I realize that the choice between a 15 inch and 17 inch Macbook pro is quite personal, but even after going to an Apple store and taking a good look at both, I can't decide which I'd prefer for my purposes.
Here are some details, to make it easier for the well-informed people at Macrumors to provide me with some advice:
For starters, I have a 20 inch external screen and a 13 inch blackbook. I don't want a desktop. The price of an anti-glare 17inch and an anti-glare 15 inch differs by less than 200 after the Education rebate. So price is not that much of an issue. Comfort is, however.
-I'm a translator so I mostly use word processors, and the idea is to be able to work without feeling cramped or tiring my eyes, for example when putting 2 documents side to side, maximizing windows, etc.
Choice of setup
1) External screen + Macbook 15
-I would have to get the higher-resolution as it's the only way I could have anti-glare, which is what I need for text editing. Anybody have experience with the higher res on Macbook 15s? Text too small?
-I'm wondering if the 15 is extremely portable / moderately portable vs the 13 inch. I really carry my laptop everywhere with me and need something that won't tire me.
-Will I feel the need to often connect it to the external screen or do folks feel the screen size is OK for running maximized applications without feeling cramped.
-In this scenario I would sell my blackbook and use the 15 for everything.
2) Macbook pro 17 + blackbook
-Is the 17 inch at all portable? I'm worried about the weight/size as I might want to bring it with me, but am wondering if I'll constantly leave it at home from sheer laziness (people have any experience with the 17s and laziness?)
-In this scenario I would sell my 20 inch screen and keep the blackbook for portability. In a few more years, I'll probably get the Macbook Air to replace my 3 year old blackbook.
Thanks for your input! It's already much appreciated.
Here are some details, to make it easier for the well-informed people at Macrumors to provide me with some advice:
For starters, I have a 20 inch external screen and a 13 inch blackbook. I don't want a desktop. The price of an anti-glare 17inch and an anti-glare 15 inch differs by less than 200 after the Education rebate. So price is not that much of an issue. Comfort is, however.
-I'm a translator so I mostly use word processors, and the idea is to be able to work without feeling cramped or tiring my eyes, for example when putting 2 documents side to side, maximizing windows, etc.
Choice of setup
1) External screen + Macbook 15
-I would have to get the higher-resolution as it's the only way I could have anti-glare, which is what I need for text editing. Anybody have experience with the higher res on Macbook 15s? Text too small?
-I'm wondering if the 15 is extremely portable / moderately portable vs the 13 inch. I really carry my laptop everywhere with me and need something that won't tire me.
-Will I feel the need to often connect it to the external screen or do folks feel the screen size is OK for running maximized applications without feeling cramped.
-In this scenario I would sell my blackbook and use the 15 for everything.
2) Macbook pro 17 + blackbook
-Is the 17 inch at all portable? I'm worried about the weight/size as I might want to bring it with me, but am wondering if I'll constantly leave it at home from sheer laziness (people have any experience with the 17s and laziness?)
-In this scenario I would sell my 20 inch screen and keep the blackbook for portability. In a few more years, I'll probably get the Macbook Air to replace my 3 year old blackbook.
Thanks for your input! It's already much appreciated.