Is the 13 inch retina MacBook Pro portable or is it really heavy. I'm asking because I want to get one after they are updated with Skylake processors and do iOS app programming, but I'm not sure if they are portable. Is the 13 inch rMBP heavy to carry around?
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MacBook Pro retina portablility
- Thread starter Aditya_S
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I have a 15" Retina and I must say it feels quite light in my Ellehammer backpack.
Also, I have some "junk" (ipod / studio headphones / external battery / cables & charges / coffee / sunglasess / keys / etc) in the backpack all the time that weighs almost as much as a 13" Retina so u might say I'm carrying two Macbook Pro's
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I carry my backpack with the laptop everyday to the office.
Also, I have some "junk" (ipod / studio headphones / external battery / cables & charges / coffee / sunglasess / keys / etc) in the backpack all the time that weighs almost as much as a 13" Retina so u might say I'm carrying two Macbook Pro's
.I carry my backpack with the laptop everyday to the office.
I'll be getting one when they're refreshed/updated as well. I'll be switching from a MacBook Air 11" so portability was a concern of mine too. Recently I went to the Apple store and checked out the current Retina MacBook Pro 13" and it didn't seem too bad (obviously I wasn't allowed to pick up the unit on display) but it's a smaller form factor than I expected, and hopefully the Skylake MBP's will be even more portable. For me, though, even though it'll be heavier than my MacBook Air, it'll be well worth it.
I've picked them up sometimes when I go to check something out. Checking out the weight of it is part of the decision-making process, especially when they tout the light weight in their marketing materials. Staff have never said anything to me. The alarmed cords aren't something that comes loose at the smallest nudge. If it does come lose, it wasn't connected properly to begin with.
If you're that worried, you can just ask them to pick it up to check out the weight. If they say no, then the store you go to kind of sucks, and I'd try to find another one.
Well, I didn't ask this particular time, but when I go to buy it I'd certainly like to get a better feel for the weight. It won't be a deal breaker for me, because I need the added power that the MBP brings over my 11" MacBook Air, but nevertheless it'll still be nice to know what I'm getting.
That's a bit of a silly question as it all depends on your definition of "heavy" and "portable". Perhaps you are a powerlifter that can carry around 15 kilos in one hand 24/7 without breaking a sweat, perhaps you have a back injury and you can't even risk carrying 1 kilo in a backpack. Personally, I have no portability issues even with my 15".
I'd try it next time you go. I've had times where I was given the impression ahead of time that something was much lighter than it really was. I go to a store, pick it up (was a 15" Retina MBP), and my first thought was, "Yeah, it's a little lighter, but I was expecting it to be much lighter with all the hooplah going on about it." Then, there was the time where I went in and (as a result of my Retina MBP experience, wasn't expecting much) was impressed with how light the Retina Macbook was.
Of course, it's all relative. I carried around a 17" HP zd8000 for 3 years in a backpack. That thing, with its power brick included, weighed just over 10lb total. Wasn't a big deal, but then again after 4 years in the military in the past, I was accustomed to forced marches with 50lbs of gear on my back.
It weighs 3.5 pounds. That is less than many hardcover books. I don't think it's heavy at all.
I travel internationally with mine just about every week and have no issues.
I tried taking just an iPad, but by the time you add the keyboard its about the same weight and still lacks all the features and functions of a real computer.
I tried taking just an iPad, but by the time you add the keyboard its about the same weight and still lacks all the features and functions of a real computer.
Totally agree - I've tried the whole post-PC/just get by using a tablet thing. While I'm sure it's for some people, I find it easier to just bring/use a computer that already encompasses everything I need.
I have a Dell XPS 13 9343 (in between an 11" and 13" air) that I carried around for about a year until I bought my 15" Pro. I have a very small Cocoon backpack that I have had throughout both, and I am a student. On campus I walk around 5 miles a day and usually have my backpack with. I have to say that I notice very little difference between carrying the XPS and my rMBP. I can tell when I sling my backpack over my shoulder (which is kind of nice, because I grabbed the wrong computer one day and realized it by the weight). Once it is on it doesn't feel much difference, and I will never opt for the smaller computer unless I specifically need it.
Make sure you wear your backpack high. The straps being tight can make them awkward to get on, but they are so much more comfortable when you do.
Make sure you wear your backpack high. The straps being tight can make them awkward to get on, but they are so much more comfortable when you do.
The weight in a bag is relative to each person's definition of 'heavy' but I can give you my personal experience.
I used to carry around an 11" Macbook Air from time to time and had to question whether it was actually in my briefcase sometimes. I have since upgraded to a 13" Macbook Pro (2015) and have made a habit of bringing it to work every day. It my bag heavier? Absolutely, no doubt. Is it so burdensome that I feel like I am carrying a ton of bricks around? No.
I used to carry around an 11" Macbook Air from time to time and had to question whether it was actually in my briefcase sometimes. I have since upgraded to a 13" Macbook Pro (2015) and have made a habit of bringing it to work every day. It my bag heavier? Absolutely, no doubt. Is it so burdensome that I feel like I am carrying a ton of bricks around? No.
No not at all, I travel frequently internationally with my own. I also have 15" rMBP & 12" rMB and the 13" rMBP offers the best trade off for size weight and performance. If portability is paramount then the 12" Retina Macbook is the solution, equally don't expect the same levels of performance as the 13" & 15" offer.
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