MBP users 2nd notebook

[ayeying]

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.

I've switched around more then what I can remember lol.

I sold the air and went to a handed down 17" MBP. Honestly, it's not much of a downgrade at all. The performance on the first generation, 17" MBP is the same as the current high end MacBook Air, so it wasn't a hit (more like gain in cha-ching)

I love this system. It's not too big nor is it too small, it seems perfect for me. It's easy just to throw it into my backpack, hop on the cbr and go to school. I don't like using an external monitor for multiple reasons. One of them being, I'm never at my desk. Second, if I stay in one location too long, it turns into a mess (just look at the Past/Present posts I've done lol)

Now, with a 1TB hard drive, and maxed out everything else, even got a SD Card reader, so all in all, it's not too much different from the newer MBPs.

 

[tim100]

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.


yea. the 17 is like a desktop experience. i have tried a 15 but dont like it. when using the 15 i miss the extra space and res of the 17. the 13 is so much smaller you dont compare it to the 17

 

[RaceTripper]

yea. the 17 is like a desktop experience. i have tried a 15 but dont like it. when using the 15 i miss the extra space and res of the 17. the 13 is so much smaller you dont compare it to the 17

I get the complete desktop experience with a 15." At home it's connected to a 30" monitor and it work a 24" monitor. I had a 17" before and it added nothing useful for me, but was more bulk to carry around. Having a smaller, but powerful, laptop is ideal for me. For casual email, browsing, etc. the iPad is perfect.

 

[gwsat]

I have a 17 inch Santa Rosa MBP and an iPad but want a suitably upgraded MBA anyway. The iPad is a lot of fun but by the standards of any real computer, it is critically limited. Even when doing the jobs it can do, the iPad requires too many changes in my usual routine for it to ever become my everyday computer. Worse, there are many other jobs it can't do at all. An MBA, though, if suitably updated, would be capable of doing virtually everything my MBP can do. That is an appealing prospect.

 

[wirelessmacuser]

The iPad is a lot of fun but by the standards of any real computer, it is critically limited.

I could not agree more. It's why after just one week I dumped my iPad.

Especially since I already have a MBA for travel and web work. The MBA may not be the "Latest & Greatest" in terms of the various components, but for the light work I use if for it's terrific. Best of all is the very durable wafer thin form factor. Perfectly suited to slip into a sleeve and into my regular briefcase for traveling.

 

[wirelessmacuser]

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

Good Question

Here's my take on it. Just like selecting ones primary (or only) computer whether it be a desktop or laptop, is a highly personal choice. Each of us have a very wide variety of reasons, needs, and preferences when it comes to our computers. For me as a multiplatformist, I work in OS X, Windows 7, and Linux. Therefore while I have few multi-boot laptops, I also have those that are dedicated to a specific OS. So that's one reason I have more than one laptop.

Second, is the fact that I like choices, I have the budget for it, and I enjoy having just the right size computer for what I'm doing on any given day. While some say it's a hassle to keep them synced, I have my backup routines down and refined, I also have a refined, fast method of keeping each of my laptops in sync. So for me, it's well worth it.

For other users not so much....

 

[entatlrg]

Good Question

Here's my take on it. Just like selecting ones primary (or only) computer whether it be a desktop or laptop, is a highly personal choice. Each of us have a very wide variety of reasons, needs, and preferences when it comes to our computers. For me as a multiplatformist, I work in OS X, Windows 7, and Linux. Therefore while I have few multi-boot laptops, I also have those that are dedicated to a specific OS. So that's one reason I have more than one laptop.

Second, is the fact that I like choices, I have the budget for it, and I enjoy having just the right size computer for what I'm doing on any given day. While some say it's a hassle to keep them synced, I have my backup routines down and refined, I also have a refined, fast metod of keeping each of my laptops in sync. So for me, it's well worth i
For other users not so much....

Good info, please share with us how you keep everything in sync, Dropbox?

 

[smc333]

I'm in college, so here's my take for anyone in the same situation.

For any reasonably constrained budget, there's really no reason to have mutiple expensive Macs.

I got a 13" MBP for portability when needed, but a cheap Windows 7 netbook for taking to class in case I need access to data. I like the iPad, but I would be too afraid to take that around with me every day, though I may get one for fun.

 

[J&JPolangin]

...if you want a second laptop, try the uMB in the refurb section for $759... its the 2.26Ghz uni-body whitebook...

 

[tigress666]

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.

Why not just buy a nice monitor and connect it to that? That's what I do with my macbook. I only use its screen when I need it for its on the go capability. And the monitor was cheaper than another computer (and I can have all my stuff on one computer so I wouldn't have to worry abotu either synching both computers all the time or worrying about something being on one but not the other).

