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MBP 13" or 15/17" dilemma

Ah, you didn't mention what you meant by professional use. Could have been lengthy legal documents in Word. :p

That's exactly how I settled on my 2.8 GHz/4GB RAM/500 GB MBP. Best balance of CPU GPU and portability in the line today. I have too much stuff on it to go for an SSD.

If I could get the 2.8 and 9600 in the 13" form factor I definitely would have.

I keep an eye on the prices for 8 GB of RAM and will probably update once it's not too dear.

B
 
balamw said:
Ah, you didn't mention what you meant by professional use. Could have been lengthy legal documents in Word. :p

That's exactly how I settled on my 2.8 GHz/4GB RAM/500 GB MBP. Best balance of CPU GPU and portability in the line today. I have too much stuff on it to go for an SSD.

If I could get the 2.8 and 9600 in the 13" form factor I definitely would have.

I keep an eye on the prices for 8 GB of RAM and will probably update once it's not too dear.

B
Click to expand...
And how is the temperature management, does the MBP get "hot" on some occasions?
I think I'm 90% sure that the MBP will be the top-end 15", with an aftermarket SSD (160GB), large media will go on a external disk connected to the 24". This solution is futureproof imo and will exclude annoyance of a possible too small 13" screen. And a 17" has no downsides, but demeans the purpose of the 24" and is too big for common use.

I'm also thinking of the anti-glare option, as I like to work outside sometimes :)

Any thoughts? :p
 
There is no way to "future-proof" right now because we are on the cusp of a cpu architecture change. My advice is to buy a 15" refurb that has the dedicated 9600 to hold you over till the cpu architecture update occurs. The sell the 15" and buy the 17" with all the bells and whistles you want, then you'll be future proofed for a few years.
 
relativist said:
There is no way to "future-proof" right now because we are on the cusp of a cpu architecture change. My advice is to buy a 15" refurb that has the dedicated 9600 to hold you over till the cpu architecture update occurs. The sell the 15" and buy the 17" with all the bells and whistles you want, then you'll be future proofed for a few years.
Click to expand...

There always have been cpu architecture changes, but there is nothing to it, most of the software doesn't even benefit from it until they release a new package.

So that's not really I will be waiting for as I'm not a real early adaptor.
What I meant with futureproof is that in the next two years I won't have any performance problems or major drawbacks, it still will be a fast machine (I hope :D)
 
YoeriS said:
And how is the temperature management, does the MBP get "hot" on some occasions?
Click to expand...

YoeriS said:
What I meant with futureproof is that in the next two years I won't have any performance problems or major drawbacks, it still will be a fast machine (I hope :D)
Click to expand...

I think it's a great box for the next two years, but as relativist says there is a real potential for major architecture shifts coming down the pike. I look forward to the quad core boxes whenever they decide to make 'em. I might just pick up an iMac or mini when they become real.

FWIW, both my unibody Macs have been bought as refurbs direct from Apple. Not because of the money, but with a refurb you get a machine that has been given the once over and thus hopefully less likely to have an uncorrected defect. You can also save a bunch of change and sometimes even get a "bonus" e.g. my Macbook was specced as having 2 GB of RAM, but shipped with 4 GB, and so I got for the stock high end 15" for less than the mid-range usually goes for.

Both unibody boxes are only very rarely too hot to handle, and usually only when I am running a huge MATLAB simulation or something like that where I probably would not want it on my lap to begin with. The fans do get more exercise in Windows too.

The glossy screen has never bothered me, and that was a big surprise. Inside, outside, no problems.

B
 
Get the 17"
I was in a similar situation and bought the 13".
Now I wish I bough the 17"
You can't replace the screen with anything else and the added weight is really very small compared to what you gain in the screen.
 
balamw said:
I think it's a great box for the next two years, but as relativist says there is a real potential for major architecture shifts coming down the pike. I look forward to the quad core boxes whenever they decide to make 'em. I might just pick up an iMac or mini when they become real.

FWIW, both my unibody Macs have been bought as refurbs direct from Apple. Not because of the money, but with a refurb you get a machine that has been given the once over and thus hopefully less likely to have an uncorrected defect. You can also save a bunch of change and sometimes even get a "bonus" e.g. my Macbook was specced as having 2 GB of RAM, but shipped with 4 GB, and so I got for the stock high end 15" for less than the mid-range usually goes for.

