Is the 15 inch MBP too large for comfortable use in planes etc?

[GadgetAddicted]

It all really depends on two things:

- Do you need anything else on your table? (drink perhaps?)
- Have you considered putting the MBP on your lap and not on the table.

If you answered yes to the above questions, then the 17 incher might not be too much of a problem.

 

[Whackintosh]

Lots to think about. Thanks for your feedback, everyone!

 

[kauthor]

Interestingly enough, I will be flying this Friday, with my new mid 09 15 inches MBP. Will let you know the result.

 

[InvalidUserID]

I fly usually 3-4 times a month for business so I get first-class where the 15" MBP is no problem.

My travel department once put me in coach (From CA to DE, of all places) and the MBP was too big.

 

[dreary]

Interestingly enough, I will be flying this Friday, with my new mid 09 15 inches MBP. Will let you know the result.

im flying soon too(the 25th) with a 13 inch mbp.

 

[Whackintosh]

The 13inch will be great for you. I know, because I currently have a Whitebook (coreduo vintage, baybee) and it's always been terrific on flights in coach. I can currentyl get a 2.53 umbp refurb for only $200 more than a 13 inch mbp, and the machine is better in every way (screen, L2 cache, expansion port, double hdd, double ram, better sound) and the only thing making me hesitate is the possible compromise in ease of portability. Not an easy decision to make!

 

[macinsanity]

My 15" Unibody 2008 was not doable in coach.

Ditto this for me. I felt like a Praying Mantis trying to type on my 15" MBP on a Southwest Airlines flight. I'd go with 13" and get an external monitor for when you want more screen real estate. I've used 13", 15" and 17" and my favorite is still the 13" screen. I also have 20/10 vision ( twice normal acuity ) and larger screens seem to make me a bit dizzy. To each their own I guess. I am programmer and not a designer though. I could see how Photoshop would suck on a 13" screen.

 

[Signal-11]

I posted earlier about my flying habits - fly often, try not to do much work on the plane. Let me ask you guys who are suggesting the 13" + external solution something.

How much actual productive work do you do on the plane? You get what, 2-3 hours on most domestic flights, unless you're doing a coast to coast so let's say 3-6 hours if you're one of those. How often do you fly? Let's say 4-8 time a month. I find working on a 13" to be cramped. The amount of time I spend on a plane is much less than your actual productive desk time, then I say go for the 15" and just deal with it for the flight.

Like I said, I say this mostly because I try not to work on the plane. I'll read documents and briefs on a plane but something about strangers being able to read what I'm writing bugs me.

For me, 13" too small, 17" too big, 15" just right, but to each his own.

 

[eVolcre]

I posted earlier about my flying habits - fly often, try not to do much work on the plane. Let me ask you guys who are suggesting the 13" + external solution something.

How much actual productive work do you do on the plane? You get what, 2-3 hours on most domestic flights, unless you're doing a coast to coast so let's say 3-6 hours if you're one of those. How often do you fly? Let's say 4-8 time a month. I find working on a 13" to be cramped. The amount of time I spend on a plane is much less than your actual productive desk time, then I say go for the 15" and just deal with it for the flight.

Like I said, I say this mostly because I try not to work on the plane. I'll read documents and briefs on a plane but something about strangers being able to read what I'm writing bugs me.

For me, 13" too small, 17" too big, 15" just right, but to each his own.

15" with higher resolution would be just right. As it stands, the 17 really isn't that much bigger. I've been using one for 3 years, its gone all around the world with me and I even took it into work every day for a year.

You're right about working on flights though. If you have to work there's other kinds of work you could do without having to open your laptop.

I checked out the 13 vs the 15 and this time around, I'm dropping down to the 13. Not that much difference in screen real estate. I'm going to have to learn to adapt to the 15" anyway so may as well just learn to live with the 13.

My .02

eV

 

[SFStateStudent]

I'm flying to Washington DC tomorrow night on the redeye with a stop in Boston, then into Dules Airport. MBP 15" is packed and ready for departure. I've loaded four movies on my MBP and my iPhone has another four ready to go.....

 

[TheMacBookPro]

My 15" MacBook Pro was fine on Singapore Airlines' A380 on coach, but left no space for anything else- drinks etc. My old 13" Macbook would have fit fine with some space left. It did on JAL's 747 (Vancouver to Tokyo).

Which, BTW is why I'm buying a unibody MacBook now as I'm travelling to Singapore on the A380 again (this time HK to SG).