A high-end 13", or low-end 15"? Which one to buy?

hi, mr community,

i'm sell mid-2010 13" mbp, , need replace on same day. got replacement "lemon" mid-2008 unibody macbook failed repeatedly despite being repaired multiple times.

currently, have hard time choosing between 2.8ghz dual-core i7 13", , 2.2ghz quad-core i7, 15".
intend upgrade 8gb owc, , replace internal hdd smaller, faster ssd, owc, read apple's ssd performance wasn't top-end. apple care service bought.

both within expected budget, although upgrades, 15" may start become bit expensive.

expected use: current msc project over, don't expect start phd immediately. hence, don't think doing heavy 3d work tommorow, may happen, eventually. however, use windows virtual machine *sigh* needs have directx installed, when target application doesn't use 3d @ (windows logic!). plus, crack wpa2 keys, , read gpu-accelerated cracking orders of magnitude faster cuda-compatible gpu, making difference between "virtually invulnerable", , "reasonably openable". regularly have use windows xp virtual machine manage nokia e5 phone, and, rarely, burn video dvds since functionality broken in os x.

can't speak future use, last upgrades did on machine i'm selling speed , reactivity. tend leave many windows open @ same time, hence 8gb upgrade. time time, insufficient still manage hit swap space. in fact, if couldn't sell it, thought installing high-performance platter-drive inside, or ssd.

i like able sit anywhere can find seat, not looking power outlet, ~6h30 real runtime battery (optimistically rated 10h in 2010). plus, tend haul computer everywhere @ times, charger , longer cord (just in case).

never found myself constrained smaller screen estate, spaces, except on rare times found time watch movie (grad students forfeiting free time in echange knowledge). also, glare wasn't real issue of time. in bright light , while wearing white shirt, reflection in screen distracted me, really, non-issue vast majority of times. plus, rare times encode dvd movies, found myself quite satisfied core 2 duo performance.

may important note that, learned hard way house, appartment or shelter may hard or expensive come by, hence, link civilized world must reliable (apple's laptops are) , not rely on external devices much, hence me hauling everywhere , keeping strong padlock on hand.

expected serious issue: no rosetta means no native driver support scanner, performs flawlessly , fast. however, despite being utmost "un-apple" (install command line, x11 required, cluttered interface), managed install xsane through macports , scan. options aren't available, such 200dpi resolution.

current issues macbook pro (mid-2010) are:
integrated storage space tight, 250gb hdd being filled ~85%, large music collection, photos, various caches...
if install ssd, won't larger since cost $300, , current issue won't solved.
if instead choose high-performance platter hdd, space double, performance may take small hit (although not allowing system self-defragment in current set-up, in itself, lowers performance).

as itunes heavy beast, once launched, takes no cpu play music, hence performance hit minimal. wouldn't happy have find additional spot fragile external hdd , cable whenever want listen music on go.

thus, experience, either present 13", 2.8ghz i7, , 15", 2.2 ghz i7, in regards battery life, flexibility, portability? able revert 1 of these 2 snow leopard?

more importantly, don't expect switch computers each year, rather when apple care coverage expires or when exceptional feature comes out, model fit bill?

 

13"

13" u can ya work everywhere

 

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