To all 17" MacBook Pro owners

[OneMike]

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 size is ideal. It fits in nicely with my 23-inch acer monitor, and it's also big enough where I can work 100% with it alone.

2) Photoshop, Dreamweaver, Reason 5, Video editing and encoding, etc.. Basically for work as well as casual like posting this message.

3) Right now at my desk, but also the couch with belkin cushtop. Once I get a good bag for it, I'll also start taking it with me on the go.

 

[entatlrg]

There is a caveat, though, ever since I got an MBA not quit 5 months ago, I don't use the MBP for much but ripping CDs and DVDs to disc. Anyway, the amount of heat the MBP generates onto my lap has never been a serious problem.

Yes, I agree there is a caveat. People in my office with MBP's that since bought MacBook Air's rarely use their MBP's if at all.

I'm the oddball wanting to have a larger (mobile) screen to work from than a 13". I love my Air too, but there's something to be said for working from a larger screen.

And, it's also true just like a camera the best one is the one you have with you ... in my case that would be the Air for sure ... it goes everywhere with me, so I get more work done in more (relaxing) places other than a desk.

 

[MBPDiva]

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. It was within my budget at the time and I wanted a bigger screen.

2. Graphics and photo editing.

3. I use my MBP at my desk. I have a smaller MB Air that I use for mobility.

 

[GuitarG20]

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) because i like having a lot of real estate.

2) everything from CAD to gaming to writing word documents

3) pretty evenly spaced between desks and my lap

 

[harcosparky]

To those who own the 17" MBP:

1. Why did you choose the 17"

1) Because I needed a portable computer to work on for long periods at a time.

Sarcastic Answer: Because I am a man and capable of handling its massive size and weight!

2. What do you use your computer for?

2) Everything, from managing my business, to photo editing, media consumption, email, web browsing.
, game playing.

This is my only computer, my kids took over my iMac and desk. :lol:

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

3) Lap on sofa, lap in truck, lap in car, sometimes on a table or desk.

Having owned 15" units in the past I knew they would not serve me well as a work computer.

I like Apples 17" because of it's form factor and footprint. It is only a hair bigger then other 15" notebooks. Before I got this 17" I did buy a 15" MBP, but once I got home, I knew I had made a mistake. Back it went the next day, and the 17" came home.

 

[Lloyd50]

I'm 6'11 and needed a laptop that fit me. 17inch feels like 15 to me

 

[gwsat]

Yes, I agree there is a caveat. People in my office with MBP's that since bought MacBook Air's rarely use their MBP's if at all.

I'm the oddball wanting to have a larger (mobile) screen to work from than a 13". I love my Air too, but there's something to be said for working from a larger screen.

And, it's also true just like a camera the best one is the one you have with you ... in my case that would be the Air for sure ... it goes everywhere with me, so I get more work done in more (relaxing) places other than a desk.

I have always loved my 17 inch MBP and, as noted in my earlier post, still use it a lot to rip audiobook CDs to disc.

My fondess for the MBP notwithstanding, my 2010 13 inch MBA Ultimate has been the best computer I have ever owned. Despite its small size and light weight, it can do everything I need a computer to do. Now that I have started storing all my essential data files in a Dropbox folder, I can do everything that I do at home just as easily from the road. I guess I am a Neanderthal, but I have never used computers in a way that required a lot of screen real estate. Thus, the MBA's 13 inch screen has proved to be ample.

I have had the MBA since the redesigned models were introduced in 2010 but was not tempted to replace it with the 2011 model. Although the 2011 MBAs are much faster than the 2010 models, their graphics are inferior. On top of that the 2010 model has proved to have more than enough power to handle all of my needs.

 

[Benbikeman]

1. Why did you choose the 17"

Screen real-estate, both physical size and the 1920x1200 resolution. I often work with two windows open side-by-side, and with that resolution both can be a decent size.

2. What do you use your computer for?

Almost everything. I don't need a desktop PC - this does everything I need. I say 'almost everything' as I use an iPad for simple things like email and web when on the move.

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

Everywhere. It's been right the way round the world with me.

 

[children]

i used it for revit and photoshop.
i bought it just for uni, and now that I'm graduating, sold it straight away and bough an air..

Seriously, the 17 is only tolerable if you seriously need the real-estate.

 

[djpuma]

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. wanted the extra USB port and 1920x1200 res

2. Djing, Video editing, audio editing

3. At clubs on a stand, at home on my lap

I actually am going to sell my 17" as I just purchased a 15"
The 17 is great but for sitting on my lap at home it's a little too much and at certain gigs it's just too damn big and ends up getting in the way (cramped spaces)

Also I have a mac pro at home which I do my main video editing on, but for cases where I'm on the couch watching tv or out somewhere and want to edit things I use the laptop.

 

[NovemberWhiskey]

To those who own the 17" MBP:

1. Why did you choose the 17"

Screen size

2. What do you use your computer for?

Grad school work and personal use. Apps most used: Google Chrome, Mail, itunes, adium chat.

