MacBook Pro 15" vs 17"

[jaylensmom]

Question for all you MacBook owners...Do you think there is a huge difference between the 15" and 17" screen? I had a 17" HP (it finally died on me) and am considering the 15" MacBook but I'm wondering if I'll be disappointed with the screen size. I guess I'm just wondering if months down the line if I'm going to play the shoulda woulda coulda game. Thanks for any help!

[Nettio]

I have the 15-inch MBP and I feel like the size is perfect for a laptop. Enough screen size for everyday tasks but not too big and heavy to travel with and move around the house.

There are occasionally times when I wish the screen was bigger but I don't think the 17" screen would really make that much difference. Ideally I'd love to get a really big external monitor (like 24" or something) that I could hook up to when I want a bigger screen but still keep the compactness of the laptop for travel.

If I were to get another MBP, I'd get another 15 inch.

[Julie Billingsley]

if you are considering getting one soon you might want to wait a few days. There are heavy rumors that next week the "back to school promo" will start. The last couple years people got a free ipod touch with purchase of a computer.

[Traci Reed]

I have a hard time scrapping/designing on Patrick's 15" MBP

[Lyd]

I use a 15" MBP as well, and I love it. I have to admit, there are times that I wish I had the 17", but I'll probably keep with the 15" for a long, long time. If you are on a 17" now, it might be hard to switch to a smaller screen. And, I've never had anything bigger than a 15" screen, so I haven't really experienced the difference. But, I don't have a hard time scrapping on my 15" at all.

[rach3975]

I have an HP, but I switched from 15" to 17" in January and don't think I could ever go back. Enjoy your new computer!

[xboxmom]

I love my 15 inch MBP but I switched from the 13 inch Mac book so I guess if you are coming from the 17 inch you should probably stick with it. sometimes bigger is better

[jessica31876]

I have a 17 inch HP and my son has a 15 inch HP. I know you were asking about Mac but since screen size is pretty much universal I can say that after using the 17 I have a really hard time adjusting to the 15 if I ever do use his laptop. So Id probably stick with the 17 myself. You could probably adjust but I think the bigger laptop makes everything easier personally. I dont really travel with mine just around the house but it isnt so heavy I cant carry it from room to room. The only real pain I found with my laptop is there are so many more bags/cases for a 15 then a 17 inch. I paid a small fortune for my laptop bag where I got my son a neoprene case for like 10 dollars I think. Anyhow those are the things I noticed between 15/17 inch HP's. Im sure most of that can be applied to your Mac Book purchase.

[kresta]

Before getting my 15" MBP last Christmas, I had a 15.5" HP. I don't know if it's how "windows" display differently between Macs & PCs or if that 1/2" made that much difference, but scrapping on my new 15" MBP was a big adjustment.

I love love love my laptop and the size and weight of it in general (so convenient!), and I'm used to the screen size now, but it took some time. I'm kinda like Lynette -- wouldn't mind getting a nice big monitor to plug into on my desk! That would be ideal!

[robinforman]

I think it would be really hard to go back on size... since you have had the larger one, everything else is going to look tiny. I'd go 17" for sure.

[ColleenSwerb]

If you want to take the laptop with you a lot, I would stick to 15". I have a 17" HP and it's just a monster. It's amazing sitting on my desk where I usually work, but it's a beast to travel with. I had a 15" before and while it was heavy because it was old, the 15" size of it was nice for taking it with me places.

[jaylensmom]

Thanks Ladies...Decisions...Decisions...

[Priscilla]

My PC was 17? 19? maybe 21? it was crazy huge.

I "downsized" to a 15" when I got my MBP and it's fine. It did take a couple of weeks to adjust but I wouldn't have it any other way.