New 13" x 16" - practical difference beyond specs

[dmaxdmax]

My daughter is getting a new laptop to replace her mid-2014 MBP. She's a graphic design major working nearly exclusively in 2d and is starting her first web development classes this term. Her current laptop is great but struggles in photoshop, especially if anything else is running. She's likely to run an external monitor for major projects but most of the time she won't.

In skimming back through a dozen pages of threads it appears that there are a lot more problems related to the 16" than the 13. Am I imagining this? Power, heat, panics, etc.

Leaving aside the screen size preference, is one computer "better" than the other?

TIA

 

[profcutter]

Seems like most of the problems in the 16” have to do with driver problems related to the 5300 and 5500 GPUs. Other complaints have to do with the screen. If she’s doing serious work, the 16 with the 5600 seems like the most stable option/

 

[Osamede]

Bigger device has more space in the palmrest area. You wont think about it much if you are used use the smaller device, in fact going to the bigger size would feel clunky and too far to reach around. But if you are used to using larger laptops you'd notice it and the smaller device will feel a tiny bit cramped.

Smaller device easier to open and use in compact spaces, eg seated on airplane, seated in rows on train

Smaller device is lighter weight, but both sizes are fairly light by most standards.

 

[dmaxdmax]

Seems like most of the problems in the 16” have to do with driver problems related to the 5300 and 5500 GPUs. Other complaints have to do with the screen. If she’s doing serious work, the 16 with the 5600 seems like the most stable option/

Sadly the 5600 is outside our budget

 

[dmaxdmax]

Bigger device has more space in the palmrest area. You wont think about it much if you are used use the smaller device, in fact going to the bigger size would feel clunky and too far to reach around. But if you are used to using larger laptops you'd notice it and the smaller device will feel a tiny bit cramped.

Smaller device easier to open and use in compact spaces, eg seated on airplane, seated in rows on train

Smaller device is lighter weight, but both sizes are fairly light by most standards.

For her, smaller vs larger will be about the screen size preferences. She loves her current 13"

 

[PlayUltimate]

There is this: https://www.digitaltrends.com/computing/macbook-pro-13-vs-macbook-pro-16/

 

[PlayUltimate]

Personally, I would get the smaller device and an external monitor/keyboard. That's assuming that the extra horsepower from the 16" is not needed.

 

[matram]

If your daughter like the size of the 13” the only reason to choose the 16” would be if she truly need the extra performance of the top of the line 16” and that sounds unlikely. Otherwise go with the 13”.

 

[velocityg4]

For use in class. I'd say the 13" is preferable. Desks can be quite small making the 16" too unwieldy. It'll also be more useful working around campus where table/desk space is limited. Given budget considerations. It can also pair nicely with an iPad for writing notes, reading etextbooks, drawing diagrams, &c.

Perhaps also take the time to scan any textbooks not available in digital. So, they are accessable as a PDF on the iPad.

 

[Cosmo M3]

like with all things, it'll be nice to have the extra power from the 16" MBP, but the 13" will do fine as well.

 

[TurboJobo]

If she is going to school and taking her laptop I would recommend the 13" it was great and light. The only reason I got the 15" was because my laptop never leaves my house now and I was a bigger display and a bit more power.