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15" vs. 17" MBP

S

sdfd504

macrumors regular
Original poster
Jul 16, 2007
230
8
Soddy Daisy, TN
Well I am getting ready to order a new Macbook Pro soon but I am not sure which size screen that I want. I do know that I want the MBP so please don't say that I don't need it. I am using a 17" dell laptop now but I was thinking that since I will be going to college this fall that having the slightly smaller screen might make it easier to use in class. I have heard so many bad things about the new LED screens that I am swaying more to the 17" screen since there are no problems with them and the footprint is not much bigger at all. If I order the 17" I will be getting the high resolution glossy screen.

The other advantages I see from having the 15" screen is that it is easier to find a case and backpack for it to fit into where if I get the 17" it is a little harder to find a backpack.
 
Well... I am a college student as well. I bought the new macbook pro the first week it cam out. No problems with the screen at all. As I am sure you may already know people tend to post problems rather than good things on these forums. As for portability... I would say to go with 15" it is large enough (perfect size for me actually). I cant recommend going 17" unless you are a graphical artist of some sort.

Basically I am saying that you should get the 15" with out a doubt. I know the 17" isnt much bigger looks-wise. But it does make a difference. A few of my friends have 17" laptops (not MBPs but typically the HP ones which are still pretty thin) and whenever I have used them it just feels way too big.

And your more likely to get a good screen rather than a bad one (way more likely). I'd just recommend you get it at least a couple weeks before you go to school just in case you do get a lemon so you can return it and get a new one.

15" definately
 
I couldn't imagine lugging around a 17" MBP every where. That bigger screen might sound like a good idea, but when you been carrying it around you'll be looking for a trolley to push it in. Do as I have, get the 15" and an external monitor. Best of both worlds.
 
Well I have a 17" Dell laptop now which I have grown to like the size of it but I am thinking that having the 15" screen wouldn't be too bad. It is easier to find bags for and am thinking that with the smaller desk that it would be a little bit better then the 17".
 
Do you have any chance to look at both models in some (apple) store near you? I was almost set on getting a high res 17" one to replace my pb but when I saw it in real life it just looked so big next to a 15" in comparison, that I couldn't imagine lugging one around every day.

Apart from that, for the price of a 17" you can get a 15" AND a decent monitor.
 
if you're a college student, ask yourself what you would do with it. If you keep it at a desk (like a lot of people) then 17" is good. If you plan to take it to class, then 15".

Also with this ultra portable comming around the corner, maybe wait a few weeks if you can for the 12". When it comes to taking notes in class even my 15" was too big, you want something small, something that fit on those small desks.
 
I had a 17" Powerbook, now down to a 15" MBP. If you can afford it, by all means get the 17" MBP, with the HD option ($$$$). It really is the best of the best. It's not *that* much bigger than the 15", and you will never feel the need for an external monitor. Get a good backpack (I use the incase one purchased at the Apple Store) and it goes everywhere without any hassle. I used the 17" PB in lecture halls, and the only times it ever gave me problems were on those really small desks, where my 15" MBP gave me issues too.

For some reason, OSX seems to take up a lot more resolution than Windows... my 20" Dell LCD seems to fit a lot more things on the screen when I use it with XP compared to OSX.

If money is an issue, go for the 15" MBP and don't worry about it. It's a fine machine and a great value.
 
Thanks for the help. I will not be living on campus and I have two other computers at home so there is no need to buy an external monitor. I will be using it mostly to take to school and then coming home and working on projects etc. The 17" screen is only an inch and some bigger width wise so it wouldn't be that much bigger. I would think that if I could fit a 15" screen on a desk then the extra inch and some would not make that much of a difference? I really don't want to go down to a screen any smaller then 15" as I have used some that were 13" and they were just tiny compared to my 17". I am not worried about the weight of the 17" as I am not a small guy at 6' 2 and 260 and being a firefighter lugging a small laptop around on my back is nothing. :D
 
sdfd504 said:
Thanks for the help. I will not be living on campus and I have two other computers at home so there is no need to buy an external monitor. I will be using it mostly to take to school and then coming home and working on projects etc. The 17" screen is only an inch and some bigger width wise so it wouldn't be that much bigger. I would think that if I could fit a 15" screen on a desk then the extra inch and some would not make that much of a difference? I really don't want to go down to a screen any smaller then 15" as I have used some that were 13" and they were just tiny compared to my 17". I am not worried about the weight of the 17" as I am not a small guy at 6' 2 and 260 and being a firefighter lugging a small laptop around on my back is nothing. :D
Click to expand...

I would definately go with the 17 inch. My friend has one and he loves the HD version. Is not much heavier, just a bit bulky and you have to find a laptop bag/case big enough. You will truly love how much screen real estate the 17 inch provides (especially on the HD version). Just make sure you can handle the small icons (at least until Leopard).

Cheers,
 
I would recommend the 15 inch for the sake of portability, the 17 inch one to me seems unmanageable and the 15 inch is plenty big in my opinion.
 
I kinda want a 17 inch, right now with the new resolution you can play 1080! SWEET!!! BUT... there is no blueray/dvdhd drive and it is not a LED screen yet. When Apple puts that into the 17 inch that is when I'll get one.

