12" buyer's remorse?

[betsbillabong]

After deliberating between 12" and 15" for a week, I recently ordered a 12" powerbook with the 5400rpm drive option. I decided on the 12" for a variety of reasons: (a) I will be taking it out with me every day, often while biking; (b) I like things light; (c) I've been using my trusty G3 600 for three years, and it's my favorite mac yet, since 1989); (d) It seemed less fragile than the 15" due to its shorter size and extra width; (e) sounds like battery life is dramatically better, and (e) With the money I saved, I would be able to buy the Production Suite - Final Cut Pro, DVD Studio Pro, etc.

I work as a composer and video artist, so I do a lot of work in Max/MSP/Jitter, Final Cut Pro and Digital Performer. I wanted to get this laptop now because I have an upcoming production for which I simply can't use my ibook (not enough horsepower).

In the three days since I've ordered it, I've begun to feel that I may have made the wrong decision. I will still be carrying it around everywhere and want something tough (I don't think either will be as rugged as my ibook), but I've discovered that I can get the software for free through work; and my parents, who know I'm low on money, gave me a dramatic gift and told me to buy whichever computer I needed and not to cut corners... to really get what I need. I've also been borrowing a TiBook for the last week and have gotten used to its screen.

Part of my equation in buying it was that I know that some dramatic chip change is probably in store next year - G5 or dual G4 or something! Unfortunately, I really need this computer now. I figured it was better to buy slightly low end and then if I really wanted the 15" to get it in the new chipset in a year's time.

The 12" shipped yesterday. It seems as if it is not returnable as I got the 5400 drive; is that correct? Is anyone successfully using the 12" for audio/video production? I'm more worried about the real estate for FCP and DP4 than Max. I don't want to be disappointed in this computer - I want to be really into it. Maybe you just get used to whatever screen you're using a lot. Probably if I'd gotten the 15" I'd be worrying that it was too big, bulky and fragile!

As a side note, although OS X rocks, I feel a bit nostalgic and sad selling off my last OS9 computer! I've been using this OS for almost twenty years!

[wPod]

if screen real estate is the problem, get a cheap CRT monitor (i use a 19" CRT on my PB.) it works well when your working for a long time in one spot. but with the 12" PB you can still take it places easily. try it out. if you dont like the 12" then you should upgrade when a new chipset comes out.

[bigsteve3]

betsbillabong,

I congratulate you on your purchase!

I have a revision B powerbook 12" (1 GHz), and I wish I had been wise enough to get the 5400 rpm drive. My experiences have been great in the past year using the pbook. I am a musician, and I not only compose and perform music, but also record a little bit as well (amateur). I used to have a 500 MHz g3 ibook, and the pbook beats it hands down. I too was very worried about the construction of the pbook (it looks nicer, but feels flimsier/delicate). However, I've actually been perfectly fine toting it around in my backpack for the past year. Although the iBook looks more durable, I had my latch break, my screen stick, and the locking mechanism on the tray on my DVD drive all break on the iBook from exactly the same treatment. Amazing how looks can be deceiving!

Although I do feel cramped with screen real estate at times, I have hooked it up to an external monitor often. The pbook definitely works better with external monitors than the iBook does.

Battery life is great on the pbook. If I'm not doing any graphics/sound intensive stuff, I easily get 4 hrs with the screen brightness turned halfway down. With processor-intensive stuff, I usually get 2.5 hrs.

And a final note...I assume that since you're an A/V person that you know to install lots more RAM for OS X. I have 512 MB in my pbook, and while it works, you may want 1 GB for optimal performance.

Keep in mind that your Powerbook will probably be a little better than mine, because it is the newest model - will have a faster processor, video card, etc. :)

-S

[Zaty]

The 1024 by 768 resolution has its limitations when it comes to video editing. Like previous posters have already said, you can your PB hook up to an external monitor. I use a 17" LCD as the main screen at home. Other than the resolution, the 12" PB is a great machine, you won't be disappointed.

[betsbillabong]

thanks for your replies...

i've aready been thinking of getting a separate monitor; the only problem is that my desk is only 20" wide and 16" deep so i don't hav a lot of space. i suppose i could get new furniture but... i'm pretty busy right now. maybe i'll take a look at the size of the keyboard and monitors. my main issue is that when not connecting the pbook to the monitor i'd like to be able to work at the desk.

and steve, great advice -- i've already ordered 1G of ram separately, which should arrive on the same day as my powerbook.

