I got my Macbook pro 15 back in March. Since then, my company has been nice enough to purchase a 17 Macbook pro for me. However, due to an ordering error the machine I requested has a different harddrive then the machine I got. I have had the 17 Macbook pro for 1 month now. I didnt want to do a write up on it until I actually used it for a bit.
Specs:
Macbook pro 15
2.16 GHz
7200 RPM HD
2 GB RAM (Added when machine was purchased)
Macbook pro 17
2.16 GHz
5400 RPM HD
1 GB RAM (I had the other 1 GB added by Compusa)
The 17 Macbook pro didnt fit in any of the laptop cases I had. I had about 10 cases sitting in my closet and none fit it. (I have no idea how I collected so many cases) The 15 fit in every case that I have. I ended up getting a really nice case designed for the 17 PowerBooks. I didnt realize until after I signed my name it was $180. Ouch.
The heat issues are better on the 17 Macbook pro. Playing games like World of Warcraft you will notice no difference in the 2 models. I have also had no whine problem with the 17. On my 15 I am forced to use Photobooth all the time which tends to make the system unstable over very long use. After about a week or 2 of closing the lid when I go out, go to sleep, eat dinner the system will end up crashing. Not a kernelpanic type crash. The UI becomes non-responsive applications wont close, etc. Logout will sometimes fix it, but generally requires a reboot.
Sleep mode so far has been much better on my 17. Many times it takes 1 to 2 minutes to force my 15 to wake up. Quite a few times I have ended up cold rebooting the machine in frustration. I have spent hours and hours on the phone with Apple care trying to fix the issue. The sleep issues popped up on the first day with the 15. I have not (knock on wood) had this issue with the 17.
Battery life on the 17 is much better then the 15. On a recent flight, my girlfriend was watching a DVD on the 15 while I was watching a DVD on my 17. By the time the movie was over, her battery was dead and I still had an hour of charge left. (Rest of the time was spent doing documentation)
Speaking of the battery. The original battery that came with my 15 is totally dead. Luckily, I bought a secondary battery not too long ago. I am having a hell of a time getting Apple to replace it. But, thats a whole other rant.
The weight of the 17 makes it annoying for travel. Its a very noticeable difference from the 15.
The screen on the 17 has 2 flaws. First off, the screen is very floppy. Picking up the machine to relocate it will general cause the screen to flop closed. The 15 was very stiff, but closes easy, If that makes sense
I know the 17 screen will weight a little more then a 15, but I dont think its so much of a difference that it would create a floppy screen. They changed something about the hinges.
The other flaw of the screen is the lower part is a tiny bit darker then the top. On mine, its generally hard to notice. However, I have seen some that are more noticeable. (In stores and such)
Wireless has been more stable on the 17 then the 15. For example, I tried for almost an hour to connect to the free wireless at JFK airport (Jetblue). The 17 found it right away. The office I work in has been upgrading all previous Powerbook users to Macbook pros. They are all getting 15, I am the nut ball who wanted the 17 The largest complaint I have heard has been wireless. There are a few places in the office where my signal is at half and they have none. They tend to drop signal a lot moving from one end to the other. (We have multiple access points)
I am very happy that the 17 includes 2 USB ports on the left side. I cant believe the 15 doesnt have 3 USB slots. However, the right side USB slot is in a very bad spot. If you are using an external mouse, and have something plugged in that slot. You will find navigating more difficult. I find it odd that they put the USB slot towards the front and the firewire slots towards the back. Which do you think is going be used more commonly.
I am happy to report that the 15 and the 17 use the same power connector. I was worried about getting them mixed up.
If I had to pick one, I would without a doubt go with the 17. If the Macbooks didnt have integrated graphics I would get one for travel. But, being a WoW player, it just doesnt do it for me.
Specs:
Macbook pro 15
2.16 GHz
7200 RPM HD
2 GB RAM (Added when machine was purchased)
Macbook pro 17
2.16 GHz
5400 RPM HD
1 GB RAM (I had the other 1 GB added by Compusa)
The 17 Macbook pro didnt fit in any of the laptop cases I had. I had about 10 cases sitting in my closet and none fit it. (I have no idea how I collected so many cases) The 15 fit in every case that I have. I ended up getting a really nice case designed for the 17 PowerBooks. I didnt realize until after I signed my name it was $180. Ouch.
The heat issues are better on the 17 Macbook pro. Playing games like World of Warcraft you will notice no difference in the 2 models. I have also had no whine problem with the 17. On my 15 I am forced to use Photobooth all the time which tends to make the system unstable over very long use. After about a week or 2 of closing the lid when I go out, go to sleep, eat dinner the system will end up crashing. Not a kernelpanic type crash. The UI becomes non-responsive applications wont close, etc. Logout will sometimes fix it, but generally requires a reboot.
Sleep mode so far has been much better on my 17. Many times it takes 1 to 2 minutes to force my 15 to wake up. Quite a few times I have ended up cold rebooting the machine in frustration. I have spent hours and hours on the phone with Apple care trying to fix the issue. The sleep issues popped up on the first day with the 15. I have not (knock on wood) had this issue with the 17.
Battery life on the 17 is much better then the 15. On a recent flight, my girlfriend was watching a DVD on the 15 while I was watching a DVD on my 17. By the time the movie was over, her battery was dead and I still had an hour of charge left. (Rest of the time was spent doing documentation)
Speaking of the battery. The original battery that came with my 15 is totally dead. Luckily, I bought a secondary battery not too long ago. I am having a hell of a time getting Apple to replace it. But, thats a whole other rant.
The weight of the 17 makes it annoying for travel. Its a very noticeable difference from the 15.
The screen on the 17 has 2 flaws. First off, the screen is very floppy. Picking up the machine to relocate it will general cause the screen to flop closed. The 15 was very stiff, but closes easy, If that makes sense
I know the 17 screen will weight a little more then a 15, but I dont think its so much of a difference that it would create a floppy screen. They changed something about the hinges.The other flaw of the screen is the lower part is a tiny bit darker then the top. On mine, its generally hard to notice. However, I have seen some that are more noticeable. (In stores and such)
Wireless has been more stable on the 17 then the 15. For example, I tried for almost an hour to connect to the free wireless at JFK airport (Jetblue). The 17 found it right away. The office I work in has been upgrading all previous Powerbook users to Macbook pros. They are all getting 15, I am the nut ball who wanted the 17
The largest complaint I have heard has been wireless. There are a few places in the office where my signal is at half and they have none. They tend to drop signal a lot moving from one end to the other. (We have multiple access points)I am very happy that the 17 includes 2 USB ports on the left side. I cant believe the 15 doesnt have 3 USB slots. However, the right side USB slot is in a very bad spot. If you are using an external mouse, and have something plugged in that slot. You will find navigating more difficult. I find it odd that they put the USB slot towards the front and the firewire slots towards the back. Which do you think is going be used more commonly.
I am happy to report that the 15 and the 17 use the same power connector. I was worried about getting them mixed up.
If I had to pick one, I would without a doubt go with the 17. If the Macbooks didnt have integrated graphics I would get one for travel. But, being a WoW player, it just doesnt do it for me.