Should I exchange my 13" MBP for a 17" ??

[igmolinav]

Hi,

Ten days ago my six and half years old ibook G4 died on me. I knew my ibook was already a bit too old, and I had thought to change it over the summer.

To replace it I went to a retailer and bought a 13" MBP. In his stock, he didn't have 15" and 17" MBPs, but his price for the 13" was good.

My main and coming uses for this computer are as follows:

*To learn to use Autocad (for Mac from Autodesk).
*To learn to use Final Cut Pro for my documetaries.
*To watch quite a bit of video, both from the internet, and from DVDs.
I am studying for a degree, and we get to watch quite a bit of video.
* No gaming, (yet ; ) !!!).

I wonder if I should change to a 17" MBP or if you think that this 13" MBP is enough for these needs ??

Thank you in advance, very kind regards,

igmolinav : ) !!!

 

[simsaladimbamba]

Computing wise the 13" will fare okay, but the 15" HR and 17" MBPs have better CPUs and GPUs and also a much bigger resolution. I would go with the 17" if I would be specialising in editing and AutoCAD. I already have a 17" and use Avid and other DCC software and I come from a 12" iBook. I will never go back to a smaller resolution laptop, if I stay in the field I am.

 

[room271]

Personally, I would recommend buying an external monitor whichever MBP you end up with - so the resolution issue is really a non-issue as a smaller size (lower resolution) is actually pretty desirable when you are away from an external monitor (on the go).

Unless there is some reason you can't have/don't want an external monitor of course...

 

[Apple 26.2]

That's your personal preference... the 13" will handle what you're doing/will do with it.

 

[striker33]

Personally, I would recommend buying an external monitor whichever MBP you end up with - so the resolution issue is really a non-issue as a smaller size (lower resolution) is actually pretty desirable when you are away from an external monitor (on the go).

Unless there is some reason you can't have/don't want an external monitor of course...

Its a bad idea to use an external with a 13" for anything graphically demanding. My 2010 13" struggled with anything graphically intensive at the shoddy native res, nevermind on a larger external.

Best way to go would be high end 15" with and external or a 17".

 

[igmolinav]

Hi,

Thank you for your answers : ) !!!

I'll start using the two programs and then see how it feels. I'll also try to hook it up to an external monitor and see. The monitor I may end up using may be between 17" and 20". Hopefully, the image quality will still be ok!

Very kind regards,

igmolinav : ) !!!

P.S. What does CPU and GPU stand for ??

 

[FOX160]

Save yourself some money and buy a TV/monitor instead and then you
can take your machine where ever you go.

Its a setup they showed me at the Apple store

 

[systole]

Acronyms

CPU = Central Processing Unit (it's an intel i5 or i7 on your new mac)

GPU = Graphics Processing Unit (its a Intel HD Graphics 3000 on your new mac)

also, a great tool is the "define:insertwordhere" feature of google which lists all the definitions it finds, and has results in multiple languages. Hope that helps!

 

[iMackPro]

if you can afford it id go with the higher end 15, with a SSD. its exactly one Pound heaver (yeah not much at all) and will be blazingly fast. The higher end 15 is the exact same as the 17 but much more portable. I mean i wouldnt mind carrying around a 17 weightwise, but i have never seen a 17" sitting on a college desk. The 13 is by far the easiest but the 15" fits, snug. The 17" just wouldnt cut it, at least where i go to school.

I think, if you can afford it, the higher end 15 would be your way to go. Or even the base 15 with a SSD.

Hope this helps! And if money is tight, the 13 you have wont be bothersome, but the 15 would be a pretty big improvement! cheers.

Edit: the screen real estate on the 15" is also very nice for editing!

 

[adnoh]

I would go with the 17" as its better suited to what you do. If you stick with the 13" I would go with a an external monitor

 

[NickZac]

Get a 15. Even if it is a base, you will look back and realize how good of a decision it is. If you can afford it, get the 2.3.

 

[igmolinav]

Hi,

Thank you for your comments : ) !!!

I'll be checking out the 15" and 17" !!!

Two friends will be showing me how to
get started with these two programs : ) !!!

Very kind regards,

igmolinav : ) !!!