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Need Help Deciding...Please help!!

D

DesignIt

macrumors member
Original poster
I am debating on these two systems:

PowerBook 15" 1.67GHz $2054
Part Number: Z0B6
Combo Drive (DVD-ROM/CD-RW)
512MB DDR333 SDRAM - 1 SO-DIMM
Backlit Keyboard/Mac OS - U.S. English
AirPort Extreme Card
1.67GHz PowerPC G4 w/128MB VRAM dual
80GB Ultra ATA drive @ 5400 rpm

PowerBook 17" 1.67GHz $2309
Part Number: Z0BA
512MB DDR333 SDRAM - 1 SO-DIMM
AirPort Extreme Card
80GB Ultra ATA drive @ 5400rpm
8x SuperDrive (DVD±RW/CD-RW)
Backlit Keyboard/Mac OS - U.S. English

The 17" is $255 more expensive than the 15". I want a portable mainly to move around the house, go outside, to the coffee shop, bring it to school, bring it to my internship (graphic designer). It's primary purpose is not for traveling. With that in mind, is the $255 extra worth the trade off? I get a superdrive and 2" more.

Or am I better off getting the 15" and getting a $230 19" pc monitor?

I took the super drive option off of the 15" to drop the price a bit and add the 128MB VRAM dual card, instead of the standard 64, as I don't really have any need for the superdrive. If I do, I figure I could buy an external one.

Oh yeah, this will be my primary computer...no desktop backup.

I have never owned a mac, let alone a portable one, so I am not sure which way to go.

Thanks for any feedback!! =)
 
I would get the 15" for the 128MB VRAM you put in there. PB's can span, so hooking to an external monitor is no problem. You don't really need a 17" screen. And there'll be no room for your coffee on the table if you put a 17" pb on it. 😛
 
ITASOR said:
I would get the 15" for the 128MB VRAM you put in there. PB's can span, so hooking to an external monitor is no problem. You don't really need a 17" screen. And there'll be no room for your coffee on the table if you put a 17" pb on it. 😛
Click to expand...

Agreed. Go for the 15" 1.67GHz PowerBook G4 w/ 128MB VRAM!
 
I think the size of the 17" PB might discourage you from bringing it places. Personally, I find the 12" to be the absolute ideal size for portability.
 
SRSound said:
I think the size of the 17" PB might discourage you from bringing it places. Personally, I find the 12" to be the absolute ideal size for portability.
Click to expand...

Lugging a 17" PowerBook G4 would not be a lot of fun.
But all of that screen real-estate...hard to resist! 😀

12" PB = usually mobile
15" PB = occasionally mobile
17" PB = rarely mobile
 
Thanks everyone for the feedback. I am pretty much set on getting the 15" model with that exact configuration. Now it's just a matter of when.

I'm not sure I should wait until september when the powerbook is supposed to be upgraded.
 
I have the 15in PB just like the one you are thinking about, it is an awesome machine. Save your money you will like the portability of the 15in. Get your self a nice external monitor.
 
DesignIt said:
Thanks everyone for the feedback. I am pretty much set on getting the 15" model with that exact configuration. Now it's just a matter of when.

I'm not sure I should wait until september when the powerbook is supposed to be upgraded.
Click to expand...

I think that you will be very happy with the 15" model. My wife chose that size, because the 17" just seemed so large. Taking away from portability.

When to purchase depends on how much you in need of the PowerBook now. Chances are it will only be a speed increase. Also with the waiting game there is always an update coming in the future.

Would also recommend AppleCare.
 
I would get the 15" with 128MB of VRAM. Still quiet portable especially compared to PC laptops of the same size.
 
Macmaniac said:
I have the 15in PB just like the one you are thinking about, it is an awesome machine. Save your money you will like the portability of the 15in. Get your self a nice external monitor.
Click to expand...


Agreed.

For you veteran laptop carriers, do you recommend the applecare warranty?
 
DesignIt said:
Agreed.

For you veteran laptop carriers, do you recommend the applecare warranty?
Click to expand...

For a Laptop: YES. I don't know about Apple's yet (just ordered first one yesterday) but my brothers and sisters Dell have had some quite expensive repairs down in the 1 and 2 years that they have had them. Dell's warranty is excellent for getting things repaired plus they have accident protection. My brother cracked the backing to his lcd and the replaced it.

The good thing about Applecare is that you can add it up to the last day of your standard 1 year warrenty. I will probably add it a few months before it runs out.
 
DesignIt said:
Agreed.

For you veteran laptop carriers, do you recommend the applecare warranty?
Click to expand...

I purchase AppleCare on all of my Mac's. It has paid for itself on my Wife's iBook and PowerBook.
 
DesignIt said:
Thanks everyone for the feedback. I am pretty much set on getting the 15" model with that exact configuration. Now it's just a matter of when.

I'm not sure I should wait until september when the powerbook is supposed to be upgraded.
Click to expand...

Good choice - you are gonna love your 15" PowerBook (regardless of when you go and buy it).
 
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