Your choice for MacBook screen size?

[Johnny Apple]

13" and 15" MacBook “TRUE PRO” with matte screens

I think the best options are either the 13" or 15" with matte screens. Plus a 20-24" matte display on your desk.

The 17" is too big, too expensive and the resolution is too high for the size of the display making text too small to read.

A 13" or 15" plus an external display is much less expensive than the 17".

 

[SkyBell]

I would prefer the 13" if I had to choose. Portability is key for me, so this necessitates the smaller size. My dad has a 17" Toshiba...I would hate to have lug that thing around all day.

 

[itsmed]

i got the 17" a week ago and i love it wouldn't go for any other size

 

[tim2006]

If i had a desktop..13" definitely but seeing as this is my only computer it has to be a 15". Best balance of power/portability

you would be better served with the 17.

1) bigger screen
2) better speakers
3) higher res

 

[t-oliveira]

I can't see how people like the 12"/13" screens so much, i hate them really, i just love 15" or 15.4" and 17" sometimes its a little bit too big and doesent fit anywhere.
For a desktop computer, between 19" - 24" .

 

[SkyBell]

I can't see how people like the 12"/13" screens so much, i hate them really, i just love 15" or 15.4" and 17" sometimes its a little bit too big and doesent fit anywhere.
For a desktop computer, between 19" - 24" .

They're easier to move around, and to use on your lap. At least that's my reasoning. But I can also see the need for a larger screen, if you need the real estate and power it offers.

 

[pesc]

gotta love the poll results, who would not pick the 17 if money was not an option?

If the 17" cost the same as the 13", I would pick the 13".

I want my laptop to have great mobility. I want to be able to use it anywhere. The 17" is not great to use on a train or on your lap. The 17" sits best on a desk.

And whenever I'm at a desk I connect my 12" PB to a 20" (or larger) external screen. I never use the laptop screen at a desk, always use it in clamshell mode.

To me, the laptop screen is only for mobile usage. And because of that, I want it matte.

I am utterly, completely uninterested in a 17" laptop. Too clunky.

 

[ViciousShadow21]

The 15" is perfect for me.

 

[entatlrg]

gotta love the poll results, who would not pick the 17 if money was not an option?

- people who don't want the weight
- people who don't want the large foot print on the desk
- people who don't want that high a resolution on a small screen - font too small

 

[CrazedVW]

Having used three different 15 inchers in the last six years (TiBook, AlBook, MBP) I thought that was the best one. Then I saw the 13" a week after WWDC and five days later sold my 15" for the 13". But the new screen technology is what really did it for me. My wife had a 13" white MacBook and the screen was awful on it. The new displays on the latest revision are just awesome IMHO. They're sharp and clear and at least for me make the smaller screen usable. It's one of the big reasons I decided to upgrade. (And for my wife it was that and the SD card slot that made her want to replace her MacBook.)

 

[paola105]

15" is perfect, but I wouldn't mind the 17 either. It's still extremely portable compared to others. lol

 

[entatlrg]

I played with the 17" today for a while, nice machine for sure. I can see it's application for field work if you want to have as large a screen with you as possible. Otherwise 13 or 15" with External monitor for desktop use is a far better choice imo.

But, if I could only choose one screen size it would be the 15" MBP for sure, best of both worlds - adequate detail in photo's etc and still very portable, so thin and light for it's size.

 

[tim100]

the high res and longer battery of the 17 is just so nice but hard to justify for the average user surfing the web and email.

 

[m85476585]

The size of a sheet of A4 or letter paper is ideal for portability for me. The 13" MBP is 8.9x12.7, so only a little bit bigger. If the laptop is my only computer, 15" would be better despite the reduced portability. 17" is way too big unless it is purely a desktop replacement.

 

[daneoni]

you would be better served with the 17.

1) bigger screen
2) better speakers
3) higher res

...and also a PITA to carry around or fly with. Its also nearing the price point of the Mac Pro

 

[Harmless Abuse]

I like my 13"

It fits nicely in my bag and is easy to lug around campus. It's big enough for papers, or web surfing between classes to kill time, I also just travel a lot between the state with family, and it's great for the tent or hotel.

When I'm working for a long time, I have a 19" monitor to hook it up to, not to mention we just made the purchase of a 24" base iMac, so I really have all the screen real estate I need for long-time use, but the 13" is great for everything else.

 

[macbook yes]

17'? Heck yes, i'd love a 17 foot computer. They don't even make TVs that big. I would have to get custom built ceilings.

 

[wywern209]

13" because i cna't rly afford the 15" but if i were to do more intensive stuff, i would opt for the 15". but for me( student), a 13" is perfect.

 

[Sehnsucht]

17' ??? I dunno if a laptop with a seventeen-foot screen would be very portable.

I have the 15" MBP, but I wish I had the 17" for the higher resolution. I could really use the extra room for all my windows and panels and toolboxes.

 

[SFStateStudent]

15" my choice, but there's not too much difference from a 13" screen and weight is similar....

 

[Tenshi]

I'm going to make my first MBP purchase soon, still can't decide between the 15" and 17". I am more so leaning towards 17".

My question to those who have it - can you sit it on your lap comfortably, while on the couch. The issue of weight doesn't bother me as my current PC 15" weighs the same as the MBP.

Sorry if this is in the wrong place - I'm a forum newbie!!

 

[niuniu]

15 but I love both the others also..

 

[tim2006]

I'm going to make my first MBP purchase soon, still can't decide between the 15" and 17". I am more so leaning towards 17".

My question to those who have it - can you sit it on your lap comfortably, while on the couch. The issue of weight doesn't bother me as my current PC 15" weighs the same as the MBP.

Sorry if this is in the wrong place - I'm a forum newbie!!

re the the 17, it is hard to sit with it on your lap. the 15 would be fine on a lap.

 

[eVolcre]

re the the 17, it is hard to sit with it on your lap. the 15 would be fine on a lap.

Rubbish. Mine's on my lap right now. It's just the right size. The screen is high enough that you don't have to look down.

I've owned a 17" for the last 3 years. Traveled internationally, took it to work every day for a year, been all over the place. After WWDC I wanted to go portable so I spent days agonizing over 13" vs 15" vs 17" vs MBA.

Ultimately, I chose another 17" and my new unibody will be here Monday.

Many reasons, most of which I've explained in my posts over the last few days, but I love them. If you can deal with the slightly reduced portability .. go for it. It's my only machine and I don't think I'd be happier with any other notebook in the lineup.

Like someone else said - it's either 13 or 17. The 15 just doesn't work. It's noticeably larger than the 13 and doesn't give you that much more screen real estate. It's also very slightly smaller than the 17 and in that case the tradeoff in screen is too much.

13 or 17 ... I like the 17 ... If you have a desktop or are willing to attach a screen and be tied to a chair .. get the 13 and a monitor. If not, 17 all the way. It *can* get cumbersome to take to a coffee shop. There are times when I won't pull it out that easily but it still is a very portable laptop.

eV

 

[Nakkor]

15"

I want to be able to do graphical away from home, so the 13" @ 1280x800 is too small for me, and the 17" feels too big... so it's the 15" for me... my only gripe is that it's only 1440x900 (~110 PPI) instead of 1680x1050 (~127 PPI)... but I guess I can live with it. *shrugs* <=)