[betsbillabong]

zaty, i took a long time to reply and hadn't seen your post!

you're right about the screen resolution... though i look back and just ten years ago or even less, everyone was editing on avids with 800x600 resolution. and great stuff was still being made.

that said, i could definitely use the extra real estate. i guess i'll just have to get really good about tricks.

[panda]

i truly understand your dilema...

i have been there too. i have been working on white g3 12" ibooks for 3 years and love them, even with the motherboard (replaced etc) problems. it is my only computer.

the screen is fine for email, myob and office, but a little difficult to work with for 3d design projects in formz, and cad is... well workable, but not enjoyable or practical.

so i bought thru the internet apple store a 12"pb this spring, after going back and forth between the 12" and 15" story. i love all things small, but decided within 10days from delivery to give it back. why? because though i loved the size, it seemed too much like my 'old' ibook and it seemed a bit of a waste to have such a powerful machine and such a small screen.

so now i am waiting for the upcoming pb upgrade, which i hope will be in jan. and then i will get the 15", which i hope will prove a happy choice. i hope... cause 12" still temps me!

ay, what is a guy to do. i'm not too keen on external monitors...

just so you know- if you bought yours online (or by phone) from the apple store, you should be allowed to return it during the first 10 working days, even if it is BTO. but be smart and call them to be sure. this will give you some time to play with it for a bit and help you decide. (this is the case in europe)

as for the solidity issue, the ibook is great, but even so, i do put it into a little neoprene sleeve and i am sure that that solution will also be great with the pb.

hope you can get some hints from this rambling story.

:)

[panda]

forgot to mention.

you will love osx and will be so happy to say goodbye to os9.

:)

[Applespider]

If you really want real estate, I'd get the separate monitor. The 15" is great but there are still times if I was doing serious editing that I'd want more!

Since you'd already ordered the 12" when your parents made their very generous offer, would they spring for a good flat screen display to complement your Pbook? Since it will have a longer shelf life than the PB (since will be usable with future purchases too), you might be able to persuade them.

Then you should have room on your desk too

[Will Curran]

Yep I second/third/fourth the secondary monitor, LCD's are always really fun, but if you can't afford one, CRT's are good. Also maybe look into another desk.

[jefhatfield]

just think of the alternatives

you could have bought a 17" inch powerbook...lots of power but in no way congruent with your specific mobile needs

you could have bought a pc laptop...with windows xp...yuck

you could have bought a desktop computer...totally non portable

i think you did great with a 12" inch powerbook...it fits most, if not all, of your major needs...tremendous computing power in just over 4.5 lbs

[betsbillabong]

thanks for all of your replies. i think that the external monitor idea is a good one, and i went to compusa today just to take a look at what is out there. it sounds as if prices will come down just after thanksgiving, so i'm thinking of waiting till then.

i guess i should probably start a different thread about lcd monitors so that more people can participate (without having to guess that 12" buyer's remorse is about displays!)

panda, i'm glad someone can relate to my quandry.

and jefhatfield, as i said before, i think if i'd ordered the 15" i'd still be worried i'd made the wrong choice! so i think you're right, this is probably my best option.

[yamabushi]

No current laptop will be as good as a dual 2.5 Powermac with a RAID and lots of RAM for video editing. I suggest you keep your Powerbook and accept that it will always be less than ideal. Upgrade with an external display as others have suggested and your productivity will improve. You could then get a Powermac sometime in the future to use with your display.

Do whatever work you can on the Powerbook whenever you like and do whatever work you like whenever you happen to be at your desk. Use the strengths of each and you can't go wrong. You just have to make do with what you have in the meantime.

[betsbillabong]

thanks, yamabushi. i already know that, AND already have daytime to access to dual-G5 editing setups with cinema displays, etc. which is great. but i find myself often wanting to get work done at home, or on the road. i live in a tiny room (about 9x9) and with all of my music equipment, books, files for the dissertation, etc it's already pretty cramped.

i expect that i will have editing studio access for the near future (and feel lucky in that regard) but wanted something more portable.

i think the external monitor idea will work well, at least i hope so.

