To all 17" MacBook Pro owners

[simsaladimbamba]

AE 1
AE 2

It's personal preference, of course. I like this set-up right now, but, it's not fair since I have an Apple Cinema 27". The screen is big enough to work in 1 view or 4 view. I like having all the comp timelines on the one main screen.

At work I only have a 1680x1050 external screen and my layout is totally different.

Notice that I have the effect controls and the project windows tabbed. That seems to work for me since they can both be involved palettes.

The image is on the far right. The other palettes are on the left side of the external monitor so my mouse is closer to them.

Just start moving things around and when you like one, save it. And then if you tweak it further re-save it and overwrite it.

Wow, thanks. Nice, small composition you have there and I see, that 2560 x 1400 is quite a good resolution. 1920 x 1200 is okay for my needs, as I still prefer Combustion over AE, but I have to slowly switch I guess. Or go with Motion (I hope not, as it far more away from Combustion than AE, strangely).
Again, thanks.
And please add more layers to your small timeline, it looks ridiculous right now!!!
Btw, can one group layers (like in PS, where I can sometimes have 150 of them) except using Pre-Composites?

 

[snouter]

Wow, thanks. Nice, small composition you have there and I see, that 2560 x 1400 is quite a good resolution. 1920 x 1200 is okay for my needs, as I still prefer Combustion over AE, but I have to slowly switch I guess. Or go with Motion (I hope not, as it far more away from Combustion than AE, strangely).
Again, thanks.
And please add more layers to your small timeline, it looks ridiculous right now!!!
Btw, can one group layers except using Pre-Composites?

Pre-compose is the only way, and I do it more frequently in other projects, not too much in this one. I don't mind seeing everything and it's in tie order, so, it's not as unwieldy as it looks at first glance. This project is kind of a mess where I kind of fake video editing in AE. I'll do this with files under 5 minutes or so.

There is a shy layer mode where you can temp hide layers from yourself. I don't really use it too much either.

For whatever reason I really can't get into Motion. Never tried Combustion.

 

[Eddyisgreat]

Never tried Combustion.

I loved combustion. it was how i was introduced to "motion graphics".

Actually, if you can get a decent Video card and RAID from the Thunderbolt port on the new machines, the 17" would be a decent Autodesk Smoke station for low octane stuff.

I'm still surprised Smoke was brought to OS X. I feel pro while using the trial ~.~.

Topic: OP I had the 15" and it was fine , but it broke and Apple wanted to replace it. It was a model with the expresscard slot and I needed it, so they gave me the 17". The 17" is the greatest machine i've ever used, and while I do get 'oohs' and 'aahs' at people who marvel at this oversized 13", the power (at the time) was unmatched.

I don't think I could go back to a smaller machine. The resolution is just too great.

 

[simsaladimbamba]

...

For whatever reason I really can't get into Motion. Never tried Combustion.

I started with Combustion in 2003 or so, and quite loved it for its simple complexity and nodes. I used Motion once or twice or so, but it was quite easy to learn, I got the keying and 3D layer animation in less than a week (not perfect though), but would I have had access to AE back then (2007/8), I might have liked that better, though the learning curve is harder, but the possibilities are almost endless.

OP, sorry for derailing your topic.

Addition:
I recently considered giving up all my Macs and slimming down to an MBA, but I got to work with my 17" again and completely threw that idea out of the window, though I will sell all other Macs I have and keep the 17".

 

[zcast]

1. It's all about screen real-estate. Resolution.

2. Drawing in Vectorworks, extensive multiple-app usage with excel, working with virtual consoles for programming.

3. One computer to rule then all. My mobile powerhouse that is a desktop replacement in the office and on the road. I use it everywhere except when I'm stuck in coach on a flight.

Z

 

[entatlrg]

Excellent posts so far, thanks.

For me it's about the extra screen real estate, a larger portable screen is appealing, otherwise I'm tied to a desk if I want to use a larger screen.

 

[AdamRock]

1. Why did you choose the 17"
screen realestate - anything below 17" and id smash the computer.

2. What do you use your computer for?
iOS programming, remote desktoping to my real computer

3. Where do you use your computer most often, desk, table, couch, mobile?
bed
table

 

[rebby]

To those who own the 17" MBP:

1. Why did you choose the 17"

2. What do you use your computer for?

3. Where do you use your computer most often, desk, table, couch, mobile?

1. Screen real-estate. Nothing beats the 17" in this category.

2. Software development, image editing, server administration, other (work related) tasks.

3. Desk, couch, occasionally my coffee table. When I need to go mobile, I bring my MBA 95% of the time.

 

[entatlrg]

I like a large display, don't like working from a desk, but I'm on a computer 8+ hours daily, that's why I've got the 'buy a 17" bug'.

