Macbook Pro 15" vs. 17"

[ViciousShadow21]

http://store.apple.com/us/memorymodel/ME_15_2_66_MBP

so it's official now. apple has finally given in haha. good to know

 

[bli625]

Go for a higher end 15 inch one and then buy a nice external monitor. If you're really into photography, an external would be great. And also, the 15 inch is very portable as well. I bring mine literally everywhere.

 

[mcvaughan]

Go with the 17. I just upgraded to a 17 UMBP with the anti-glare option from a 15" UMBP glossy screen. I work in Aperture and Final Cut and the higher resolution and color accuracy are excellent. Highly recommended.

 

[waywardsage]

Go for a higher end 15 inch one and then buy a nice external monitor. If you're really into photography, an external would be great. And also, the 15 inch is very portable as well. I bring mine literally everywhere.

This is probably the best advice anyone has given. I have a 2008 17". The drawbacks of the current 15" unibody MBP are the glossy screen and lower rez. But honestly...I have the high rez 17" and I hardly ever run it in full rez. Text is practically microscopic! Anything using text is unusable at that rez. So i run it mostly at 1344X840.

Plus, the 15" allows to replace the ram and hard drive easily. That would help you extend the life of the computer thru your time in college. Buy a high spec 15" then up grade it 2 years later with a larger hard drive and ram and it'll take you thru 4-5 years of school.

Plus, honestly, i carry my 17" from my car to work and I CAN'T IMAGINE lugging it across campus when I was back in college, (5 years ago). That would be insane! It doesn't weigh a ton, but it's no spring chicken either. Not a super mobile. More of a desktop replacement.

15" plus a Cinema display to work at home and you'll be good to go.

 

[iaminsane]

I couldn't stand the lower screen resolution of the 15", so I bought the 17. I LOVE the 1920x1200 rez. I was concerned about the size, but this is the sleekest sexiest 17" I've ever seen. It folds so thin, and feels so smooth, it doesn't "feel" big.

I am really really happy I got the 17. But it the end, it's YOUR decision 🙂

good luck

 

[t0mat0]

Any more thoughts on this since the update at WWDC?

 

[JasonR]

Any more thoughts on this since the update at WWDC?

If you need to travel, 13". If you need a portable desktop replacement: 17"

Both can be hooked up to an external display, which is perfect for desktop use. I bought both, and am selling my iMac and buying an external display.

IMHO, the 15" is sort of useless. I've had a 15" since last July, and the resolution isn't really any better than the 13" MBP.