[FelixDerKater]

A 12" screen is just too small for reasonable computer use. Unless you absolutely need your computer to be that compact for some reason, a 15" model is definitely the way to go.

[Music_Producer]

I am fairly amazed at how people always seem to equate any audio/video production performance directly to processor speed. Of course, there is a an advantage in owning a dual G5 in that it will fairly boost the performance, but you forget a very important aspect here. Its the Drive!

3 years ago, I had a 500 mhz titanium powerbook with 1 GB of RAM. I was running 64 tracks of audio with 6-8 plug ins on each track using Digital Performer 4. Needless to say, it was pretty intensive yet there were no crashes, glitches whatsoever. Why? I was running the project off a 10,000 rpm SCSI hard drive connected via a Magma PCI bus interface..with a cardbus stuck into the pcmcia slot of my powerbook.

A 12 " alu pbook's processor speed is 1.33 Ghz and that of the 15" is 1.5 Ghz. That difference is negligible (the RAM will make a difference though) For screen size, everyone has given friendly advice as to hooking up an external monitor and so on, the only thing that would stop me from buying a 12 " pbook G4 is the lack of a pcmcia card slot..whereas the 15" has one.

Everyone always rushes out to buy the fastest computer to work with their music and video. I have seen and worked with plenty of professionals who still use old G4 desktops and laptops..and churn out fantastic projects, but you should see their drives (RAID systems and SCSIs) Invariable, people spend a great load of their savings on the fastest beast and then run their projects on a little 5400 rpm drive, and wonder why performance lags. Just my little bit.. thanks!

[QCassidy352]

A 12" screen is just too small for reasonable computer use.

My own experiences with a 12" laptop as my only computer, and the experiences of many others who have done and continue to do the same thing, suggest that your opinion may not be universally true. :rolleyes:

[virividox]

i love my 17 inch

but i have been able to work comfortably with a 12 inch screen for long periods of time

its just requires a lot of scrolling and switching windows

[andypop]

Exposé will quickly become your best friend on a 12" Powerbook.

I love mine, but I'm a firm believer that a portable computer should be PORTABLE. I'll never understand why anybody would want to lug around a 17" notebook.

[codycartoon]

I am fairly amazed at how people always seem to equate any audio/video production performance directly to processor speed. Of course, there is a an advantage in owning a dual G5 in that it will fairly boost the performance, but you forget a very important aspect here. Its the Drive!

3 years ago, I had a 500 mhz titanium powerbook with 1 GB of RAM. I was running 64 tracks of audio with 6-8 plug ins on each track using Digital Performer 4. Needless to say, it was pretty intensive yet there were no crashes, glitches whatsoever. Why? I was running the project off a 10,000 rpm SCSI hard drive connected via a Magma PCI bus interface..with a cardbus stuck into the pcmcia slot of my powerbook.

A 12 " alu pbook's processor speed is 1.33 Ghz and that of the 15" is 1.5 Ghz. That difference is negligible (the RAM will make a difference though) For screen size, everyone has given friendly advice as to hooking up an external monitor and so on, the only thing that would stop me from buying a 12 " pbook G4 is the lack of a pcmcia card slot..whereas the 15" has one.

Everyone always rushes out to buy the fastest computer to work with their music and video. I have seen and worked with plenty of professionals who still use old G4 desktops and laptops..and churn out fantastic projects, but you should see their drives (RAID systems and SCSIs) Invariable, people spend a great load of their savings on the fastest beast and then run their projects on a little 5400 rpm drive, and wonder why performance lags. Just my little bit.. thanks!

Damn Straight.

-cody

[morkintosh]

In the three days since I've ordered it, I've begun to feel that I may have made the wrong decision.

I've used a 12" pb (rev a) for 18 months, last week I decided it was time for an upgrade and elected to go wtih the 15" over another 12" ... all I can say is that I loved that 12", but the 15" is just a much better computer, you can't beat the wider screen if you want to do anything more than type some documents or surf the web

[betsbillabong]

okay, so my 12" arrived yesterday, and i'd decided to simply be excited about it (will be my last 'book for several years) - turned it on, checking everything, when i noticed the lcd screen was loose and wobbly in the frame.

oops! so i called apple, and it's doa. they told me to return it, and now i have the choice of having a replica shipped to me, or simply taking the credit and buying another one on my own.

ay yi yi, so now i'm back to the decision.

basically i think i want the 15" except for one important factor: battery life. i often work in cafes without ac, and people say such different things: some people get 3 1/2 hrs of battery life on a 15", and some people get well under 2 hours. under 2 hours is definitely not an option for me, especially if that's what i get out of the gate (my experience has been that batteries get worse over time).

arggghhhh. what do you all think? i cannot believe i still have not made up my mind, and that the ball is in my court again.

