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

[PhilMacbook]

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 But we buy it because at the end of the day no one wants a slow machine that will be outdated within a few years.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.

Sorry, but I don't see where you are going with it. I don't edit video or play games and never want to. I am too busy doing things I really want to do in life to play computer games. There are a million things in life we could do and with many of those, surprisingly for some, you don't even need a computer.

You mentioned people limiting themselves - could spending so much time on your computer be limiting yourself?

Life is short for all of us and many have no intention of playing games or editing video because we are too busy doing what we really want to do.

Many of us have consuming hobbies and careers that leave little time for gaming. That is not limiting ourselves. Maybe you are limiting yourself by spending so much time gaming, editing video and buying laptops you won't keep because you can't make up your mind up.

With MBP sizes there is no right answer, only a right answer for the individual. Heaven knows why you put considerable time and effort into trying to convince everyone a 15" is the only way to go. Do you also tell your neighbours their car isn't the one you would have chosen?

I haven't bought my 2018 MBP yet purely because I haven't had a spare half a day to buy it, check it all works and migrate my data. I haven't decided on a size yet and I may get a 15" if I decide they are portable enough but I have been using 13" MBPs for the last 10 years and think they are absolutely fine. I travel a lot and for those who do the portability is a big factor.

 

[lllfyc]

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.

your opinion is legit to you. there is no right or wrong too.

I am using my 13" early 2015 i5/16/512 for almost 3 years now and don't find any lag with it

 

[svgn]

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.

Did you buy i9/32/4TB version? Who knows maybe you will start editing n-K videos that will need 4TB and the external drives will be too slow. Don't limit yourself and buy things that you may need.

So, you are saying that 13" models will be outdated 2 times faster than 15" models? That's because of missing 2 cores or ram speed difference or dgpu or because of the smaller screen?

Stop trying to convince everyone that 15" is the best choice ever, please. Just share your honest experience. It's not a competition.

 

[ann713]

This escalated real quickly. It all comes down to personal preference so there's no need to ridicule one another. Some people prefer the standard sized iPhones, and others go for the Plus's, for instance.

 

[ofarlig]

Remember that many people who get the 15" for the real estate will not even run it in a higher resolution than you can on the 13" meaning they get no actual real estate.

 

[Vazza]

Remember that many people who get the 15" for the real estate will not even run it in a higher resolution than you can on the 13" meaning they get no actual real estate.

I have a 2018 13” MBP and it’s a fine machine with so much power on tap but after week using it, I’ve come to the realisation that it’s physically too small...I could read from the screen fine and didn’t feel I needed more screen real estate but because of the machine’s overall height when open, I found myself hunching over it when typing etc. I’m returning mine with some sadness and going for a 15” instead. Although I could use it with an external monitor I wouldn’t have access to this if at work necessarily or if at a friend’s house etc.

 

[Adeel_]

I have a mid 2010 15”.

I traveled a lot with my MBP, it was fine.

 

[peter329]

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.

Same here!

 

[PhilMacbook]

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.

Isn't the 2018 13" MBP faster than the 2017 15" MBP? If that is the case then buying a 2017 15" MBP didn't stop it being 'outdated' within 1 year. Future proofing doesn't always work out well.

 

[Vazza]

Isn't the 2018 13" MBP faster than the 2017 15" MBP? If that is the case then buying a 2017 15" MBP didn't stop it being 'outdated' within 1 year. Future proofing doesn't always work out well.

I agree there is no such thing as future proofing but the next big step up won’t be for a few years...I mean we waited a while for these new CPUs with their 4/6 cores. It’s why I’m going for the base 15” as I don’t think for my use case I need more and with the £200 I “save” by not going for the mid stock 15” model, I can use that towards AppleCare or my next laptop in 5 years.

 

[cdcastillo]

No, it is not

 

[bevsb2]

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.

