Macbook pro 15.4" or 17"?

I am officially laptop less. I have just sold my LG for a good price. I am visiting Dubai on 24/10/06 where I can expect great deals on all kind of laptops.

I had my heart set on a 13.3 macbook, my only fear is that I would miss gaming. Thus, made up my mind on getting a macbook pro with ati's x1600.

Portability is a major issue for me, but the 17" mbp isn't really that much heavier than the 15.4". I can manage an extra couple of pounds. My question is, will it perform any better? I surfed the net looking for 3dmark05 for the 17" but was unfortunate, the 15.4 almost gets 3000 marks, which is pathetic for the x1600. Is the 17" also underclocked as much?

Also, I've heard something new is comming up with mac, is it worth the wait?

 

The 17" has a variable clocked GPU, meaning it is underclocked until the power is needed then it kicks it in. It should perform better than a 15". Here is a link for you:

http://www.barefeats.com/mbcd2.html

Also, about what is coming out. It is true that Apple will likely release a Core2Duo MacBook Pro in September, it is unlikely you would see that in Dubai very quickly, but I don't really know. I would consider waiting the next few weeks if you can.

 

I'm not as knowledable of the MBP as I am of the MB, but I read someone on this forum say that the 15.4" graphics card is underclocked, and the 17" was not. Maybe someone can confirm or dismiss that.

Well September is the month that many are saying that Apple might do something, so no one really knows except rumors.

 

I also have heard the 17inch is not underclocked. The 15inch one is though.

 

Yup, but having used both, i honestly say the 17" is nice... but i'd rather not have it as a laptop. It's just too big (not a fan of 17" in general). They're a bit akward and I would hate to have one in class.

 

I hear you on that comment, I've seen a few around my school have those giant 17" and some use them in class, they are just huge, not sure how big the MBP 17" is, but I imagine its not as bad. The whole point of notebooks in the first place is portability, not dragging your entire entertainment center around with you.

 

lol yeah. I chuckle at friends who bring 17" units to class. Though one of my clients has a 17" powerbook and we both agree it's just.. too wide. It's nice that it's thin, but if you're in a meeting and have to pass it around... it's not easy.

 

I think you have to decide what kind of portability you are talking about. If you mean just taking it one place to the other and always having a nice sized area to use it, a 17" is not so bad. However, if you are going to be using it in tight quarters, a 17" could quickly become a beast.