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Using your MBP away from a desk or on your lap most of the time ...

Using your notebook away from desk / on your lap most often what size would you buy?

  • MacBook Air, (13")

    Votes: 14 6.2%

  • 13" MacBook Pro

    Votes: 79 35.1%

  • 15" MacBook Pro

    Votes: 108 48.0%

  • 17" MacBook Pro

    Votes: 24 10.7%
  • Total voters
    225
entatlrg

entatlrg

macrumors 68040
Original poster
Mar 2, 2009
3,385
6
Waterloo & Georgian Bay, Canada
What screen size would you buy?

I don't travel as much anymore so it's not an issue of size/weight in luggage, more so it will be used as an every day mobile notebook, rarely on a desk.

The 13, 15, 17" MBP's all have enough power to handle the work load, the MacBook Air doesn't but it's a nice computer for lighter tasks no doubt...
 
couch surfing my fav all sizes work. have tried all. this vote will be interesting.

i would not touch an air unless it is updated
 
entatlrg said:
What screen size would you buy?

I don't travel as much anymore so it's not an issue of size/weight in luggage, more so it will be used as an every day mobile notebook, rarely on a desk.

The 13, 15, 17" MBP's all have enough power to handle the work load, the MacBook Air doesn't but it's a nice computer for lighter tasks no doubt...
Click to expand...

They say "bigger is better".
 
Had a 17" and loved it.

Have a 15" now and love it too.

I think a 13" would be too small for my taste though.
 
I've said it before and I will say it again...IMO, the 15" is the size and weight sweet-spot...big enough screen to fully enjoy a movie or tv show in 720p yet small and light enough to comfortably keep it on your lap for a few hours...
 
I love everything about the 13" except the resolution. I just bought one over the weekend for my girlfriend and going from my high res to the 1280 by 800 is a little disappointing to look at.
 
15" if you need the dual gfx cards otherwise 13" as it's smaller and lighter to move around
 
For lap use, I'd got the MacBook Air, but I don't own one anymore, so I'd have to stick with my 15" MacBook Pro.
 
I was using my 2008 15" MBP for couch surfing and photo editing. Almost never used it on the desk. Its too convenient to lounge on the sofa and play. Plus the screen is decent size and its light and fairly compact. Its been nothing but pure pleasure. Hoping my 2010 upgrade will be as good.
 
dragonfly18 said:
it is in bed with me right now :p
Click to expand...

In bed with my 15'' too.

Unless I am on an air plane, the 13'' isn't any more portable to me. Totally satisfied with the 15'' i7. In fact, had I to do over again, I would go the exact same route except spend more money for a 256Gb SSD. I would get the glossy screen HiRes again without hesitation.
 
JCCash said:
They say "bigger is better".
Click to expand...

yea. the 17 is great but it does limit how you can sit when surfing on the couch. it makes it harder to watch tv with the 17 big screen. both the 15 and 13 are small enough that its easy to watch tv and surf.
 
The 13 is ideal for this, particularly if you have to lug it around. If I was limited to a desk I would have gone for the 15.
 
7thMac said:
The 13 is ideal for this, particularly if you have to lug it around. If I was limited to a desk I would have gone for the 15.
Click to expand...

Yes, I had to vote for the 13" too, I try to like and use the 15" as a portable for the screen real estate and higher resolution but keeping going back to the 13".

It's is much more of a pleasure to use away from a desk than the 15" in my experience.
 
the mba is not doing very well. probably the best form factor for non-desk work. the lack of any updates is really hurting it.
 
Had a 13" MB and found the screen a bit tiny and cramped many times. Just upgraded to the i7 15" MBP and the increase in physical size and weight is hardly noticeable from the 13" but the screen size is definitely a big improvement. I just think the 17" would be too big, unless you really need that big of a screen.
 
I used my old 17" MacBook Pro on my lap most of the time (in fact, I'm doing so right now). I am quite pleased with the 17" size for lap use. My new one should be even better, since it appears to run cooler.
 
15" inch is a good all-around size and weight =] plus i'd use a thin cooling pad for it just in case it might be too hot.
 
I have a 15"er, and it is VERY mobile. I use it in my lap all the time when surfing the net while watching TV downstairs or using it in town or at a friend's house.
 
LucidPsychosis said:
I have a 15"er, and it is VERY mobile. I use it in my lap all the time when surfing the net while watching TV downstairs or using it in town or at a friend's house.
Click to expand...

yea the 15 is a compromise size not too bit and too small. i would call 15 the standard notebook size and its been that way for years. when apple switched from powerbook to macbook pro 15 was the first.

i read an article that netbook screens are going to increase in size due to the new atom. i wonder if that will decrease the popularity of say sony z, dell adamo, and the mba. high end smaller notebooks is a niche market. my guess if money was no option there would be more 17 mbps. i am not talking about frequent flyers who need smaller notebooks.
 
I like MBP 17", the display is perfect, size is awsome and I feel apple has given it more attention than other models. the weight is an issue if you carry it for long distance.
I recommend 17" MBP; if you are't having issue with its weight.
 
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