The Stig
 
I have a 15 and a 17....love the 17 and it is not as big as you would think. I have used it in a standard airline seat. Although that is a tight squeeze!!
 
The Stig said:
I kinda want a 17 inch, right now with the new resolution you can play 1080! SWEET!!! BUT... there is no blueray/dvdhd drive and it is not a LED screen yet. When Apple puts that into the 17 inch that is when I'll get one.

The Stig
Click to expand...

I do agree with those that say 15" but to each his own. I got the 15" sans SR when I had the choice for a 17" I just didn't want to have that much computer to tote around with me and I picked up some extra HDDs a portable HDD and a mouse and some protection for my book with the extra cash.

I don't think I will ever get the 17" now that I have experienced the 15" and put it in the tightest places that the 17" wouldn't be able to fit. The next book I get will be a 15" but I am waiting for much faster processors than the SR books, BlueRay/HD-DVD, some sweet new innovation, and at least a 200GB 7200rpm stock or BTO drive.
 
techlover828 said:
I would recommend the 15 inch for the sake of portability, the 17 inch one to me seems unmanageable and the 15 inch is plenty big in my opinion.
Click to expand...

I believe the OP already has a 17 inch Windows laptop so the size doesn't seem to bother him. For him, the 17inch would be great. I've only seen dedicated gaming laptops with HD displays and they weigh more. The MBP 17 HiRez is a very nice system in a fairly reasonable package.

Cheers,
 
Digital Skunk said:
I do agree with those that say 15" but to each his own. I got the 15" sans SR when I had the choice for a 17" I just didn't want to have that much computer to tote around with me and I picked up some extra HDDs a portable HDD and a mouse and some protection for my book with the extra cash.

I don't think I will ever get the 17" now that I have experienced the 15" and put it in the tightest places that the 17" wouldn't be able to fit. The next book I get will be a 15" but I am waiting for much faster processors than the SR books, BlueRay/HD-DVD, some sweet new innovation, and at least a 200GB 7200rpm stock or BTO drive.
Click to expand...

As long as you don't mind the little bit extra to carry around and the price when I'd go for the 17 inch.

For me, I only have one computer, so I have a laptop (MB C2D in fact, because the MBP aren't where I want them for the money I'd pay). If you have a desktop and use it more, get a MB and get a iMac for home. If you only want one computer to use all the time, get a MBP, if you can spare the $$$ get a 17 inch. When it is your only computer you will want the bigger screen. You can run a 24 inch external monitor and dual screen it at home... OH BE STILL BY BEATING HEART!!

Want to save money and a little bit of portability get a 15 inch.
Want an all in one power house machine that does everything and you don't care as much about money or a little bit of portability get a 17 inch.

That is how I see it. For me, really, since there is not HD drive (blueray or HDDVD) and it does not have LED screen (save on battery life) then it doesn't really matter. That is why I didn't buy a MBP, I got a MB. If you feel the same as me, when save your money and get a MB and when a good 17" MBP comes out, get it.

The Stig
 
boobooq88 said:
Well... I am a college student as well. I bought the new macbook pro the first week it cam out. No problems with the screen at all. As I am sure you may already know people tend to post problems rather than good things on these forums. As for portability... I would say to go with 15" it is large enough (perfect size for me actually). I cant recommend going 17" unless you are a graphical artist of some sort.

Basically I am saying that you should get the 15" with out a doubt. I know the 17" isnt much bigger looks-wise. But it does make a difference. A few of my friends have 17" laptops (not MBPs but typically the HP ones which are still pretty thin) and whenever I have used them it just feels way too big.

And your more likely to get a good screen rather than a bad one (way more likely). I'd just recommend you get it at least a couple weeks before you go to school just in case you do get a lemon so you can return it and get a new one.

15" definately
Click to expand...

He hit it right on the head. Apple's 15'' still have a good resolution too, 1440x900 which helps with the smaller screen. A lot of other 15'' notebooks only give you a 1280x800. Get the 15'', you won't regret it.
 
Get the 17"

It is a thing of real beauty. Looking at high def content is amazing. For me, it would be worth lugging it anywhere...

one thing I would add...I would only get it if you get the hi-def option...
 
Well OP, you're already used to a 17" laptop, going 15" would feel like a bit of a downgrade.

I'd Go with the 17" MBP w/ 1920 x 1200 Resolution. :)
 
Well the only main reason I am still leaning towards the 17" is that I have a 17" dell now and I am not sure how much of a difference I would see going down to a 15". I will be using it as my main computer for school but once I am at home I will probably use my dell desktop for a lot of internet surfing so an external monitor is not needed. I also like the High resolution screen for the 17" and the fact that I won't have to worry about having the chance of getting a lemon 15" screen.
 
I have had both, but I prefer the 15 for all around use, IMHO. The 17 inch is beautiful, but the 15 is just soooooo comfortable to use, if that makes any sense. For me it isn't about the weight, I don't think that is a big deal. The 15 inch just doesn't ever feel awkward. As far as cases, etc., they make a lot more for the 17 inch than they did before.
 
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