Technology MacBook Pro: 13" vs. 15"

[da8s0859q]

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Thinking about getting a MacBook now that I've realized that I'll never really use a tablet.

Currently using a Sony Vaio that weighs in at 3.3 lbs, so damn near everything is heavier than that. The 13" is 1280x800 and 4.5 lbs, and the 15", 1440x900 (iirc) and 5.5 lbs.

MBP 15" users: is carrying that thing around really that bad? Should I just go with the 13"?

Planning on using VirtualBox with Windows 7 as required for OneNote -- my understanding is that a VM doesn't screw battery life nearly as bad as a pure dual-boot into Windows does.

 

[silverhorse84]

I carry around a 15" and I don't think it's bad at all. Then again, my last laptop was ancient and heavier than my macbook now, so my relative weight is different than yours 😳

 

[stickshift]

Get the 13 inch and use the savings to buy a desktop.

Laptop for schoolwork only...transfer files and use the desktop for all computing at home.

 

[psipsina]

I have a 13' and have no problems with real estate screen-wise. I was planning on buying a flatscreen to jack it into at home and never ended up buying it because its plenty of space. Using spaces and expose on OSX make the 13" go a long long way versus a PC. If it does turn out to be a big deal the flat screens I was shopping for were cheaper than the difference between a 13" and a 15" macbook with much more space gained.

 

[da8s0859q]

Yes, I guess that would have been a good thing to mention. I do have a 23" HD monitor at home -- Samsung's P2370.

My only issue was whether the 13.3" display on the 13" MacBook Pro would be too small in daily use. My current laptop runs at 1600 x 900 on a 13.1" screen; THAT is small.

 

[ButImLETired]

I have both a 15 inch MBP and a 13 inch lenovo.

I bought the Lenovo purposefully so I'd be able to carry it comfortably. I tried to carry my MBP but it was pretty painful. I don't find the 13 inch to be too small at all- really, as long as the keyboard is normal-sized, a couple of inches won't make the difference between you being able to write notes and not being able to. Especially if you already have a big screen at home to watch movies and such, I would definitely go with the 13 inch. However, my back is kinda crappy, so maybe people with stronger backs and shoulders would disagree.

Either way, make sure to try out the 13 inch at a store, make sure the keyboard is comfortable and you can see what you're writing before you buy it.

 

[Anesthetic]

I have a MBP 15' and I have a backpack that has a slot to carry it. For me its no problem as I can carry any school work with it. I love the bigger screen truthfully.

 

[Mattabet]

I'm running on a 13" right now, and it's totally fine. I believe the mac screen shapes are slightly different than most other computers - this 13" feels wider than most other displays somehow. And yeah, if you've got the big display at home, get yourself the HDMI output cable (VGA and anything you've ever seen before aren't supported on mac - I don't know what the hell would fit in there, but they do sell a cable).

In my opinion, the extra ~2 inches diagonal just isn't worth the increase in cost. Plus, smaller display burns the battery slower.

 

[da8s0859q]

Bump... thanks for the input, all.

 

[Raryn]

I'm running on a 13" right now, and it's totally fine. I believe the mac screen shapes are slightly different than most other computers - this 13" feels wider than most other displays somehow. And yeah, if you've got the big display at home, get yourself the HDMI output cable (VGA and anything you've ever seen before aren't supported on mac - I don't know what the hell would fit in there, but they do sell a cable).

In my opinion, the extra ~2 inches diagonal just isn't worth the increase in cost. Plus, smaller display burns the battery slower.

I have a 15" and don't find it too heavy to carry around at all. I like the extra screen size, and its still not that heavy.... at least compared to oldschool laptops.

As for video export, all the macbooks (and most of their other computers) currently come with MiniDisplayports. You can get a mini-displayport-> DVI or a microdisplayport->VGA dongle from apple. They also sell DVI->HDMI cables, so all you would need is one of those cables and the DVI dongle. The only issue is that all these transfer only video and no audio. You can get a third party mini-displayport+ USB port=>HDMI adapter, which will combine the video feed from the displayport with an audio feed from one of your USB ports (and feed it through one HDMI cable), but I'm not sure where you can find it. I don't think those are available in the apple store, but I'm sure you can order it online?

 

[Paseo Del Norte]

I have a 15 inch Macbook that I use at home and a 13 inch Macbook Air that I use for school. Personally, I prefer the smaller and more compact laptop while at school and work. It fills a niche and may not meet everybodies needs. In addition, I back everything up on an external hard drive.

 

[davidmd]

hmm, i have the same computer u have, the vaio z series and i love it.

Is it too small for you?

If u go from 13.1 to a 13.3 with a lower resolution, i think u will find the screen to be uncomfortable as it wont fit as much...

also, the z is incredibly light, and moving up to the mac, either the 13 or 15, will be a big weight change since you are used to such a light laptop.

 

[DrJosephKim]

If you plan to carry your notebook around, get the 13"

If you plan to keep your notebook at home 99% of the time, then use the 15"

 

[TheRealMD]

I currently have a 15" and used a 13" for two weeks before I had to return it (for unrelated reasons, I just didn't budget well).

Here's how I feel:

If it's going to be your only computer, go for the 15". If you have a desktop at home (presumably with a larger screen), go for the 13". I just couldn't spend hours on end on such a tiny screen, especially after I had been used to a 15" for 3+ years.

I would avoid the cheaper 13", as 2GB of RAM is just too little if you want to run Windows 7 at the same time (the hard drive is also very tiny). Also, do consider refurbished computers from Apple. They look brand new (except they come in a brown box) and cost hundreds less. In fact, if you're willing to buy slightly older hardware (like from last year), you can get the 15" MacBook Pro for only $1299 (no built-in battery) - $700 cheaper than what it debuted at.

Up to you really.

 

[TMP-SMX]

The RAM and HDD that come with the computer shouldn't be a concern. I recommend buying a faster 7200 RPM HDD anyway for $69.99 and 4GB of RAM for $59.99. When buying with the education discount you also get the iPod Touch for the next couple weeks. So at least for now the education store is a much better deal than the refurbs. In the past year the education discounts were pretty poor compared to normal but they fixed it for the MBPs.

 

[clifftacopter]

I have a 15" MBP and my mom has a 13" MBP. I was a bit skeptical about the 13" at first, but having used hers, I was quite impressed. Both are very light (especially compared to the Dell Inspiron that I had previously used), and I have no trouble carrying my 15" MBP in my backpack.

I think the advice given above is quite sound: if this is going to be your primary computer, get the 15"; if you plan on using it only for school, then a 13" would probably be best. Either way I don't think you will go wrong.

 

[TMP-SMX]

I just want to say that I love my Macbook "Antique" aluminum I got last October. It's 13" and I've been used to using 20" iMacs but I'm fine with the 13" as my primary computer. I don't use desktops anymore. When I use my fiancée's 15" HP I can tell the difference but the weight is a big difference. However, I'm sure the 15" MBP is pretty light too so you can't go wrong. I'd tend to say save your money and go with the cheaper model.