17" pb too big?

[Rob587]

I was wondering if anyone has used the 17" pb for taking notes in class at college(or would you look stupid)?

Everyone here loves the 15" but I need this for a desktop replacement and the 17" is perfect for that, and I really dont want to get a 12" and usa an external moniter either. So does or would the 17" make you look gay in class?

[edesignuk]

So does or would the 17" make you look gay in class?Don't know, will you be wearing a pink frilly shirt at the time? :p

[Capt Underpants]

I suppose it depends on how big the desks are. If it hangs off the side, then, no, it wouldn't look that good.

[mac_gal]

There are a lot of helpful threads on this, including:

http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?t=81306

I will be attending college shortly and taking a 17" powerbook to class would be no problem..(I dont care about portability, lol) but would I look like a wierdo if I sat down in class and opened up a 17" powerbook? Im going to need it to be a desktop replacement while im in college so I really dont want to sacrafice to a smaller sceen size. What do you guys think?

And what do you know, the person who started that thread has your same username. :rolleyes:

[emw]

(or would you look stupid)?

So does or would the 17" make you look gay in class?

Who cares? Do you need the 17" as a desktop replacement, or are you worried about your appearance?

Unless by "gay" you mean "has enough money as a college student to buy a better mac than that poor loser emw on macrumors," then yes, you'll look gay.

[Manzana]

I think this is obviously a fashion choice for you...and yes you would look queer holding that huge powerbook on that tiny desk (esp. if it's auditorium seating). However, the fashion police are fond of white ibooks, every shape and size you just can't go wrong, white says pure, clean, approachable...think about it! If you're behind that 17" you might as well be in a tank.

Sorry, it's Friday and I'm having fun!

[Manzana]

And what do you know, the person who started that thread has your same username. :rolleyes:

[JzzTrump22]

Honestly the 15" is just as good a desktop replacement as the 17". Well in my point of view anyway. I bought the 15" and am using it as a desktop replacement for college. It's all i need.

[vraxtus]

I was wondering if anyone has used the 17" pb for taking notes in class at college(or would you look stupid)?

Everyone here loves the 15" but I need this for a desktop replacement and the 17" is perfect for that, and I really dont want to get a 12" and usa an external moniter either. So does or would the 17" make you look gay in class?


Some people like to say that it's not the size of the... yeah, but how you use it.

Personally I think no matter what anyone says, there's just some things that bigger ones can do, that small ones just can't. :D

[Capt Underpants]

Some people like to say that it's not the size of the... yeah, but how you use it.

Personally I think no matter what anyone says, there's just some things that bigger ones can do, that small ones just can't. :D

Well, the 15" is the exact same thing as the 17", only with a smaller screen size. They can do the same things (performance wise), thought the 17" can fit a little more on the screen. The 15" is, in my opinion, the best choice for you.

[vkapoormd]

Well, the 15" is the exact same thing as the 17", only with a smaller screen size. They can do the same things (performance wise), thought the 17" can fit a little more on the screen. The 15" is, in my opinion, the best choice for you.

i would have to agree; i have the 15 inch PB (Rev B, 1.25, 5400rpm, 1.5gb RM) and i ended up selling my PC desktop (of course only so i could ultimately buy a G5!!); having said that, while i have not yet ordered my G5, the 15 inch has been more than adequate as a desktop replacement, and does everything that my desktop did; i think this is the sweetspot of the PB line....
:)

[SolidGun]

Don't be worried about the 17" hanging off the desks, worry about hauling it around!!!!
That sucker has to get heavier and heavier. There is a reason why I look for 12" portables, and that is for portability. I can't imagine carrying 10 pounds extra with all the junk I have in my backpack, walking around the campus all day and blocking the views of other students that sit behind me, while the 17" screen blinds/distracts everyone. Just don't sit by the window and block the sun.

[DJY]

I've very glad I got the 17"!
Wouldn't change it for anything!

[idkew]

with that attitude, i think you'll look gay with anything.










my 17" is not TOO big. she is large, but i love her.