[debroglie]

okay, so my 12" arrived yesterday, and i'd decided to simply be excited about it (will be my last 'book for several years) - turned it on, checking everything, when i noticed the lcd screen was loose and wobbly in the frame.

oops! so i called apple, and it's doa. they told me to return it, and now i have the choice of having a replica shipped to me, or simply taking the credit and buying another one on my own.

ay yi yi, so now i'm back to the decision.

basically i think i want the 15" except for one important factor: battery life. i often work in cafes without ac, and people say such different things: some people get 3 1/2 hrs of battery life on a 15", and some people get well under 2 hours. under 2 hours is definitely not an option for me, especially if that's what i get out of the gate (my experience has been that batteries get worse over time).

arggghhhh. what do you all think? i cannot believe i still have not made up my mind, and that the ball is in my court again.

If you are going to be doing the bulk of your more intensive work near your desk, get the 12 inch and an external monitor. If space is an issue keep your 12 inch shut and use it as a desktop.

You are going to be doing intensive work outside of the home get the 15 inch. I recently upgraded from a 12 inch, and while it was a good computer I will never go back from my 15 inch. The widescreen aspect and larger amount of pixels make all of the difference for me. Also, you get a PCI card slot for future upgrades.

[betsbillabong]

debroglie, i'm definitely leaning towards the 15" - what kind of battery life are you getting? can you watch an entire dvd on it? can you get 3 hours if you're just using word or something?

[JasonL]

I have watched entire DVDs on mine; but it has been really close at the end. Of course I don't think I've ever tried to watch a 3 hr long DVD or anything.

I bought a spare battery because I was worried about battery life. I think I've used it twice and one time was because our power went out and I used the PB to play DVDs to entertain the kids.

It really sounds like you want the 15" PB. Just go for it. I bring mine to school everyday and have no issues with portability. I doubt that the battery life difference is enough to make a difference if the 15 incher is the one you really want.

[debroglie]

debroglie, i'm definitely leaning towards the 15" - what kind of battery life are you getting? can you watch an entire dvd on it? can you get 3 hours if you're just using word or something?

Yeah, I can watch a full DVD (about 2.5 hours) quite comfortably at max brightness. I have worked on word documents while listening to music for just under 4 hours with it, but then I turned the brightness down a bit. If I have to do anything for longer than that it isn't a problem to bring the power adapter with.

Like I said, I love my 15 inch and greatly prefer it over my old 12 inch.

[betsbillabong]

wow, debroglie, that sounds great. how do you manage that battery life? most people i've spoken with get under 4 hrs. if i could get it to be more than that, i'd definitely do it. do you calibrate it every month or anything?

[betsbillabong]

well, for anyone who cares, i finally decided!

i drove 2 hours down to the apple store in delaware, where there's no sales tax. i really wanted to have the powerbook before my rehearsals start tomorrow. i also wanted to be sure i left with a perfect powerbook... the experience with the 12" left me a bit worried that i might be unhappy with the next one that shipped.

i still couldn't decide at the store! but finally, as they were closing, i had the epiphany: 12" probably makes more sense but i really wanted the 15". it just seems like a much more luxurious computer. and i do go to meetings and things where i need to show others what i've been working on visually. it's a lot easier with the big screen.

so, it's home and i'm very very happy. now i just need to figure out how best to calibrate the battery life... really hoping that i'll be able to get 3 hrs plus work time out of this and also be able to watch a full DVD. i gave up a 5400 drive, but was able to get the 1.5MHz model. And hopefully at some point I'll swap in a 7200rpm drive and use my current one as a firewire backup disk.

thank you for all of your comments! the 12" is a great one, too, just maybe not right for me with all of my AV needs. so perhaps someone in the universe was looking out for me when they sent the DOA powerbook!

