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Would you exchange a 15" MBP for the 17"?

eVolcre

eVolcre

macrumors 68000
Original poster
Jan 7, 2003
1,979
587
My specs are listed in my signature. It is supposed to be sent back today for a replacement. (less than the 2 week period when it went bad). I've managed to convince them to let me get the 17" if I wanted it.

Should I do it? I'm going through a little bit of buyers remorse given that my machine is actually more expensive than the top of the line 17"

Is the 17" really that much bigger than the 15". It seems to be only an inch wider and an inch deeper. Should I do it?

eV
 
I would. Even though the machine itself is only a tad larger, the 17" screen seems like it's twice the size. Plus, I think the 17" will have a much higher resale value down the road once the 15" gets its price cut and Macbook is released.


Jake.
 
That's the way I look at it too actually. And it doesn't seem like it would be that much bulkier. I don't need it to go to class or anything so it would work for me .. sizewise.

The shipping time concerns me though. I have to leave the country on May 29th and if it isn't here until then I would be screwed!

eV
 
YAY!!!!!!! iT'S DONE

The 15" is going in for a full refund. And I have ordered the 17".

It took one call and 30 seconds. He didn't even argue with me and said he totally understands my decision.

Whew. I was going through some serious buyers remorse all of a sudden, and honestly, I think I wanted the 17" in the first place. For the cool factor if nothing else.

YAY!!!!


eV
 
Did you do the exchange through Apple? That's really cool how understanding they were. I'm sure you'll be happy with the 17".


Jake
 
You will love the 17. I have had a 12, 15 and a 17. By far the 17 is my fave. Going back to the 15 or 12 always feels cramped.
 
iamhammill said:
Did you do the exchange through Apple? That's really cool how understanding they were. I'm sure you'll be happy with the 17".


Jake
Click to expand...


Hi Jake. Yes, they were really really cool about it. Now, to be fair, it wasn't a straight exchange. On Saturday of last week they authorized a replacement of my MBP due to hardware issues. I decided to wait (whew, so glad I did) to see what would be announced today before I mailed them back the old machine.

I called Apple Sales Support and asked them if I could do an exchange. I didn't play games, just said that since my new one was going to be a BTO anyway, would they mind if I get the 17"

They said it wouldn't be a problem, changed my replacement to a full refund and asked me to order a new one from the site.

I think I wanted a 17" all along :). And I'm glad they let me change it. Big points to Apple!

eV
 
Great to hear, let us know how the new machine is (crossing fingers for none of the 15" problems).
 
I would not trade mine in. The size is perfect. And I love my machine. It does everything i need to and more. The 17" is to big to be a portable... 15" is just right.
 
Nope i wouldn't swap mine either. I have never been attracted to 17 inch laptops because I think that they are too big. The 15 inch MBP is pretty big and i wouldn't want anything bigger.
It seems that you made the right decision for yourself though everybody has different needs.
 
Roba said:
Nope i wouldn't swap mine either. I have never been attracted to 17 inch laptops because I think that they are too big. The 15 inch MBP is pretty big and i wouldn't want anything bigger.
It seems that you made the right decision for yourself though everybody has different needs.
Click to expand...


Well put. The right decision for 'myself'

I actually need portability a little less than others. But, I need it to be portabel enough that I can move from place to place. Does that make sense? My new job has me going from country to country every 4 months so I can't have a desktop. But once I'm in said country I don't envision myself really carting it around on a day to day basis. Maybe for presentations to clients where the larger machine will really be awesome! :)

All in all, I made the right decision given my computing needs.

eV

And you know I just compared the specs. It's an inch wider and an inch deeper than the 15" version. That really isn't THAT much bigger.

eV
 
Sounds like a great deal! It's always great to wow people with a 17" Apple (couldn't say the same for a 17" HP or anything though because I think they would be quicker to make people vomit)! Good luck with the 17".
 
rockandrule said:
Sounds like a great deal! It's always great to wow people with a 17" Apple (couldn't say the same for a 17" HP or anything though because I think they would be quicker to make people vomit)! Good luck with the 17".
Click to expand...


The 17" definitely has some bling factor to it, doesn't it? :)

eV
 
eVolcre said:
Well put. The right decision for 'myself'

I actually need portability a little less than others. But, I need it to be portabel enough that I can move from place to place. Does that make sense? My new job has me going from country to country every 4 months so I can't have a desktop. But once I'm in said country I don't envision myself really carting it around on a day to day basis. Maybe for presentations to clients where the larger machine will really be awesome! :)

All in all, I made the right decision given my computing needs.

eV

And you know I just compared the specs. It's an inch wider and an inch deeper than the 15" version. That really isn't THAT much bigger.

eV
Click to expand...

