15" or 17" MBP??
Hey I am in the market for a MBP. I am looking to buy one in the next two weeks. I do a lot of graphic design (photoshop, illustrator, flash, dreamweaver, cinema 4d) and I am also a DJ that uses final scratch. My question is to anyone that has a 17" PB now, do you find it too big? I need to be able to take my laptop basically everywhere, and my only concern is that the 17" is a little to big. I need to be able to take the laptop up in DJ booths, trains, and other places. I do need all the firewire and usb ports I can get, and the double-layer drive is a huge plus! I just don't know if the size is going to be a problem. What do you guys think?
Comments
Originally posted by Ireland
If the 17" fits in the D.J. booth, I'd go for it
See, that's what I'm trying to figure out. The 17" MBP is about 1" by 1" bigger then the 15". I don't think this would make a big difference, but at the same time, most booths are jam packed with stuff as it is. I think I'm going for the 17". 100 bucks cheaper, bigger screen, more USB ports, FW ports, DL drive, and longer battery life...I don't see how I could not go for this. It's cheaper!
Originally posted by JeffDM
I think the 15" is better balanced for more people, .
I agree with you. Funny thing is, though, that the 17in looks like a better value. Given the same specs the 17in is cheaper with, supposedly, 2hrs longer battery life. Now I'm not trying to be negative about the 15in MBP, but the 17in just looks very appealing IMO.
Originally posted by backtomac
I agree with you. Funny thing is, though, that the 17in looks like a better value. Given the same specs the 17in is cheaper with, supposedly, 2hrs longer battery life. Now I'm not trying to be negative about the 15in MBP, but the 17in just looks very appealing IMO.
The 17" is definitely a better value if you compare it to the top-end 15", maybe the mid range 15", but it is still $1k more than I spent on my 15".
Originally posted by scavanger
As a fellow DJ, I would go with the 15 or even wait for the 13, I just sold my 15.4 inch Gateway that I used for SSL becuase it was too big. I really wanna get an apple but they are draggin there feet with the smaller models... Booth placement is bad enough as it is, don't make it harder on you by having a 17.
If you can stand to wait until the smaller units are announced, that would be a good idea, it might only be a month. For work in dark areas, I would think that some model with a backlit keyboard might be something to strongly consider, whether there will be a smaller model with a backlit keyboard is up for speculation.
If you need it now, I'd go with a 15, if you can wait I'd consider a 12/13 depending on what comes out with in the next few months.
The PB itself is heavy enough, and if you're going to be working away from home, you're going to need the power brick (because the battery life is appalling). You might need the power cord and a mouse as well. Then there's the AirPort Express if you need that and maybe the adaptors so that you can drive a VGA monitor of projector.
Most of the time, I get lazy and leave the machine at home. It's true that a laptop is useless if you always leave it at home.
It's worth pointing out, that the 15" MBP has a resolution of 1440 x900px, which is the same as my 17" PB. The 17" MBP has the same res. as the 20" ACD. This makes the 15" MBP the same as my 17" PB but a little more forgiving in the lugging stakes.
If I can make a suggestion, I'd get the basic 15" MBP, and buy a 20" ACD or if you can afford it a 23" ACD. This will give you a decent display to work with whilst you're at home, and a decent screen when you're out and about.
I'm seriously considering getting a 12" before they disappear.
People that would be unhappy with the size/weight of the 17" might also be unhappy with the size/weight of the 15". I can certainly understand not wanting to lug around the 17", but I don't want to lug my 15" around too much either. The 12" might be a different story.
This isn't much of a difference:
Bit disappointed that there isn't a 160GB HDD as a BTO option though...otherwise it looks great - extra real estate & battery life are really strong selling points for me.....
[B]The PB itself is heavy enough, and if you're going to be working away from home, you're going to need the power brick (because the battery life is appalling).
Might not be as big an issue with this machine. Five and a half hours of battery life. Size still an issue though.
[B]
Originally posted by Messiah
The PB itself is heavy enough, and if you're going to be working away from home, you're going to need the power brick (because the battery life is appalling).
Might not be as big an issue with this machine. Five and a half hours of battery life. Size still an issue though.
Which machine has five and a half hours of battery life?
My 2 year old 12" just swallowed a huge project, and I have to replace it. Since the 17" is the "best value for my money" currently offered from Apple I'll have to go with that.
And I don't think I will regret it. The 17" even has a brighter screen than the 15". I can't wait to impress my fellow consultants (all pc-users) at the current project I'm hired for.
And when I show them parallels...
Originally posted by Messiah
Which machine has five and a half hours of battery life?
The new 17in MBP. Apple is claiming 5.5 hrs of battery life. Can't wait for a review to see if this is accurate.
Originally posted by backtomac
The new 17in MBP. Apple is claiming 5.5 hrs of battery life. Can't wait for a review to see if this is accurate.
I'll test it in 10 days...