13 or 15 Pro?

**ThomasJL** · 01-22-2013, 10:38 AM

I'm ready to pull the trigger on a a MB-Pro refurb.

Originally I was leaning toward a 13" with the 2.9 i7, but since I have enough $$ for a 15", I'm wondering if I should go with that instead. I see that they only come with a 2.6 Ghz i7.

Has anyone A/B'ed them and noticed a perceptible difference with speed given the same (8GB) RAM?

Anyone have a 13" and regret not getting a 15"?

**JustMe'D** · 01-22-2013, 11:00 AM

In *my* personal opinion, the 13-inch MacBook is the perfect size. It's still portable, lightweight, powerful, and the screen size is still large enough for old eyes. Still, if you haven't already, go to a nearby Apple store or Best Buy store and view them side by side before deciding. That is the best advice I can give you. By the way, I do not regret not getting the 15-inch version.

**ThomasJL** · 01-22-2013, 11:17 AM

Thanks. Yeah I have compared in the store. Just can't decide.

**Karenkcoulter** · 01-22-2013, 11:20 AM

I definitely prefer the larger one but I don't do much lugging it thru airports.

**wolfedude88** · 01-22-2013, 03:18 PM

I went with the 13" pro. I personally don't like the size of the 15" MacBook. I think 13" is the perfect size for a laptop.

It comes down to personal preference.

**Fausty82** · 01-22-2013, 03:36 PM

Originally Posted by wolfedude88

I went with the 13" pro. I personally don't like the size of the 15" MacBook. I think 13" is the perfect size for a laptop.

It comes down to personal preference.

Definitely a personal preference. I migrated from a 17" HP to a 15" MBP and thought (still do) that it’s the perfect size. I’ve used my son-in-law's 13" MBP and find it too small. It’s definitely a matter of personal preference as well as what you’re used to. My MBP is not too bad, weight wise, in a backpack. Not sure what the weigh difference is without looking it up, but can’t be more than a pound or two.

**jclisenby** · 01-22-2013, 03:37 PM

I like the 15" best. It all comes down to personal use. If you're going to be using it at a desk with an external monitor most of the time, the 13" may be plenty. I use mine a fair balance between desk and on the go, so the 15" is my choice.

**Alli** · 01-22-2013, 05:38 PM

If you're getting a laptop because you want to use it as a laptop, and take it with you wherever you go - get the 13". The 15" is just that much too large to lug, but it is great if you're going to leave it sitting on a desk, and plenty large. I love my 13 incher.

**Karenkcoulter** · 01-22-2013, 05:50 PM

Originally Posted by Fausty82

Definitely a personal preference. I migrated from a 17" HP to a 15" MBP and thought (still do) that it’s the perfect size. I’ve used my son-in-law's 13" MBP and find it too small. It’s definitely a matter of personal preference as well as what you’re used to. My MBP is not too bad, weight wise, in a backpack. Not sure what the weigh difference is without looking it up, but can’t be more than a pound or two.

Agreed. I also came from a 17" HP and I don't find the 15" very heavy at all.

**SeanHRCC** · 01-22-2013, 06:18 PM

I don't regret it at all...i had a 15" MBP years back, but have chosen the 13" variant every time since, i just prefer the smaller chassis personally. The only thing i wish they would improve is the audio on the 13", because the 15" and 17" both have far superior audio quality.

**ThomasJL** · 01-23-2013, 07:27 AM

Thanks, all good feedback.

I just ordered the 13" off the Apple refurb store. 8GB ram, 750 hdd, 2.9ghz. i7.

**Fausty82** · 01-23-2013, 07:32 AM

Originally Posted by ThomasJL

Thanks, all good feedback.

I just ordered the 13" off the Apple refurb store. 8GB ram, 750 hdd, 2.9ghz. i7.

Nice.

**LSglock89** · 01-23-2013, 07:49 AM

Good choice, I love my 13" MBP.

