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emmetsmyth · Sep 11, 2007, 02:41 PM

Hi guys. Here's a conundrum I bet you all like to have!!! My boss has ordered a few MBPros-2x17" and 1x15" and I have the choice of 1 of them. They're all the 2.4GHz rendition so will all be fast, which should I take?

SVass · Sep 11, 2007, 03:00 PM

If you are going to carry it, then take the 15" unit. sam

Charles Bouldin · Sep 11, 2007, 03:12 PM

The trite answer is the most expensive one! However, I'd take the 15"

17" is impossible to use on planes and heavier to carry.
The 15" is just as fast and can be hooked up to an external display when at a desk for even more screen space than the 17".
I find the 15" size "just right" as a compromise between size/weight and functionality. In truth, even the 15" very hard to use on a plane, but for every other purpose I find it ideal.

Atheist · Sep 11, 2007, 03:13 PM

I subscribe to bigger is always better... so I'd recommend the 17". Just for comparison:

17" is only 1.3" wider and .8" deeper. It's also 1.4 lbs heavier... if that's a problem it could be the deciding factor for you.

As far as the screen is concerned. The 17" gives you 36% more real estate. If your boss got the high resolution screen on the 17" (1920 x 1200) then you get a whopping 77% more screen real estate. For me there would be no other choice. More pixels is always better.

As SVass said, if you're lugging it around a lot, then you may want to go with the 15". I drag my 17" everywhere... it's never really bothered me.

emmetsmyth · Sep 11, 2007, 04:19 PM

Thanks guys fir the replies—they're very useful. I will be carrying the machine to and from work each day so it seems that the 15" wins in the weight/portability category plus I have a 20" cinema display at work so the screen real estate issue will only be a problem when I'm at home I suppose. But at home I seem to use machines on my lap in the proper 'laptop' manner so the 15" would probably be the most comfortable when doing this for extended periods.

My main apps consist of those in the CS3 suite—with emphasis on PhotoShop, Illustrator and the ever-wonderful InDesign. Shame that with each new version of these apps more screen space seems to be needed for the palettes but I suppose i've been surviving fine until now on a MacBook so the 15" MBP will actually make things a bit easier.

Can't wait to try out a few games via XP/Bootcamp on the new MBP graphics card (256MB version). I've already dowloaded the Bioshock demo (1.8GB!) It looks so sweet

iREZ · Sep 11, 2007, 05:04 PM

Originally Posted by emmetsmyth

Shame that with each new version of these apps more screen space seems to be needed for the palettes

i don't get it, the new cs3 suite offers a thinner toolbox palette and can hide away the palettes that usually sit on the right hand side. have they grown in size? i have yet to notice a difference in size and i've been an avid illy and ps user since ill 8 and ps 6.

emmetsmyth · Sep 11, 2007, 05:24 PM

I just wish that Adobe had adopted the 'slide in/out' type palettes from InDesign CS2 but ho hum. I was actually quite happy with the layout of Illustrator/PhosoShop CS2 as well—sometimes seems to me that companies like Adobe/Apple/Microsoft change things just so that they can say a new feature has been added. I'd prefer things that work well to gently evolve rather that completely change overnight—just my opion though.

PS The mention of Illustrator 8 brings me back—that was one of the best versions, not too much of the core functionality has changed since then. Plus it flew on a fast OS 9 machine. Remembering PhotoShop 5 brings back nightmares though—remember when you wanted to add text a big box popped up then it raterized it, real PITA!

SurfSkateJeep · Sep 11, 2007, 07:26 PM

i would take the 17"

I say my professors compared to mine aand it is a huge difference

JoshuaZ · Sep 11, 2007, 07:47 PM

As someone who regularly takes his 15in MP to and from work, defiantly stay away from the 17in. Its just too big to handle. The 15 is almost too big, but manageable. (This from a guy who used to have a 12in Powerbook)

Plus the 15in plays games quite well. (I should try that bioshock demo...)

SierraDragon · 07:21 PM

Running Adobe apps (graphics) on a single display the substantial extra screen real estate and additional pixels of the 17" are far, far superior. When you have a second monitor attached the smaller display is fine, but if you ever do run apps like PS, Illy, Aperture etc. with only the laptop display like I do you will appreciate a bigger display (think palettes). Note too that the 17" is about 10% stronger in real-world performance.

What I posted in another thread here:
--------------------------------
What size works best has a lot to do with usage. I went from 15" PBs to a 17" C2D MBP and will never downsize again; the reason being that I am a pro photog and need to view images with clients in the field. The substantial extra screen real estate and additional pixels are a huge benefit over the 15" size for anyone doing graphics in the field. I don't notice the difference at all as regards transporting it, except that 17" is overly tight on airline seats (which is not an issue with my usage).

If one does not deal with images on just the laptop display very often then 13"-15" is a great size range.

-Allen Wicks