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Macbook Pro 13 vs. 15

N

Nostradamus1389

macrumors newbie
Original poster
May 8, 2011
11
0
Hello everyone,

I'm attempting to decide between a 13 and 15 and was wondering if you guys could help me with the process.

What are the advantages of the 15 over the 13? I know it's a stronger machine/has a better graphics card, but I don't really use my laptop for gaming.

What are the pros and cons of each and what type of users does each suit more?

I'd really appreciate any input.

Thank you!
 
Nostradamus1389 said:
Hello everyone,

I'm attempting to decide between a 13 and 15 and was wondering if you guys could help me with the process.

What are the advantages of the 15 over the 13? I know it's a stronger machine/has a better graphics card, but I don't really use my laptop for gaming.

What are the pros and cons of each and what type of users does each suit more?

I'd really appreciate any input.

Thank you!
Click to expand...

If you dont need the GPU, do you need a quad core? what will you be doing with it?

If you dont need a Quadcore and can use a dual core. I would go to the apple store or bestbuy, or just borrow a 13in from someone and see if you can get by with the 1280x800 display.

The 13in actually fits all my needs it's just the low resolution that prevents me from getting one, but if the resolution is fine for you then the 13in is for you.
 
GGJstudios said:
2011 macbook pro 13 vs 15
13 Inch MacBook Pro vs. 15 Inch MacBook Pro
Macbook pro 13 VS 15 for photography
MBP 13" vs 15"
Click to expand...

Appreciate that.

altecXP said:
If you dont need the GPU, do you need a quad core? what will you be doing with it?

If you dont need a Quadcore and can use a dual core. I would go to the apple store or bestbuy, or just borrow a 13in from someone and see if you can get by with the 1280x800 display.

The 13in actually fits all my needs it's just the low resolution that prevents me from getting one, but if the resolution is fine for you then the 13in is for you.
Click to expand...

Yeah, I'm leaning towards the 15 because of the resolution.

How do you find the portability relative to the 13?
 
Nostradamus1389 said:
Appreciate that.



Yeah, I'm leaning towards the 15 because of the resolution.

How do you find the portability relative to the 13?
Click to expand...

I find it just fine. It's only about 1lb difference. I often feel people get to worked up over weight.
 
It's not only the weight, it's the footprint of the 15". If you're going to be packed into a college classroom with minimal desk space then the 13" is more enjoyable. I came from a 15" Dell Latitude with 1900 X 1200 matte screen to a 2011 13" MBP. I'll never have a 15" again. The resolution is fine for a 13" screen, I have actually come to enjoy being able to read everything without straining my eyes. If you combine the 13" with an external monitor for serious work I think you have a perfect combination for way less than the price of the base 15". To each their own though, just my opinion. Many love the 15", and I was dead set on a 15" until I actually tried a 13" out. Love it now.
 
kobyh15 said:
It's not only the weight, it's the footprint of the 15". If you're going to be packed into a college classroom with minimal desk space then the 13" is more enjoyable. I came from a 15" Dell Latitude with 1900 X 1200 matte screen to a 2011 13" MBP. I'll never have a 15" again. The resolution is fine for a 13" screen, I have actually come to enjoy being able to read everything without straining my eyes. If you combine the 13" with an external monitor for serious work I think you have a perfect combination for way less than the price of the base 15". To each their own though, just my opinion. Many love the 15", and I was dead set on a 15" until I actually tried a 13" out. Love it now.
Click to expand...

I went through college with a 7+lb HP 15.4in laptop.

If I had the money I'd have done a 11in Air, and a desktop back at my dorm, but I only had $900 to spend.
 
Thanks for the input everyone.

Also, how big is the difference between the 13's display and the 15's high-res display?
 
Nostradamus1389 said:
Thanks for the input everyone.

Also, how big is the difference between the 13's display and the 15's high-res display?
Click to expand...

1.024.000 pixel vs. 1.764.000 pixel, meaning the 15" has 72% more pixel for only having two more inches diagonally.
If you have lots of windows open and need to work with them concurrently, the bigger the resolution the better.
 
altecXP said:
I went through college with a 7+lb HP 15.4in laptop.

If I had the money I'd have done a 11in Air, and a desktop back at my dorm, but I only had $900 to spend.
Click to expand...

I graduate in a week and I used the 2007 Dell Latitude 15" that I described in a previous post for all 4 years. It's a little under 7 lbs. I think. It's been a good machine and it was top of the line when I bought it 4 years ago. I needed a smaller more portable machine for medical school in the fall, however. So I bought a 13" MBP a little over a month ago as an early graduation present for myself. I also got a 23" Dell Ultrasharp monitor; it's a perfect setup I feel like.
 
I love my 13" but wish Apple would put the 4 core processors in them like they do the big brothers. The speakers suck in the 13 as well. Love the size and have thought about getting a 15" upgrade but just can't part with the 13.
 
Nostradamus1389 said:
Appreciate that.



Yeah, I'm leaning towards the 15 because of the resolution.

How do you find the portability relative to the 13?
Click to expand...

13"
Height:
0.95 inch (2.41 cm)
Width:
12.78 inches (32.5 cm)
Depth:
8.94 inches (22.7 cm)
Weight:
4.5 pounds (2.04 kg)1
396638396.jpg



15"
Height:
0.95 inch (2.41 cm)
Width:
14.35 inches (36.4 cm)
Depth:
9.82 inches (24.9 cm)
Weight:
5.6 pounds (2.54 kg)1
396638399.jpg


Hope this helped.
 
I chose the 13", 8gb over the 15".

WEIGHT
I carry the macbook around on my back 30m to 1hr each day, so weight was an issue to consider, but there really isn't much of a difference between the two. If you are really worried, go for the mba.

SIZE
I felt like the 15" footprint was too much for me. It barely fit into my backpack. I could have gone with the 15", but it just seemed too bulky for me. Maybe that is because I am a small guy with a small backpack.

POWER
For my computational needs (combining files to create pdfs, ocr for pdfs, opening lots of different programs at once) the 13" seems to be perfectly fine. The 15" would probably be better at multitasking, but not enough to justify the price difference.

GRAPHICS
I don't do gaming, so the increase in screen resolution would be wasted on me. I find the 13" to be gorgeous.

I would say that if you intend to do any kind of gaming or power intensive tasks like video editing or that kind of thing, you might want to consider the 15".
 
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