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12" to small???

Temujin

Temujin

macrumors 6502a
Original poster
Oct 1, 2005
905
2
Copenhagen
Keep in mind im talking about screen size ;)

Im a soon to become an Apple man. Been a Windows man for years, but thought that with my purchase of a 12" compact notebook, I would give Apple a try.

I was just wondering if any 12" users out there find their 12" powerbook/ibook to small?
What do you use it for, and when would you wish you had chosen the 15"/14" versions, if ever?

Thanx
 
This has been coved a million times and every user has their own opinions. Some wish they had the 15 inch. Some 15 inch owners wished they got the 12 inch. It's not something someone else can answer for you.

I'm going to give you the best advice you can get in this situation. It may sound like I'm trying to avoid the question, or put you down, but that's not the case. I'm just looking out for you and your future purchase.
With no further delay, here is the advice:
Go to an Apple store and try every notebook out. Pick the one that fits you the best.
 
grapes911 said:
With no further delay, here is the advice:
Go to an Apple store and try every notebook out. Pick the one that fits you the best.
Click to expand...

I tried that. But you dont really know untill you use the comp in everyday life. Thats why im interested in feedback from current users.
 
The 12" is perfect for most things. There's very little that cannot be done, and well, on 1024 x 768. Wouldn't trade the portability for a bit more screen estate... :)

Edit: Video (PAL/NTSC) has much lower resolution than the 12" screen, and if you put the 12" 1 meter from you, it will look just as big as a 48" at 4 meters. ;)
 
Temujin said:
What about watching movies, and doing a bit of video editing. Never get to small?
Click to expand...

well its no 42" plasma/lcd

but ive watched movies on planes, better than no movie s'pose. dunno about video editing. if you want to do a fair bit of power stuff , get an imac
 
rogerw said:
well its no 42" plasma/lcd

but ive watched movies on planes, better than no movie s'pose. dunno about video editing. if you want to do a fair bit of power stuff , get an imac
Click to expand...

Im not talking major league editing. Just simple stuff. Is it utterly impossible or can it be done. Again the small screen in mind.
 
Temujin said:
Im not talking major league editing. Just simple stuff. Is it utterly impossible or can it be done. Again the small screen in mind.
Click to expand...

of course it can be done.

the 12" er that ive got is a g3 and it does everything fine that i need it for. now the latest is a g4 and is much faster. the 12"powerbook will gve a more pro performance but for a more pennys. i use the 12' more than the 17" imac

ps. i run my business with these 2 apples
 
rogerw said:
of course it can be done.

the 12" er that ive got is a g3 and it does everything fine that i need it for. now the latest is a g4 and is much faster. the 12"powerbook will gve a more pro performance but for a more pennys. i use the 12' more than the 17" imac

ps. i run my business with these 2 apples
Click to expand...

Im not worried about the performance. If my old 1,4 cetrino can do the job so can the 12" powerbook. What I am worried about is if the timeline, tools, monitors etc. can fit the screen, and still give me a good experience whilst editing. Wont it get cramped?
 
Temujin said:
Im not worried about the performance. If my old 1,4 cetrino can do the job so can the 12" powerbook. What I am worried about is if the timeline, tools, monitors etc. can fit the screen, and still give me a good experience whilst editing. Wont it get cramped?
Click to expand...
Set your current computer's resolution to 1024x768 and try it out. Even if the screen is a different size, it will be the same space to work with.
 
grapes911 said:
Set your current computer's resolution to 1024x768 and try it out. Even if the screen is a different size, it will be the same space to work with.
Click to expand...

Thats true. Didnt think of that. But my 20,1" screen distorts my impression of the "easy to read factor".
But tell me this, wouldn't a document written in a 12 pixels font shown at 100% on a 12" almost be the same view size as the 15"? (do you ever find it hard to read on the 12"?)
 
as a recent owner of a 12" powerbook, NO, not even for a second, i watch movies, edit home videos, and do some gaming (starcraft, halo, KOTOR) and all has met my expectations and thensome.
 
i do qoutes on the 12" er all the time, sitting on tables in the street, drinking beer or coffee's, well ok coffees,. no probs reading text on word or appleworks etc. its a great notebook. if its your only comp, you can always plug in a monitor (or even you old one) at home. dont get the 14" (unless you need bigger words) no greater res just a bigger screen. like i said i use this the most

btw: i have absolutely no regrets in switching platforms....best thing I ever did (in the computing side of things)
 
Opinion...

I have owned the 17", 15" and 12" powerbooks in the past three years (awesome benefit of working for apple, and a testament to powerbook resale prices).

While I LOVED the screen on the 17", was extremely happy with the compromise of the 15" (speed versus size), I can honestly say I am most happy with my 12" that I have now.

I use it for Photoshop, InDesign, iMovie, FCE and your normal day to day tasks. Sure, it takes a little scrolling around every now and then...but I wouldn't switch back to a bigger model.

I would, however, like to buy a 20 inch screen for work, but I don't feel that I NEED to purchase one, it would be a luxury type purchase.

To each his own though...if you need a desktop replacement for a ton of graphic/video work, go with the 17"; if you want the best compromise between power and size the 15" is your choice; if you constantly travel (this does not necessarily mean flying, because I take mine from home to the coffee shop to work to class back to work back to home) the 12" is your best bet.
 
I don't like the screen on the 12"; seems darker than the 15" & 17" (could just be me). I also can't stand the screen res., it's way too low for my liking. And I cannot for the life of me understand how some 12" owners (powerbooks, not penises you perverts) don't hide their docks. Drives me crazy!#%#@ :D


appleretailguy said:
I have owned the 17", 15" and 12" powerbooks in the past three years (awesome benefit of working for apple, and a testament to powerbook resale prices).
Click to expand...
Aren't you dudes not supposed to be on Apple related forums? Or am I mistaken?

:confused:
 
Yeah, but...

Fender said:
I don't like the screen on the 12"; seems darker than the 15" & 17" (could just be me). I also can't stand the screen res., it's way too low for my liking. And I cannot for the life of me understand how some 12" owners (powerbooks, not penises you perverts) don't hide their docks. Drives me crazy!#%#@ :D
Click to expand...

I thought the 12" was darker too and in the store it seemed so. However, when comparing my old 15" to my new 12", I couldn't notice a damn bit of difference.

Pet peeve here...I can't stand when anyone doesn't hide their docks...I mean, why does it need to be shown?
 
appleretailguy said:
Pet peeve here...I can't stand when anyone doesn't hide their docks...I mean, why does it need to be shown?
Click to expand...
I'm totally with you there, man. Damn, only on the 30" would I probably not hide my dock.
 
I've never used a 12" from day to day, but I would imagine it would be to smal. I have a 14" iBook G4 and love it. I don't have any problems what so ever portable wise ... when I use at school people always stare :D :cool: :p

The 14" iBook works wonders, scratches easy though. 12" PBs are nice, but they dent and warp easy though.

Do know that in the 14" you still have the exact same resolution from the 12". No gain. I like the little bigger screen. It's all up to you.
 
lilstewart92 said:
He/She's a newbie. Only 6 posts. Be nice. ;)
Click to expand...
You make me look bad when you only quote one line of my post. ;)
Merely saying it has been covered a million times to prepare the OP in receiving a whole bunch of options that may contradict each other.
 
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