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Macbook Pro - 15-inch? 17inch?

Tobias Straka

Tobias Straka

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Hey guys, I need your advice in configuring my next Macbook Pro. Background: I will be using the MBP on location (aka NAB / set) and at home as my secondary computer attached to a Cinema Display. There will be editing, playing around in AE and stuff like that. RED and non-RED footage.

My big question is - should I go 15- oder 17-inch? I do like portable, otoh the 17-inch gives me the ExpressCard-slot and 1920x1200 resolution. What is your experience, is 17-inch too big to lug around or is it ok? Is the added weight worth the extra money?

Next - 2.2 or 2.3 GHz processor? Again, worth the extra money?

Thanks!
 
I can't recommend the 17" enough.

It is not that much heavier, I take mine everywhere.

Be sure to get a 7200rpm hard drive or SSd.
5400 is too slow. Better investment than 2.3ghz CPU.

Also get more ram if you can spend the money.

Get the matte screen.

You won't regret these choices.

If you have to cut an expense. Save on the ram and get third party ram later.

Cheers!
 
Thanks Dan. Tending towards the 17-inch so far anyway, but it's good to hear some real-world reports.

Drives - I'll definitely go 7200rpm, would love to go the SSD route, but it's still just very expensive. I was also thinking maybe getting an SSD later, replacing the optical drive bay (http://reduser.net/forum/showthread.php?t=56259) and have the system run from it. Is this easy to do or do I need an expert to do it for me?

RAM - done. 8GB for now. Matte screen - hell yeah!
 
I just ordered this configuration a couple days bevore. The ssd's were a bit out of budget at this time..gotta save the pany's for scarlet ;)
It comes in two weeks, I am very curious how it holds up in atleas 2k editing and compositing. I hope it is a mobile workstation with quad core :)
 
Having had both many times... the 17inch doesn't have as many draw backs (slightly heavier, etc) as is does pros ( express card slot, more screen real estate, etc)
 
All specs on the new 15 and 17 are equal except the 17 also has one more USB2 port, DOES NOT have the SD slot, it has the ExpressCard slot. Oh and yeah, the 1920x1200 screen.

All that said, I just unloaded my personal MBP (17"); one that I use putzing around the house/office, usually writing code and other less video-oriented tasks. I went for the 15". Love it. It's not much different in size, but different enough that it feels more portable, fits in most of my bags better..

I still have my 2010 17" for now that I use for mobile DIT stuff or if I need the extra pixels or ExpressCard.

If you have to choose just one and you're buying right now, I recommend the 17". Mostly because of the ExpressCard slot. The extra screen real estate isn't as important, IMO, when you can still get 1680x1050 on the 15". If you really need to see a full 1920x1080 or 2K frame, then a laptop screen is not the most ideal way to do it anyway.

Get the 500GB 7200rpm HDD. Speed-wise, it and the 750GB 5400rpm HDD are nearly identical, but the 500GB has some faster seek times. If you want to go one better, you can install the WD 750GB 7200rpm after you get the system. The other option is to go with an SSD. IMO, the SSDs are just too expensive right now to be a truly viable solution for most people. Resale value on them will completely tank in the next year or so as prices come down. If you're still willing to spend the money for an SSD, take a look at what I posted here: http://reduser.net/forum/showthread.php?t=56259

Once Thunderbolt peripherals start hitting the market, the ExpressCard slot will become irrelevant.

You want the antiglare (matte) screen. The glossy looks nicer at times, but fighting reflections and glare is a constant hassle on the larger 15" and 17" screens. On the 13" and smaller it's not as big of a deal.

I'll be replacing my '10 17" MBP with a new 17" with the next update most likely. I'm hoping that later this year or early next year, we'll see a 17" the drops the ExpressCard in favor of a second Thunderbolt port.
 
i switched from 17" to 15". i prefer the ergonomics of it. i hope that a thunderbolt dockingstation will be available soon since the esata expresscard is useless with it.
 
Thanks everyone for your feedback. Looks like the 17'' is the winner...

@Jeff I do indeed like having the ExpressCard slot for situations in the field when I'm using an adapter to ingest CF-Cards. Personally, I think the extra screen real estate does matter, I'll take every extra pixel doing graphics and editing... But I definitely see where you're coming from.

I will wait for the prices of SSD's to drop. Will it be an easy install to switch the optical bay for an SSD?
 
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