Using a Macbook in Class

[asdfsoup]

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I am (hopefully!) going to graduate school next year and need to buy a laptop right now...I am interested in knowing if most people who bring their laptops to class use a Macbook 13" or 15"?

Macbook Pro 13" (4.5 lbs)
Pros: super portable, $1199
Cons: screen is too small

Macbook Pro 15" (5.6 lbs)
Pros: bigger screen that i am much more used to
Cons: $1799

All of my friends seem to love their 13" but I don't have a desktop and prefer bigger screens. How I use my laptop in relation to classwork/notes/lab is very important to me too...

How often do you carry your laptop around to classes. Would it be difficult to carry a 15" along with textbooks, and would it fit well on the desks?

(i looked at related threads but they don't help me too much)

Thanks!🙂

 

[TheOx777]

I just got a macbook pro 13.3 about two weeks ago. I have not used it for class yet, but I really like it thus far. I was also concerned about the screen size, but I really have not found it to be an issue. I actually think it is a "mental thing" that bigger is better. I honestly don't even notice a tangible difference when I am using it versus my 17.3 inch screen for the other laptop. It weighs half of my other laptop, and i bought it specifically for greater portability to class, library, clinic, etc!

 

[wrennywren]

Dang... when 1200 bucks is listed as a "pro", something is wrong. 🙂

I got my Toshiba 17 inch laptop for 379 and it is perfect for school. I'd say, though, that our class is 30% macbookers...

 

[fejin757]

I've had both the 13 and 15 inch( currently using the 15). The 13 is much more portable and Mac osx has clever ways to maximize the use of a smaller screen I.e: spaces, launchpad. IMO, the 13 inch MacBook would be better for you as paying 500+ more for 2 more inches of screen real estate is a little much. Gotta minimize that debt!

The 15s do have dedicated graphics cards and larger hds. But I doubt you'll have time for gaming in pt school 🙂

Also, consider the 13 inch MacBook air as they just upgraded to thunderbolt/sandy bridge processors.

 

[dreamlife]

I personally would go with the 13 inch. When it comes to lugging that thing around to classes all day long, I don't think you'll notice the difference in screen size.

I've got a 13 inch and it's the perfect size to take with me to class.

 

[asdfsoup]

Thanks for the responses.

I feel like I'm looking for someone to vote for the 15" (the laptop is a graduation gift so price isn't factoring in as much...)

I just hope it won't be as big of a problem to lug around, especially if students are already lugging around 17" Toshibas or any other laptop!?!

 

[johncronejr]

I bought a 15" Macbook Pro last year and I love it. I could have gone with the 13", but just felt the screen was too small for me. Now, I bought it with the idea of using it mostly at home, but I don't feel like carrying it around will be like "lugging" it. I have taken it to school twice and didn't have any issues.

There's your vote for the 15"

 

[fejin757]

I bought a 15" Macbook Pro last year and I love it. I could have gone with the 13", but just felt the screen was too small for me. Now, I bought it with the idea of using it mostly at home, but I don't feel like carrying it around will be like "lugging" it. I have taken it to school twice and didn't have any issues.

There's your vote for the 15"

Hey John, saw your other thread about starting PT school..Just wanted to say congrats! Personally, I'm nervous about how much information you have to retain in such a short amount of time. I guess I should worry about getting accepted first haha.

OP, not sure if this is important to you. But, the Unibody Macbook hasn't been refreshed in a while...I have an aching feeling that they will be releasing a new model/design during the next refresh.

 

[riseboi]

I just bought a 13 inch mbp last night because my 10 yr old pc crapped out on me. While I'd like to have a bigger screen, I prefer the portability of a smaller screen. I never used to bring my laptop to class before, but due it being a "new toy" and more papers I have to write this semester, I probably will have it handy. We use plinths as our desks, so there would be plenty of room for a bigger laptop but I like less clutter and prefer room for handwritten notes. And while I didn't bring in my laptop before, I did bring my ipad with me to all my classes in previous semesters. It comes in very handy for simple notes, lecture recording, reading saved research articles, etc.