Powerbook screen size: 12" vs. 15"

[socbyset]

I will buy a powerbook soon but am torn between the 12 and 15. I like the portability of the 12 (and its price) but am worried that screen size / resolution will be an issue. I'll be mostly doing browser/email/word processing tasks on it but will ocassionally use photoshop, flash, and maybe final cut express. Anyone have insight into whether these apps will be a pain to use at 1024 x 768?

thanks-
Mark

[applenut]

I have a 12" ibook and I'm fine with the screen. I use photoshop rarely but it works fine on my ibooks screen and I too am looking at getting a 12albook. I'm in no rush though and will get most likely the next update of powerbooks. I think you will be fine with the 12" screen but you have to ask yourself... are you a technojunkie like me? Will you be kicking your self about not getting the 15" screen for years to come? Just think about it.

[Col127]

in my opinion, it depends on the use.

i work in 1280 x 1024 on my mac for design projects and 1024 x 800 on my PC for any other kind of use. while i much enjoy the extra space on my mac for other purposes (browing the web, etc.), it doesn't bother me to have that size on my PC.

the only thing i can't stand to do on my PC is to design, because it's not enough space on the screen for me :P that being said, i went ahead and bought a 12" anyways because i can hook it up to an external monitor and get 1600x1200 resolution on it! :) so when i seriously need to start doing design work, i can just hook it up and no sweat.

the portability of the 12" is what sold me on it, that and the price :)

[mmmbop]

Originally posted by Col127
the portability of the 12" is what sold me on it, that and the price :)

What's DVD playback like on the 12"? And the sound?

[Col127]

i can't say, i haven't actually received it yet :(
it's supposed to ship by the 25th.. so i'm hoping i get it before october.

i believe that there's stereo speakers on the 12", making the sound quality pretty good for a notebook in some people's opinions.

[dscott]

Totally understand your dilemma. Suffered from it myself. Looked at the 15" Ti and thought it was too old, no AE, last year's technology, etc. So I bought a 12" PB, BTO w/640K, 60gHD, AE card, took delivery a week or so ago (pre-upgrade...), got it, had a bit of buyer's remorse about the screen--thought it was just a bit too small. Thought about the separate monitor route but decided that defeated the purpose of the portability--can move it anywhere around the house with AE card, etc. Pretty much had made my peace with the 12" and decided I really liked it.

BUT THEN the 15" Al came out, and I agonized over whether to swap the 12" for the 15". In the end, decided to do it. Am sending back the 12", paying the 10% restocking fee, and my 15" is supposed to ship 9/23. It's my only computer and the 12" was just too small.

For what that's worth.