i have the G4 15" and i like it. and now i want to buy the latest macbook pro 2008 but wondering between the 15 and the 17. i really like the big screen of the 17 especially when you can upgrade the resolution of the screen, but i am worried about compromising the weight and portability of the 15" one. any ideas
thanks

I would go for the 15" and add a 2nd monitor and keyboard for use in the home.

before i purchased a Mac Pro for the home I had a 12" powerbook for travel and home, I love the size adding a 2nd monitor for photoshop images and using the notebook for palettes works well and a full size keyboard and wacom tablet completed the setup.

I'm doing what Alan is recommending. I had a 17" Toshiba and it was too big to travel with. I much prefer the 15" for travel.

The 15" is 5.4 lbs, the 17" is 6.8 lbs. While I agree it is better to use an external monitor when working with images, that is true of any laptop because of the limitations in the screen technology in all laptops and has nothing to do with the size.

When the 15" introduced LED backlighting, I tried switching from my 17" .... and couldn't stand it. The 1.4 lbs difference isn't really significant, but all that extra screen resolution (I have the high density screen) when working on the laptop is invaluable.

I also prefer the glossy screen. Many claim it isn't as good for photography, but I find it is brighter and usable even in very bright light. As ambient light increases a matte screen will lose contrast much faster than the glossy screen. By nature a laptop is used under many and sometimes extreme ambient lighting conditions, and the glossy screen is more consistent. Problems with reflections are not nearly as problematic as you might think, and in many circumstances the specular reflections of a glossy screen are easier to deal with than the disperse reflections of a matte screen.

I recently purchased the 15" and I'm glad I went with that size. It fits into my Lowepro CompuTrekker and my Airport International roller case from Think Tank Photo. When I am home it's connected to my 24" monitor.

thanks everyone, the problem i agree with all comments. despite you all agree on the 15" except wayne, i kind agree that the extra screen will make it more comfortable to work longer when you are on the go, especially when i am planning to do some video editing. i think i will not rush it, especially after hearing that apple will introduce the new macs with blu-ray drives, it would be nice for burning movies and archiving.
thanks everyone

I definitely would go with the 15" and then add a monitor if you're working at home. The 15" is a bit more portable IMO than the 17". I have a 15" MBP and have completely happy with it.

-Nick

alanS wrote:
I would go for the 15" and add a 2nd monitor and keyboard for use in the home.
before i purchased a Mac Pro for the home I had a 12" powerbook for travel and home, I love the size adding a 2nd monitor for photoshop images and using the notebook for palettes works well and a full size keyboard and wacom tablet completed the setup.

Yep - I bought the hires 17" and wished I'd gotten the 15".. Bulky and awkward. Well - bulky is relative - it's just the size is awkward for your lap - there's too much beach front property to the keys on the keyboard. Dumb me for not trying before buying...
Now - I love my MBP - just wishing it was the little brother now...
Regards,
Jon

thanks jon for sharing the experience. i really wanted to hear from 17 user to decide, i think now i made my mind for the 15". but i heard there will be complete new design for macbook pro in june/july, i think i will wait a little bit.
thanks

Yeah, the new MB and MBP lineup is due out this summer from the blogs I have read. It will be interesting to see what Apple has to offer.

-Nick

I use a 15" Pbook G4 and find it's the perfect size for traveling and using on the move. While the 17" is nice, a friend has one and i've used it, it is impractical for using while traveling.

If you fly a lot and are stuck in Economy then it is impossible to use a 17" there, in Business or First it's not too much of an issue.

Chris

thanks Nick, for confirming that, i thought it could be just a rumor.
Chris, thanks for mentioning the impracticality of the 17" use, you make me more determine to buy the 15" with its new design.

i have 17" powerbook and yes the weight is quite heavy. although its been my workhorse for almost 5 years now. the large screen is perfect for me. however, im going to get a newer Macbook pro 15" to use for when i travel and Mac Pro with 30 inch screen. and since you already have the 15", it may kinda be smart to look for another 15" since you have all the bags etc that fit it.

I would definitely hold off to see what Apple has in store for the summer. I have the 17" MBP purchased last august and I love it. It has it's portability limitations though (both in carrying options with backpacks, and in literal lap-top use). I'm very glad I dished out and got the high res screen - the real estate is invaluable to me, especially in lightroom. And being a college student I have no regrets about the extra "bulkiness" given the ability to work anywhere on what is my primary (my only) display.

I would say it's a case-by-case decision (sorry for a lack of straightforward opinion haha). The weight of this laptop never bothers me at all, and the display size for me is an asset. But the dimensions of the 17" size could be limiting. I just finished the challenging process (I hope) of finding a bag that could fit both my camera gear and this laptop. For travel, it's just unreasonable to have a whole separate backpack for only my laptop.

I had the 17 powerbook. It was very hard to travel with and I much prefer the smaller models to it.

thanks everyone for your contribution, it seem that the 17" is good for limited portability, like moving around the house maybe, and 15" for the real portability. like you glenn i am planning to update to mac pro and the new macbook pro, now i have the g4 pro laptop and quad G5. i have the 24" display bought it in 2005, now it has minor problems so i will keep it for the new laptop, and buy 30" for the mac pro which's my dream to buy. its really expensive here all these stuff (30" $2300) but what can you do.

it took a few years to find out what i really need, same as photography as far as what equipment i need and dont need.

my thoughts:
using the new Mac Pro as the main workhorse with Lacie external HD for backup
using the newer 15" for travel and working off the 160gb lacie brick to transfer files from work G5/home MacPro and 15"

since the 17"powerbook has been paid for, i might just keep when i meet up with clients.