13 or 15" MBP? Can't decide

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Aaroona

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#255567 18-Aug-2019 19:54

As the title suggests, I'm wanting to purchase a new laptop- I have an old T420 at the moment, which usually sits under the bed.

It seems like the actual body of the 15" MBP is massive, but I can't help but feel like the 13 is slightly too small.

At the moment I am doing a bit of travel between AU and NZ (won't last forever though) and would be taking it with me on those trips.
I also have a desktop at home that isn't being used, so this would basically replace that. But I'm just wondering if a 15" MBP is a little too much to drag around (size wise, not weight) in a backpack?

I'm also thinking about later next year where I may go travelling for a couple of months. If it wasn't for the travel, I'd probably be inclined to go 15".

Has anyone else here gone through the same purchase decision recently on the latest gen? I've seen posts about other gens, but it's been more about weight than size.

PS: Apple please just make a 14" and then we can call it a day!

Benjip

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#2301384 18-Aug-2019 22:01

For me the 13” is perfect, it sits easily in my backpack but has enough screen real estate to do design & web work when I’m travelling.

I’d hold off until end of October if you can, as the rumour mill suggests there’s a new 16” model coming out with smaller bezels which means a much bigger screen but at the 15” physical size or smaller.

lxsw20

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#2301385 18-Aug-2019 22:19

I had an Air, and now am on my 3rd 15". It's a good size for a desktop replacement machine for me but it hardly ever leaves home. If I was to travel with it, I think I'd be going for the 13.

It also comes down to what you want to use it for. 15 has a proper graphics card and more powerful processor options.

dfnt

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#2301390 18-Aug-2019 23:09

I recently picked up a 15" to replace my 13" for work

While the 13" is nice the extra screen real estate is better, I haven't had an issue travelling with it as the backpack I have accommodates it fine

gehenna

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#2301391 18-Aug-2019 23:17

15" is better. The extra space is noticeable.

premiumtouring

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#2301420 19-Aug-2019 07:17

Do you value having a discrete GPU as well as integrated graphics? If you do, only the 15" gets both.

Does Battery life matter? If it does, again, the 15" has a bigger battery.

lxsw20

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#2301424 19-Aug-2019 07:23

What ever you get, make sure you have a look in the referb store on the Apple site. Not sure if they 2019 Pro's are on there yet, but the 2018 are, and there is little difference.

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geekiegeek

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#2301452 19-Aug-2019 08:31

I've had both recently and have stuck with the 13, its just more portable which I prefer. The only time I really need extra graphics grunt is at home doing a bit of gaming so I brought an external GPU (Razor Core with an RX580). Works great.

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#2301453 19-Aug-2019 08:33

I've always been of the opinion that the 13" doesn't deserve the Pro moniker. Spec-wise, it's a fairly ordinary laptop. It is, however, very well built & strongly sought after in the 2nd hand market. As a lightweight travellers laptop, it's hard to go past. Any competing product - XPS, Envy et al may perform better but will depreciate far faster. Look around the cafe next time you grab a coffee - Apple logos far outnumber all the others put together.

If you want the processing power that comes with Pro level machines, that starts at 15". Which comes with an extra 500gm or 33% weight increase & larger carry bag requirement. Plus an entry-level cost difference of $1700 - almost an 80% premium. Really, once you go past the skin, they're barely even related.

The 13" you can carry as an incidental item, just in case you need it. The 15" not so, that's a whole other thing. But you wouldn't want to be rendering in 3D or playing high-end games on a 13", they're just not made for that.

As a desktop / laptop solution, the 13" with a Thunderbolt monitor, wireless keyboard & mouse is a great mix. Leave the lid shut & treat it like a desktop at home, then pull the cable, slip it into your bag & take it with you when you leave.

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Aaroona

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#2301912 19-Aug-2019 19:42

dfnt:

I recently picked up a 15" to replace my 13" for work

While the 13" is nice the extra screen real estate is better, I haven't had an issue travelling with it as the backpack I have accommodates it fine

thanks @dfnt

Have you tried using it on a plane, or at a cafe?

Cafe's usually have pretty small tables, so just wondering about the practicality of it?

I'm half tempted to get the 15", since once I spec up the 13" to "somewhat" close (i7 CPU,16GB RAM and 512GB SSD), its within about $300 of the 15" i9, 16GB, 512GB SSD.

Benjip: For me the 13” is perfect, it sits easily in my backpack but has enough screen real estate to do design & web work when I’m travelling.

I’d hold off until end of October if you can, as the rumour mill suggests there’s a new 16” model coming out with smaller bezels which means a much bigger screen but at the 15” physical size or smaller.

Thanks, yeah I did see that. The only reason I'm considering it now instead of waiting is because I have an opportunity to save a decent amount if I purchase over the next month or so. Plus the rumour is the 16 won't replace the 15, but rather be a "pro pro", or another member of the family.

dfnt

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#2301918 19-Aug-2019 19:48

Nah, on flights I prefer to "disconnect" so don't tend to use electronics on them. But it might be slightly cumbersome, though it might be alright on the tray table?

Don't think you'll have problems at a cafe other than "prying eyes" looking at your screen

Aaroona

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#2301955 19-Aug-2019 20:36

dfnt:

Nah, on flights I prefer to "disconnect" so don't tend to use electronics on them. But it might be slightly cumbersome, though it might be alright on the tray table?

Don't think you'll have problems at a cafe other than "prying eyes" looking at your screen

Ah, yeah, fair enough. Flying isn't so much what I'd be concerned with I don't think. It'd be convenient for when you have wifi on a flight but otherwise not really. It's probably just more cafe/out and about.

Prying eyes don't worry me, I wouldn't usually be working on anything critical on it- at least not sensitive unless I put myself in a corner or something.

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Aaroona

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#2309080 1-Sep-2019 18:13

Does anyone here know how well the Iris 655 would drive two screens at 1920x1200?

I know it will "drive them" as in is supported, but how well? would I be expecting janky animations etc. if I was playing video etc and moving windows around etc?

There doesn't appear to be much in the way of information for performance on the 655.

gehenna

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#2309081 1-Sep-2019 18:14

Both displays will perform well

Aaroona

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#2309140 1-Sep-2019 20:06

gehenna: Both displays will perform well

Thanks! I'm gonna go have another look tomorrow, but I think I've decided to go for the 13" - There are a number of eGPU products available if I really need the extra graphics performance.

I'm up-specing it to an i7, 16GB ram, 1TB SSD which puts it on the same price as the 15" i9, 16GB DDR4, 512GB SSD.

If I find the 13" too small later on, by that stage the 16" might be out and I could just upgrade to that.