Agree. It is easier for me to read on the 15" screen. Another issue related to ergonomics is the height of the screen. I use my computer on the dining room table. I have arthritis in my neck and using a computer with a lower screen bothers my neck. Since most of my computer use is at home the difference in weight isn't a significant issue for me.

 

[Daveiggy]

I went from a Sony Vaio TZ 11.1" to a 2012 15" MBP Retina (the last of the affordable 15"MBP with 2 graphics cards for £1799, it was possible once wasn't it apple ;-) sorry had to get that dig in there) and I just couldn't go back to 13". So I'd say if you're coming from anything equal or lower than 13" then get that model, once you've been spoiled its hard to re adjust (feel sorry for any 17" MBP owners that have nowhere to go but down)

 

[macintoshmac]

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.

Your sig echoes your reasoning very well; having a desktop (could be a 15" with a monitor) and the smallest laptop (12") for on the move. Best of both worlds. I am, myself, considering this particular switch to a 15"/desktop and a 12" for travelling.

Now, on topic:

I went from a 1440x900 2011 MBP 15 as my only computer to a scaled 1440x900 2016 MBP 13 as my only computer. Now, my shift included two things, one to retina and second, screen size. While I travelled, this never bothered me. Some days ago, I made the resolution scale up to 1680x1050, and I am not going back to 1440 again.

Upon reading more and more about the shift between 15 and 13, and from my own personal experience with the 2011 15" I have realised that 15" is a sweet spot for notebooks, for me. I do have to crane my neck a little more, and initially I chalked it down to the diminutive size of the notebook, but now I am wondering if I should give the 15 a try, especially since I am now not travelling anymore.

At my current age I might not feel the pain of the crane, but I do not want that at a later date I am stuck with some issue in the neck owing to using the 13 inch craned. I also feel that I am only 5" 5, most foreigners in the European and American regions are more than this, so if there was a real issue with neck crane, it would be out by now in two years (2016-2018) as these are the years with a very drastic change of sizes where the 15 inch 2016-2018 is only a little more than the 13 inch pre-2016.

ABOUT THE CHANGE FROM 13 TO 15 AGAIN

I could do with a change to 15, I am sure, as a single multipurpose computer, when I think about it. However, the moment I begin to think from the perspective of the tasks I do using the computer, I begin to feel that my eyes are always concentrated only on the current string of text I am typing. The larger screen would only help my peripheral vision, giving me a sense of expanse, at best. It will add zero to my productivity, as I am okay with split screen between Safari and my writing software on the 13. Sure the 15 would be nicer, but really impossible for me to justify with the brain - I will have to let my heart rule this decision if I ever make it.

 

[dannyar]

Sorry, but I don't see where you are going with it. I don't edit video or play games and never want to. I am too busy doing things I really want to do in life to play computer games. There are a million things in life we could do and with many of those, surprisingly for some, you don't even need a computer.

You mentioned people limiting themselves - could spending so much time on your computer be limiting yourself?

Life is short for all of us and many have no intention of playing games or editing video because we are too busy doing what we really want to do.

Many of us have consuming hobbies and careers that leave little time for gaming. That is not limiting ourselves. Maybe you are limiting yourself by spending so much time gaming, editing video and buying laptops you won't keep because you can't make up your mind up.

With MBP sizes there is no right answer, only a right answer for the individual. Heaven knows why you put considerable time and effort into trying to convince everyone a 15" is the only way to go. Do you also tell your neighbours their car isn't the one you would have chosen?

I haven't bought my 2018 MBP yet purely because I haven't had a spare half a day to buy it, check it all works and migrate my data. I haven't decided on a size yet and I may get a 15" if I decide they are portable enough but I have been using 13" MBPs for the last 10 years and think they are absolutely fine. I travel a lot and for those who do the portability is a big factor.

Hogwash. I don't need to convince anyone of anything. I'm just here so people don't waste their time like i did with the 13 and regret it. It's nice you have a career and a life that doesn't allow you free time to shoot video, edit, Photograph or play games. I have a government job, a wife and 3 kids and have plenty of time to do things I enjoy and don't feel like I'm wasting time. Having a better computer doesn't mean I sit at it all day, it means I like to have the best if I can afford it so I'm not sitting around waiting for things to load faster . It took me less than 2 minutues to type this, hardly a considerable time and effort as you claim .