[morkintosh]

Honestly the 15" is just as good a desktop replacement as the 17". Well in my point of view anyway. I bought the 15" and am using it as a desktop replacement for college. It's all i need.

he is right you know. but for my money I say a sheet of paper and a pen can't be beat in class. besides you might have nazi profs like me who make students put their notebooks away during lectures.

[idkew]

he is right you know. but for my money I say a sheet of paper and a pen can't be beat in class. besides you might have nazi profs like me who make students put their notebooks away during lectures.

while they're at it, why no make you use papyrus and charcoal?

notes on your laptop are great. makes it SOOOO easy to go back through and add in stuff (if your prof jumps around) and great for looking at them before a test.

[morkintosh]

while they're at it, why no make you use papyrus and charcoal?

notes on your laptop are great. makes it SOOOO easy to go back through and add in stuff (if your prof jumps around) and great for looking at them before a test.

when I was in school I always found it to be a pain to use a laptop in class, particularly when in math and comp sci classes when I needed to quickly write equations or other diagrams; great for history classes through.

Although I still don’t allow laptops when I lecture, class is for note taking, not reading mac rumors with the wi-fi; unless of course students would stop complaining about failing tests …

[idkew]

when I was in school I always found it to be a pain to use a laptop in class, particularly when in math and comp sci classes when I needed to quickly write equations or other diagrams; great for history classes through.

true, true.

i was an art major, so lectures for me did not involve equations.

[SolidGun]

I guess it will all depend on what our major is and where you are.
A lot of my notes come in the form of PDF or slides and I like to add the notes on the side and strongly considering Notetaker software by ???????
I am a psyc major and my writing hand hurts with intensive notetaking (early arthritis?!?!?!) and find the use of PC to take notes to be faster and more effective since it gives me time to listen to what the lecture is about as opposed to taking down what is on the displays. YES, both task can be done at the same time, but it is less effective for me.
But 17" is still too big. Whenever I see it in stores, I fear that it would collapse whatever it is sitting on. That thing is way too big to haul around every day.

[18thTomorrow]

he is right you know. but for my money I say a sheet of paper and a pen can't be beat in class. besides you might have nazi profs like me who make students put their notebooks away during lectures.

<shudders> I bought my 15" iBook especially for the purpose of taking notes in class. I type a *lot* faster than I write and my notes turn out so much cleaner this way. It's also easier to print off a sheet to compare/share with classmates and stuff. I sincerely hope I never get a professor with that type of rule.

[Rob587]

HAS ANYONE EVER USED A 17" Powerbook IN CLASS????????????? If so tell me if it felt ok or awkward.

[idkew]

HAS ANYONE EVER USED A 17" Powerbook IN CLASS????????????? If so tell me if it felt ok or awkward.

no- i used a 15" Titanium all the time in class. I don't see how my 17" would make me feel awkward.

but- once again, i was an art major, graphic design emphasis. screen size was bigger, the better.

[Lancetx]

There are a lot of helpful threads on this, including:

http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?t=81306



And what do you know, the person who started that thread has your same username. :rolleyes:

I was thinking that we just had this discussion not long ago! :rolleyes:

[Rob587]

You and Mac Gal keep saying its the same post but its not!!!! I AM ASKING IF ANYONE HERE HAS EVER USED A 17" PB IN CLASS AND HOW IT MADE THEM FEEL(awkward, fine, or great?)

[rinseout]

HAS ANYONE EVER USED A 17" Powerbook IN CLASS????????????? If so tell me if it felt ok or awkward.
You might want to save some of that money, or take your girlfriend out, or buy a decent suit, or buy some running shoes, or get an opera subscription or something. Something.

17" PBs have their place, but when people I know who make their living in computing science (I'm not one of them) do it all on 14" iBooks and smaller, it's hard to see the sense in a first-year college student needing a 17" PB in lectures unless they're majoring in video or something of that sort AND need their own edit suite at their desk.

You never know when you're going to need to render a short film and master a DVD during Calculus I. :rolleyes:

YMMV. You asked how it would look, and I'm telling you there are those out there who will think that you're trying a bit too hard. Appearances aside, you should consider whether this purchase is really the best use of your resources given your situation.

