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Macbook vs MBP Size

primusrocks

primusrocks

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Jun 23, 2007
28
0
East Lansing
I hear people always talking about the difference in the size of the two laptops and the portability issure. But when i look at the numbers between the two i see minimum difference.

MB
1.08 x 12.78 x 8.92 inches
5.1 pounds

MBP
1 x 14.1 x 9.6 inches
5.4 pounds

I mean the weight and thickness have got to be not even a noticable difference. The other two dimensions to not seem that much of a gap either. So am i looking at this in the wrong way or are these two really as close to each other in the portability range.:confused:

I really want a mobil laptop for school, but i also would like a powerful machine that will last me a long time (I know some will say a MB will do that but i believe a MBP would be a better investment for the price difference.)
 
Well no not really...

Easiest way to see would be to head to a store and see both side by side. It's pretty evident then that the macbook is more portable. Although the 15" macbook pro isn't too bad.
 
the Pro is quite a bit bigger than the MB length and width wise. It doesn't seem like much, but it does make a difference.

i took a pic (right here), which might help :)
 
To me, the weight is the biggest aspect of a notebook's portability. Since the weight of both notebooks is nearly the same, I don't see how the mb is too much more portable than the mbp. In terms of length and width, the mbp is a larger than your run-of-the-mill binder. However, seeing as how most people put their notebooks in a bag and not in a binder, I don't really see how this makes a difference. My mbp can easily fit into my old Jansport backpack.
 
I've had 15" Powerbook and now a 15" MBP and I can only say good things about it. It is very portable and light for a laptop. It easily fits into a nice case and then into a backback just like a small folder. I guess I'll never understand how that is not portable enough!! What are you people, 3 year old kids that wine when they have to carry a bottle of water in their backpacks? Please!! :)


No matter what, you'll have to carry your Notebook anyway, so it might also come with a nicer screen and more power! I only want one computer, not two, so I have a MBP!
 
randfee2 said:
I've had 15" Powerbook and now a 15" MBP and I can only say good things about it. It is very portable and light for a laptop. It easily fits into a nice case and then into a backback just like a small folder. I guess I'll never understand how that is not portable enough!! What are you people, 3 year old kids that wine when they have to carry a bottle of water in their backpacks? Please!! :)


No matter what, you'll have to carry your Notebook anyway, so it might also come with a nicer screen and more power! I only want one computer, not two, so I have a MBP!
Click to expand...

Can't agree enough. I could never understand how a mbp is too big, but a mb is just right.
 
Too heavy

I like the MB, which I've had for a while (core2duo), but I do feel it's heavier than it should be by a pound or so. The screen size, however, is perfect -- much better than the 12". The extra width makes the computer much more usable. I would happily forego the optical drive for a pound less weight. There is a rumor that Apple is going to release a very light computer (no optical drive) with a screen the same size as the MB. That would be very welcome. I've carried a 15" and a MB around, and I feel the MB is definitely more portable.
 
i just got the macbook. and i have to say its the best laptop i've ever used. the screen size is not too small but not too big. the MBP screen is to big IMO. I agree^^ that the MB should feel a little lighter but its still pretty light. I would go with the MB! :)
 
People that say the Macbook Pro is too big just say that because they couldn't afford it. If you can, go for it. It will pay off.... 5 years from now if you are still using it the extra capabilities will be worth the additional $
 
hatcher146 said:
the screen size is not too small but not too big. the MBP screen is to big IMO.
Click to expand...

I don't think you mean that the screen itself is too(use the right homophone here;) ) big, but that the computer itself is too big. More screen space is always better, even in basic applications. The mbp gives 25% more work area for only two extra diagonal inches (actually less, because the mb has more bezel).
 
PC/USER/JK said:
People that say the Macbook Pro is to big just say that because they couldn't afford it. If you can, go for it. It will pay off.... 5 years from now if you are still using it the extra capabilities will be worth it.
Click to expand...

No, not really. For some people, a smaller notebook (ie, less than 3lbs) is very much needed. I personally don't think it's all that worth it, but I can see how some people would want one. I'm sure those people would be willing to pay the same amount for a smaller mbp as they would pay for a base model mbp.
 
They're both too big! I want another 12" form factor ultra-portable! Anything bigger than my powerbook feels clunky. :D

In my eyes however, the MBP has a bit of a portability edge in that you can quickly grab it and throw it into a bag without worrying so much about scratches. That made a big difference to me after I moved from an iBook to a Powerbook.
 
OutThere said:
In my eyes however, the MBP has a bit of a portability edge in that you can quickly grab it and throw it into a bag without worrying so much about scratches. That made a big difference to me after I moved from an iBook to a Powerbook.
Click to expand...

Wow. I don't think I could do that to my mbp. I treat it like it's a newborn (well it is, only two weeks old!). But I see your point; the mbp doesn't seem like it's prone to as much scratching as a mb.
 