 

[macintoshmac]

Hogwash. I don't need to convince anyone of anything. I'm just here so people don't waste their time like i did with the 13 and regret it. It's nice you have a career and a life that doesn't allow you free time to shoot video, edit, Photograph or play games. I have a government job, a wife and 3 kids and have plenty of time to do things I enjoy and don't feel like I'm wasting time. Having a better computer doesn't mean I sit at it all day, it means I like to have the best if I can afford it so I'm not sitting around waiting for things to load faster . It took me less than 2 minutues to type this, hardly a considerable time and effort as you claim .

I liked your previous similar post, as well as this one. Essentially you are talking about headroom to grow, when wanted/ needed - the liberty of knowledge, that I have the hardware should I want to/ need to do something, often enables people in the most wonderful of ways.

However, your last sentence is what prevents me to sort of jump the gun on the new notebooks, since what I am doing most of the time with the notebook is just that - typing. And, from experience, I have come to understand that having a dedicated desktop that I built for gaming is a far more satisfying experience than having a jack of all trades MBP (if someone ever thinks of gaming).

So, essentially, while I wholeheartedly agree that we ought to have a headroom, it is often always better to have a dedicated space for those wants and needs.

Need a portable? Buy the best portable - 12 or 13 inch.
Need large screens? Buy a desktop or get a monitor to go with the 12 or 13.
Need portable and large screen while mobile? Get the 15.

Need to have portable and play games as well? Do not think about 15, get a dedicated windows box for the most satisfying gaming experience without taxing your MacBook hardware in heat. However, if you feel like gaming in a pinch while being mobile, then consider the 15.

Need graphics acceleration for demanding productivity software? Get the 15 with dGPU if you need mobility as well, or just a 13 with a monitor and eGPU (even if that cost exceeds a little more than 15). That way, you still have a better graphics component when you need and a mobile workstation otherwise.

Need a jack of all trades desktop? Get an iMac in either sizes.

So on. I believe this is going to serve better in the long run, using dedicated hardware for needs, instead of trying to opt for a jack of all trades solution.

- - - -

Most of us fall into the trap of one machine. I have as well. Now, truth be told, Apple prices in my country means I can usually afford only one Apple computer for myself, so I had gone for a 15 all-in-one and now a 13 (because the 15 ones were way too highly priced).

Yet, if we are able to balance the cost versus satisfaction and performance, we will often find that we would most of the times pick up a combo of hardware to suit our needs the best.

 

[ascender]

I didn't really notice the weight difference in my messenger bag or a rucksack, but where I did notice things were the footprint when working in places with less (predictable) surface space - i.e. trains, coffee shops etc.

I've tried the 13 v 15 thing a few times now and have always come back to the 13, either with an external display or an iMac for use in the office. Don't get me wrong, the extra screen on the 15 is lovely, but when working in the office, its still not enough - I'd always like a bigger screen, so I might as well have the 13, especially now there's a quad core CPU in there and 16GB is an option.

But its like the keyboard, its a very personal thing.

Even people's view of "portable" depends on how they work day to day.

 

[maflynn]

Even people's view of "portable" depends on how they work day to day.

That's it, I've almost always used a 15" laptop for work or for personal reasons and I feel its very popular. I've spent years lugging one around on the subway, so I have no qualms about the size or weight.

 

[Mr. Dee]

My 13 inch purchase back in 2015 was based on a few reasons: budget and foot into the mac ecosystem to compliment my iPhone 6s; and the 15 inch model at the time was still on the old Haswell processor.

Future purchase decisions will depend on when Apple goes 10 NM and it looks like that is not gonna be happening next year. Apple is likely to update the MacBook Pro's using 9th generation CPU's coming this October from Intel; still based on 14 NM.