[FuzzyBallz]

You and Mac Gal keep saying its the same post but its not!!!! I AM ASKING IF ANYONE HERE HAS EVER USED A 17" PB IN CLASS AND HOW IT MADE THEM FEEL(awkward, fine, or great?)
I've seen a girl use just a mini VAIO in lecture hall. It made her look very gay. Imagine how gay you'll be w/ a giant piece of silver metal.

[dav]

I think this is obviously a fashion choice for you...and yes you would look queer holding that huge powerbook on that tiny desk (esp. if it's auditorium seating). However, the fashion police are fond of white ibooks, every shape and size you just can't go wrong, white says pure, clean, approachable...think about it! If you're behind that 17" you might as well be in a tank.

Sorry, it's Friday and I'm having fun!

I agree, I love the iBook look way more than the Powerbook :) :)

[idkew]

I've seen a girl use just a mini VAIO in lecture hall. It made her look very gay. Imagine how gay you'll be w/ a giant piece of silver metal.

In some schools carrying a 17" powerbook is synonymous with coming out.
:eek:
[/sarcasm]

[idkew]

You and Mac Gal keep saying its the same post but its not!!!! I AM ASKING IF ANYONE HERE HAS EVER USED A 17" PB IN CLASS AND HOW IT MADE THEM FEEL(awkward, fine, or great?)

why do you care so much about what others think of you?

[Enigma]

why do you care so much about what others think of you?

Maybe he went through secondary/high school as the social reject, with few friends and is insecure, and as such feels that going to college is a new start and wants to fit in this time? As such he is paranoid about looking out of place/different.
[/devil's advocate]

(for the record I think his choice of "gay" to describe having a 17" Powerbook was a stupid one, but I think I can understand where he was coming from. You don't want to be known as "the show-off muppet with the huge laptop" or similar. No matter what anyone says, it's normal to want to feel liked and part of the group)

[Ja Di ksw]

Honestly the 15" is just as good a desktop replacement as the 17". Well in my point of view anyway. I bought the 15" and am using it as a desktop replacement for college. It's all i need.

I second that. Quit caring what people think about you. Get what you want/need. Or you can ignore me and go with what you think will make you look 'not gay' to other people. After all, saying, 'I have no self confidence in my appearance, tell me what to do fashion wise' is about as straight as you can get.

[Megaquad]

17" looks too big, seeks too much attention.
Get 15". It's elegant, more portable, and you wont look gay.

But then again, 17" has more screen space which is really nice.
But you know the price you pay, everyone will think you're gay :eek: :p :D

[nitropowered]

Get whatever your gut tells you to get. Nothing worse than buying a $3k computer and then regretting getting it. Go to an apple store and take a look at it. I'm sure someone on campus has one. Go to like the computer center and look around.

IMO, its huge and way too big for me. I personally would get a 15" as a desktop replacement however I bought a 12" cause I really need portability and I have a beast PC desktop anyway (for games).

oh also some colleges require the 17". I know Virginia TEch requires the 17" for music production majors.

[gekko513]

I think using the word gay in that context also indicates that you're more into doing what's popular and cool at the time than doing what makes most sense.

In either case you'll be safer with a 15". (It's both cool and it makes sense in a classroom setting.)

[FuzzyBallz]

In some schools carrying a 17" powerbook is synonymous with coming out.
:eek:
[/sarcasm]
Right, maybe Apple should take your suggestion and change their slogan to "Think Gay". [/sarcasm x2]

[edesignuk]

But you know the price you pay, everyone will think you're gay :eek: :p :DHighlight of this thread for me, lmao! :D

[morkintosh]

why do you care so much about what others think of you?

exactly; you should be asking yourself if you need a desktop replacement as well as a computer to take to class, if so buy the power book. I think it is WAY more lame to care what people think of the way you look in class than to be the only one with a giant laptop

[Bonnie]

Get an iBook.

I'm in college. I have a 15" Powerbook and a 12" iBook. I use the iBook in class more (and only when I have to).