This is why I don't get the arguement abuot the 13" having too small a screen. Unless you are just going to be using the laptop as a laptop all the time or the places you are going to you need the bigger screen (basically you are moving around a lot and it won't really be in any one place for long or you need it to have that big screen when you are on the go), you don't have to use the screen it comes with. Just have a monitor in the place you use it most. And have the screen for when you need it on the go.

But if you are going to buy a bigger laptop to use at home most/all the time and a portable one for moving around, why not just buy a desktop for at home cause it will have more computing power anyways.

 

[Jaro65]

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

Same here. I also have a 15" MBP that has been relegated to the sofa duty (mostly for my wife's use).

 

[peapody]

I have a thinkpad x301 that I am about to sell, and my boyfriend has my netbook:

I needed the 13" for portability to class and what not.. and it was annoying that everyone could see what I was doing on my big ass 15" screen. But since gradation is approaching, and portability is not needed anymore...time to sell off the thinkpad and stay exclusively mac. It's funny though...windows machines gave me more credibility for some reason in my field.

 

[peapody]

double post sorry

 

[tim100]

well the second laptop idea does not seem too popular

 

[entatlrg]

well the second laptop idea does not seem too popular

You might of got a different result had you posted about getting a notebook to accompany your "desktop", since this is primarily how you use your 17".

The MBA is a great choice provided it gets an update next week, otherwise consider a 13" MBP.

Warning: You may find the convenience of a smaller, lighter 13" notebook so good than you find your 17" starts to collect dust, especially if you enjoy typing away from a desk.

 

[entatlrg]

Why not just buy a nice monitor and connect it to that? That's what I do with my macbook. I only use its screen when I need it for its on the go capability. And the monitor was cheaper than another computer (and I can have all my stuff on one computer so I wouldn't have to worry abotu either synching both computers all the time or worrying about something being on one but not the other).

This is why I don't get the arguement abuot the 13" having too small a screen. Unless you are just going to be using the laptop as a laptop all the time or the places you are going to you need the bigger screen (basically you are moving around a lot and it won't really be in any one place for long or you need it to have that big screen when you are on the go), you don't have to use the screen it comes with. Just have a monitor in the place you use it most. And have the screen for when you need it on the go.

But if you are going to buy a bigger laptop to use at home most/all the time and a portable one for moving around, why not just buy a desktop for at home cause it will have more computing power anyways.

... because as mentioned I don't often work from a desk ...

 

[gwsat]

... because as mentioned I don't often work from a desk ...

I do virtually everything with a 17 inch MBP, which usually sits in my lap. My old desktop PC is virtually nothing but a file server these days. That's why the prospect of an MBA that was suitably upgraded to do nearly everything I do on my MBP is so appealing.

 

[wirelessmacuser]

Good info, please share with us how you keep everything in sync, Dropbox?

I use a fast, hi capacity raid array server that I built. In addition I have both Wi-Fi and hard wired Ethernet networks in my home. The nature of my work is highly sensitive (classified) and I'm a big proponent of owning my data, and not putting it "up in the cloud". Although I do use MobileMe and other cloud based services for non critical data management. I use both a BlackBerry and an iPhone. The iPhone is my personal device and the benefits of MobileMe with an iPhone and a Mac computer are substantial. It's a great combination as I'm sure many of you know.

To my server, I have it setup with Acronis (PC Space) and FlyBack (Linux / Mac Space). The ThinkPads are docked, the Macs are without docks. This is a good fast way to keep everything backed up and synced.

I have always preferred a high quality laptop over a desktop, as I'm highly mobile and have residences in the USA and Europe. Everything I do is via computer which keeps my computer case / briefcase / backpack / messenger bag from getting bigger and heavier with contracts and other documents. I have a selection of cases / bags for various uses, which again, gives me the variety and flexibility I seek.


Every laptop is grab and go ready, at the beginning of each day.


Cheers...

 

[wirelessmacuser]

<snip> the prospect of an MBA that was suitably upgraded to do nearly everything I do on my MBP is so appealing.

Very True!

I'm ready to upgrade my MBA if the new version (if there is one and that seems to be probable) is significant enough of an upgrade.

While in my case I have no desire to replace my shiny new 15" i7 MBP, a faster more capable MBA is always of interest to me.

Cheers...

 

[gwsat]

Very True!

I'm ready to upgrade my MBA if the new version (if there is one and that seems to be probable) is significant enough of an upgrade.

While in my case I have no desire to replace my shiny new 15" i7 MBP, a faster more capable MBA is always of interest to me.

Cheers...

I have owned 17 inch Mac laptops for 7 years and love them. Whether or not an upgraded MBA entices me to buy one, I will almost certainly buy whatever the current 17 inch MBP is when AppleCare expires on my current MBP. That won't be until next March, so a lot can still happen between now and then. It's going to be an interesting several months.