Right now, my 13 inch MBP is straining trying to run two Windows VM's and the screen is cramped keeping browsers, text files open. I have conciously decided I am going to with 15 inch for my next upgrade because I just want th extra space but also the breathing room for VM's. I support Windows for a living, so I need to have VM's up all the time, especially with apps running on different versions.

 

[dannyar]

I liked your previous similar post, as well as this one. Essentially you are talking about headroom to grow, when wanted/ needed - the liberty of knowledge, that I have the hardware should I want to/ need to do something, often enables people in the most wonderful of ways.

However, your last sentence is what prevents me to sort of jump the gun on the new notebooks, since what I am doing most of the time with the notebook is just that - typing. And, from experience, I have come to understand that having a dedicated desktop that I built for gaming is a far more satisfying experience than having a jack of all trades MBP (if someone ever thinks of gaming).

So, essentially, while I wholeheartedly agree that we ought to have a headroom, it is often always better to have a dedicated space for those wants and needs.

Need a portable? Buy the best portable - 12 or 13 inch.
Need large screens? Buy a desktop or get a monitor to go with the 12 or 13.
Need portable and large screen while mobile? Get the 15.

Need to have portable and play games as well? Do not think about 15, get a dedicated windows box for the most satisfying gaming experience without taxing your MacBook hardware in heat. However, if you feel like gaming in a pinch while being mobile, then consider the 15.

Need graphics acceleration for demanding productivity software? Get the 15 with dGPU if you need mobility as well, or just a 13 with a monitor and eGPU (even if that cost exceeds a little more than 15). That way, you still have a better graphics component when you need and a mobile workstation otherwise.

Need a jack of all trades desktop? Get an iMac in either sizes.

So on. I believe this is going to serve better in the long run, using dedicated hardware for needs, instead of trying to opt for a jack of all trades solution.

- - - -

Most of us fall into the trap of one machine. I have as well. Now, truth be told, Apple prices in my country means I can usually afford only one Apple computer for myself, so I had gone for a 15 all-in-one and now a 13 (because the 15 ones were way too highly priced).

Yet, if we are able to balance the cost versus satisfaction and performance, we will often find that we would most of the times pick up a combo of hardware to suit our needs the best.

I agree here mostly with your points. I have a dedicated 1080ti gaming rig but I use it strictly for gaming and not my work or hobby needs aside from gaming. I find my mac easier to edit photos and video on considering I know final cut pro much better than I know premier. My objective with my posts is not to convince those who need a SPECIFIC thing like an ultra portable for just typing and basic internet browsing. That would be foolish of me to think those people would need a 15" MBP. This is for those who keep going back and forth not being able to decide between a 13 and a 15. If the thought even crossed their minds about one or another then they should clearly get a 15", without hesitation. If they are even considering it means they don't value portability that much or enough to rule the 15" out off the bat. THOSE people should be getting a 15". If they have any indecision it means that they would get use out of what the 15" has to offer and with the 13" base being priced as high as it is, any reasonable config for it that has 16gb of ram is very close in price to what a base 15" would cost.

 

[WickedPorter]

I use both a 15" (work) and a 13" (personal) daily ... the 15" often stays at my desk in the office and my 13" is the one that is almost always with me in meetings, traveling, etc. There's definitely a difference between the two as far as weight/size. If I couldn't have both, I'd go with the 15" for a bit more power and screen size.

I'm a big guy, 6'2" / 240lbs ... I'm not sure what planes you guys are flying on, but for the last two years sitting in domestic economy I can't fit either of them on the tray table for comfortable use.

 

[Painter2002]

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 2012 15" MacBook Pro to a 2014 13" MacBook Pro and then to my current 13" 2017 MacBook Pro.

I can say that for me personally, I like the smaller size of the 13" MacBook Pro. It may not seem like it makes a big difference in portability, but it actually does. It's easier to carry around and I feel like I worry less about it slipping out of my hands than when I moved around the 15".

