I have a 13" rMBP and it suits me fine. Most of the time it is hooked up to a 27" monitor, and used with Apple mouse, touchpad and keyboard. And on the road (or sofa) I'd love a bit more screen estate, but the portability is more important.
How are you able to read anything?
The 15" is better but what make it bulky is when you put it in a bulky case![]()
13" is more than sufficient. Especially when considering the price escalation.
I recently switched from a 13" rMBP to a base model 15" rMBP. The size difference is noticeable, but not really a big deal for me. I can still carry it around to class just fine. The biggest thing for me is the 15" will stay more future proofed as I plan on keeping this for a few years. That quad core CPU and the Iris Pro graphics will be more relevant in 3-4 years than the dual core CPU and regular Iris graphics of the 13" model. Plus I love the extra screen real estate.
As a student, I prefer the 13" models. My 09 was perfect when I lived on the 10th floor of my dorm freshman year, and my late-2013 has been an awesome upgrade. Super lightweight, and the screen is just fine for web surfing, writing papers, and Netflix. I've never had 15", so it's never been a trade off for me.
There is a big difference in footprint between the two machines and once you're using it you have to deal with that in 2 almost perpendicular planes.
Apple are one of the few companies that model their pricing with the larger machines being more expensive. For me it made a nice change not having to pay significantly more for the probable machine
I run mine at resolutions from 1680 min upto native, so have no problems getting everything I need on screenAgain loving high res displays finally becoming mainstream, rather then having to pay more and often import a machine in the past.
As a student, I prefer the 13" models. My 09 was perfect when I lived on the 10th floor of my dorm freshman year, and my late-2013 has been an awesome upgrade. Super lightweight, and the screen is just fine for web surfing, writing papers, and Netflix. I've never had 15", so it's never been a trade off for me.
wait - a girl on macrumors? what..?![]()
And your point is...? Yes, I'm a girl. I'm in college. I want my laptop to be portable. The 13" specs have suited my needs for five years. I don't need a 15" screen or a dedicated gpu. Neither of those interest me, and I prefer the 13" price point. I felt my comment was valid since OP is also a college student.
Dont listen to 997.2...he's borderline trolling if not trolling.
His point is still sort of valid though. The difference is she has never had a 15" whereas you have. Your experience is going to be different from hers even if you do go for a 13" because you know what it's like to have a 15". She's just saying that for her needs she didn't need a 15" and she's fine without it considering she's never owned one.
He wanted input on the relative portability of the 13" and 15", the views of a sample who have had both is valid, so is a sample of either owners who have, or have not switched after usage of their initial choice, its all valid comment on the usability of each size IMHO.
The 13" is the way to go if you can dock to a 27"+ display. Portable when you need and big screen when at work/home.
As a student who is thinking of going this route (likely with a 23" monitor) how does this work in terms of fitting both the laptop and display on a desk where you can use the touchpad but not have to turn your neck to see the screen.