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MBP 15" i5 2.4 or MBP 13" C2D 2.4 w/LCD Monitor?

MBP 15" i5 2.4 or MBP 13" C2D 2.4 w/LCD Monitor?

  • 15" MBP i5 2.4 GHz

    Votes: 15 36.6%

  • 13" MBP C2D 2.4 GHz + 23" LCD

    Votes: 26 63.4%
  • Total voters
    41
dmk1974

dmk1974

macrumors 68020
Original poster
Sep 16, 2008
2,491
540
I'm thinking of getting a MacBook Pro for my wife and was considering two options for her. Her typical use (with her current Dell laptop) is probably 40% browsing while laying on the couch and 60% browsing/working at her desk.

Option #1:
15" MBP i5 2.4 GHz (Apple Refurb price: $1529)

Option #2:
13" MBP C2D 2.4 GHz (Apple Refurb price: $1019)
23" Samsung Monitor (Costco price: $200)
I'll search for other monitor options as well, but that 23" for $200 is about the size/price I'm looking at.

The thought process is that for about $300 less, she can use the smaller laptop more easily on the couch, or then connect it to a much larger screen at her desk.

But while the specs are a little less powerful, I think it would still be good for browsing, office, and iLife apps, correct? Or is it worth the extra $300 to have the 15" laptop and then just use that size while at her desk as well? Thanks!
 
dmk1974 said:
I'm thinking of getting a MacBook Pro for my wife and was considering two options for her. Her typical use (with her current Dell laptop) is probably 40% browsing while laying on the couch and 60% browsing/working at her desk.

Option #1:
15" MBP i5 2.4 GHz (Apple Refurb price: $1529)

Option #2:
13" MBP C2D 2.4 GHz (Apple Refurb price: $1019)
23" Samsung Monitor (Costco price: $200)
I'll search for other monitor options as well, but that 23" for $200 is about the size/price I'm looking at.

The thought process is that for about $300 less, she can use the smaller laptop more easily on the couch, or then connect it to a much larger screen at her desk.

But while the specs are a little less powerful, I think it would still be good for browsing, office, and iLife apps, correct? Or is it worth the extra $300 to have the 15" laptop and then just use that size while at her desk as well? Thanks!
Click to expand...
If that's all she does get the monitor, a wireless mouse, and a wireless keyboard. Then she can dock the MBP and have the comfort of desktop when working at the desk, and have the convenience of a smaller laptop while browsing.
 
Wattser93 said:
If that's all she does get the monitor, a wireless mouse, and a wireless keyboard. Then she can dock the MBP and have the comfort of desktop when working at the desk, and have the convenience of a smaller laptop while browsing.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the reply. I do have a Logitech wireless keyboard/mouse combo that she can use. I know it's not the expensive Apple branded version, but it worked fine with my own MacBook Pro when I tried it.
 
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+1 on that idea. Get the 13". If you have a microcrenter near by it's only 999. Get the monitor, mouse, and keyboard. Makes it much easier to use the laptop as a desktop.
 
jetblk328i said:
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+1 on that idea. Get the 13". If you have a microcrenter near by it's only 999. Get the monitor, mouse, and keyboard. Makes it much easier to use the laptop as a desktop.
Click to expand...

Thanks. I'm really leaning this way.

The main spec differences (aside from the size of course) I see is in the processor and the 320M vs GT 330M video. She definitely wants to be able to make videos in iMovie and stuff like that. The C2D isn't going to choke compared to the i5, will it? If it takes a little longer, no big deal though.
 
dmk1974 said:
Thanks for the reply. I do have a Logitech wireless keyboard/mouse combo that she can use. I know it's not the expensive Apple branded version, but it worked fine with my own MacBook Pro when I tried it.
Click to expand...

