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New 13" Users

J

jlasoff

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Mar 13, 2011
6
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Contemplating the 13" vs the 15".
Taking the processor/drive/peformance out of the equation, does the size, screen real estate, especially the resolution bother you.
Have any of you ever owned a 15" and made the switch (or vice versa?).
Many thanks, peeps.
 
Having owned 3 13" MBP/MBAs the resolution doesn't bother me at all. The 15" is just too big for the portability I need it for. I personally use the 13" with a 22" monitor when I get home/to my desk. It allows portability, and a bigger screen when I need it. The best of both worlds for me.
 
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Thanks, man.
Have you ever owned a 15"?
Are they a lot less portable, comfortable for actual 'lap' use?
 
I too chose the 13" due to portability. I moved from a 15.4" Laptop and haven't regretted it one bit.
 
I've never actually owned one myself, but after using a family member's 15" and using them at the store, I think the 15" is just too big for me as a student. The desks I sometimes have to use at school are barely big enough for a 13" never mind a 15". Also, being a student, saving money with the 13" is never a bad thing.
 
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Thanks, Mik.
You never find the screen too cramped, resolution low?
Really appreciate it, all.
I've owned iMacs forever, first jump into MacBookLand. I'm killing myself trying to decide between the two.
 
I am now on my second 13" MBP and this will be the laptop I continue to get. I have always used 15" or bigger laptops until a couple years ago when I picked up my first 13" MBP. I love the size, it the perfect combination of portability and power. to me the 15" are just a bit too big.
 
jlasoff said:
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Thanks, Mik.
You never find the screen too cramped, resolution low?
Really appreciate it, all.
I've owned iMacs forever, first jump into MacBookLand. I'm killing myself trying to decide between the two.
Click to expand...

Not at all, I was concerned about the resolution at first but once it arrived it didn't bother me at all.

I use spaces to manage my open apps so the screen is never too cramped for me
 
I just went from a 2007 17" MBP to the current high-end 13". I have an external monitor, so I don't miss the screen space when I'm at home, but it is only *mildly* annoying when I am elsewhere with my laptop. I will say that the added portability of the smaller model is a huge plus for my shoulder and for the space in my bag. I find the current resolution to be more than adequate for what I do; and again, I have a full 1080p external monitor if I ever really want to get down to business. I think the "low resolution" crap for the 13" has been blown way out of proportion. The screen looks fantastic. It is bright, with deep, vibrant colors, and is fine for anything anyone with a 13" screen will be doing.

My recommendation would be go for the 13" and spend $150/£100 on an external monitor and have the best of both worlds. It's one of the best decisions I've ever made.
 
jlasoff said:
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Thanks, Mik.
You never find the screen too cramped, resolution low?
Really appreciate it, all.
I've owned iMacs forever, first jump into MacBookLand. I'm killing myself trying to decide between the two.
Click to expand...

It's Nik, but sometimes I do like to have a bit more room. If I'm writing a paper while researching, I just use my external monitor which gives me plenty of space. If I continue to have a monitor, I'll continue to buy a 13" MBP.
 
eaf7s said:
My recommendation would be go for the 13" and spend $150/£100 on an external monitor and have the best of both worlds. It's one of the best decisions I've ever made.
Click to expand...

My thoughts exactly. I picked up my monitor for about $150 last year, and it has 1080p, hdmi, DVI and VGA.
 
NikFinn said:
It's Nik, but sometimes I do like to have a bit more room. If I'm writing a paper while researching, I just use my external monitor which gives me plenty of space. If I continue to have a monitor, I'll continue to buy a 13" MBP.
Click to expand...

Think he may have been responding to me :p
 
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Thanks, both of you!
 
Love my 13". When I first saw it in the store, I said to myself, "man this thing is small."

Then came the time to actually purchase and replace my 15", well I just decided to save some cash and go for the 13". After using this for weeks, its really a good balance between power and portability.

Highly recommend 13" for anyone.
 
Got the MBP 13" i7 today. It's great power and portability wise, but i've found myself a little cramped on screen, coming from a 20" iMac.
 
I would wish a 15" just for the increased performance, really.

I mean it would be nice to have a bigger screen, it's a bit better for your eyes, but apart from that, the 13" is wonderful.
 
i had a 13" and after a year sold it off and bought a 15" HR. I wouldnt buy a 13" unless I was a student and needed portability 8x a day. I ferry it from home to work every day and appreciate the resolution, but im not doing it on my bike or walking all day.
 
I had air 13" (same resolution as the mbp 15") and now I'm using the mbp 13, does not bother me at all. and I'm working with small/medium photoshop editing and multiple window/apps in the same time.
 
Mik3F said:
I too chose the 13" due to portability. I moved from a 15.4" Laptop and haven't regretted it one bit.
Click to expand...

Considering your specs from the 2010 to the 2011 model and what do you do with your MBP(?!), how do you find the performance gains with the new machine I'm on the verge of going 15" just for the video card - but I don't require it unless Lion will continue to boost performance of the entire OS X via OpenGL.
 
I went from a 15" to the 13" and really enjoy the portability. Screen size doesn't bother me
 
just came from 13" to 15". I got the 15" for the power and semi portability. It's not as small as the 13 more has the extra power to do gaming and editing. IMO the 15" was better for me, but if u need the extra portability 13" is for u.
 
I chose the 13" as I had one before, still have it, trying to sell it.

Basically, all my bags are for the 13" so it made it easier, but I love having a powerful little machine, that fits into a small satchel bag.
 
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