Yes, the same question as for many, but do I have to take the 15" or 17" macbook pro unibody? I mean not just screen size either, it's more like I don't know, the one plus to the 15" model is the SD card reader, but is that a reason to not buy the 17" if not considering the screen size for a moment. Either way, the processor would be the 2,8 Ghz or maybe even the 3,06 Ghz. If I buy the 15" ofcourse there is a bit more money to spend on tweaks like the bigger processor and maybe more RAM and faster HD, but that said, I still can't choose. I even have questions if not the 17" runs a bit cooler than the 15" same spec model just because it has "more space" inside... crazy thinking I know, I might just be so wrong but still, who knows. And then for the HD, is it according to speed, so much better to take the 7200 rpm 500gb over the 5400 rpm 500 gb? The 7200 rpm will use a bit more battery life ofcourse but with up to 8 hours of battery, I might just think about possibly more speed instead of battery life. Few years ago I read something about the bits in a 5400 rpm being very close to each other so the reading was as fast as an 7200 rpm, I don't know about you but this makes me wonder wether or not buying it over the standard HD.
Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
Macbook Pro 15" or 17"? 5400rpm or 7200rpm? 17" cooler than 15"?
- Thread starter Rockabizzydilly
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
I would choose the 15'', unless you really NEED something the 17'' has that the 15'' doesn't. The 17'' is too big for a laptop IMO.
The 15" would be my choice. The 17" is just awfully large for a laptop. With a 15", you're getting a powerhouse machine in a fairly decent size. Personally, I'd love to see a 13" with the power of a high-end 15", but alas...
I had a white macbook for more than 2 years and I must say the 13" was bigger than you might think indeed, but now I own a 16,4 sony vaio FW 21Z, and I kind of really don't want to go lower than 15" now. That said, the 17"'s resolution might be far better? On the sony I have 1920 x 1080... for photos the 17" might be better then?
And considering cooling, who has the advantage? The 15" or the 17"? Is the HD as close to the CPU or GPU in the 15" or 17"?
Anyway, I went to the switch store (the apple premium reseller in belgium - SUPERBAD!) and there the 17" looked really small compared to my sony vaio FW 16,4"... not really a problem there then.
Isn't 1 thread enough? 3 threads, same questions.
https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/791818/
https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/791817/
https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/791818/
https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/791817/
I started with the 15.4" uMBP and swapped it out for the 17" version and I have to say that while the 17" is certainly a little bigger/heavier it is not the huge difference some posts make it out to be. Going from 13" to 17" is a huge change from a size/weight perspective but I just don't see it going from the 15.4" to 17". Maybe I just have strong arms 
. I really like the 1920 x 1200 resolution of the 17" which was the deciding factor for me.
As for the 5400 vs. 7200 RPM hard drives I think the 7200RPM is certainly faster (as it should be) but it does run warmer and transmits a small amount of vibration/noise at full tilt. I am still thinking of switching to the 7200RPM drive in the future (once they hit 750GB drives) but for now my uMBP runs hot enough.
. I really like the 1920 x 1200 resolution of the 17" which was the deciding factor for me.As for the 5400 vs. 7200 RPM hard drives I think the 7200RPM is certainly faster (as it should be) but it does run warmer and transmits a small amount of vibration/noise at full tilt. I am still thinking of switching to the 7200RPM drive in the future (once they hit 750GB drives) but for now my uMBP runs hot enough
.