MBP users 2nd notebook

I still use my Black Macbook from early 2007. I take it on road trips so my wife can watch movies

 

why is the macbook not an option?

 

MBA is a nice computer, Very light and great for travel. But I think for myself I would save the cash and get the MBP 13".

 

i don't know your computing needs and it seems like you have cash to spare, but i think an iPad would be a better companion to a MBP 17 then another macbook, no?

 

Keeping data synched is a pain in the posterior end. It's troublesome enough with a MBP 15 and my Linux desktop.

 

I just have one MBP. It is the 15" anti glare and it works well..sometimes I wish I had something a little smaller while traveling, but I do not feel it's worth it to spend another 1,000-1,400 dollars on a second notebook. I considered the iPad 3G, but even that had trouble being justified

 

What's your main reason for wanting to buy a smaller notebook? Do you find the 17" too big/heavy in some cases and want something smaller for travel, coffee shop, couch?

It's ideal in many ways to use only one computer. I first bought a 17" MBP and loved it -but- it was just a little too big and resolution a little higher than I like on a 17".

So I've been buying 15" MBP's and tried more than once to use it as my 'only computer'. There's good reasons to do it, the 15" screen is beautiful and is better to use for longer hours than a 13", the more screen real estate the more productive you are ... etc etc

However, in day to day use it is heavier, bulkier and more often than not I would think twice about bringing it with me, it's just not an easy grab and go computer ... well it's easy to grab and go but no as easy, convenient, fun to grab and go as a 13" notebook.

So, I bought a MacBook Air and really enjoyed it until I found the 2GB ram limiting and the machine sounds like its being worked too hard when doing some tasks so I gave it to my wife for surfing/emailing etc.

I recently bought new 13" MBP and I REALLY like it, easy to grab and go, fits on any table, comfy on your lap, fits in most bags etc.

If it wasn't for me needing/wanting more screen real estate for photoshop video editing and long text documents I'd likely only use a 13" MBP, that's because I like to use and carry it.

However the "right" answer and what I probably should be doing is going back to using ONLY my 15" MBP. It's more sensible in many ways. I'd have the benefit of the larger, higher resolution screen at all time, all my files and work would be in one place, and I should just get used to the extra pound and inch in size, it's not a huge difference.

But, I'm a gadget freak, I like all sizes of laptops, it's a business expense but it doesn't mean it's the best set up, lol. Hell, there's guys on here that own all three, 13, 15 and 17" MBP 's. Cool, but I wonder how they all get used?

Edit: Say no to the iPad idea ... I have one and it's great but not to be confused with a laptop computer

 

I have a 17" MBP and an iPad. Perfect combination.

 

I have stay at home Macs and computers, the MacBook is for travelling. I don't need 2 for travelling...

 

I am contemplating the purchase of an iPad though for leisure travel and just pure entertainment.

 

I just don't see the point of two notebooks for one user. If I added a Mac it would be a desktop Mac, not another notebook.

 

I have my 15" i5 MBP and a tiny Acer NetBook with XP for light travel...the NetBook is great for email, surfing, word processing and watching tv/movies on the go...
That little NetBook was about the best $250 I've ever spent on tech gear...
160GB HD, 1G RAM, 6 hour battery and just about 1.5 pounds...the thing is a rugged little rascal as well...

 

Desktop windows machine, for everything. Low end 2006 macbook for typing/coding on the run.

 

I think his 17" = his desktop, (plus the option to travel if needed).

Smaller machine likely wanted for 'on the go' lighter weight computing?

 

although i can see why you would be looking into another computer, I personally think that having two computers can be difficult in times when i want them to stay in sync. with that said though, there are lots of people who have a desktop and a laptop, so i'd get a low end 13". Might even consider MBA if its gonna be updated at WWDC

 

I have a MBP 15" and a ThinkPad T61p as my 2ndary

 

The reason I switched to a MBP was cause I had an "all-in-one". It's too much of a hassle/headache to manage two computers.

 

There is always the Hackintosh Netbook. That may be frowned upon around here, but they work really well. mymacnetbook.com

 

I recall you sold your Macbook Air and went to the 17" a few months back, right?

How are you liking it so far? Every with you'd of gone with a 15" or a 13" (with External Monitor).

If you're not hooking up to an external monitor often then the bigger the screen size you can manage the laptop the better, imo.

 

One notebook, one iPad and one iPhone. God I love

 

My work is quite varied & about 50% net centric. Twice a year I'm traveling to major metro cities in the USA & Abroad. For travel I bought a MacBook Air a year ago. It's been great for that, although as you know they are obscenely priced. For all the work I do on the net I don't need "the lastest or fastest" processor. It's the rigid, light & wafer thin aluminum form factor that's a clear advantage for me.

 

Personally, I would recommend getting an MID depending on your needs. They are cheap, able to watch flash video, and very compact. That is what I am looking to get anyway.

Anyway, I am going to through this out there: Do you really need to get another laptop? Is it really worth the money?

Also: It always seems to be users who buy 17" MBP that are looking for a smaller secondary machine. Why not just get a 15"? Pretty much the same specs and decently sized to boot.

lol I currently have a 15" MBP and a ThinkPad T60p as my extra/secondary. Got the T60p from school (they forced computer science majors to get one as a portable lab).

Currently using it as HTPC as I don't have the funds to get a "real" one.