If I sat next to someone using a 17" Powerbook in a huge lecture hall where everyone is squished in there I'd be really ticked off that he is taking up all my elbow room. Then the first thing that would come to mind would be that he must be gay. :D

Chicks (and most dudes if you swing that way) generally don't care about what computer you use. So it DOESN'T EVEN MATTER!! People aren't going to talk to you because you have the 17" instead of the 15". Or a Powerbook instead of an iBook. :rolleyes:

To be honest, you might use your Powerbook for the first few weeks or in classes where it really comes in handy, but most of the time you'll carry a notebook and pen. Believe me. Of course, WHERE you go to school probably has something to do with how much people use their laptops, but most people don't go for the hassle and just use a notebook instead.

Hey, I hear Five Star makes some decent notebooks. You probably won't look gay with those.

[idkew]

gotta be careful with those Five Star notebooks. I hear if you drop them they will never boot up again.


You do have a point- if the place is going to be very crowded, a 17" might be too large. I went to a small private school where the lecture hall was never full, so there was no problem there. But, if you are going to a state school, chances are you will be stacked in like sardines and a 15" PB or 14" iB will be the best bet.

[Rob587]

Ok, you know what.. You guys are all really GAY!(lol, just messin). By gay I just meant stupid or anoying to other ppl.(I guess its used differently in high school these days as apposed to how you guys use it) I meant will it be semi-practical in class? The reason is I pretty much have to have it for what I will be using it for and I was just wondering if you guys thought I could bring it to class as well, or is it too big. A 15" or something smaller is not the question... The question is will the 17" that I am getting be usable in class(practically)?

P.S. If I would have known that that one word would have caused all of that critisism I would have never used it. Dear God! :rolleyes:

[vraxtus]

Ok, you know what.. You guys are all really GAY!(lol, just messin). By gay I just meant stupid or anoying to other ppl.(I guess its used differently in high school these days as apposed to how you guys use it) I meant will it be semi-practical in class? The reason is I pretty much have to have it for what I will be using it for and I was just wondering if you guys thought I could bring it to class as well, or is it too big. A 15" or something smaller is not the question... The question is will the 17" that I am getting be usable in class(practically)?

P.S. If I would have known that that one word would have caused all of that critisism I would have never used it. Dear God! :rolleyes:

Come to San Francisco and say that. Watch how quickly you get lynched.

Sorry to say it but the world is far more PC now than it used to be (PC = politically correct, since you seem to be the type that doesn't know what that is). Just watch the words. A slip now and then is acceptable but one day you might say it in the wrong place/time and get your balls busted for it.

My 2¢

[gekko513]

Actually you're probably using 'gay' in the wrong place/time more times than you know. You say 'gay' just mean stupid or anoying to other ppl, but in high-school there's lots of gays who are still in the closet. Every time you use the word 'gay' to describe something you think is stupid you deliver a stab to their self-esteem.

[Lancetx]

Come to San Francisco and say that. Watch how quickly you get lynched.

Sorry to say it but the world is far more PC now than it used to be (PC = politically correct, since you seem to be the type that doesn't know what that is). Just watch the words. A slip now and then is acceptable but one day you might say it in the wrong place/time and get your balls busted for it.

My 2¢

And a "lynching" at the hands of SF residents would be considered PC??? ;) If we're going to practice political correctness it has to go both ways, you can't just throw out the PC card only when it's convenient for a certain group afterall.

[beefcake]

If you bring a 17" to class everyone will just assume you're compensating for something. Is that the message you want to send the ladies?

[timsq]

If you bring a 17" to class everyone will just assume you're compensating for something. Is that the message you want to send the ladies?
But what if it's the ladies who bring in the 17"???

[vraxtus]

And a "lynching" at the hands of SF residents would be considered PC??? ;) If we're going to practice political correctness it has to go both ways, you can't just throw out the PC card only when it's convenient for a certain group afterall.

Of course of course. I'm not gay but I know plenty of people that are offended by its derogatory use.

[morkintosh]

... The question is will the 17" that I am getting be usable in class(practically)?

if you are planning on getting it anyway:

you could always just take it to class once and see how practical it is, I doubt Biff the quaterback of the football team will beat you up for it!

