With all the discussion over 15" vs. 17" I just thought I'd share my experiences of my 17" (HP) laptop. I bought it two years ago as something to replace my main computer and that I could also use in Uni. For the most part I think it was a good choice for me at the time and here's why:
1. I'm 6'3" and my lap is easily wide enough to have the laptop perched there on a train or a bus (although on a plane it can be an issue).
2. I can have two copies of word/Acrobat/excel/notepad/Firefox/IM/Putty/etc open side by side in a very readable font size so that I can write my essays or C++ programs with ease.
3. My glossy screen makes everything I see on screen to be clear and vibrant and not dull and lifeless like I see on matte screens. I do a fair bit of web design, photography and I love to watch DVD's on my laptop so it suits me. I only have issues with reflections when I'm outside on a bright sunny day but since I do a lot of my work in doors or in the garden (I live in Ireland which isn't renowned for sunny days!) it's not something that hinders my work.
Why am I sticking to a 17" for my MBP then?
1. It's a mac! I ran OSX on my laptop (sorry Apple!) and loved it so I said what would it be like with proper Apple hardware. I tried it on a friends Powerbook and was blown away by how simply everything just works (c).
2. The battery life of the new MBP's are bound to be better than 1 hour (I currently run a P4 3.4Ghz laptop!).
3. The weight of my current laptop and power supply (they always have to travel together) is 5.5 Kilos (12 pounds) where as the MBP is slightly over half that weight.
4. I've occasionally used smaller laptops over the years but I find myself hunched over the laptop because they're too small for me.
5. Noise! When I turn on my laptop in class everyone turns around and comments on my noisy and hot laptop (they nicknamed it the "George Foreman"). From what I can see the CD 17" MBP didn't suffer from too much noise or heat issues so I'm hoping that it won't affect the C2D's either.
6. I wanted a faster hard drive. My old laptop was 4200rpm and it caused it to freeze up slightly when doing file transfers and other stuff. The 160Gb drive I've ordered seems to outperform both the 100Gb and 200Gb.
There you have it...
These are MY reasons. Please don't attack me for stating them. We are all different and have different requirements.
Old Laptop: 17" Glossy, P4 HT 3.4Ghz, 1Gb, 100Gb 4200RPM, 4x DVD-DL
New MacBook Pro: 17" Glossy, C2D 2.33Ghz, 2Gb, 160Gb 5400rpm, 8x Superdrive
Please, please, please Apple don't make me wait until the 15th for my MBP to be delivered!
If any of you who ordered a 17" MBP find your delivery dates changing please post and let us know!
