Hey everyone..further to another thread I started recently where I debated whether it was worth it to spend $300 or so upgrading my 12' Powerbook, I'm now starting to think about possible alternative machines.
I really love the portability of this machine, and it's been very durable and reliable. The problem I have is that I find my eyes getting very tired using it. My sight has always been good, but lately I've been working full-time as a journalist, which means full days in front of the screen.
Now, maybe the sore eyes are the result of bad use - not taking enough screen breaks etc - though I do make a genuine effort to rest my eyes for a few minutes every hour. However, I find myself squinting at the screen quite a bit - the text of some websites appears quite small on this machine too.
My budget is quite low. I can't afford a new machine, the only options I can consider are an 15' Powerbook or an older secondhand or refurb MacBook. With this in mind, I have a few questions...
1) How portable is the 15' Powerbook? Obviously it won't be anything like the 12', but I do move around quite a bit and need I machine that I can use on the go. Ideally I want something I can fit in a backpack and take when traveling.
2) Is there any significant difference in screen quality between the MacBook and 12' Powerbook? Does the one inch increase make much difference? I've used the MacBook a few times and it seems a lot brighter, but does this increase comfort?
3) Does anyone who uses either machine for work/intensively have any comments as to how it affects their eyes?
4) Has anyone switched between any of these machines, and if so, do you have any comments on any of the above?
Any advice would be really appreciated. Ultimately, what I need is a laptop that can act my main computer, with a good quality screen that will tire my eyes as little as possible, but that is still portable enough to take traveling or camping.
I really love the portability of this machine, and it's been very durable and reliable. The problem I have is that I find my eyes getting very tired using it. My sight has always been good, but lately I've been working full-time as a journalist, which means full days in front of the screen.
Now, maybe the sore eyes are the result of bad use - not taking enough screen breaks etc - though I do make a genuine effort to rest my eyes for a few minutes every hour. However, I find myself squinting at the screen quite a bit - the text of some websites appears quite small on this machine too.
My budget is quite low. I can't afford a new machine, the only options I can consider are an 15' Powerbook or an older secondhand or refurb MacBook. With this in mind, I have a few questions...
1) How portable is the 15' Powerbook? Obviously it won't be anything like the 12', but I do move around quite a bit and need I machine that I can use on the go. Ideally I want something I can fit in a backpack and take when traveling.
2) Is there any significant difference in screen quality between the MacBook and 12' Powerbook? Does the one inch increase make much difference? I've used the MacBook a few times and it seems a lot brighter, but does this increase comfort?
3) Does anyone who uses either machine for work/intensively have any comments as to how it affects their eyes?
4) Has anyone switched between any of these machines, and if so, do you have any comments on any of the above?
Any advice would be really appreciated. Ultimately, what I need is a laptop that can act my main computer, with a good quality screen that will tire my eyes as little as possible, but that is still portable enough to take traveling or camping.
