MBP vs MB: larger screen a noticeable advantage?

I am an engineering student and will be needing a laptop soon; my university offers a 15% education discount on Apple laptops.

As far as screen real estate, has anyone used both the MB and MBP and noticed an appreciable difference in usability of the larger screen over the smaller one? I know I can use the F9 key to pick and choose windows that I want to work on, so that's definitely an alleviation to the cramped screen scenario. I will, however, be also writing a lot - something I do in my spare time - and would like to mess around with photos when I have free time - will probably use Lightroom, but sparingly - so I am not sure if the larger screen of the 15.4" MBP is a perfect match for my needs over the MB screen.

Keep in mind I'll be running engineering apps like Maple/MATLAB and working with documents, presentations, etc.

Part of me has always wanted the MBP because the screen is gorgeous, but I keep getting told that it's too big. I would carry the laptop at all times in my backpack and the weight difference is about a grapefruit. Plus, the MBP is not THAT much bigger dimension wise than the MB, right?

I'd love to wait for the LED screens...hurry up, Apple!

 

Definitely get the MBP over the MP. I've seen a few of them and the screen is absolutely gorgeous. Also, MBP has a better look and graphic card.

 

It's not that much larger. It's the smallest 15.4" I've seen personally. I think you'll appreciate the higher resolution too, especially given you're doing engineering. 1280x800... no matter its use by the majority, is a pathetic resolution.

 

Macbook is what.. 5.2 pounds.. MBP is 5.6. weight is too similar to matter. The size will make the most impact in carrying and though an inch sounds small, it makes a noticeable difference. I've stared at many macbooks and found them nice, but confining. The screens are readable at their native resolution, but feel a little too small IMO coming from a 19". The extra 2 inches on the MBP makes a big impact. Over all they are nearly the size and weight of an average 14" pc laptop. I find mine very portable, even in long walking distances and I'm not a huge person. Still, You probably don't need the power the MBP offers. The macbook runs a bit longer on battery, is easier to tote around, and costs significantly less. The MBP has a bigger screen, Matte option, dedicated gpu for today's games, and future tech expansion options ( firewire 800, and express port). Unless you really need it I would get the Macbook, or a Powerbook 12" if you prefer aluminum. Check apples refurb section

 

If you can afford the MBP, by all means get that. I def would have but its 'overkill' for my needs as I don't need a dedicated graphics card nor the screen real estate. Test one out at a local Apple store and see if you like the build/exterior.

 

MB is too small in my opinion. Plus you get a better graphics card with the MBP.

 

If I didn't do graphic design and web design, I would have loved the 13.3" screen. I do find it very nice, but it simply does not provide the real estate needed to run photoshop or illustrator. The MBP barely has enough as is.

Lightroom and some other programs pretty much require something larger than what the MB has. I've used lightroom, and it requires a TON of space.

 

Best thing you can do is really to go and check out both models yourself, trust me when I say that the size of a notebook can be VERY subjective and can even change over time.
For instance, after using a 10" notebook and then going to a 15", it looked as big as a 17" to me. And after using that 15" notebook for a while, the Macbook 13.3" looked like a 12" to me.

Its best to just go and look at the notebook in person, trust me.

 

What's funny is that the student store on campus has both side by side, and honestly they don't look THAT much different dimension-wise, but the screen is noticeably larger on the MBP.

You make a great point, too. My friend with a 12" Dell 700m said the the 15" MBP would be too bulky, whereas friends with 14" laptops laughed and said why should anyone split hairs over an extra inch in each direction and .4 lbs if you're always going to carry it in a laptop bag/backpack (a valid point).

If you can't tell already, I'm one of those chronic sufferers of buyer's remorse

I guess working with Lightroom is going to be a factor, and a friend with the MBP said the screen is nice for it. I can see how the MB screen would appear too small for that kind of work, even for writing which I'll be doing a lot of.

Let's just hope I don't get sucked into the glossy vs matte debate Though I hear matte is better for photo work.

 

mbp screens are having quite a bit of banding problems and are mediocre. Everything is made overseas (i.e., at a cheaper cost) and quality control is not what it used to be. This applies to almost everyone, including Apple.

It's not like Apple's got some great special company making LCDs that no other computer maker has. They're nothing special.

 

Larger screen definitely, especially with Lightroom. Wow! it takes up the entire screen on a 15" MBP.

 

This thread is little too old to revive.
Nearly everything is made in China..that isn't news. You're saying they have problems and that everyone uses the same LCDs ( so that means everyones in the same boat) but it's a very small defective percentage that happen to be reviewed because people are upset. Lets not feed the rumor machine here. And as far as banding go, it has primarily only affected the 17" models in the past. 15.4" models which the OP was interested in use different LCDs which have different issues (graininess) that Apple has addressed already. My screen is near perfect on a week 48. Of course you're welcome to your opinions.

 

The screen size shouldn't matter for engineering. What does matter is your personal preference. Pick what looks right to you.

 

Maple sucks, pure and simple. Just wanted to comment on that. I don't think it has a Mac version either.

 

I would get a macbook. Although 0.5 pounds or whatever doesn't seem like much, that's a significant percentage of the laptop's weight! It really does make a difference if you're carrying it around all day. Just for hte form factor alone (13" is smaller) makes it worth it. The 700m is pretty thick and heavy (same size as my friend's macbook actually, and a way smaller screen!), but it has a small footprint, which makes it pretty manageable.

I would get the macbook, but with either machine youll be very happy. Personally, although glossy looks nicer ( my 700 m has it), as does my friend's macbook, I don't really like it anymore. It really attracks a lot of dust (more than matte I think), and then when you try and clean it with your finger (if you see something small you can remove) it makes it really bad! My next laptop will probably have a matte screen!

 

The Macbook Pro also has some other features...like a full DVI port instead of a mini-DVI one...which is important for people like me who always give presentations.

To be honest, any Mac is a good Mac. They all look so good...if you are certain on an Apple notebook you can't go too wrong there.

 

Long time since I last used Maple... can't Mathematica fit the bill? But I think Maple was best for numerical computation. Long time really. There has been another thread dealing with this exact same issue, you might want to take a look at the comments there.