IMO, Logitech makes nicer mice and keyboards anyways. I've never been a fan of Apple keyboards or mice.


dmk1974 said:
The main spec differences (aside from the size of course) I see is in the processor and the 320M vs GT 330M video. She definitely wants to be able to make videos in iMovie and stuff like that. The C2D isn't going to choke compared to the i5, will it? If it takes a little longer, no big deal though.
Click to expand...
She should be fine using iMovie and such with the 13" MBP, it's no slouch despite having an older processor.
It's easy to get caught up in a "race for the specs", buying the highest spec'd machine for "future proofing", but most people replace their computers when they want something new, not because it's become uselessly slow.
 
Last edited:
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Yea I make a few short movies for fun with some friends on iMovie and it works very well. I don't know how intensive your wife's movies are, I think it will be fine. With that said, expect it to be slower than the i5 obviously. Also a few more beachballs. But certainly not painful.
 
jetblk328i said:
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Yea I make a few short movies for fun with some friends on iMovie and it works very well. I don't know how intensive your wife's movies are, I think it will be fine. With that said, expect it to be slower than the i5 obviously. Also a few more beachballs. But certainly not painful.
Click to expand...

The movies would all be from video and photos shot with her iPhone 4. Pretty high-res, but I'm hoping then since they are both Apple that it all compresses smoothly.
 
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I think you will be fine with the c2d then. Slower but itll always get you there.
 
Well, I picked up the 13" MBP C2D 2.4 GHz at Best Buy today. We'll see how it is at home tonight. Maybe I should keep it for myself and give the wife the Dell...hmmmm :)
 
dmk1974 said:
Thanks. I'm really leaning this way.

The main spec differences (aside from the size of course) I see is in the processor and the 320M vs GT 330M video. She definitely wants to be able to make videos in iMovie and stuff like that. The C2D isn't going to choke compared to the i5, will it? If it takes a little longer, no big deal though.
Click to expand...

I have the 13" + monitor combo, and I love it. It's a great size for just lounging and browsing, but it is great having the option of a bigger screen at a desk. It's definitely powerful enough for what she wants to do, and I have made some stuff in iMovie with no problem with my machine, which is essentially the same spec as the 13" MBP.
 
Have you considered the 13" Air? It would be ideal for the usage you describe. I bet she'd love it.
 
He Air just seemed a little to weak per the specs/dollar. Really nice though! Played with it at the store the other day.

So I bought a HDMI adapter to connect the MBP 13" to a Samsung HDTV (at least as a test for a possible monitor that I still have to buy). Am I missing something regarding closing the lid? With the lid up, I get the mirror display and even have the wireless USB Logitech keyboard mouse working great. But when I close the lid, the damn thing keeps going to sleep! How do I get around this? Thanks!

BTW...the sound and video look great on the 46" Samsung LCDTV!!!
 
The 13" MBP is a pretty ideal machine if you have an external monitor. Here is the comparison I did between 13" and 15":

Same:
- unibody construction
- 2 USB slots
- SD slot
- Airport Extreme
- Bluetooth
- Mini DisplayPort
- MagSafe power port
- iSight camera = FaceTime camera
- support for Apple earphones with mic
- Multi-Touch trackpad
- omnidirectional microphone
- SuperDrive
- upgradable HD
- 8 GB max RAM

13" Pros:
- price (you can install an SSD drive for the price difference)
- weight and size (important on airplanes)
- battery life

15" Pros:
- bigger screen size and higher resolution (less important if you have an external monitor)
- better CPU and graphics
 
I went to the local Costco this evening to check out the monitors, but all they had were Samsung models. I came home with the 27" Samsung P2770H. It is sweet! I have the adapter to connect to the MBP (DVI). The 1920 x 1080 is sweet!

The only issue I had was trying to get it to go to sleep along with my MBP. The lids is closed on the MBP when I use it hooked up with the 27 incher. I have the wireless Logitech keyboard and mouse. Actually, on the Bootcamp Windows 7 partition, it did sleeep. But not in Snow Leopard. Maybe this monitor isn't supported when used with Macs?
 
I know the desk itself sucks, but here's a photo of the setup.
 

Attachments

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