Both unibody boxes are only very rarely too hot to handle, and usually only when I am running a huge MATLAB simulation or something like that where I probably would not want it on my lap to begin with. The fans do get more exercise in Windows too.

The glossy screen has never bothered me, and that was a big surprise. Inside, outside, no problems.

B
Click to expand...

Well unfortunalely I can't buy refurb in the Apple Belgium store, otherwise I might have thought about it (and probably did).

Do you really mean that the glossy screen is suited for work outside? Because I really wanted a matte display because of that. My previous MBP was also matte, but after time it was more difficult to keep the screen clear from smudges and also some keys were visible in the screen (turned off you saw the prints of the keys when the lid was closed), and in this way I think that a glossy screen has more protection.

And above me, I also think that the 13" would put me off after some time, but with an ACD 24" on the shelf I think that it's the best to buy a 15" because of easier lap use, and same perfomance when hooked up to the 24"... A 17" would kill the purpose of the ACD, although it looks nice... :p
 
YoeriS said:
Well unfortunalely I can't buy refurb in the Apple Belgium store, otherwise I might have thought about it (and probably did).

Do you really mean that the glossy screen is suited for work outside?

I think that it's the best to buy a 15" because of easier lap use
Click to expand...

Ah. I didn't catch your location. Too bad, there are some good deals in the refurb store.

I'm not doing artistic work where color is relevant, so your mileage may vary, but I have been surprised to find the glossy screen not having been a problem under any lighting condition so far. I do also like the fact that I can get the glass clean with a microfiber cloth and iKlear.

Lap use is where I prefer the 13" the 15" is never as comfortable. <sigh>.

B
 
balamw said:
Ah. I didn't catch your location. Too bad, there are some good deals in the refurb store.

I'm not doing artistic work where color is relevant, so your mileage may vary, but I have been surprised to find the glossy screen not having been a problem under any lighting condition so far. I do also like the fact that I can get the glass clean with a microfiber cloth and iKlear.

Lap use is where I prefer the 13" the 15" is never as comfortable. <sigh>.

B
Click to expand...

Yeah I saw, pity we don't have that possbility...

My line of work is not really artistic where colors matter, so don't need that spectrum. So you find the glossy screen to be sufficient even under direct sunlight? Because that's fairly important to me.

And it seems there are always compromises, if the 13" had a bit bigger resolution and dedicated GPU it would've been perfect, but on the other hand, a small form factor like that can't dissipate the heat output of high-end components...
 
I'm sorry guys but I think I'm going crazy about this decision.

A friend told me today, it's only 100 Euro more and you have a 17" MBP with a decent resolution.

I hardly can say that he's wrong...

He also said that because of the larger surface, the MBP runs cooler, is this a proven fact?

Really, what should you decide when it comes up to 100 Euro and the width of a 15"/17" is only 2,9cm difference (just over an inch), it can't be that noticeable for lap use? :D

Someone smack me on the head please and make this decision for me :p
 
Someone with some groundbreaking advice?
I'm very close to making a purchase but still can't make up my mind.

It's the same specs, but 17" with a decent resolution or the more pleasant form factor 15" but to my liking a bit too low resolution.
 
get the 17 inch with matte display as a refurbished.
seriosly, this is the best machine you can buy, it will meet your needs perfectly and better than anything else.

refurb store prices right now:
2.66 for $ 1999,-
2.8 for $ 2149,-
2.93 for $ 2249,-

I would get the 2.66 if money matters, the difference is neglectible imho.

Edit: Sorry, just notice that you are in belgium. Still, go for the matte display, really. I would spend 200 Euros more simply for this option, if its necessary.
the french store has good models available, if that is possible for you: www.refurb.me gives you a good overview.

1. you do not want to miss the screen estate once you enjoyed it. anywhere.
2. you do not want to have the glare of the glassy displays.
3. you will hardly notice the slightly bigger footprint and weight.
4. you will be glad that you spent the money on it, trust me.
 
Too bad that I can't buy refurb in my country :)

But I'm also thinking of the 17" because of the screen resolution which is nicer in every way, and the design is also more beautiful (the screen surrounding is thinner).

