MacBook Pro 13" or 17"

[hobes270]

So I am in my 4th and final year of school. I am going for multimedia (use Adobe CS4 programs for design work, then final cut for some video editing).

I cannot decide between the high end 13" or the 17". I either want to make the jump to the 17 for the screen, or use the 13 for the size. i dont really want to go with the 15" because the screen isnt much bigger than 13, in my opinion. I dont ever carry my computer to class, just to work everyday. So i take it from work to home, but thats the only place I really take it. I really am in a bind here on what to get for what I use it for.

Any help would be great.

 

[GoCubsGo]

This question is asked far too often right here. I suggest you search for more in-depth conversation.

That said, the 17" is by far not really portable. I don't know how far you travel or how often you'll have your laptop in a bag on your shoulder/back but it is too much imho. I would go 13" and external display.

 

[TuffLuffJimmy]

The 17 inch definitely. I really regret getting the 15 inch, and I moved up from a 13 inch Macbook.


The 17 incher is practically made for CS4

 

[appleguy123]

This question is asked far too often right here. I suggest you search for more in-depth conversation.

That said, the 17" is by far not really portable. I don't know how far you travel or how often you'll have your laptop in a bag on your shoulder/back but it is too much imho. I would go 13" and external display.

I think the newest 17" macbook pro is very portable.

 

[MacMini2009]

Well if you get the 17in MBP, I don't think you will need an external monitor unless you need more screen space. I say get the 17in as it is more powerful.

 

[GoCubsGo]

I think the newest 17" macbook pro is very portable.

Very? If perhaps that is all he'll ever cary. You stick a phone, a wallet, a book, keys, whatever else you'd stick in your man purse and the 17" is a beast for long hauls.
To each their own, I've lugged a 17" for all of 3 months before I felt like crap just having to actually move it from the house to the car.

 

[Theclamshell]

i lug my 17 inch (pc) to school every day of every other week and its really not that bad you will get used to it after a couple of days

 

[thegoldenmackid]

I love my 17-inch.

 

[Maim]

the 17 is monsterous and will be a bit difficult to get used to portability-wise. i would say 15 but thats me.

 

[TuffLuffJimmy]

the 17 is monsterous and will be a bit difficult to get used to portability-wise. i would say 15 but thats me.

You know this for a fact? I've lugged around a 17 inch for a while and I know several other people with 17 inch laptops that are thicker than the Macbook Pro and none of them seem to have problems.

What 'book do you have? I doubt you have any experience with the 17 inch machine.

 

[Maim]

well mr presumptuous i borrowed one for a while from a friend when trying to decide which to get myself.
and i got the 13

 

[hobes270]

well in using cs4 and those apps doing design, does the dedicated video power help over the integrated? Or is it more up to ram and processing power? I am just confused as to what apps the video card would benefit from other than 3d modeling and such.

 

[Maim]

well in using cs4 and those apps doing design, does the dedicated video power help over the integrated? Or is it more up to ram and processing power? I am just confused as to what apps the video card would benefit from other than 3d modeling and such.

the dedicated will more powerful but it really comes down to how hard you will be pushing the rendering. ie lots of snazzy effects and extreme detail will take more power to render whereas simple transitions will take a lot less. so if you are going to be doing simpler stuff it might not be worth going the whole hog on it.

 

[macjunk(ie)]

well in using cs4 and those apps doing design, does the dedicated video power help over the integrated? Or is it more up to ram and processing power? I am just confused as to what apps the video card would benefit from other than 3d modeling and such.

the video card will definitely help in rendering 3d objects...

 

[ortuno2k]

There isn't much difference in weight between the 15 and the 17; but the difference is slightly more noticeable in between 13 & 17.

I'd say go for the 17, just because you get a LOT more. You'll have so much screen space, very suitable for your design work. The 13" feels like everything is cramped together.

I'm the proud owner of a late-2006 15" MBP, but will soon be upgrading to the 17" MBP.

The best thing though, is to try for yourself. Go to an Apple Store if possible and spend some time with them.

Good luck.

 

[hobes270]

Thanks everyone soo much! I think at this point I am leaning more to the 17. I feel that with the 13 I will have a feeling that I could have gotten something better.

 

[tempusfugit]

CS4 runs ok on my 13" but I sure do wish I could have afforded a 17"


Don't get me wrong, I love this machine and the portability is fantastic. I use an external to expand when im using CS4 but honestly, the biggest difference you will find is the better graphics options in the 17" via the seperate gfx card and matte screen.

If I were you I'd get a 17"

 

[Consultant]

This question is asked far too often right here. I suggest you search for more in-depth conversation.

That said, the 17" is by far not really portable. I don't know how far you travel or how often you'll have your laptop in a bag on your shoulder/back but it is too much imho. I would go 13" and external display.

17" MBP works fine for me. I move mine almost every day.

It's definitely portable, considering most PC 15" laptops are the same size and same weight as MBP 17".
I've travelled both economy and business class with the 17" MBP.

Perhaps someone needs to work out, or get a better bag.

Well if you get the 17in MBP, I don't think you will need an external monitor unless you need more screen space. I say get the 17in as it is more powerful.

I connect mine with a 24" display at my office.
Usually running at the same time: 10 apps, 30+ Safari tabs, 25,000 emails and more on OS X... =)