screen space 15" vs 17" macbook pro

[Hidden Driveways]

if the current MBP models are anything like the previous ones, then the FW800 and FW400 ports will likely..

There is only a single FW800 port on current MBP's.

[Akshara]

There is only a single FW800 port on current MBP's.

Thank you, I hadn't noticed that... kind of a big deal for those with FW400 audio interfaces, cameras and bus powered devices, as adapters can be hit or miss. Another reason for an ExpressCard slot.

[slirak]

I don't want to post a huge picture in the thread, so you'll find it in png-format here.

Live's windowed (not in full screen mode). There's still no dock or menu bar in the screen shot, because the shot's from my external (1680x1050) screen and the dock and menu resides on the MBP screen. But that only affects the vertical screen estate of course.

I'll leave the picture there for a week or so. Anyone who finds this thread later and wanna check it out, just PM me.

[sxezskoz]

my two cents here.

I bought a laptop several months ago... not a mac but that's not the point.
I felt for the 17" ...
Well at home it's overwhelming
But when I go playing live on stage, I always say to myself: "why did I not take a 15"

I'm ubber happy with it [ok it's also my very first laptop ever ]
But the next purchase will be 15" hundred times_ well I got time for saving

i know what you mean, at home working on my 17" laptop is wonderful but having to lug the beast around for performance makes me wish i had gone for a 15". my next machine will definitely be 15" seeing as how for performance I go full screen and hide all but the most essential tracks.

[sxezskoz]

I'm about 80% sure to go that route unless something until then persuades me to go with the 17" for luxury at the expense of added bulk. It's kind of a big purchase for me because I'm going with SSD as well, so I want to make sure I get it right.

In my opinion, the absence of an ExpressCard slot in all but the 17" model is enough of a reason to purchase the 17" and moves it from the luxury to the necessity column.

Besides offering access to eSATA ports (300MB/s), low latency audio interfaces and third party DSP processing, if the current MBP models are anything like the previous ones, then the FW800 and FW400 ports will likely share the same bus, meaning that there is a high likelihood that one will not be able to run an external drive and an audio or video interface attached to both FW ports at the same time.

Even if an ExpressCard isn't necessary today, if/when some new connectivity comes out, like USB3 or something altogether different, there will likely be an ExpressCard version which will allow the MBP to participate. The alternative is being locked into FW800/400 and USB2 for all external devices.

Just another issue worth considering in the long run, as it is a big investment.

I run my MOTU UltraLite via the FW800 port (using a 400 to 800 cable) simultaneous with my Verbatim 500gb portable drive on the FW400 port without any issues. I can do so running purely on laptop battery/plugged w/the MOTU laptop-powered/plugged. Haven't had an issue in 2 years+ running. I have a 3-yr-old 17" MBP.

[icedsushi]

But when I go playing live on stage, I always say to myself: "why did I not take a 15"

Yes this was the decision I've been struggling with. There's that compromise between getting enough on the screen to work efficiently & still having it portable enough that you're not having to lug around more size of computer than absolutely necessary.

I don't want to post a huge picture in the thread, so you'll find it in png-format here.

Live's windowed (not in full screen mode). There's still no dock or menu bar in the screen shot, because the shot's from my external (1680x1050) screen and the dock and menu resides on the MBP screen. But that only affects the vertical screen estate of course.

I'll leave the picture there for a week or so. Anyone who finds this thread later and wanna check it out, just PM me.

Thanks so much for this screenshot, it was extremely helpful! You really saved me time & uncertainty of maybe ordering the wrong one, I'm not sure how else I would have found the answer to this question.

Just placed my order for the 15" 2.66ghz i7 w/hi-res anti glare display. Spent the extra cash for optional SSD too, for the overall snappiness & resistance to stage vibration. It was expensive, but think I chose the right top of the line purchase that this one should last me 4-5 years.