Want a Macbook Retina display - Which one 15" or 13"?

[Risco]

I currently have a Macbook 15' 2012 in my signature. I really want a RD Macbook, but not sure whether to get a 15" or 13". I use it almost exclusively for internet, video encoding and photo viewing. Plus it serves as my iTunes media server.

I want to see more than I currently can see on screen, but without squinting. So I am leaning towards the 15". When are the new updates due? I bought my current one in August 2012, so was hoping this August would receive an update?

 

[TechGod]

I don't like how heavy the 15" model is and I don't have difficulty seeing the 13" so I would go with 13" but if your want a quad core for whatever reason then the 15" seems better.

 

[Risco]

I don't like how heavy the 15" model is and I don't have difficulty seeing the 13" so I would go with 13" but if your want a quad core for whatever reason then the 15" seems better.

Thanks for your reply, may I ask what resolution setting you use please?

 

[TechGod]

Thanks for your reply, may I ask what resolution setting you use please?

I switch between more space and the best for retina. I use more space when I need two pages documents loaded side by side or need two windows open next to each other other, and I use best for retina when I'm casually browse or watch YouTube or play games

 

[sonicrobby]

If you are encoding video, I would say get the 15" because of the quad core processor

 

[Gpulvi]

Want a Macbook Retina display - Which one 15" or 13"?

I've selled my early 2011 cMBP 13" and was asking myself the same. Finally went with a 15" base model. The quad core and the bigger screen were the reasons of my choice.

Btw, the weight of a cMBP 13 and a rMBP 15 is the same, 4,4 pounds (or 2 kilos).

I use it in retina resolution, the standard.

 

[yjchua95]

I currently have a Macbook 15' 2012 in my signature. I really want a RD Macbook, but not sure whether to get a 15" or 13". I use it almost exclusively for internet, video encoding and photo viewing. Plus it serves as my iTunes media server.

I want to see more than I currently can see on screen, but without squinting. So I am leaning towards the 15". When are the new updates due? I bought my current one in August 2012, so was hoping this August would receive an update?

If you do video encoding all the time, a quad-core i7 is a definite must.

So 15" it is.

Having an NVIDIA GT750M GPU around may also help in encoding and rendering.

 

[GoingDark]

It comes down to portability vs. screen real estate, and which do you value more. The 15" is much bigger, and since more than 50% of my laptop use is at home, I personally wish I had opted for the 15". The 13" is quite small for multitasking with multiple windows.

 

[jg321]

I have the 13 and am happy with it. I do however have a 21.5" iMac (had an external monitor before).

I suspect if it's your main machine and you have no desire/space for an external monitor, you'll be better off with the 13".

The portability is amazing though. I also have a cMBP 13" and it feels like a brick in comparison. My PC friends laugh at how I call the cMBP a brick, but of course it's all relative!