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Should I buy a 15" i7 or a 17" i5

A

agn1

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Nov 5, 2010
2
0
Should I buy a 15" i7 or a 17" i5?

The way I have them configured, both have high res matte screens, 4GB, 500GB@7200. The cost is the same: $2750.

I am a designer by trade, and this will be my main work laptop. I focus on web stuff, but I do a fair share of illustrator stuff as well as some video editing / comping. Also getting into iOS app design, so I'd need Xcode to run smoothly.

Are there any known problems with either model? I'm not aware of any, but it never hurts to ask.

TL;DR: I can't tell if I should go for slightly more pixels or slightly more processor.
 
I use my 17" MBP on the go more than I do at home, but when I'm at home its hooked up to an ACD. It's exactly 1 lb larger than the 15".
 
For the foreseeable future, I'll be carrying this machine with me wherever I go. To be fair, I'm upgrading from a 17" Core 2 Duo model. I'm used to the general heft of 6.6 lbs, and I carry it around in a nice cushy incase backpack. Weight isn't really a factor I'd given much thought to at this point.

Given the fact that I'm used to the 17" of screen, I'm kind of leaning in that direction. At least to start, I'd be using this without any external displays, so pixels are at a premium. From the benchmarks I've seen, the i7 doesn't seem that much more capable. Still, I'm not sure.

Any opinions on the two chips?
 
agn1 said:
For the foreseeable future, I'll be carrying this machine with me wherever I go. To be fair, I'm upgrading from a 17" Core 2 Duo model. I'm used to the general heft of 6.6 lbs, and I carry it around in a nice cushy incase backpack. Weight isn't really a factor I'd given much thought to at this point.

Given the fact that I'm used to the 17" of screen, I'm kind of leaning in that direction. At least to start, I'd be using this without any external displays, so pixels are at a premium. From the benchmarks I've seen, the i7 doesn't seem that much more capable. Still, I'm not sure.

Any opinions on the two chips?
Click to expand...

I went for the 17" i5 and am glad I did. I switched from another 17" and really do like the extra screen. The weight is no big deal. Based on the reviews I have seen, the mobile i7 isn't really worth the extra $ over the i5. I added a 500GB Momentus XT hd and now couldn't be happier!
 
17"...... just noticed there's an option for a 2.8 i7. When did this happen?
 
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