Keep 15" 2.8 or get refurb 17" 2.93

[MacModMachine]

hey guys

looking for input on this,

should i keep my 1 day old 15" 2.8 or get a refurb 17" 2.93

the speed would be almost identical, but i would like the bigger screen, i was just curious about the chip wattages between the 2 and the battery life between them.

thanks for the info in advance!

 

[ltldrummerboy]

Don't know anything about watts, but the battery life is supposedly an hour more on the 17". If you want the screen space then go for it.

 

[aaquib]

Easy: Get the 17!

- Larger display with a much higher resolution for a lot more viewing area.
- 1 hour longer battery life
- Even better speakers
- Faster processor
- Extra USB port
- Express Card Slot

 

[entatlrg]

I just returned a 17" MBP and opted for the 15" MBP instead ....

The screen res on the 17" is too high to comfortably read text for long periods. The footprint on desk, table, lap is huge and its noticeably heavier.

Side by side the 17 screen doesn't seem that much larger than the 15" at least not when you consider the trade off for bulk, weight and clunkiness...

I love my 15" and am so glad I returned the 17"....

 

[ltldrummerboy]

Thread summary: If you have bad eyes and/or weak arms (like me), keep the 15". If you are a body-building spartan with telescopic vision, go for the 17".

 

[aaquib]

Thread summary: If you have bad eyes and/or weak arms (like me), keep the 15". If you are a body-building spartan with telescopic vision, go for the 17".

Wouldn't the best option be to get a 17" MBP and then tone down the resolution to 1440X900 or 1680X1050? That way you get a larger, readable display.

 

[phased]

Wouldn't the best option be to get a 17" MBP and then tone down the resolution to 1440X900 or 1680X1050? That way you get a larger, readable display.

Does anybody actually practice this?

Seems like the perfect solution in theory, but won't you lose that native sharpness?

 

[midgetsanchez]

17", definitely. The footprint isn't significantly larger than the 15" but you get the best laptop screen on the market.

Some people have problems reading fonts at such a high resolution(you can easily adjust system/browser font sizes though), but honestly my eyes are young and I have no problems whatsoever.

 

[twingo]

17'' and good glasses is my way to go...
And if i loose my glasses, there is the two finger gesture to make the text size grow.

 

[iLog.Genius]

Personally, the 17" has the ideal specs...just wish it was in the 15" - find that the 15" is the perfect size screen for a portable. If you don't mind the size, I'd definitely go for the 17" over the 15".

 

[Andrew K.]

Command + to zoom guys

 

[J&JPolangin]

...do you travel on a plane at all?

I laugh when I see people trying to open up their 17" (any machine) or 15" in laptops for that matter...

 

[OceanView]

I just ordered the 13" but was on the fence about ordering the 17" refurb.
If I don't like the 13" for some reason, is there a restock fee if I bring it back and order the 17" ?

 

[Scepticalscribe]

The 17" is a better computer, it has a better battery and comes with an incredible screen for a portable laptop. If portability isn't an issue, then get the 17".

Cheers and good luck