Need help deciding between base 13" or base 15". I have specific criteria.

[djasterix]

Get the base 15" you won't regret it

 

[dvader123]

Ok so I have been going back and forth between the 13" and 15". Today I went back to Apple store for like the 4th time. I have read so many threads in this forum trying to research my decision. So I finally decided today on the 13"...love the size. I did not buy today. BUT I had no idea the speakers were on the bottom. Underneath? WHY WHY WHY? This now has brought back up my feelings of indecisiveness. I was really looking forward to watching movies and tv (off websites) on my new laptop. How big an issue is this?

I prefer the speakers not be underneath the laptop, but I understand that apple probably couldn't find a better place to put it.

I just know from using my wife's 10" netbook (with speakers underneath) that when I watch a video, the sound gets louder when I lift up the computer to move it. It's just weird to me. The one benefit to a netbook is amazing portability. I barely feel it in my bookbag. Now, the 15" pc laptop I'm using now is pretty heavy to me. I don't know what it weighs, but I should find out and compare it with the 15" mbp.

 

[Audrey313]

I prefer the speakers not be underneath the laptop, but I understand that apple probably couldn't find a better place to put it.

I just know from using my wife's 10" netbook (with speakers underneath) that when I watch a video, the sound gets louder when I lift up the computer to move it. It's just weird to me. The one benefit to a netbook is amazing portability. I barely feel it in my bookbag. Now, the 15" pc laptop I'm using now is pretty heavy to me. I don't know what it weighs, but I should find out and compare it with the 15" mbp.

Finding out about this speaker placement has just totally thrown a wrench in my thinking and plan. That just sucks that they are underneath. I don't know much about the ins and outs of the space (or lack thereof) internally, but I just wish that even if they couldn't fit them anywhere up top, they at least could've been put on the sides...anywhere but underneath. Grrrrr!

For the person who recommended the headphones...I'm sure sometimes I might wear headphones, but for the times when I'm in bed, laying down, I don't want to deal with headphones.

 

[Wirbowsky]

I would recommend to sort priorities and establish a budget.
Is mobility or comfort your first priority?

The 13 inches is much more portable than the 15 inches. But you will have a bigger screen, more powerful machine and it seems (i have not compared) better built-in speakers on a 15 inches. Also you can have the anti-glare option on the 15 inches. The screen of the 13 inches is a real mirror and can be an issue if you cannot adapt to it.

Also, there is a clear price difference between a 13 and a 15 inches.

I picked a 13 inches as portability was my first priority and the 15 inches was above my budget (i would have picked the 13 inches nonetheless).

Sometimes, we read people telling they have a 15 or 17 inches and find it portable. I suppose we do not travel the same way. I do a lot of commuting which means I have to carry the laptop instead of putting it inside a trunck.

A 13 inches fits nicely in my backpack and I am grateful it is not heavier.