Geekzone: technology news, blogs, forums
Guest
Welcome Guest.
You haven't logged in yet. If you don't have an account you can register now.


Aaroona

3196 posts

Uber Geek


#255567 18-Aug-2019 19:54
Send private message

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! 

 

 


Create new topic
Benjip
943 posts

Ultimate Geek

ID Verified

  #2301384 18-Aug-2019 22:01
Send private message

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
3552 posts

Uber Geek

Subscriber

  #2301385 18-Aug-2019 22:19
Send private message

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
1512 posts

Uber Geek

Lifetime subscriber

  #2301390 18-Aug-2019 23:09
Send private message

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
8506 posts

Uber Geek

Moderator
Trusted
Lifetime subscriber

  #2301391 18-Aug-2019 23:17
Send private message

15" is better. The extra space is noticeable.

premiumtouring
355 posts

Ultimate Geek


  #2301420 19-Aug-2019 07:17
Send private message

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
3552 posts

Uber Geek

Subscriber

  #2301424 19-Aug-2019 07:23
Send private message

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. 


geekiegeek
2513 posts

Uber Geek
Inactive user


  #2301452 19-Aug-2019 08:31
Send private message

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.


 
 
 

Trade NZ and US shares and funds with Sharesies (affiliate link).
  #2301453 19-Aug-2019 08:33
Send private message

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. 

 

 





Megabyte - so geek it megahertz

Aaroona

3196 posts

Uber Geek


  #2301912 19-Aug-2019 19:42
Send private message

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
1512 posts

Uber Geek

Lifetime subscriber

  #2301918 19-Aug-2019 19:48
Send private message

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

3196 posts

Uber Geek


  #2301955 19-Aug-2019 20:36
Send private message

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. 

 

 

 

 


Aaroona

3196 posts

Uber Geek


  #2309080 1-Sep-2019 18:13
Send private message

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
8506 posts

Uber Geek

Moderator
Trusted
Lifetime subscriber

  #2309081 1-Sep-2019 18:14
Send private message

Both displays will perform well

Aaroona

3196 posts

Uber Geek


  #2309140 1-Sep-2019 20:06
Send private message

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. 


Create new topic





News and reviews »

Air New Zealand Starts AI adoption with OpenAI
Posted 24-Jul-2025 16:00


eero Pro 7 Review
Posted 23-Jul-2025 12:07


BeeStation Plus Review
Posted 21-Jul-2025 14:21


eero Unveils New Wi-Fi 7 Products in New Zealand
Posted 21-Jul-2025 00:01


WiZ Introduces HDMI Sync Box and other Light Devices
Posted 20-Jul-2025 17:32


RedShield Enhances DDoS and Bot Attack Protection
Posted 20-Jul-2025 17:26


Seagate Ships 30TB Drives
Posted 17-Jul-2025 11:24


Oclean AirPump A10 Water Flosser Review
Posted 13-Jul-2025 11:05


Samsung Galaxy Z Fold7: Raising the Bar for Smartphones
Posted 10-Jul-2025 02:01


Samsung Galaxy Z Flip7 Brings New Edge-To-Edge FlexWindow
Posted 10-Jul-2025 02:01


Epson Launches New AM-C550Z WorkForce Enterprise printer
Posted 9-Jul-2025 18:22


Samsung Releases Smart Monitor M9
Posted 9-Jul-2025 17:46


Nearly Half of Older Kiwis Still Write their Passwords on Paper
Posted 9-Jul-2025 08:42


D-Link 4G+ Cat6 Wi-Fi 6 DWR-933M Mobile Hotspot Review
Posted 1-Jul-2025 11:34


Oppo A5 Series Launches With New Levels of Durability
Posted 30-Jun-2025 10:15









Geekzone Live »

Try automatic live updates from Geekzone directly in your browser, without refreshing the page, with Geekzone Live now.



Are you subscribed to our RSS feed? You can download the latest headlines and summaries from our stories directly to your computer or smartphone by using a feed reader.