No one seems to mind the size or weight when typing on your lap or from tables at less than ideal heights?

My 17" wouldn't leave the house, but if I found myself preferring to work from the thinner/lighter MacBook Air then I wouldn't be so happy with the purchase...

decisions, decsions

 

[mac jones]

I'll tell you this. I wouldn't give up my new Air for anything. It's like a perfect lap/travel machine. With a 256GB SSD and 4GB it can hold it's own also.

I also have a New 17 (I know). I need both as many of us do. We live on these machines.

No sense limiting yourself if you can swing the bill

Re-sale value is high, so that's a form of price insurance I guess.

But I have some extra cash, so I don't know if i"m being any help (most likely not)

But like I said, no WAY the Air goes.

Note: Another thing. I think this latest 'refresh' is just that; a refresh.

I'll bet the next iteration will veto the DVD (just like the Air) and reduce weight by as much as 1lbs all around.

Just a hunch.

 

[koruki]

I've had the 15" pre unibody and the 2010 15" i5 with HR AG. The 2010 15" was great but I sold it for charity recently and this thread has helped me take the plunge into the 17"

funny how everyone is saying it was a mistake when they've never owned either. Thanks to all you happy 17" owners for helping me make this decision.

 

[entatlrg]

I'll tell you this. I wouldn't give up my new Air for anything. It's like a perfect lap/travel machine. With a 256GB SSD and 4GB it can hold it's own also.

I also have a New 17 (I know). I need both as many of us do. We live on these machines.

No sense limiting yourself if you can swing the bill

Re-sale value is high, so that's a form of price insurance I guess.

But I have some extra cash, so I don't know if i"m being any help (most likely not)

But like I said, no WAY the Air goes.

Note: Another thing. I think this latest 'refresh' is just that; a refresh.

I'll bet the next iteration will veto the DVD (just like the Air) and reduce weight by as much as 1lbs all around.

Just a hunch.

I like the way you think I too live on my machine, have a little extra money to spend and the only Mac notebook I've never used for any length of time is the 17".

My Air would never go, that I'm positive of. But, I wouldn't mind having a mobile screen larger than 11 or 13".

Now if I bought the 17" and ended up using the 13" 80% of the time because it's small size/weight then that would be a bummer.

 

[calibrad]

On the recliner, with a laptop table, and 17 inch screen....computing in comfort.

http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/00120818

 

[mac jones]

I like the way you think I too live on my machine, have a little extra money to spend and the only Mac notebook I've never used for any length of time is the 17".

My Air would never go, that I'm positive of. But, I wouldn't mind having a mobile screen larger than 11 or 13".

Now if I bought the 17" and ended up using the 13" 80% of the time because it's small size/weight then that would be a bummer.

Yes, I have my doubts about this also. I owned another 17 and sold it, as it didn't get that much use (I thought it would). I didn't lose much so I'm not that averse to trying again when the need arose. These new 17's are very attractive so I thought I'd give it another whirl.

It may or may not find it's way to Ebay. I'll give it some quality time

 

[Luba]

No complaints on the weight and bulk of the 17? How do you all deal with it?

 

[coz]

I just upgraded to the new 17". It is awesome. I had a 4 year old 15" mbp. I do a lot of photo work with Capture One Pro and Photoshop. My old machine couldn't keep up with the file size and the screen was just too small. I was planning to get a desktop and then these machine's came out.

I couldn't be happier. I got the ssd drive and it truly is remarkable how fast everything loads. It was expensive but to me was worth it.

good luck

 

[tim100]

Excellent posts so far, thanks.

For me it's about the extra screen real estate, a larger portable screen is appealing, otherwise I'm tied to a desk if I want to use a larger screen.

i thought you switch to a macbook air?

 

[entatlrg]

^

I have my MacBook Air and love it, also a Mac Pro in my company office.

I work a lot of hours outside my office and use my laptop a lot. Starting to miss working from a larger size screen.

Therefore I'm considering a larger screen yet portable solution for when I'm working at home. My Air would still be used for travel.