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

Everywhere I need it. School desk, home desk, table, couch, mobile, etc. Only place the 17'' is too big is on airplanes when flying coach. Not enough room to type comfortably (have to angle the notebook at a weird angle). Might be ok for business class or first class.

Otherwise I wouldn't listen to anyone complaining about the 17 being too big. It's a bunch of nonsense. Compare a 17 and a 15 side-by-side and you will see that the exterior dimensions are not too different.

Everyone that sees my computer for the first time does say "woah, that's a big computer!" though

I remember my first impression being that I was shocked by how tall the screen was, but the width was on par with a Dell XPS16 that I was using at the time (i.e. the width seemed normal).

 

[Benbikeman]

Only place the 17'' is too big is on airplanes when flying coach. Not enough room to type comfortably (have to angle the notebook at a weird angle). Might be ok for business class or first class.

Yep, it's fine on a business class table.

 

[shoppy]

1. Why did you choose the 17"

Simply because I like the size of the laptop, screen is gorgeous and i like watching a lot of movies whilst travelling. I hate scrimped screens.

2. What do you use your computer for? Browsing the web, iTunes and looking at photos of my family and watching movies.

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

I use it mainly on the couch, table and mobile.

 

[vitzr]

I find when it comes to carrying my 17" as opposed to my 15", the difference is almost impossible to notice. Personally I think it feels lighter than it is because it's thin and flat. The lack of being wedge shaped like most other 17's is the key. If I was limited go just one, I'd chose the 17" without hesitation. I keep several windows open, a task I cannot do with a 15".

 

[bniu]

Why did I go 17"?

Because it's the only one that can satisfy my ego

My long standing policy is to go big or go home!

I still regret my decision 2 years ago to only buy 13" MBPs.

 

[Arni99]

1. Why did you choose the 17"
1920x1200 screen
3 x USB 2.0 + expresscard34 slot
because 15" is neither small nor big

2. What do you use your computer for?
mail, web, foto+video editing, games such as Battlefield 3...actually anything

3. Where do you use your computer most often, desk, table, couch, mobile?
5 days a week on my desk at home and 2 days a week mobile
on my couch almost every day

 

[tim100]

I have always loved my 17 inch MBP and, as noted in my earlier post, still use it a lot to rip audiobook CDs to disc.

My fondess for the MBP notwithstanding, my 2010 13 inch MBA Ultimate has been the best computer I have ever owned. Despite its small size and light weight, it can do everything I need a computer to do. Now that I have started storing all my essential data files in a Dropbox folder, I can do everything that I do at home just as easily from the road. I guess I am a Neanderthal, but I have never used computers in a way that required a lot of screen real estate. Thus, the MBA's 13 inch screen has proved to be ample.

I have had the MBA since the redesigned models were introduced in 2010 but was not tempted to replace it with the 2011 model. Although the 2011 MBAs are much faster than the 2010 models, their graphics are inferior. On top of that the 2010 model has proved to have more than enough power to handle all of my needs.

would you ever go back to the pro?

 

[Macman45]

Mine Was Bought

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?

To use in tight recording situations when I need to be able to edit "On the fly" The real estate is a luxury I guess, because it all comes home and is then transferred to my iMac for further work.

But the Pro will do the editing work if needs be.

 

[gwsat]

would you ever go back to the pro?

It is unlikely that I will ever go back to an MBP as my default computer. For the reasons stated in my earlier post, the MBA has given me all the resources I have needed, so I can't see replacing it with a bigger, heavier machine.

 

[CarcinogenX]

1. My first delve into Apple computers was a MC026LL/A 2009 15” MBP. It was a an outstanding laptop and I loved it but several of my friends had 17” models and being as it was my only computer I soon realized that I longed for a larger screen with more real estate. I occasionally connected my 15” to a 23” Samsung monitor but honestly, that takes up a lot of space and is kind of hassle. Just reading specs you wouldn’t think there was much difference but having owned both 15” and 17” Unibody models the difference is night and day. Size and weight wise they are incredibly similar but the larger screen and having 4 speakers vs. 2 makes all the difference in the world.

2. First and foremost general business use; I run a print brokering business and I do a lot of typesetting and some light graphic design. Nothing that a $300 Dell could not handle, but I like it when technology “just works”. Personally I use it for general computing and regular things like Facebook, Netflix and watching/streaming HD content to an external TV. I don’t use it for gaming . I have a PS3 for that!

3. In terms of portability you cannot go wrong with a MBP. On a normal workday it is with me wherever I go in a safe and convenient backpack. I have a 4G phone with a WiFi router built in so access to high speed internet is never an issue anymore. Most often I use it at my desk at home, but also use it at the office, in my car, at various Starbucks, and in bed. Whenever and wherever I need it, it is there. Currently I have a mid-2010 model (MC024LL/A) with the 9-hour battery and it really seems to hold true. I always wear out before it does.