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.
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Is the portability of the 13" worth the 2" sacrifice?
- Thread starter Hieveryone
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It's usually while coding on a desk. I like to watch something while typing but splitting the screen cuts the GUI of my IDE so I turn down the scaling to 1:1. Reading really isn't much of an issue at that resolution. It feels a bit weird at first but my eyes get used to it quite fast.
Raptor
I have a 2011 MBP 15" and it's a lot to carry about. Which is why I am waiting for the refresh late this year and jump down to a 13" rMBP. I don't believe in having too many windows open at the same time so the estate is not necessary for me, and the portability is a killer for a student like me.
I bought the 15 inch when I was looking to study Computing in College and thought I would need the power and estate, but then I changed my major 6 months later and everything suddenly became too powerful.
I bought the 15 inch when I was looking to study Computing in College and thought I would need the power and estate, but then I changed my major 6 months later and everything suddenly became too powerful.
I just sold my 13" rMBP and moved to the 15". I think it was a great decision for me. I am a photographer and needed the extra screen real estate for photo editing. Plus the quad core i7 and the dedicated GPU make a HUGE difference in Photoshop and video editing. As far as portability, yes the 13" was nicer to carry around, but it's not like the 15" is a behemoth. It's still very sleek and portable. I have what would be considered Gorilla hands though, so you're mileage may vary.
I guess it depends what you do with it most? For what I do, I can't possibly use a 13", it's too frustrating. I miss the 17" and can't understand why they stopped making those. I've never had a problem with the 17" before, so the 15.4" footprint is certainly a complete non issue, but again I guess it depends what you do with it! Some say get the 13" for portability and hook it up to an external display/keyobard/etc. when you want the bigger screen, but... That defeats the whole purpose of a laptop in the first place.
Personally, no.
The jump from 13 to 15 is the difference between using two programs side by side vs alternating through screens/desktops.
I've tried getting used to the 13 but I've always been left feeling constrained.
Considering size, the 15 has never made me feel like I should have got the 13 instead. It's not a make-or-break difference (for me at least).
The jump from 13 to 15 is the difference between using two programs side by side vs alternating through screens/desktops.
I've tried getting used to the 13 but I've always been left feeling constrained.
Considering size, the 15 has never made me feel like I should have got the 13 instead. It's not a make-or-break difference (for me at least).
The 15" is better but what make it bulky is when you put it in a bulky case
This is very true. I HAVE to put a case on mine because I'm always carrying it around and it does bump into things.
Cases, surprisingly, do add weight and heft!
Is the portability of the 13" worth the 2" sacrifice?
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.
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.
This is why I really want a 15". Part of me feels like if I go with 13" I may as well just get the air and save some more money. I prefer the 15" because of the size and the power even in the base model. And I plan on keeping it for 3-4 years. I know I'll need it for video/photo editing and web/app dev. Coming from a 2011 15" that I had no problem carrying around, I'll have no problem with the weight. It's just a matter of price
13" to 15" switch
I just recently purchased a 15" rmbp and I am absolutely loving it. Prior to switching to the 15" I had been using a 13" for the last 8 years or so. I do not feel that the 15" comes at the expense of portability and i definitely am enjoying the larger screen size.
I guess at the end it comes down to personal preference, but I do not feel there is that significant of a difference.
I just recently purchased a 15" rmbp and I am absolutely loving it. Prior to switching to the 15" I had been using a 13" for the last 8 years or so. I do not feel that the 15" comes at the expense of portability and i definitely am enjoying the larger screen size.
I guess at the end it comes down to personal preference, but I do not feel there is that significant of a difference.
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 screen Again loving high res displays finally becoming mainstream, rather then having to pay more and often import a machine in the past.
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 screen
Again loving high res displays finally becoming mainstream, rather then having to pay more and often import a machine in the past.
wait - a girl on macrumors? what..?
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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 screen
name another laptop model that is CHEAPER for a BIGGER screen.
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so you can't contribute to this thread.
I wish the 15" would come in carbon fiber or something. I know apple has a patent. A few years ago Macrumors revealed the patent.
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.
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.
I'd find that awkward, personally I'd just plug in a mouse and be done with it.
It all comes down to power but the 13" is more capable than most folks think, unless you're doing a lot of high res photo or graphic work the 13" is more than capable for most Photoshop and related tasks.