My concern is I'll find the 17" to big/bulky when working on the couch, lazy boy etc around the house and then end up using my Macbook Air anyways, lol

 

[revelated]

No complaints on the weight and bulk of the 17? How do you all deal with it?

The 17" is lighter than my 13" Dell work laptop. Digest that for a moment.

I think some people just have never owned a 17" PC. That's part of the problem.

I've owned large PCs and they can easily be twice the weight and thickness of the MacBook Pro. To me it's nothing. It's really not that much larger than the 15", it just seems like it is, but once you own it for two weeks, it really isn't that bad at all. Gateway's P7805u, which was my primary laptop before I went back to Apple, is 9 pounds. Compare that to the MacBook Pro at 6.5 with SUPERIOR resolution. I basically lost ports and the numeric keypad.

The 17" is no more bulky than the 15" or the 13". They are the exact same thickness, just that one is wider than the rest. But that adds a whopping 2 pounds - if you need the power, it's a small price.

Air is fine for portability but sucks for raw power. Do you realize that under similar conditions, the 17" MacBook Pro could probably smoke certain Mac Pro desktops when encoding? All that power in a form factor that's not all that large.

 

[psingh01]

To those who own the 17" MBP:

1. Why did you choose the 17"

2. What do you use your computer for?

3. Where do you use your computer most often, desk, table, couch, mobile?

1. Used to have a 15" moved up for the higher resolution/greater screen real-estate. No going back now.

2. Mainly just web browsing and watching tv with an elgato tuner. But I play games on it (always get the pro for the better video card) and occasionally use it for work with VMware I have an image of my work laptop that I use for backup purposes. I do software development in that.

3. Usually a desk or table. I think it's far too big to be very mobile that often. For my uses it's my desktop replacement.

 

[auero]

To those who own the 17" MBP:

1. Why did you choose the 17"

2. What do you use your computer for?

3. Where do you use your computer most often, desk, table, couch, mobile?

1. I choose it because the size difference is very small between that and the 15. The extra screen size and usb port are very useful.

2. Graphic design, coding, web, music, etc.

3. Couch, work desk, bed. Sometimes a table at home but I like to sit comfortably.


I also don't regret getting anything but this. I've had every size of the macbook pro line and the 15" high-resolution is nice but I love the 17"

I've posted this before but look at the difference between a 15" and 17"

*note they ARE on top of each other perfectly even, it s just the angle I'm holding the phone.

 

[wingsabr]

This thread convinced me to switch my wants from a 15 to a 17. Just got back from the store with my first MBP and the 17in is just perfect.

 

[vnle]

To those who own the 17" MBP:

1. Why did you choose the 17"

2. What do you use your computer for?

3. Where do you use your computer most often, desk, table, couch, mobile?

1. I had a 13" MacBook previously and was really craving more pixels and bigger screen so I made the leap to a 17" inch. Got AG too cause at the time, it was the only laptop with AG. I don't have a desktop so it was going to be my main computer.

2. I'm in college so normal word processing stuff/powerpoints/spreadsheets. C & Java Programming. Movies, some architecture rendering. Normal personal stuff.

3. Everywhere. I carry it to school daily and use it in lecture halls/discussions/libraries/cafes. When I'm at home, I mostly use it on a desk and sometimes in bed.

I used to think the 17" was huge but since then I've become accoustemed to it and really appreciate the screen size when I'm studying without my external monitor. Most of my lecture halls also have long huge desks so carrying it to class wasn't a problem (except for those pesky history halls with tiny desks). It's not heavy either, I carry it fine in my backpack all around campus (5"3 110 lbs). It's shaky for me to take my mbp out with one hand but I shouldn't do that anyways in case it slips

 

[Krafty]

No complaints on the weight and bulk of the 17? How do you all deal with it?

Nope.

I have a ColcaSac Zagora sleeve and I just carry it by hand (although sometimes I just put the power cord in my bag). Since my school has mostly tables, its never been an issue. The weight of it doesnt bother me either, not sure if I just grown accustomed to it but I never thought it was that heavy from day one.

 

[diannao]

I don't find the 17" measurably harder to deal with than the 15".

To carry my new 17" I got the large STM Bags Convertible Shoulder Bag. It's like a sleeve with additional storage that can be carried as a (vertical) messenger bag, backpack, or by its handle. Very happy with the construction quality.

If you need to carry lots of other stuff in addition to your 17", try the Targus XL Backpack TXL617. It's not as high quality, but mine lasted ~2 years before starting to fall apart.