Maxed out 13" or dGPU 15" rmbp?

[pscl]

Glad you made a choice you are happy with OP.

Must say though, a lot of people are dismissing the 13" (unless you want to be portable is the consensus). I'd disagree with that.

I have just ordered a 13" to use almost primarily at home, I'll add a few points of reasoning below:

- I don't need the processing power of quad core (so why pay extra for it)
- 13" screen is big enough for most tasks as I am not a graphic designer or anything (especially if resolution upped to give more screen real estate)
- If I need a larger screen I can connect my external monitor (not retina but ok for those rare occasions)
- It's a lot lighter for casual usage at home eg sitting on the couch with it on my lap
- Personally I think it looks nicer being more compact (I don't like the extra width and casing either side of the keyboard on the 15", don't think it looks as good aesthetically)
- I don't think the GPU on the 15" is worth the extra money from a gaming perspective, especially as the cost is a lot more for high end model (about £800 more than my 13" model). Unless you need the GPU for work purposes in which case it's worth it. For that extra money I would rather build a windows gaming PC that's upgradeable GPU wise and will perform better, or buy a PS4 for much less money.

Just my 2 cents to add to the discussion and why I think the 13" is a very viable model for some uses and much better value for money in a lot of cases. Glad you are happy with your 15" though OP, at the end of the day, that's all that really matters

i do love the 13" form factor.. but if you go for maxed out (like i used to) u pretty much get much more fur only 300€...

if u re on this point, trust me, u think twice.

but if u go for the mid-model (2,4 or 2,6 with +RAM) i totally agree to ur statement.

today i carried the 15" with me a whole day at university for the first time... i do feel a difference in weight and the formfactor... but every time i open the lid, well... its amazing
i think over the time i will get used to the "more-weight" rmbp lady...

btw. my girlfriend is totally happy with my old 13" mba :-D

 

[Kevclark1985]

i do love the 13" form factor.. but if you go for maxed out (like i used to) u pretty much get much more fur only 300€...

if u re on this point, trust me, u think twice.

but if u go for the mid-model (2,4 or 2,6 with +RAM) i totally agree to ur statement.

today i carried the 15" with me a whole day at university for the first time... i do feel a difference in weight and the formfactor... but every time i open the lid, well... its amazing
i think over the time i will get used to the "more-weight" rmbp lady...

btw. my girlfriend is totally happy with my old 13" mba :-D

Personally I don't see the point in the maxed out 13" as you say, if I needed that much horsepower in my laptop I am prob needing/would greatly benefit, from the 15" instead.

For me the 13" (especially the mid range 8gb/256gb model) is a great laptop and price point for those that want a very good laptop (don't need ridiculous high spec for work reasons) but want a premium product in all other aspects.

That's why I have gone for that model. At £1074 inc 3 year applecare with edu discount, I actually think it's great value compared to similar laptops/ultrabooks but has much more premium quality.

 

[illian]

Glad you made a choice you are happy with OP.

Must say though, a lot of people are dismissing the 13" (unless you want to be portable is the consensus). I'd disagree with that.

I have just ordered a 13" to use almost primarily at home, I'll add a few points of reasoning below:

- I don't need the processing power of quad core (so why pay extra for it)
- 13" screen is big enough for most tasks as I am not a graphic designer or anything (especially if resolution upped to give more screen real estate)
- If I need a larger screen I can connect my external monitor (not retina but ok for those rare occasions)
- It's a lot lighter for casual usage at home eg sitting on the couch with it on my lap
- Personally I think it looks nicer being more compact (I don't like the extra width and casing either side of the keyboard on the 15", don't think it looks as good aesthetically)
- I don't think the GPU on the 15" is worth the extra money from a gaming perspective, especially as the cost is a lot more for high end model (about £800 more than my 13" model). Unless you need the GPU for work purposes in which case it's worth it. For that extra money I would rather build a windows gaming PC that's upgradeable GPU wise and will perform better, or buy a PS4 for much less money.

Just my 2 cents to add to the discussion and why I think the 13" is a very viable model for some uses and much better value for money in a lot of cases. Glad you are happy with your 15" though OP, at the end of the day, that's all that really matters

Indeed. Plan on playing computer games..save the money for a pc. The 750m is underpowered compared to a midsize gpu.

 

[sergiobaschi]

I took the 13" (i7/16/512). Going from an 11" MBA, a 15" would be too big... And I have a rather powerful iMac that provides me with more power than a maxed out 15" rMBP.