I know how much you guys hate reading so I'm going to keep it short and sweet.
I waited until WWDC to order my first Mac. I originally had my sights on the 15" MBP. However, after several days worth of reading reviews, and several trips to the Apple Store, I realized that that the 17" was the way to go(I'm so glad I made this decision). Since there was only a $150 price difference between the top-spec 15" and the 17", I went ahead and got the 17". Total came out to $2039 (BTO with 7200 RPM 500GB) after my $500 ADC Student Developer discount, plus tax.
Anyway, I'm absolutely amazed at the design - Apple sure wasn't kidding when they said they made the "thinnest, lightest 17 inch notebook in the world". This thing actually feels MORE PORTABLE than the laptop it's replacing - a one-year old Asus M50, a 15" PC notebook (C2D 2.5Ghz, 4GB 887, 500GB 5400, Ati 3650 1GB). This is my first Mac and so far I'm extremely satisfied. A couple of quirks, however, which I'll get to later. Enjoy the pictures:
Size comparison with a standard magazine
Absolutely STUNNING display
I have a Moshi clearguard keyboard protector which I installed immediately. It feels great and you can't even tell it's in place.
Side-by-side with my 15" Asus M50:
As you can see, the 17" MBP is not significantly larger than the 15" Asus - In fact, it's actually THINNER and LIGHTER, and is much more portable.
The display on the 17" is incredible. I've yet to calibrate it, but as you can see the LED display is amazing - the White is much purer on the MBP, and looks dirty/tinted on the Asus(both shown at full brightness). Pictures don't do justice; the MBP is MUCH brighter IRL.
The MBP is about half an inch thinner than the Asus, I think.
ACCESSORIES: 17" Incase Sleeve, North Face Surge Backpack
TV that I usually connect to via HDMI for movies/etc. (I got a minidisplayport-hdmi adapter from monoprice for cheap):
A few minor issues:
- The bottom panel creaks if you apply pressure to it. Not really that big of a deal, and it's not really noticeable.
- I'm not entirely sure but I think my display might be bowed slightly...It doesn't bother me enough to want to exchange it but I'm not even sure...basically the gap between the lid and the MBP when closed is slightly larger in the middle than on the sides(see below). I don't know if you can tell from this picture. I'd appreciate if someone could at least compare with their 17"(high-rez here)
As for portability, as you can see it's actually roughly the same size as my old 15" PC laptop which I'm used to carrying around(I'm a college student), except the MBP is a lot thinner and actually feels a lot easier to handle. The only time I can see myself running into trouble is during flights, in which case I might not have enough room to open the display all the way(in any case I'll probably have it on my lap rather than the table). Luckily I don't travel often so that won't be an issue.
Like I said, the display is stunning and everyone knows that. This is, without a doubt, the BEST notebook screen I've ever seen/owned. I went with the glossy(gasp), and have no regrets. I'm not easily distracted by the reflections(which aren't as bad as everyone makes them out to be), which only really create problems if you have a light source directly behind you.
The speakers are incredible, especially for a laptop. It has great bass response and puts the 13" speakers to shame.
I got 6 hours and 44 minutes from my first battery run-down(straight from the box), with brightness a little below half, WIFI on, and really just surfing/playing itunes in the background/installing stuff. So far I'm extremely pleased and absolutely glad I went for the 17"(There came a time where I had doubts on the 17" and was extremely close to getting a 15" instead because I originally thought the 17" would be too big. Luckily I posted a thread and you guys talked me out of it. I'd just like to say thanks!). I haven't been on this forum for long(I created an account a little after WWDC to ask questions around here before I made my first MBP purchase), but it really paid off.
Anyway, that's it for now. I'll edit this post later with more impressions later(I've only owned this for a day now). Still figuring things out as a first-time Mac user!
I waited until WWDC to order my first Mac. I originally had my sights on the 15" MBP. However, after several days worth of reading reviews, and several trips to the Apple Store, I realized that that the 17" was the way to go(I'm so glad I made this decision). Since there was only a $150 price difference between the top-spec 15" and the 17", I went ahead and got the 17". Total came out to $2039 (BTO with 7200 RPM 500GB) after my $500 ADC Student Developer discount, plus tax.
Anyway, I'm absolutely amazed at the design - Apple sure wasn't kidding when they said they made the "thinnest, lightest 17 inch notebook in the world". This thing actually feels MORE PORTABLE than the laptop it's replacing - a one-year old Asus M50, a 15" PC notebook (C2D 2.5Ghz, 4GB 887, 500GB 5400, Ati 3650 1GB). This is my first Mac and so far I'm extremely satisfied. A couple of quirks, however, which I'll get to later. Enjoy the pictures:
Size comparison with a standard magazine
Absolutely STUNNING display
I have a Moshi clearguard keyboard protector which I installed immediately. It feels great and you can't even tell it's in place.
Side-by-side with my 15" Asus M50:
As you can see, the 17" MBP is not significantly larger than the 15" Asus - In fact, it's actually THINNER and LIGHTER, and is much more portable.
The display on the 17" is incredible. I've yet to calibrate it, but as you can see the LED display is amazing - the White is much purer on the MBP, and looks dirty/tinted on the Asus(both shown at full brightness). Pictures don't do justice; the MBP is MUCH brighter IRL.
The MBP is about half an inch thinner than the Asus, I think.
ACCESSORIES: 17" Incase Sleeve, North Face Surge Backpack
TV that I usually connect to via HDMI for movies/etc. (I got a minidisplayport-hdmi adapter from monoprice for cheap):
A few minor issues:
- The bottom panel creaks if you apply pressure to it. Not really that big of a deal, and it's not really noticeable.
- I'm not entirely sure but I think my display might be bowed slightly...It doesn't bother me enough to want to exchange it but I'm not even sure...basically the gap between the lid and the MBP when closed is slightly larger in the middle than on the sides(see below). I don't know if you can tell from this picture. I'd appreciate if someone could at least compare with their 17"(high-rez here)
As for portability, as you can see it's actually roughly the same size as my old 15" PC laptop which I'm used to carrying around(I'm a college student), except the MBP is a lot thinner and actually feels a lot easier to handle. The only time I can see myself running into trouble is during flights, in which case I might not have enough room to open the display all the way(in any case I'll probably have it on my lap rather than the table). Luckily I don't travel often so that won't be an issue.
Like I said, the display is stunning and everyone knows that. This is, without a doubt, the BEST notebook screen I've ever seen/owned. I went with the glossy(gasp), and have no regrets. I'm not easily distracted by the reflections(which aren't as bad as everyone makes them out to be), which only really create problems if you have a light source directly behind you.
The speakers are incredible, especially for a laptop. It has great bass response and puts the 13" speakers to shame.
I got 6 hours and 44 minutes from my first battery run-down(straight from the box), with brightness a little below half, WIFI on, and really just surfing/playing itunes in the background/installing stuff. So far I'm extremely pleased and absolutely glad I went for the 17"(There came a time where I had doubts on the 17" and was extremely close to getting a 15" instead because I originally thought the 17" would be too big. Luckily I posted a thread and you guys talked me out of it. I'd just like to say thanks!). I haven't been on this forum for long(I created an account a little after WWDC to ask questions around here before I made my first MBP purchase), but it really paid off.
Anyway, that's it for now. I'll edit this post later with more impressions later(I've only owned this for a day now). Still figuring things out as a first-time Mac user!