[timsq]

Being "gay" is not exclusive to homosexuals. For example, my dog can be gay. Sometimes a color is gay. My dental hygenist's name is Gay. People who want to hurt will use words in bad ways. People who are sensitive, will react. Isn't it easy to push the wrong buttons? I think you're all really cute. But that's as far as it goes. My neighbor has one of those "defense of marriage" lawn signs and I think he's in a hate group. See how easy it is to hate right back. I wanna hear some love here. And hey Mr SF... raise up sucker and keep your lynchin to yourself. Insert some sense here...

[Ja Di ksw]

Being "gay" is not exclusive to homosexuals. For example, my dog can be gay. Sometimes a color is gay. My dental hygenist's name is Gay. People who want to hurt will use words in bad ways. People who are sensitive, will react. Isn't it easy to push the wrong buttons? I think you're all really cute. But that's as far as it goes. My neighbor has one of those "defense of marriage" lawn signs and I think he's in a hate group. See how easy it is to hate right back. I wanna hear some love here. And hey Mr SF... raise up sucker and keep your lynchin to yourself. Insert some sense here...

Yeah, seriously people. And referring to people doing something stupid, selfish, evil, etc as being them being jewish doesn't mean that being jewish is exclusive to Jews. Sometimes my atheist friends can be jewish, it really pisses me off. Same with my catholic friends, they can really be jewish. I tell them, quit being a ********** jew, but they don't stop. I guess some Jewish people, and even some non-Jewish people might get offended, but they're just too sensitive. I better not hate them back, or I'll be acting jewish too.

Seriously, all of you, quit being such ********** jews.

(disclaimer for the less bright among you, this is sarcasm, I hate it when people call something gay, jewish, or whatever. Just because you use it so much its common doesn't mean its suddenly not bad)

[vraxtus]

Being "gay" is not exclusive to homosexuals. For example, my dog can be gay. Sometimes a color is gay. My dental hygenist's name is Gay. People who want to hurt will use words in bad ways. People who are sensitive, will react. Isn't it easy to push the wrong buttons? I think you're all really cute. But that's as far as it goes. My neighbor has one of those "defense of marriage" lawn signs and I think he's in a hate group. See how easy it is to hate right back. I wanna hear some love here. And hey Mr SF... raise up sucker and keep your lynchin to yourself. Insert some sense here...

And insert some idiocy and bigotry here.

I'm not gay, but I'll tell you if you pull ***** like that in the wrong place, you're gonna be in for a world of pain.

How about you go call a black man a n*gger?

Better yet, go up to a Jew and ask him why he's cheap?

You're a goddamn idiot, and it's mindless fools like you get perpetuate the idiotic use of terms in this world. Grow up and maybe you'll see that the real world isn't so accepting of your jocular attitude towards "offensive" terms.

Idiot.

[Abstract]

Geez, I can't believe how far this has gone.

In some high schools and places, you can say that something "is soooooo gay," and its still acceptable. Its just an expression used by HS kids. I realize that he can't (and shouldn't) use that phrase in most places, but if you understand what he's talking about, then just let the kid slide. I used that word like that (sorta), and I think its pretty dumb to say it, but I used to say the same thing when someone did something "lame."

Its wrong to use that word for any purpose, but maybe its wrong for me to say "God damn it!" in case I offend someone very religious. You never really know.

And he's asking whether the 17" will be difficult to use in class, in case some of the brainiacs here can't figure out what he's asking us. And the answer is "yes, it will be difficult", unless you don't mind using it on your lap for an hour. Its light for a 17" laptop, but its not light. Since you've chosen to go with the 17" anyway, stick with that decision and just use paper in class. Most people in the world still do, and I survived my years in Uni with paper, and still do.

[Mudbug]

I haven't read the commentary in this thread, nor do I plan to take a side. vraxtus just got banned for making the comments he made, so use his line of thinking as a warning of what not to do. I'll leave it for you to take note of, instead of deleting the comments.

