17 inch MBP - too big?

2rs

I am coming around to the idea of purchasing a MBP only recently.

At first I wanted the black macbook, but having gone through some of the threaads here it seemed that there was more bang for your buck in getting the white one and upgrading RAM and HDD yourself. So I talked myself out of that one.

I then persuaded myself not to buy the white one as I thought the screen was too small. But my problem now is that I currently have my eyes set on the MBP but feel the 17 inch version is ridiculously big when it is portability I am looking for.

I don't want to spend all that money on the 15 inch version only to regret it in a couple of months. What do people think, is the 17 inch MBP too big?

Educational discount finishes on Tuesday, so not much longer to decide.

remus808

I don't know much about Macs, so this is only half useful.. But I got a 17" lappy for college, and decided to get rid of it within 10 minutes of opening it. 17" is very, very big. Even 15" is on the large side for portability IMO

jtsuited

the 17" don't have great battery life according to a MacFormat review I read a few months ago.
And yes, 17" is bloody massive.

440Hz

NO way in hell would I got for a 17" WAY too big, not portable at all, hence negating the point of a laptop. 15" MBP is just right IMHO.

ZENER

karmabass wrote: »

I don't know much about Macs, so this is only half useful.. But I got a 17" lappy for college, and decided to get rid of it within 10 minutes of opening it. 17" is very, very big. Even 15" is on the large side for portability IMO

Cruising for a banning IMO !!! 440 . . . geddim !!!

17" Macs tend to be a bit more svelte than their PC counterparts. As the owner of a 17" Powerbook the biggest fear is sitting on it and cracking the screen and finding a bag to carry it in. Those points aside the bigger screen is lovely to work on easier to see and works beautifully as a desktop substitute as well.

I'd say buy it and sure if you don't like it I doubt you'd have a problem selling it on but once you see the big screen you'll be hooked !!!

ZEN

leeroybrown

I'd say that the 17" MacBook Pro is too big for a lot of people. Unless you really need/want the screen real estate and your requirements for portability are low my opinion is that it's too big.

I have a Black MacBook (work and home use) in preference to a 15" MacBook Pro as I require quite a lot of mobility. Whenever I'm making a lot of use of it it's hooked up to a 20" monitor anyway. It's not my money I was saving but I've got no regrets about the choice.

I know someone who had one of the original 17" Powerbooks for years. He found it brilliant originally when it spent most of it's time on one desk and only moved occasional short distances. Once he started to move it around more especially longer distances he started to find it a real pain and is now using a 15" MacBook Pro in preference.

ZENER

17" isn't actually that big anymore, recently in PC World I saw a 21" "laptop" (you'd need big bloody laps in fairness) - also HP do a 20" model !

Kinda puts the 17" MBP into perspective eh ??

ZEN

Fenster

Laptops that big - 20 or 21 inch - are usually considered to be portable workstations. It's intended that you'll be using them plugged in at home or in an office, and we sold them as such when I was in Currys.

If you're a gamer, graphic designer or photographer who does a lot of presentations, it's a really idea thing. Not really so if you're a student or on the move a lot.

For the record, I have a 15" MBP and I love it, dodgy power bricks permitting.

trant

The 15" MacBook Pro is the way to go, has the new LED backlight and is just the right size. I went from a 13" MacBook to the MacBook Pro and the size difference isn't huge. Also, if you're a student and order today you will get €130 back on the price of an iPod Nano, but be quick - offer ends tonight.

2rs

well folks, I took the plunge and have ordered the 15", should be here by Thurs ..... cant wait.

Resisted the temptation on the nano, 2 ipods already, and am looking to get my hands on an iphone... bit of an "apple tart"

Cheers for all the advice ..... 2rs

BanzaiBk

Congratz, the 15" is a lovely size.

ultanmac

well folks, I took the plunge and have ordered the 15", should be here by Thurs ..... cant wait.

Resisted the temptation on the nano, 2 ipods already, and am looking to get my hands on an iphone... bit of an "apple tart"

I ordered a 15" MBP today too from the Apple Ireland store. It says 15-16th November for estimated delivery. How come you're gonna get yours by Thursday...no fair

BanzaiBk

ultanmac wrote: »

I ordered a 15" MBP today too from the Apple Ireland store. It says 15-16th November for estimated delivery. How come you're gonna get yours by Thursday...no fair

Did you customise your order?

2rs

ultanmac wrote: »

I ordered a 15" MBP today too from the Apple Ireland store. It says 15-16th November for estimated delivery. How come you're gonna get yours by Thursday...no fair

educational store discount ends tomorrow so they may have a huge amount of orders to fulfill ....... cant think of anything else other than the customization mentioned above.

It may even arrive tomorrow:D

ultanmac

No I didn't customise it as such, just selected a glossy display instead of a matte one which is selected by default. I don't think that counts as customisation.

Also I didn't even know the iPod offer and the educational offer ends today, thank Christ I ordered today out of coincedence, as I am taking advantage of both

ZENER

2rs wrote: »

educational store discount ends tomorrow so . . . .

Completely !? So apple are no longer offering an educational discount . . . a real pity as it swayed a lot of folk the Apple way I think.

ZEN

BanzaiBk

I hope (s)he means the nano offer