MBP Upgrade Question

[djejrejk]

So, I am finally making the jump from PC to a MacBook Pro in the coming weeks. I was checking out the apple store and noticed that the only MBP that offers a 7200 rpm hard drive is the 17 inch model. I am concerned that a 17in MBP might be too big for me. I contacted apple and they said that they offered this option early in the 15in MBP run but discontinued it.

1. Has anyone here attempted to update a 15in MBP with at 7200rpm drive? I checked out the tutorial on the iFixit page and the replacement seems easy enough. Does anyone know if there are any size/ heat issues with the faster drive?

2. Should i even be concerned about the size of the 17in MBP? I am a college student so I move around quite a bit, however I do a lot of web editing, audio recording and photo editing. I really like having a larger screen but don't want the computer to be too cumbersome. Any comments from 17in MBP owners?

Thanks in advance.

 

[jonharris200]

I started off with a 17" PowerBook and fitted rucksack, and have been around the world with it. It does weigh a bit, but really depends on what else you're going to be carrying with it and how far. It has certainly burnt a few calories for me, but equally was the perfect introduction for a web designer like me who was needing one machine to use at the desk and on the road.

Now, a few years down the line, I have invested in a 20" iMac and am trading in the PowerBook for a MacBook. That will feel like luxury, but trust me you can manage with just a 17" MBP if you really have to.

 

[CanadaRAM]

15" machine + a 20" monitor for the desktop where you do most of your work.
Dual screens - put your work on one and yout tools on the other. Yummmm.

 

[djejrejk]

15" machine + a 20" monitor for the desktop where you do most of your work.
Dual screens - put your work on one and yout tools on the other. Yummmm.

that is a good idea..

anyone know anything about the hard drive upgrade?

 

[djejrejk]

I stopped by a Mac store today and i think that the 15 inch will be big enough for me. the 17 was not too big but i think that its more than i need. I just wish that they offered a 7200rpm drive.

 

[failsafe1]

I have had a few 15 Mac notebooks. I just got a new Intel Macbook Pro about a month ago. I went with the stock config 120 drive and 256 video card. I capture video work with photos doing all I need to do. Don't worry about needing to upgrade your HD due to the 5400 speed. The new drives are plenty fast. The 17 inch book is too big to tote around. I have a few friends using the 17 book and it is not easily carried around to meetings and such. I would use a 12 inch book if there was one comparable to the current MPB with 256 video and such.

 

[aristobrat]

I just wish that they offered a 7200rpm drive.

I haven't seen a benchmark that shows that they make all that much of a difference on day-to-day stuff, at least the 2.5" internal ones.

 

[djejrejk]

I'm going to try out the 5400 before I make any bad decisions. I checked out the new screens today and I think that the glossy screen seems too glossy for me. It looks kind of cheap from the side. Matte it is!