[davegoody]

I use a 17" PB at home and work and only attract envy - never accusations about my sexuality ! Get a 17" if your funds stretch to it - the extra screen real-estate is worth the extra cash. :)

[Ryan1524]

yes it is too big. unless you're doing some sort of movie editing or photography, or some other design courses, 17" is overkill. sure it'll attract envy and oooh-ahhh comments from almost everybody around you, but you can and probably will look like a fool trying to fit that 17" lapzilla on the tiny tiny desks in the lecture halls.

i have a 15", and i think even that's a bit too big to be used in a lecture setting. what i'm probably going to do is take notes with paper and retype them. this not only ensures speed, but also gives me a review period - which is nice.

it's not only about vanity and looks, but carrying something like a 17" is not very practical. it's heavier, and larger. and because of the widescreen design, it's harder to find a backpack that can fit it easily. my 15" barely clears my North Face Borealis, and that's one of their largest daypacks.

i guess it's all your call, but i think it's a tad too big. :p

[Rob587]

Geez, I can't believe how far this has gone.

In some high schools and places, you can say that something "is soooooo gay," and its still acceptable. Its just an expression used by HS kids. I realize that he can't (and shouldn't) use that phrase in most places, but if you understand what he's talking about, then just let the kid slide. I used that word like that (sorta), and I think its pretty dumb to say it, but I used to say the same thing when someone did something "lame."

Its wrong to use that word for any purpose, but maybe its wrong for me to say "God damn it!" in case I offend someone very religious. You never really know.

And he's asking whether the 17" will be difficult to use in class, in case some of the brainiacs here can't figure out what he's asking us. And the answer is "yes, it will be difficult", unless you don't mind using it on your lap for an hour. Its light for a 17" laptop, but its not light. Since you've chosen to go with the 17" anyway, stick with that decision and just use paper in class. Most people in the world still do, and I survived my years in Uni with paper, and still do.


WOW, I think we must be twins that were seperated at birth. You READ MY MIND! This could have been the best response to any post that I have ever posted!

[Abstract]

Yeah thanks, I get that a lot. :p

[Rob587]

So now that I think everyone is done talking about whatever they want to talk about, can we go back to my question. Will the 17" pb not look or feel right in class and do you think I will even want to use it in class, or is a pen and paper easier?

[idkew]

how many times do people need to answer you?

some say yes, some say no.

[rinseout]

So now that I think everyone is done talking about whatever they want to talk about, can we go back to my question. Will the 17" pb not look or feel right in class and do you think I will even want to use it in class, or is a pen and paper easier?
You might want to save some of that money, or take your girlfriend out, or buy a decent suit, or buy some running shoes, or get an opera subscription or something. Something.

17" PBs have their place, but when people I know who make their living in computing science (I'm not one of them) do it all on 14" iBooks and smaller, it's hard to see the sense in a first-year college student needing a 17" PB in lectures unless they're majoring in video or something of that sort AND need their own edit suite at their desk.

You never know when you're going to need to render a short film and master a DVD during Calculus I. :rolleyes:

YMMV. You asked how it would look, and I'm telling you there are those out there who will think that you're trying a bit too hard. Appearances aside, you should consider whether this purchase is really the best use of your resources given your situation.

[Ja Di ksw]

So now that I think everyone is done talking about whatever they want to talk about, can we go back to my question. Will the 17" pb not look or feel right in class and do you think I will even want to use it in class, or is a pen and paper easier?

What is your subject? If you are just going to be taking a lot of written words down, it might be nicer. If there are lots of diagrams that need to be drawn, filled in, etc, pen and paper. I have the newest 15" pb, but I don't take it to class very often. You need more than just text for biology. That being said, if the prof uses powerpoint, sometimes I will take it

[Rob587]

I will be majoring in political science and and I will not be taking any math classes. (other than whats required for the first two years of college)

[morkintosh]

So now that I think everyone is done talking about whatever they want to talk about, can we go back to my question. Will the 17" pb not look or feel right in class and do you think I will even want to use it in class, or is a pen and paper easier?

several people have already answered this, let me try again.


so, since: you've decided to buy it anyway ...

The reason is I pretty much have to have it for what I will be using it for and I was just wondering if you guys thought I could bring it to class as well, or is it too big

you should: just try it in class and see, if you don't like it for class then ... wait for it ... DON'T USE IT IN CLASS.

[morkintosh]

From another thread:

I will be going to college next year so keep in mind it will be with whatever is out by then.

so let me get this right, you aren't even going buy this until next year, and you have all but cross posted the question?


I want the 30min or so of my life I spent posting on this thread back!