I know people are always saying how similar they're in size, you know, just a inch here and there, 0.3 pound more etc. However for me, the mbp just look huge in person and the mb looks like an actual portable :p . The mbp looks more like a desktop replacement that you take to your front porch once a week. To me, it's never the weight, but the actual size. Also, the mb fits on my lap better than the mbp. But to really decide what you want, and you don't have an apple store/bestbuy nearby, get a poster, draw the shape of the mb & mbp with their exact dimensions, and cut it out then compare.
 
teflon said:
I know people are always saying how similar they're in size, you know, just a inch here and there, 0.3 pound more etc. However for me, the mbp just look huge in person and the mb looks like an actual portable :p . The mbp looks more like a desktop replacement that you take to your front porch once a week. To me, it's never the weight, but the actual size. Also, the mb fits on my lap better than the mbp. But to really decide what you want, and you don't have an apple store/bestbuy nearby, get a poster, draw the shape of the mb & mbp with their exact dimensions, and cut it out then compare.
Click to expand...

It may look huge, but it's really not that big of a difference. How small is your lap where the mbp is uncomfortable? I don't think that an inch more in width and half an inch in depth can make too much of a difference on one's lap.
 
CalBoy said:
Wow. I don't think I could do that to my mbp. I treat it like it's a newborn (well it is, only two weeks old!). But I see your point; the mbp doesn't seem like it's prone to as much scratching as a mb.
Click to expand...

Well I didn't mean 'throw' as in 'through the air', but more of a "I'm 5 minutes late for class, I can't find a pen, there's my laptop I'll grab it and put it in my backpack next to my textbooks" kind of thing. When I did that with my iBook, it was always "oh damn where's the sleeve!?", but now I don't have to worry, since my computer is aluminum.

I had my iBook for a couple weeks before I got a sleeve for it, I carried it in my backpack once during that time and it got all kinds of tiny little scratches on it. I've carried my powerbook numerous times without a case and it doesn't have a scratch on it.
 
OutThere said:
Well I didn't mean 'throw' as in 'through the air', but more of a "I'm 5 minutes late for class, I can't find a pen, there's my laptop I'll grab it and put it in my backpack next to my textbooks" kind of thing. When I did that with my iBook, it was always "oh damn where's the sleeve!?", but now I don't have to worry, since my computer is aluminum.
Click to expand...

Well I figured you didn't mean "throw." I still don't do what you do(yet). I treat my mbp as if it is precious, handling it very carefully. But then again, once I start taking it to class and such, I'm sure that will change.

OutThere said:
I had my iBook for a couple weeks before I got a sleeve for it, I carried it in my backpack once during that time and it got all kinds of tiny little scratches on it. I've carried my powerbook numerous times without a case and it doesn't have a scratch on it.
Click to expand...

Good to know that the aluminum doesn't scratch as easily. It makes me feel even better for having bought a mbp instead of a mb.
 
I went non-pro

I couldn't afford the MBP and even if I could I wouldn't have done so because I had a 15 inch Acre before my Macbook and that felt huge and heavy I just felt that I wanted something smaller. Now if apple made a 12 or 13 inch Maacbook Pro that was as close as possible to being as powerful as the 15, my Macbook would be straight on ebay and I would be at the apple sotre buying one. :D

My macbook fits on my lap perfectly whereas my old 15 never did (I'm a little guy) and I can easily carry my Macbook with one hand without fear of dropping it b/c it is so light.
 
Are the vents on the MBP in the same place as on the MB & Do the black macbooks come with black batteries? I have the money for a black macbook now but I think I will save for another 2 or 3 weeks for the difference for the MBP. Going in to the mac store this week to check out and compare both anyway.
 
I had an iBook G4 12" and replaced it with a MBP 15" (I was also replacing my desktop machine). I was dubious about this exact portability and size issue, but I'm really happy with the laptop now.

The 15" fits perfectly in my backpack and is not that heavy. I've been carrying it back and forth from the university every day during this semester and hasn't been a problem. Plus it is also usable enough on your lap while watching TV :)

If you have the need for the more powerful video card in the MBP, go for it. Otherwise the MB will fit you well as it basically has the same hardware specs; you'll get used to the smaller screen.

Oh, and by the way: all regular PC laptop owners will look surprised at the MBP as their 15,4" laptops are *much* bigger (specially thicker) than the MBP is :)
 
I've come from a 12" last gen ibook to the 15" mbp and although I love my mbp to bits, i'm finding myself always still grabbing the ibook when i need to go somewhere.

However this could be more of a durability thing, i'm used to closling the lid of my ibook and grabbing it by the lid + base wtih one hadn and walking around with it like that, but iwth the mbp the top aluminum shell seems to press in a bit when i tried this, which makes me weary of hurting my baby!
 
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