Looking to get my first MacBook PRO and cant decide between 15" and 17" models. I like the higher resolution of the 17" but am concerned that it will be more awkward and heavy to bring around with me. Can anyone who has had both let me know if this is the case or is it barely noticable? Do the extra features of the 17" make its extra bulk workthwhile? I travel a bit (once a month through airports) so this is an important factor for me.
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Portability of 15" vs 17"
- Thread starter carrollf
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Some on here will say that even the 15" isn't portable enough. After owning a 17" Apple for five years now, I can't even justify the 13" portability, the screen size is just too addicting.
for me the 17 seemed just a tad cumbersome, so I went with the 15 and it's just great. The pic size and quality is just right.
In terms of physical dimensions, the 17" isn't really that much bigger than the 15", but long ago when I had to make the decision I decided that the 17" was just a little too large and awkward to carry around with me, so I went for the 15".
The 15 Inch is perfect for me anyways, the 17 Inch does have it's nice touches if you usually watch a movie or do some graphic intense work when you're traveling.
I agree. I was also in the same situation, and almost made the mistake of getting the 15". The 17" feels great and has no issues when it comes to portability, and was definitely worth it.
Hi,
I've only had my new 17" UMBP a couple of days & am already use to the size - it really does not feel that much bigger when in use - hardly notice any difference tbh. The screen is insanely good but the text is quite small which I did not allow for! I find it too small really but apparently one cannot do anything about it without compromising quality which kind of defeats the purpose of having a superior screen!
Bazzy!
I've only had my new 17" UMBP a couple of days & am already use to the size - it really does not feel that much bigger when in use - hardly notice any difference tbh. The screen is insanely good but the text is quite small which I did not allow for! I find it too small really but apparently one cannot do anything about it without compromising quality which kind of defeats the purpose of having a superior screen!
Bazzy!
I find a noticeable difference between the size of the 15" and 17"; If you're going to be carrying this around daily, I recommend the 15. Friends who have the 17" end up carrying around a bag that is far, far bigger than necessary for my 15, and the 15" screen is plenty big enough for a laptop.
I got the 15" and regretted it so much and return it for a 17". Apple was nice enough not to charge me restocking fees.
17" is well worth it. The res. on the screen is sweet!!! Unless you are 100 pounds you will not noticed it at all.
17" is well worth it. The res. on the screen is sweet!!! Unless you are 100 pounds you will not noticed it at all.
I got the 17" and couldn't be happier. I was originally going to get the 15" when I was comparing the two side by side in the Apple store, because it seemed so much lighter, but in reality, the 17" is still really practical, and the far higher resolution is a great bonus.
17" all the way!
17" all the way!
Go with the 17" and you won't regret it. Like I said, I was EXTREMELY close to getting the 15", but ended up cancelling my ordering and going with the 17" and couldn't be happier.
I was in the exact same situation as you but luckily was convinced to get the 17". These threads should help you in your decision as much as they helped me.
https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/724133/
https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/715590/
https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/717785/
https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/732711/
I was in the exact same situation as you but luckily was convinced to get the 17". These threads should help you in your decision as much as they helped me.
https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/724133/
https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/715590/
https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/717785/
https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/732711/
Well, coming home from the store and carrying 24 beer, I did think my 17 was too heavy. So I stopped and had a few beer and set off minus 2 bottles 
But seriously, it's all the extra crap I carry around in my case (iPod touch/charger, cell phone/charger, camera/charger, e-book reader/charger)that add up. The 17 by itself is 0.3 lbs less than my 15.6 inch HP
Tom
(the beer story is true; after 2 beer, I called my girlfriend to pick me up because of laziness)
But seriously, it's all the extra crap I carry around in my case (iPod touch/charger, cell phone/charger, camera/charger, e-book reader/charger)that add up. The 17 by itself is 0.3 lbs less than my 15.6 inch HP
Tom
(the beer story is true; after 2 beer, I called my girlfriend to pick me up because of laziness)
I'm actually moving in the reverse direction - I've used a 15" MBP at work for several years for portable sysadmin and video editing, however, since my carpal has taken a turn for the worse I'm finding I can't carry around the 15" MBP as readily as I once could.
So, I recently bought a Dell Mini 9 and hacked it with OS X (I don't need a Core Duo to run Terminal) for portable sysadmin and taking to conferences and such. That way I only use the MBP for actual video editing on the road instead of my default work portable.
All that noted, I'm actually considering a 17" MBP as a replacement for my home iMac at some point next year - same screen size as I'm currently used to, and I have an ergonomic desk setup that would accommodate it nicely. Plus, I could take it mobile (even if it's just around the house) much more easily than an iMac.
So, I recently bought a Dell Mini 9 and hacked it with OS X (I don't need a Core Duo to run Terminal) for portable sysadmin and taking to conferences and such. That way I only use the MBP for actual video editing on the road instead of my default work portable.
All that noted, I'm actually considering a 17" MBP as a replacement for my home iMac at some point next year - same screen size as I'm currently used to, and I have an ergonomic desk setup that would accommodate it nicely. Plus, I could take it mobile (even if it's just around the house) much more easily than an iMac.