Definitely sounds like you're the market for the 17".
 
miloblithe said:
Definitely sounds like you're the market for the 17".
Click to expand...


I've never been so happy to receive a defective product. :D
 
I can understand that and i can also understand how you felt to see the price of the 17 inch coming in cheaper than your maxed out 15.4 that you owned previously. Maybe the processor increase in the 15.4 inch model isn’t so wise anymore.

Me i went for the 2ghz, 100 7,200rpm, 2gb ( I bought one stick of ram from elsewhere so i don’t feel that bad about the pricing because i never forked out for the 2.16 processor on the 15.4 model.

The firewire feature i doubt that i will ever use and if i did and wanted to use Fire Wire 800 I could always buy an express card if i wanted to in the future though.

The dvd drive is more than enough for me. An extra USB port would have been nice but i can live with two very easily.

As you said you do not need to be portable very much and it is right for your needs and price wise you are getting a good deal. I hope that you are happy with it when you receive it.

It would be great if when you do receive it you can let us know what you make of the size differences yourself?
eVolcre said:
. Does that make sense? My new job has me going from country to country every 4 months so I can't have a desktop. But once I'm in said country I don't envision myself really carting it around on a day to day basis. Maybe for presentations to clients where the larger machine will really be awesome! :)

All in all, I made the right decision given my computing needs.

eV

And you know I just compared the specs. It's an inch wider and an inch deeper than the 15" version. That really isn't THAT much bigger.

eV
Click to expand...
 
Roba said:
I can understand that and i can also understand how you felt to see the price of the 17 inch coming in cheaper than your maxed out 15.4 that you owned previously. Maybe the processor increase in the 15.4 inch model isn’t so wise anymore.

Me i went for the 2ghz, 100 7,200rpm, 2gb ( I bought one stick of ram from elsewhere so i don’t feel that bad about the pricing because i never forked out for the 2.16 processor on the 15.4 model.

The firewire feature i doubt that i will ever use and if i did and wanted to use Fire Wire 800 I could always buy an express card if i wanted to in the future though.

The dvd drive is more than enough for me. An extra USB port would have been nice but i can live with two very easily.

As you said you do not need to be portable very much and it is right for your needs and price wise you are getting a good deal. I hope that you are happy with it when you receive it.

It would be great if when you do receive it you can let us know what you make of the size differences yourself?
Click to expand...

Hey Roba, I will definitely let you know about the perceived size differences. The 15" MBP was a HUGE increase in screen size (and resolution actually) since I was coming from a 12" rev A G4. This one is going to be like IMAX. lol

I would have been very satisifed with the 15". But the way I had specced it, I am actually saving money with the 17" and for my needs, it just made more sense. DVDs in a hotel room on a 17" laptop are going to be incredible. :) :)

eV
 
eva01 said:
Nope i wouldn't because a 17" doesn't fit on college desks.
Click to expand...


I'm not trying to be smarmy but it does depend on the type of desk. I tried using my 15" MBP on those little desks (the ones with the attached writing part where you squeeze in from one side :) ) and it was awkward compared to my 12".

eV
 
eVolcre said:
I'm not trying to be smarmy but it does depend on the type of desk. I tried using my 15" MBP on those little desks (the ones with the attached writing part where you squeeze in from one side :) ) and it was awkward compared to my 12".

eV
Click to expand...

hell i never said that the 15" does fit :p, its the reason i don't have a 15" powerbook cause it wouldn't fit. I <3 my 12" powerbook. My computer is the only one in all my classes that fits on the desks.

Just that the 15" would be fitting a bit better than the 17"
 
eva01 said:
hell i never said that the 15" does fit :p, its the reason i don't have a 15" powerbook cause it wouldn't fit. I <3 my 12" powerbook. My computer is the only one in all my classes that fits on the desks.

Just that the 15" would be fitting a bit better than the 17"
Click to expand...


LOL. True True. But, I graduate in 1 week (!!!!) and don't plan on returning to college ... 3 degrees is enough.

Anyway, I am really happy that a) they agreed to switch it and that b) I made the decision to take the larger one.

No buyers remorse here. I said this before but this is the first time I am happy that something I ordered had to go back to be replaced within a week. :p

eV
 
I will be ordering the 15.4 MBP myself, simply because I will be starting college in the fall. My brother is just ending his sophomore year at Wheaton College, and he has a 17 inch dell. I think the thing is HUGE, and even if it wasn't 2.5 inches thick, I would still dislike the size of the screen. In fact, I am typing on my parents' desktop, and the screen is 15 inches, and I have no problem with it. However, my dream desktop setup would be a powermac with a 30 inch cinema display.....
 
I do not understnad how they let you exchange it, it clearly says on their website that build to order machines cannot be exchanged, and if so they will charge a 10% restocking fee. What exactly was DOA about it?

M
 
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