[panda]

well done and congrats.

i think you made a good choice.

what sticks out here, is your interest to watch dvds. i think you will find the widescreen aspect of the 15" very appealing.

as you can see, the adapter is so small, it is no problem carrying it around.

let us know your impressions. :)

[Yotabyte]

Interesting topic to read!

I was going to suggest the 15" to you betsbillabong if only because for me, when I use photoshop, I do it on a 17" or a 19" screen and I prefer the 19" basically because it FEELS less cluttered. So I can imagine in a powerbook that a 12" would feel cluttered, and I hate having to scroll through layers in photoshop or not have my image fit on the screen, but none the less you made a sound investment.

I agree with the statement that the screen resolution REALLY doesn't matter. That is why basically all graphics programs have the ability to zoom in and out! But i'd never go below 1024 x 768 or the entire screen just looks too grainy.

I am now getting a 15" powerbook too, but I am waiting for the update as I really don't want to invest in a powerbook model that was released back in April. I looked at the 12" powerbook, and really, I hated it. :P I'd prefer a 12" ibook over the thing, its to cluttered, and really isn't good value for money, infact I don't feel i'd be out of place by saying it is the worst value for money computer that apple offers.

Like panda, I'd like to read your impressions on the 15" powerbook in all respects as Apple propaganda is only surpassed in exaggeration by Fox News (any one ever read the glory paragraph in the iBook description abot including an GF4 MX 440 in the old g4 iMac line? Curses!) :P

Best of luck with your Powerbook!

[betsbillabong]

Hey Yotabyte,

I don't have much to report, as I've only had it a few hours! But to me, it just feels a lot more solid and like a new, fancy computer. Bear in mind that when I sold my black G3 wallstreet and got the iBook, I was really taken by the small size of the iBook. So I think part of it is that I just wanted something that felt new - the 12" seemed so much like my iBook and yet different... and I'm still quite nostalgic for the iBook, I really love it.

The 15" seems sturdy, beautiful, luxurious... and big. It's really not much heavier, but definitely bulkier. I feel a bit nervous taking it out of the bag with one hand, for example. But as long as I can get decent battery life out of it, I think I really prefer it. When the 12" arrived I was trying to make myself like it. When I opened this one up, I was oohing and aahing. The backlit keyboard is so cool! (And I may be part of the 3% who actually needs it as I gig with the thing on occasion). The screen is beautiful! And as I am (a) a composer and media artist, and (b) writing my dissertation on film and music, I think it will make a big difference having that big beautiful screen.

I must say, though, that I think for many people a 12" with an external monitor would be a good choice. If you get the 1.33 powerbook, the processor is exactly the same, and hooking it up with a 17" or bigger monitor at home, you'd actually get a lot MORE screen real estate. It would have actually made my desk a lot neater, as the pbook keyboard takes up a lot of desk space. I think my problem is that I knew that that system made sense, but I really WANTED the 15"! I have always been somewhat anti-desktop for some reason, it just seems bigger and bulkier and messier.

So - I am happy. Very happy. Let me know if you have any other questions about it. I'm now going to calibrate and cross my fingers for good battery time - it seems to be fairly hit or miss.

[zarquon]

well, for anyone who cares, i finally decided!

i drove 2 hours down to the apple store in delaware, where there's no sales tax. i really wanted to have the powerbook before my rehearsals start tomorrow. i also wanted to be sure i left with a perfect powerbook... the experience with the 12" left me a bit worried that i might be unhappy with the next one that shipped.

i still couldn't decide at the store! but finally, as they were closing, i had the epiphany: 12" probably makes more sense but i really wanted the 15". it just seems like a much more luxurious computer. and i do go to meetings and things where i need to show others what i've been working on visually. it's a lot easier with the big screen.

so, it's home and i'm very very happy. now i just need to figure out how best to calibrate the battery life... really hoping that i'll be able to get 3 hrs plus work time out of this and also be able to watch a full DVD. i gave up a 5400 drive, but was able to get the 1.5MHz model. And hopefully at some point I'll swap in a 7200rpm drive and use my current one as a firewire backup disk.

thank you for all of your comments! the 12" is a great one, too, just maybe not right for me with all of my AV needs. so perhaps someone in the universe was looking out for me when they sent the DOA powerbook!

