

but ... to be honest, you won't able to tell until you really use it yourself
even tho the 1 lbs difference is not much, everything in your backpack does add up

from your post, 13" fits all your need
1. you don't need extra power and gpu from 15"
2. you work on coffee table , smaller the better
3. you carry the laptop everyday, lighter the better

the only one thing you may concern is the larger screen, 15" is definitely bigger than 13" and comfortable to look at and more real estate to work w/. the price difference is huge too.

 

[dannyar]

well this is very subjective when talking about weight... but it's good for you to hear others' opinion.

my suggestion would be:
1. compare the laptop you are currently carrying all day
2. go to apple store to play around w/ it

but ... to be honest, you won't able to tell until you really use it yourself
even tho the 1 lbs difference is not much, everything in your backpack does add up

from your post, 13" fits all your need
1. you don't need extra power and gpu from 15"
2. you work on coffee table , smaller the better
3. you carry the laptop everyday, lighter the better

the only one thing you may concern is the larger screen, 15" is definitely bigger than 13" and comfortable to look at and more real estate to work w/. the price difference is huge too.

The price difference isnt so huge. The base model 15 with edu is 2249 vs 1700 for the base 13. You get 16gb standard with the 15 which is a $200 upgrade for the 13". So roughly $549 more base vs base and only $349 more if you match them RAM wise at 16gb. Id say its worth it.

 

[lllfyc]

The price difference isnt so huge. The base model 15 with edu is 2249 vs 1700 for the base 13. You get 16gb standard with the 15 which is a $200 upgrade for the 13". So roughly $549 more base vs base and only $349 more if you match them RAM wise at 16gb. Id say its worth it.

money is also subjective.

to me i think if it is needed, it is worth it.
either it is 1" smaller and lighter as the 13", or more power and ram as the 15".

 

[dannyar]

money is also subjective.

to me i think if it is needed, it is worth it.
either it is 1" smaller and lighter as the 13", or more power and ram as the 15".

See thats the thing, most people, myself included don't NEED a 15". But we buy it because at the end of the day no one wants a slow machine that will be outdated within a few years. The 15" with all its power extends its lifespan considerably over the 13". I also don't buy the whole " But I don't need the power" argument. Unless you are really nickel and diming then the few hundred dollars extra buys you a considerably more powerful machine that you can push harder. "But my tasks are all light and I don't need it!" Well when you have a machine that you can push then you tend to start pushing it beyond things you normally wouldn't do. Don't normally edit video? Well maybe having a machine like this will push you to try it out. Don't play games? Well maybe having a machine that can do some casual gaming will get you to game more. See where I'm going with this? Stop limiting yourself for the sake of limiting yourself. IF you can afford it go for the 15" and enjoy it as it was meant to be enjoyed.

 

[Mac-key]

Moving from a 13 to a 15 was NO PROBLEM at all for me... the difference is minimal and I work out of coffee shops DAILY. I just don't understand this obsession with the 13 being SO portable while the 15 inch is such a MASSIVE NON-PORTABLE desktop like computer.

To me, if you need the screen real estate - there is no question OR sacrifice - get the 15 inch