Size difference between MBP 2010 15" and MBP 2018 15"

[Adeel_]

Hi everyone,

I have a MBP Mid 2010 15" and I found the size big.

If I get the MBP 2018 15" is it going to be the same exact size? Or the new one are less big ?

Do you think it will be more portable than my 2010?

I can't find any side by side comparison...

 

[pro24sure]

Here's the breakdown difference in the size and weight specs of the mid-2010 and 2018

MacBook Pro (15-inch, Mid 2010) - Technical Specifications

Weight:5.6 pounds (2.54 kg)1
Depth:9.82 inches (24.9 cm)
Width:14.35 inches (36.4 cm)
Height:0.95 inch (2.41 cm)

MacBook Pro (15-inch, 2018) - Technical Specifications

Weight: 4.02 pounds (1.83 kg)3
Depth: 9.48 inches (24.07 cm)
Width: 13.75 inches (34.93 cm)
Height: 0.61 inch (1.55 cm)


Difference

Weight: 1.58 pounds lighter
Depth: 0.34 inches smaller
Width: 0.60 inches smaller
Height: 0.34 inches shorter

 

[Adeel_]

Thanks.

So bassicaly it's not a big difference in the size, I think I will not notice it.

I'm really hesitating between 13" or 15". I did some travel with my 2010 15" but it was not that easy sometime.

My usage will be :

70% at home
30% travel

I'm wondering if someone made this transition (2010->2018) and can help me to decide

 

[pro24sure]

Thanks.

So bassicaly it's not a big difference in the size, I think I will not notice it.

I'm really hesitating between 13" or 15". I did some travel with my 2010 15" but it's not that easy sometime.

My usage will be :

70% at home
30% travel

Yeah, not so much in size, the big difference is in the weight. That 1 1/2 pounds is where you'll notice the biggest difference.

I had the same feeling, went from a 2012 rMPB 15" to the 13" 2018 MPB. For me the new 13" is the perfect size, especially now that they have a Quad-Core and I didn't feel like shelling out another $400+ for the 15". At this point I don't think I'll ever go back to a 15", but then again, I don't need an i9 or a dGPU.

 

[zshane1125]

umm not so much diff in size?

2010 = 134 cubic inches
2018 = 79 cubic inches

it's 40% smaller and 28% lighter.

 

[snapper64]

I had the same feeling, went from a 2012 rMPB 15" to the 13" 2018 MPB. For me the new 13" is the perfect size, especially now that they have a Quad-Core and I didn't feel like shelling out another $400+ for the 15". At this point I don't think I'll ever go back to a 15", but then again, I don't need an i9 or a dGPU.

I’ve been considering making that same jump from my 2012 rMBP. What spec 13” did you buy? What do you think so far? Does it feel cramped?

 

[pro24sure]

I’ve been considering making that same jump from my 2012 rMBP. What spec 13” did you buy? What do you think so far? Does it feel cramped?

I got the base 13" but bumped the ram to 16 gb, since I work with VMs on a semi-regular basis and am starting some basic audio/video editing.

For me so far it's been great, not cramped at all thanks to the high-resolution screen. I've found that utilizing the touch pad gestures has been a great way to quickly switch between apps and workspaces while keeping everything I want open full-screen or maximized.

Also, when I'm at home and need more screen real estate I've got a 32" monitor and full "docking station" area setup. So I really think it's the best mix of portability and horsepower.

 

[leman]

So bassicaly it's not a big difference in the size, I think I will not notice it.

The practical difference is huge. Yes, the width and height are the same, but being 1cm thinner, the newer laptop feels much smaller. And it will easily fit into a generic 13" laptop bag. This was the big thing for me — the ability to downsize my bags which saves a lot of space and weight in the end and simply makes life more comfortable.

 

[Adeel_]

My usage is mostly Adobe Lightroom, so I don't know if I'll get benefits from a Radeon GPU.
I'm wondering how is it to use LR on 13" screen vs 15" ?

 

[jaduff46]

I got the base 13" but bumped the ram to 16 gb, since I work with VMs on a semi-regular basis and am starting some basic audio/video editing.

For me so far it's been great, not cramped at all thanks to the high-resolution screen. I've found that utilizing the touch pad gestures has been a great way to quickly switch between apps and workspaces while keeping everything I want open full-screen or maximized.

Also, when I'm at home and need more screen real estate I've got a 32" monitor and full "docking station" area setup. So I really think it's the best mix of portability and horsepower.

That’s the approach I’ll eventually take if I go portable when my 2010 iMac reaches the end of its useful life. For now the iPad Air is what has sufficed when I need need portability. Been living on it for the past couple of months while we’re between homes.

 

[robvas]

The cMBP feels like a brick in comparison!

 

[The Mercurian]

I cannot speak to your workflow as I've never used Lightroom - nevertheless he only real question here is - is a 13" screen big enough for you ?

In all other ways the 2018 13" will vastly outperform your 2010 machine. And your 2010 machine is pre-retina display so even the new 13" screen will have more screen "real estate" if you are happy to deal with smaller icons and font sizes.

 

[mcaswell]

I went from a 2010 15" MBP to a 2018 13" MBP. Love the more compact size of the 13", and I have no problem working in LR (or anything else) on it. Of course, there's no dispute that the bigger display would be even more usable, so I guess it's just a matter of how important the portability factor is. For me, it's not necessarily just "travel vs. home", as my laptop usage these days is very similar to yours (mostly at home, occasional travel)... I just like the smaller machine now, and the Retina display makes it more usable than the 15" non-retina display was.

That said, I looked at the 15" in the store, and when picking it up it just "feels" significantly more compact than the 2010, even though there's not a huge difference in the main dimensions (length x width)... presumably the much lighter weight and thinness are responsible for that perception.

 

[Falhófnir]

Thanks.

So bassicaly it's not a big difference in the size, I think I will not notice it.

I'm really hesitating between 13" or 15". I did some travel with my 2010 15" but it was not that easy sometime.

My usage will be :

70% at home
30% travel

I'm wondering if someone made this transition (2010->2018) and can help me to decide

The size difference is noticeable between the touchbar models and the 2012-15 retina models, let alone the 2008-12 unibody models...

 

[upandown]

Yeah sorry. There's no way anyone would think the difference isn't a lot in person.

 

[BacToMac]

I moved from a Late 2008 MBP to a 2018 (both 15"). I took this pic as soon as I got the new MBP to compare. Not sure if this helps you at all, but I thought I'd post anyway. I'm very happy with the 15", really like the speakers and the extra screen real estate. The weight is sooo much more manageable. I seriously considered the 13", but am glad I got the 15".

 

[wchigo]

I moved from a Late 2008 MBP to a 2018 (both 15"). I took this pic as soon as I got the new MBP to compare. Not sure if this helps you at all, but I thought I'd post anyway. I'm very happy with the 15", really like the speakers and the extra screen real estate. The weight is sooo much more manageable. I seriously considered the 13", but am glad I got the 15".
View attachment 773980

Thank you so much for the photo! Wow, really goes to show how much thinner the new ones are.

 

[hyperx136]

I was also seriously considering between the 13 and 15 inch 2018 but ultimately decided to go for the 2017 13 inch. I was using the TB 13 inch 2017 and hated it. If the 15 inch has a smaller trackpad (not a deal breaker but I prefer smaller size) or most importantly, got rid of the TB then I would be all for the 15 inch.

 

[maflynn]

most importantly, got rid of the TB then I would be all for the 15 inch.

That's not going happen, the TouchBar is apple's baby and they'll be pushing that for the foreseeable future.