Rather than opening up the book, and/or paying someone to do it - I would suggest a good ( LaCie, or similar ) external drive for your projects. That way you can take the drive with you when you are working on projects, have substancially more storage space to work with ( you did say video editing - right ) and keeping your projects on an independant drive is much safer. You can also get a 250G or bigger Drive for about the same as a 80G 7200rpm notebook drive would cost ( installed ). Since you went with the 15"PB, you can also use the FW800 drives for a faster transfer.

Z.

[debroglie]

Rather than opening up the book, and/or paying someone to do it - I would suggest a good ( LaCie, or similar ) external drive for your projects. That way you can take the drive with you when you are working on projects, have substancially more storage space to work with ( you did say video editing - right ) and keeping your projects on an independant drive is much safer. You can also get a 250G or bigger Drive for about the same as a 80G 7200rpm notebook drive would cost ( installed ). Since you went with the 15"PB, you can also use the FW800 drives for a faster transfer.

Z.

I suggest getting an external firewire 800 drive. I myself went with the slower drive because it will prolong battery life and then I can use a faster/larger external drive when I need to do intensive work

[betsbillabong]

hi debroglie,

thanks. i know a lot of people do this. i just like to keep things simple; also FCP is a small part of what i do. i often perform with my laptop, and don't really want to have to have another "part" to remember. my idea is that i will switch to an 80G hitachi 7200 when available, put the old 80G 4200 in a firewire case, and use it for a backup.

can you tell me, however, what your secret is to long pb battery life? how did you calibrate it? slow drain or normal usage or dvd?

thx,
bb

[debroglie]

hi debroglie,

thanks. i know a lot of people do this. i just like to keep things simple; also FCP is a small part of what i do. i often perform with my laptop, and don't really want to have to have another "part" to remember. my idea is that i will switch to an 80G hitachi 7200 when available, put the old 80G 4200 in a firewire case, and use it for a backup.

can you tell me, however, what your secret is to long pb battery life? how did you calibrate it? slow drain or normal usage or dvd?

thx,
bb

That sounds like a good plan too. I know I would love an internal 7200.

Lets see, battery life. Well, first of all I have the 4200 HD in it so that uses less power than the 5400. I keep the backlit keyboard off because I don't need it, I turn bluetooth off and airport off when I don't use it. Also, I let my battery drain due to normal use at least once every couple weeks to keep the electrons moving nicely. Other than that, I would say adjust brightness as needed and take discs out of the optical drive so that they don't spin up. Also, I usually adjust my power management accordingly.

[iRez]

Interesting topic to read!

:P I'd prefer a 12" ibook over the thing, its to cluttered, and really isn't good value for money, infact I don't feel i'd be out of place by saying it is the worst value for money computer that apple offers.


Best of luck with your Powerbook!

That's ignorant and really offensive to me a 12" PB owner. I don't see how it could be the worst value for money in the PB line seeing how it can do basically everything a 17" suped up PB can do while costing half as much???? I get the fact that the screen res isn't high, but I have an external at home, and besides...who does serious graphic work away from their desks anyway. If anything is a waste of cash its spending for a 15" 1.5 thats decked out just like the 17", why not cough up a lil' more to get the 17" beast, and don't say portability because the differences in dimensions and weight between the 15" and 17" are alot smaller than that of the 12" and 15", or can someone say 1.33ghz 15".

[Yotabyte]

That's ignorant and really offensive to me a 12" PB owner. I don't see how it could be the worst value for money in the PB line seeing how it can do basically everything a 17" suped up PB can do while costing half as much???? I get the fact that the screen res isn't high, but I have an external at home, and besides...who does serious graphic work away from their desks anyway. If anything is a waste of cash its spending for a 15" 1.5 thats decked out just like the 17", why not cough up a lil' more to get the 17" beast, and don't say portability because the differences in dimensions and weight between the 15" and 17" are alot smaller than that of the 12" and 15", or can someone say 1.33ghz 15".