However, you say a matte display, but don't you have problems cleaning it? Because my old MBP 15" with matte display had some keys inprinted in the screen after some time, and it was impossible to remove this prints...
 
the unibody keys do not stick out like the classic built ones did.
No problem in that way.

But the glassy screen is really annoying.
I did like the old glossy ones (like the mba still has) , but not the new glassy.
They reflect so much, it's a shame.

Maybe you can buy in the french (or dutch/german/UK etc.) store, If the country-specific keyboard is ok for your? They have good options: see the link in my other post.
 
icanboogie said:
the unibody keys do not stick out like the classic built ones did.
No problem in that way.

But the glassy screen is really annoying.
I did like the old glossy ones (like the mba still has) , but not the new glassy.
They reflect so much, it's a shame.

Maybe you can buy in the french (or dutch/german/UK etc.) store, If the country-specific keyboard is ok for your? They have good options: see the link in my other post.
Click to expand...

http://store.apple.com/fr/product/FC227F/A?afid=p204|1336546
I like this one very much, normal it has the same keyboard layout (Azerty) but I'm checking out if this is correct :)

I might need to call Apple to ask if it's even possible to make a purchase in Apple France.
 
It seems impossible to 'import' a refurb...

I'm definately thinking 17" matte display right now, but I'm getting so many different signals that I don't even know whether I'm making the right decision (Forums can be a very confusing place when it comes to advice lol)
 
I bought my 17 matte mbp right before the june refresh because i wanted a matte screen and was going to use it for video editing ... now with the 15 mbp available in matte as well .. i am definitely considering selling my 17 for a 15
 
jetjaguar said:
I bought my 17 matte mbp right before the june refresh because i wanted a matte screen and was going to use it for video editing ... now with the 15 mbp available in matte as well .. i am definitely considering selling my 17 for a 15
Click to expand...

Why would you do that? Don't you think that the 15" has a too limited resolution?
 
I recently got a uMBP 17" and I am never turning back. I sold my early 2008 15" MacBook Pro and decided to get the new 17" (2.8GHz model) due to the screen resolution (1440x900 vs 1920x1200). I absolutely love the 17" model. The extra screen space is amazing, the laptop is sturdy, and the device isn't too big to haul around.

After getting my first 17" MacBook Pro, I can NEVER see myself going back to 15" again, the 17" is just amazing and does it all.
 
We're getting a lot of different signals/opinions here :p

Uberamd what do you think of the heat management of the 17" compared to the 15" (were they comparable qua specs?)
 
I know, i know.....Information doesn't help making decisions, knowledge does....
I had the same problem. I bought a 13 mb , sent it back back an got a 17 Mbp.
So good that i did that.
If i ever look at the 13 ich mb of my wife now , i always think about how small the screen is... Too small!
Go 17. Really .
 
YoeriS said:
We're getting a lot of different signals/opinions here :p

Uberamd what do you think of the heat management of the 17" compared to the 15" (were they comparable qua specs?)
Click to expand...

I think the 17" runs plenty cool, seems to be at par or a hair cooler than my 15" MacBook Pro was. Heat has definitely not ever been a problem with my 17".

Here are my current temps with VMWare Fusion running Windows 7, iTunes playing music, Safari open with 4 tabs, terminal, calendar, adium, and mail all open as well.

screen-shot-2009-10-21-at-11932-pm.png


Specs on my 15": 2.4GHz Core2Duo, 4GB RAM, 500GB HD, 256MB Video
Specs on my 17": 2.8GHz Core2Duo, 4GB RAM, 500GB HD, 512MB Video
 
uberamd said:
I think the 17" runs plenty cool, seems to be at par or a hair cooler than my 15" MacBook Pro was. Heat has definitely not ever been a problem with my 17".

Here are my current temps with VMWare Fusion running Windows 7, iTunes playing music, Safari open with 4 tabs, terminal, calendar, adium, and mail all open as well.
Click to expand...

Kudos to you, but you almost gave me a heartattack, afterwards I realized that these temps are in Fahrenheit LOL
Thought you were cooked at first :p

How is overall responsiveness in OSX when running Windows 7 through virtualisation.
 
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