Classic question, 15 v. 17? Have Mac Pro, never had laptop and looking to buy one to mostly use to take to work, also to use when at bookstore etc., and a few times a year when traveling on an airplane. Was initially thinking 15 i7 with anti-glare and 128GB SSD, but 17 i5 is the same price but get ExpressCard and additional USB. I’d used it mainly for internet and office productivity (75%) and video editing (25%). I could save all my video editing for Mac Pro, but like the idea option doing some at Starbucks. With ExpressCard I’d get eSATA external HD.
What’s your opinion on Apple’s SSD? i5 versus i7? Weight and size of 15 versus 17? Finally, the 17 has a deeper/wider palm rest area and some say that affects their typing, not sure if it’s a positive or a negative, your opinion?
Thanks for your input.
— TA
It looks like you have a good grasp of the differences. Not sure what else I can add. I had a 17inch PowerBook for a while and liked it. Have a 15 inch older MBP now, as a companion to my Mac Pro. Both were good options. The 17 was very hard to use on airplanes and hard to carry around because of it's size and weight.
I've heard mixe d reviews of the ssd, with some saying it is so much faster, and others not seeing the difference.
Can you get to an Apple store and see which one feels better to you?
The Apple store has a security leash on all their MBP so can't pick it up nor type on it like I normally would unless I squat down. Just learned the ExpressCard slot doesn't provide power so not Plug N Play. Do you like or think ExpressCard slot useful? I I think USB 3.0 will overtake ExpressCard but think USB 3.0 won't be mainstream for another 2 years. Agree?
I've found in the past that I can still pick up the MacBooks in the store, even with the cables. They give you enough slack. But at least you can try typing on them and get a real feel for the weight.
I never use my ExpressCard slot. I bought a SD card reader for it, but the USB card reader was the one I ended up using. Never tried any other cards. Anything I need a card for, I would rather do on my Mac Pro anyway.
I don't know what will become of USB 3. But I try not to think too far ahead. I get what I need for now, and figure I'll be buying a new machine pretty often anyway.
I have a 13" MBP and I just love it! The screen is big enough and it is lightweight and easily packed in my back pack (for carry on), battery lasts for most of the day too.
I did upgrade the HD to a 500 gig because i use the MBP for my itunes (160 gigs of songs and macmost podcasts).