Please don't take offense to it, I feel it is bad value, not completely a bad product. My point being if you want something small and portable you'd might as well just get the ibook now as it is cheaper and still performs well, better battery power, better airport reception, you feel less worried about dropping it, etc. After all, the ibooks have just been updated and took a big price drop, while the powerbooks have not been updated since April, so they are really good value at the moment. If you would have asked me a month ago i'd probably have given a different answer altogether. ;)

I do quite a bit of graphics design, mainly involving photoshop, and I have friends who also like the portability of a laptop when designin graphics. It is also important for professionals on the move to do serious graphics work on a laptop, why? Because you can bring it with you anywhere and do essentially everything that you can do on a desktop, except use it as an achor.

About the 15" to 17" thing, the size difference is noticeable. If you've ever really used a 17" powerbook you can really feel how much bigger it is, its like lugging around an ultrathin suitcase, and especially with that pathetic looking tiny keyboard recycled for every powerbook (http://www.jkovach.net/nonoriginal/powerbook50top.jpg) it looks... lanky.

Edit: Stupid square bracket.

[cluthz]

Please don't take offense to it, I feel it is bad value, not completely a bad product. My point being if you want something small and portable you'd might as well just get the ibook now as it is cheaper and still performs well, better battery power, better airport reception, you feel less worried about dropping it, etc. After all, the ibooks have just been updated and took a big price drop, while the powerbooks have not been updated since April, so they are really good value at the moment. If you would have asked me a month ago i'd probably have given a different answer altogether. ;)


...I'd agree! I'm a proud 12" PB owner, but i bought mine in early august.
The ibook (12") was then 1.0GHz vs 1.33GHz, the 1.0Ghz was $100 more expensive than the new 1.2GHz ibook. The pb12" costs the same now as it did in august. You also had to pay extra for airport on the ibooks then. In august the pb was better value to me than the ibook, today the ibook wins..
I guess we will see a new PB rev in Januar which will bring the ibooks to shame :p

As for the 15" costing much more than the 12", i don't think its worth it!
The 1.33ghz 15" costs $400 more than the 12",
and what you get is a better gfx card (like someone is using a pb for gaming..), fw800 and slightly larger screen, you also get crappy battery life too..

[budaapple]

Use the pcmcia slot to plug in a faster HD and you will be happy for eternity

[cebritt]

I love the small size of the 12" PB and iBook but my 46 year old eyes can't tolerate the 12" screen. The 15" PBs are deluxe but if I was buying a notebook today, I'd get the 14" iBook. It seems like the best balance of portability and usability. Just my 2 cents...

[betsbillabong]

i have to say, though, when you compare the screens it's like night and day. to me, that's the big tradeoff. just depends what you want to do with it. i think the 12" is fine unless you're trying to play movies or do photoshop or video editing. that's where the 15" shines. a 12" with an external monitor is a sweet setup though. especially if it's a 23" cinema! (in my dreams...)

[davegoody]

After deliberating between 12" and 15" for a week, I recently ordered a 12" powerbook with the 5400rpm drive option. I decided on the 12" for a variety of reasons: (a) I will be taking it out with me every day, often while biking; (b) I like things light; (c) I've been using my trusty G3 600 for three years, and it's my favorite mac yet, since 1989); (d) It seemed less fragile than the 15" due to its shorter size and extra width; (e) sounds like battery life is dramatically better, and (e) With the money I saved, I would be able to buy the Production Suite - Final Cut Pro, DVD Studio Pro, etc.

I have a 17" and it rocks, it is however used on a desk at work, put into a bag, then put onto another desk at home. I think for what you are doing, a 12" may well have been the best option, just get an external screen for when you need it.

[zen_state]

kinda off topic..

why doesn't apple offer a 7200 on powerbooks and a 5400 on ibooks? 4200 drives just don't cut it (well, neither does a 5400 but at least its a bit better) and they end up making your system seem slower than it really is. with 10k rpm drives being kinda common on dt's now you would think laptop drives would all get faster also. I think all HD makers should drop the 4200 rpm all together. its not 1995.

[betsbillabong]

i'm with you, zen state. i guess apple is just waiting for hitachi to make an 80 or 100G 7200rpm drive. as someone else pointed out, not many people would do a BTO that actually resulted in a SMALLER drive (60G is the current largest 7200 notebook drive, i believe - correct me if i'm wrong).

so as soon as they come out with an 80G version, i'm there. a friend of mine who's on pc's just put in the hitachi 60G and said it flies and is much quieter than his old drive.