**JustMe'D** · 01-23-2013, 08:30 AM

Originally Posted by ThomasJL

Thanks, all good feedback.

I just ordered the 13" off the Apple refurb store. 8GB ram, 750 hdd, 2.9ghz. i7.

Excellent choice. Good luck with your new purchase and enjoy the rest of your day...

**ThomasJL** · 01-31-2013, 10:43 AM

Well I'm one week into my first ever Mac (13" MBP). Yeah late to the party. Love it so far. Got iTunes music copied over, all my files, contacts, iCloud working.

So far no issues with the refurb. Seems just like new.

Now just gotta decide what Linux distro to blow away Windows with on my PC

**JustMe'D** · 01-31-2013, 11:00 AM

Originally Posted by ThomasJL

Well I'm one week into my first ever Mac (13" MBP). Yeah late to the party. Love it so far. Got iTunes music copied over, all my files, contacts, iCloud working.

So far no issues with the refurb. Seems just like new.

Now just gotta decide what Linux distro to blow away Windows with on my PC

Ubuntu was my distro of choice years back when I dabbled into everything under the sun.

**wolfedude88** · 01-31-2013, 11:58 AM

I always like fedora, but Ubuntu is good too.

**Fausty82** · 01-31-2013, 12:03 PM

Originally Posted by ThomasJL

Well I'm one week into my first ever Mac (13" MBP). Yeah late to the party. Love it so far. Got iTunes music copied over, all my files, contacts, iCloud working.

So far no issues with the refurb. Seems just like new.

Now just gotta decide what Linux distro to blow away Windows with on my PC

Sweet... better "late to the party" than a total no-show.

Our company recently switched is to RedHat Enterprise, and as far as Linux goes, it seems ok. Agree with D, though, Ubuntu is robust and pretty user friendly.

**ThomasJL** · 01-31-2013, 01:10 PM

Oh yeah, I'm actually a Unix admin for career. I dunno why I'm just now switching to Mac at home. Laziness (and being a cheapskate possibly) I guess.

I'm using Mint for my desktop at work, it's really nice, but I'll prob. end up trying Fedora 18 w/KDE at home first, since config files and stuff are all same as RHEL.

**JustMe'D** · 01-31-2013, 01:34 PM

Years back, I downloaded, installed and experimented with every available Linux disto at the time, even the ones that looked almost identical to Windows, (I don't remember the names) and I always returned to Ubuntu. Still, it has been several years since I've played around with anything but OS X so I would have to re-learn how to use it if I were to ever decide to install it again.

**ThomasJL** · 02-18-2013, 08:45 AM

Well my new MB has a friend, I picked up an iPad Mini over the weekend. Been having a blast with it so far. My tech refresh is now complete LOL. Unfortunately, I have to keep my Windows 7 laptop for work because their ghetto remote access setup doesn't work on the Mac.

**Fausty82** · 02-18-2013, 08:53 AM

Originally Posted by ThomasJL

Well my new MB has a friend, I picked up an iPad Mini over the weekend. Been having a blast with it so far. My tech refresh is now complete LOL. Unfortunately, I have to keep my Windows 7 laptop for work because their ghetto remote access setup doesn't work on the Mac.

Nah, your "tech refresh" is never complete.

Congrats on the new ~~toy~~ tool.

**thedunn805** · 03-28-2013, 02:46 PM

Went from a 13" MacBook to a 15" MacBook Pro and I love the bigger screen. My girlfriend who has a 13" MacBook Pro always says how jealous she is of my larger screen size. I suggest putting both in your lap, to get a feel for both sizes.

**jclisenby** · 03-28-2013, 03:18 PM

Depends on your use case. I use mine at my desk the majority of the time, so I went with the 13" and got a big 30" monitor to use with it on my desk. If you're going to be traveling or using it on the bed or couch mostly, you may want the extra screen space.

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