13" display for Logos 5?

I'm looking into a new computer (a retina MacBook Pro--refurbished 15" or rumored soon-to-be-released new 13"), but I was wondering if 13" is a good size. It will be my only computer--not merely a portable. I use laptops because I study at home as well as at the church and like some portability.

Does 13" work for you? I've used only 15" laptops with Logos and haven't seen a 13" with Logos. I wouldn't mind a smaller computer on the desk, but not if screen size is too small.

By the way, the reason that I'm not interested in a 13"refurb is because of what many reviewers say about the underpowered graphics pushing that many pixels. Hopefully, the next hardware update will come with better graphics power, including Haswell.

It comes down to budget--a refurbished 15" and a new 13" comparably configured should be priced similarly--and size--whether too much screen real estate is given up for one's only computer, particularly using Logos layouts.

Thoughts? Thanks.

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Comments

JT (alabama24)

Personally, I like the 13 inch screen... but flexibility is more limited. My preferred layout is to have two main panels (left and center) with a skinny one on the right for "info," "highlighting," etc. I generally think that splitting the panels horizontally (to create a top and bottom panel) makes the info too squished... too much real-estate is taken up with menu buttons, etc. I also have a 21.5 inch iMac... On that, layouts can be much more complex... but also more distracting and confusing. If I am doing simple reading, rather than needing 20 pieces of info at the tip of my fingers, I prefer the smaller screen and simpler layout.

Remember, however, that you can likely hook up a secondary monitor to your laptop when you are at your office.

Bill Moore

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/529620#Comment_529620

Personally, I like the 13 inch screen... but flexibility is more limited. My preferred layout is to have two main panels (left and center) with a skinny one on the right for "info," "highlighting," etc. I generally think that splitting the panels horizontally (to create a top and bottom panel) makes the info too squished... too much real-estate is taken up with menu buttons, etc. I also have a 21.5 inch iMac... On that, layouts can be much more complex... but also more distracting and confusing. If I am doing simple reading, rather than needing 20 pieces of info at the tip of my fingers, I prefer the smaller screen and simpler layout.

Remember, however, that you can likely hook up a secondary monitor to your laptop when you are at your office.

I agree about too many panels. I find them distracting. I had rather have multiple layouts with two or three panels than very many panels in one layout.

Thanks for your insight.

Lee

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/529630#Comment_529630

Depends on your usage. If you're looking at the screen all day, the bigger the better.

Paul-C

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/529631#Comment_529631

Bill, I've used a 13" Apple notebook (previously MBP, now a MBA) as my only computer for about 3 years now. I'm also in a job where I spent most of the day in front of my computer. I don't connect up my MB to an external monitor, and can do everything I want to do just fine on a 13" screen.

I was tempted by a 15" screen when I recently upgraded my computer, but resolved to stay with a 13" screen as it offered the right balance for me between acceptable screen real estate, and portability of the computer.

If you have good eye sight, by setting the MBP Retina to its native screen resolution, because of the greater number of pixels on the screen, you can see a lot more stuff at any one time!

Like Alabama, I tend to have two main panels open in my Logos study layouts, together with a narrow panel for miscellaneous stuff.

Not sure if this helps you any, but here's a screenshot taken from a 13" MBA:

Bill Moore

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/529639#Comment_529639

Excellent post, Paul. That is very helpful. I had almost decided on the 15", sitting here working with my Lenovo 15" ThinkPad, but your post with its screen shot is so good I'm back on the fence!

David Thomas

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/529651#Comment_529651

Excellent post, Paul. That is very helpful. I had almost decided on the 15", sitting here working with my Lenovo 15" ThinkPad, but your post with its screen shot is so good I'm back on the fence!

Bill, from your other posts I know you have been a long time Windows user, If you want to save yourself the hassles of "Force Quits" and other Apple-Windows inequities, as well as save some $ on hardware.

Here is my Surface Pro display set at 100% scaling

Here is my Surface Pro display set at 125% scaling

BTW, it is easier to lay a Surface Pro flat on a pulpit or walk around the platform than it is to carry a MBA (IMHO).

Just some food for thought.

Bill Moore

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/529746#Comment_529746

Thanks, David. I'll have to chew on that some. The Surface Pro seems to be the ultimate in portableness.

I've gotten a bit disenchanted with Windows over the past year and really appreciate what I've found in my iPhone and iPad. I've read some of the issues with Macs and Logos 5, but it seems that the latest update has created some issues for Windows users.

I really wish there were separate forums for Macs and Windows had been retained for Logos 5. I found it easier to follow the particular OS issues.

One thing is for sure--the technological choices are almost overwhelming.

David Thomas

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/529762#Comment_529762

I've gotten a bit disenchanted with Windows over the past year and really appreciate what I've found in my iPhone and iPad.

One thing is for sure--the technological choices are almost overwhelming.

I agree that it can be overwhelming! I appreciate that for the first time Microsoft is controlling both the hardware and the OS (as Apple has done for years) which eliminates a lot of the compatibility issues.