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Traveling with the 15. good for planes?

D

dxr808s

macrumors member
Original poster
Mar 10, 2011
67
0
I am trying to figure out what model is best for me (13 or 15).

I could probably get by with the 13, but I am leaning towards the 15 for its size.

My main issue is that I travel a LOT. How is the 15 on coach flights and such? I don't mind the heaviness, or the bulkiness of actually transporting it, I'm just wondering about using at your seat.
 
I don't think it will be too good; it's just as thin, but you have to deal with more screen estate which transfers to a larger base as well.

If you're flying, get the 13 inch; what are you planning on doing with the computer?
 
Speaking from personal experience, the 13" is great for planes. I think the 15 might be a little too large, especially given how tightly they're packing passengers in now.
 
Interesting... Thanks for the responses.

@young spade - I plan to do some document work as well as listen to some music/watch an occasional movie and such.
 
I don't understand. Given that everyone knows how cramped a plane can be isn't this a no-brainer?

Unless you're traveling 1st Class then a 17" would be ok.
 
As I have said, I travel a lot. Up until now, I was using a netbook comfortably. There is definitely ROOM to break out a 15". I was just wondering how functional it would be by the people who might actually use them.

I am in need of a new laptop. I figured I would kill two birds with one stone and just get something to replace my laptop AND my netbook.
 
I hate flying coach(it's well worth the money to upgrade IMHO), but when I have had to(last minute flights and the like), even my 13" seemed too big; if I were planning on flying coach often I would strongly consider an 11" Air, the 13" Air would be pointless as it's footprint is more or less the same as the 13" Pro. I couldn't even imagine using a 15" in coach, and honestly don't think you even could use a 17".
 
I fly plenty and my 15" fits fine as long as the person in front of me doesn't lean back too much
 
dxr808s said:
As I have said, I travel a lot. Up until now, I was using a netbook comfortably. There is definitely ROOM to break out a 15". I was just wondering how functional it would be by the people who might actually use them..
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Steve's Barber said:
I don't understand. Given that everyone knows how cramped a plane can be isn't this a no-brainer?

Unless you're traveling 1st Class then a 17" would be ok.
Click to expand...

^Exactly. He has room. I think you've assume a tad bit too much. I don't fly so I know better than to assume; however, I suggested the 13 as I know there is a lot of wait-time between connecting flights (sometimes) and having a 13 inch laptop on your legs is a lot easier to manage than a 15 inch.

dxr808s said:
Interesting... Thanks for the responses.

@young spade - I plan to do some document work as well as listen to some music/watch an occasional movie and such.
Click to expand...

I'd say the 13. As I stated above, it's lighter and going to be easier to manage while out and about. Technically you could get the 13 inch Air, but if you plan on keeping it as your main and for many years, I feel that the Air will be somewhat restricting later down the line.

I'm a college student and I do everything from document composition to running virtual machines (which I'm doing right now) while editing photos to rendering HD video.

The 13 inch baseline is going to handle whatever you throw at it for years to come.
 
It's totally fine. I've flown coach and used the 17". No worries.

That being said...I do prefer my 13" Macbook Air and no longer have a Macbook Pro. :D
 
DWBurke811 said:
I hate flying coach(it's well worth the money to upgrade IMHO)
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Haha yeah, if I could afford to upgrade, I would. I fly a lot internationally, which can mean literally thousands of dollars in difference. For instance, I have an upcoming trip to Osaka, Japan. A couch ticket costs about $1500. A first class ticket costs $13,000 (THIRTEEN THOUSAND DOLLARS) haha.

Freyqq said:
I fly plenty and my 15" fits fine as long as the person in front of me doesn't lean back too much
Click to expand...

Interesting, thank you.

Young Spade said:
The 13 inch baseline is going to handle whatever you throw at it for years to come.
Click to expand...

Thanks for your input. I am really drawn to that 15" right now though. Basically looking for excuses NOT to pull the trigger at this point. I suppose I don't NEED to use my laptop that often on the flights. I can use the in-flight stuff or my iPhone.

JasonR said:
It's totally fine. I've flown coach and used the 17".
Click to expand...

Now that I can not see doing haha.
 
Young Spade said:
^Exactly. He has room. I think you've assume a tad bit too much. I don't fly so I know better than to assume; however, I suggested the 13 as I know there is a lot of wait-time between connecting flights (sometimes) and having a 13 inch laptop on your legs is a lot easier to manage than a 15 inch.



I'd say the 13. As I stated above, it's lighter and going to be easier to manage while out and about. Technically you could get the 13 inch Air, but if you plan on keeping it as your main and for many years, I feel that the Air will be somewhat restricting later down the line.

I'm a college student and I do everything from document composition to running virtual machines (which I'm doing right now) while editing photos to rendering HD video.

The 13 inch baseline is going to handle whatever you throw at it for years to come.
Click to expand...

How do you like the Screen Resolution on the 13" MBP? Is it limiting for editing photos / video editing?
 
I just flew from Dallas to Vancouver which is about a four hour flight and no issues with the 15" MBP, although I wouldn't go any larger.
 
I'm tall, and using any laptop on the tray table is a royal PITA. I end up having to prop it up against my chest to use it most of the time. For me, I'm not sure any sized laptop would work well on an airplane. Doesn't stop me from using my 15" MBP for the entire flight, but it's not enjoyable.
 
dxr808s said:
I am really drawn to that 15" right now though. Basically looking for excuses NOT to pull the trigger at this point.
Click to expand...
As I suspected. Another poster who has basically made up his mind but just wants others to talk him into it.

Whatever works in your decision making process but seriously... a plane ain't no place for a big-assed piece of electronics - especially international flights. Think of the guy next to you. (i.e, "me").

Get a 13" MBP. Take the savings and apply it to an iPad for your flights.
 
AFlyinmg

If you have a 15 and the person in front puts his/her seat all the way back, you could be in trouble. I have a 13 and MBA 11 and I loved the 11 for travel.
 
Get an iPad for watching movies in flight. It's just what you need. Doesn't take up much space and can keep you occupied through the whole flight.

Get the MBP 15 and keep it in your bag and use it for work.
 
Some of you guys totally over exazergate the size contraints...trust me my parents used to cheap out on planes and I would be crapped in the smallest seat possible in between a crying baby, a cat, and an autistic boy named paul all at the same time (I **** you not true situation) and I bet you I could fit a fricken Apple Cinema display up in their if I needed to...that said that would be uncomfortable...I can totally see a 15" MBP fitting in. Me personally if I were you? I would get a MacBook Air 13" Ultimate maxed out...
 
Last time I flew, I had my trusty 12" Powerbook. It was the perfect size. The 11" MBA screen is dreadfully small, I vote 13" MBP. Too bad the battery life hasn't improved much since the Powerbook days :(


nateo200 said:
exazergate...
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WTF? lol
 
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I traveled quite a bit with a 13" pro. It was fine. But honestly, now I carry my iPad. It fits on the tray table perfectly, still have room for a drink and snack. And it weighs nothing.
 
Steve's Barber said:
As I suspected. Another poster who has basically made up his mind but just wants others to talk him into it.
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Awww, you have been here a month and already jaded? :/

No, like I said, I am *trying* to make up my mind. I have OBVIOUSLY researched it before coming here and asking. I am just trying to get perspectives, which is what this forum EXISTS for.

Whatever works in your decision making process but seriously... a plane ain't no place for a big-assed piece of electronics - especially international flights. Think of the guy next to you. (i.e, "me").

Get a 13" MBP. Take the savings and apply it to an iPad for your flights.
Click to expand...

Thanks. Your opinion is HIGHLY regarded :)
 
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