Also, I should note though that I have a dual 27" monitor setup so when I need the larger screen real estate (like photo editing), I just hook my monitors up to my 2017 MBP. But if you don't have dual monitors, or need that larger screen real estate on the road (lots of travel usage), then I'd suggest the 15". Otherwise, I'd say buy a 13" and buy you one nice 4k monitor with the money you save for when you use the 13" at home.

 

[dannyar]

I went from a 2012 15" MacBook Pro to a 2014 13" MacBook Pro and then to my current 13" 2017 MacBook Pro.

I can say that for me personally, I like the smaller size of the 13" MacBook Pro. It may not seem like it makes a big difference in portability, but it actually does. It's easier to carry around and I feel like I worry less about it slipping out of my hands than when I moved around the 15".

Also, I should note though that I have a dual 27" monitor setup so when I need the larger screen real estate (like photo editing), I just hook my monitors up to my 2017 MBP. But if you don't have dual monitors, or need that larger screen real estate on the road (lots of travel usage), then I'd suggest the 15". Otherwise, I'd say buy a 13" and buy you one nice 4k monitor with the money you save for when you use the 13" at home.

Do you do any intense photo or video editing?Also are your dual monitors 4k? I ask this because when I had my 2018 13" 16/512 for a week it performed horribly with a 32" 4k attached and trying to do any type of video editing. This performance difference is what led me to get rid of it in favor of the 15". I feel like what you lose in performance from the 15 to the 13 is not worth what little is made up for in portability which is why I cant understand why people like you for example given the fact that you used to have a "15 would not find this 15" significantly lighter than the 2012 you lugged around and stick with it for its raw performance advantages versus minor portability advantages. To each his own, I just cant for the life of me after having used both machines before deciding, understand why someone would go with the 13" unless portability was the clear and only thing needed in a laptop.

 

[Painter2002]

IF you can afford it go for the 15" and enjoy it as it was meant to be enjoyed.

Just because I can afford it doesn't mean that I should buy it. Buying a computer as inspiration to do those things is a misconception in my opinion. A computer is, and always has been a tool, nothing more, nothing less. Is someone is inspired enough to do something, then they will do it, and if it means buying a $5k machine, then that will be what they get.

Financially for most people (most), it makes little to no sense to buy a maxed out MacBook Pro if they don't see themselves using its full potential in the next five years. If something changes and they need that extra power, they can (*gasp*) sell that machine and buy a more powerful MacBook at that time. But to buy something just because there is a tiny chance you'd follow that dream, wouldn't make sense. That's like buying a $100k car for everyday driving just because it might inspire you to go to the race track, instead of saving and buying a Honda or some other affordable car for daily driving.

 

[dannyar]

Just because I can afford it doesn't mean that I should buy it. Buying a computer as inspiration to do those things is a misconception in my opinion. A computer is, and always has been a tool, nothing more, nothing less. Is someone is inspired enough to do something, then they will do it, and if it means buying a $5k machine, then that will be what they get.

Financially for most people (most), it makes little to no sense to buy a maxed out MacBook Pro if they don't see themselves using its full potential in the next five years. If something changes and they need that extra power, they can (*gasp*) sell that machine and buy a more powerful MacBook at that time. But to buy something just because there is a tiny chance you'd follow that dream, wouldn't make sense. That's like buying a $100k car for everyday driving just because it might inspire you to go to the race track, instead of saving and buying a Honda or some other affordable car for daily driving.

I don't think I ever implied that someone should buy a machine to maybe " follow a dream". What I said was that you buy it cause it can do more and make your workflow faster and easier and IF, IF!! It makes you inclined to try out other things that weren't possible to you before due to horsepower of your previous machines then that would just be a plus. Obviously if your needs are basic and you are just web browsing and word processing then a $2500 MBP isn't necessary and I don't think I ever suggested it was to those type of users. But if you even have a remote interest in video or photo editing, gaming, etc then you should definitely spend a little more for the 15" and not limit yourself.