15" PB vs. 17"

[OziMac]

One thing I note is that the people who swear 17" is too big tend to be people who don't own one.

There's probably a reason for that, you know - namely, we bought the 15" after deciding for ourselves that the 17" was not right for us (or we couldn't afford it, but really, there's not much price difference in it these days for that to be as strong a reason).

But you know, we all make these decisions after checking the sizes out for ourselves in the shops / from other people etc. Given that 'we' all bought 15"s, of course we would think that 17"s are too big to carry around. But that is personal preference, and I don't think you'll find anyone trying to pass it off as fact...

 

[big_scot_nanny]

Have to agree with the last post, if you own a particular size, you'll go for that!

However, I own the 17" PB and a 15.2" wintel lappy (from work). I bought the 17" as I wanted a laptop I could use anywhere, take everywhere (for music stuff, ain't garageband brilliant!) and not sacrifice too much in terms of usability. The 17" gives me that, with acres of screen space for multiple windows, and realtively light weight and shallow thickness. I plonk it on an icurve when I get home and plug in a usb port replicator and some nice speakers, it quickly detects the wireless KB and mouse, and I'm off and running. When mobile it is not noticeably heavier or more awkard than my 15.2.

The 12" PB would be a fabulous ultra-portable, and is seriously cute (considered this and a big screen for home, but it lacks a bit of power compared to the bigger ones).

The 15.2" PB just seem a bit 'neither here nor there'. Not as portable as the 12, not as functional as the 17.

Hope this is of some use!

Kev

 

[OziMac]

The 15.2" PB just seem a bit 'neither here nor there'. Not as portable as the 12, not as functional as the 17.

Ah, but you see, we would say that it in fact combines the best features of both the 12" (portability) and the 17" (equally as full featured, unless 2 inches of screen space makes or breaks your use of it)!

To each their own, but at least we're all happy Powerbookites.

 

[diehldun]

I HATE it when people out there say the PowerBook 17" model is just TOO big. It really isn't, when you compare it to the 15" directly. I too was considering the 15 or the 17; ended up getting the 17, and I haven't regretted it since.

I've taken it on NUMEROUS flights, both domestic and international. Granted, it's rather tight on the tray-tables, but you definitely get that WOW factor (when everyone in the waiting-area outside the gates stare at you and your laptop quite conspicuously for a long time, you get the message).

But it wasn't just for the looks (well...), but also the screen size. I bought this to replace my old Dell Dimension desktop, and so far, I couldn't have been more pleased.

Size wise, it's amazingly small for a 17" screen. It's only an inch thick (actually thinner than the 15" ) and, it's sleek looks make the PowerBook 17 stand far away from the Windows 17" models.

Honestly, I used this PowerBook primarially on the desk; it moves occasionally, and it's not big deal to move it around and travel. Don't believe what other 15" owners out there are saying about the 17"; if you can afford the price and the SLIGHT size increase (sideways, not up-down!), then DEFINITELY go with the 17", trust me... you won't ever regret your purchase.

 

[GeorgeTheMonkey]

Really then, you say? All you '17 inch'-ers honestly would never go back to a smaller size?

I'm about to buy a PowerBook -- after WWDC, that is, and after I have a few more Ben Franklins in the bank -- and had kind of taken it for granted that I'd be getting a 15" PB. The only question was between the low-end, 1.33 Ghz, or the 1.5 Ghz.

I've decided I do love that extra power from the 1.5 Ghz, and whatever I choose I'll be boosting the graphics memory to 128 MB and bumping the HD to 5400 rpm. I'd also preferably like the 512MB of SDRAM in 1 SO-DIMM, so I can upgrade down the road a little bit when I have the dough.

However, I really don't need the SuperDrive I don't think -- have one in my PowerMac, and it's easy enough just to transfer whatever I have to burn over to it via Firewire.

Other than that, I'm just not sure whether to plop down another $200 for the extra screen real estate that the 17" PB provides -- and actually, I suppose it's just $110 for the extra 2", considering the 17" PB is already built with the 512 MB SDRAM in 1 SO-DIMM, whereas you have you pay $90 to customize the 15" with it all in 1 SO-DIMM. Unfortunately, you can't customize the 17" PB without the SuperDrive -- and I'd rather like that $180 back.

Suggestions, then? I hate making decisions myself.

 

[DJY]

Well I did it!!!
This is my first post as I attempt to switch!
Typing this on my new 17"Powerbook.

Got bored and distracted today - and as a result I ended up in the shop - and now am (hopefully) the proud owner of a 17" Powerbook.

Decided against upgrading the HDD to the faster one... and the upgrade to video... but did upgrade RAM to 1GB.

Reason for this:
As I was in the shop the truck delivered a heap of new Powerbooks, and the only option they can spec up in the shop is RAM...
so 7-10 day waiting vs walk away with one then and there...
and well let's jsut say the allure of the sexy machine kicked in ...

Now to switch my data over, and play!!!
WOOHOO!!!!

 

[aswitcher]

Well I did it!!!
This is my first post as I attempt to switch!
Typing this on my new 17"Powerbook.

Got bored and distracted today - and as a result I ended up in the shop - and now am (hopefully) the proud owner of a 17" Powerbook.

Decided against upgrading the HDD to the faster one... and the upgrade to video... but did upgrade RAM to 1GB.

Reason for this:
As I was in the shop the truck delivered a heap of new Powerbooks, and the only option they can spec up in the shop is RAM...
so 7-10 day waiting vs walk away with one then and there...
and well let's jsut say the allure of the sexy machine kicked in ...

Now to switch my data over, and play!!!
WOOHOO!!!!

Hey DJY congrats!

I actually took my PB17 to Canberra today by plane. Pitty the short flight means Qantas doesn't allow me to use it inflight...

Some impressed work colleagues

Give us a report once you have had a chance to bash it around a bit.

 

[OziMac]

Well I did it!!!
This is my first post as I attempt to switch!
Typing this on my new 17"Powerbook.

Got bored and distracted today - and as a result I ended up in the shop - and now am (hopefully) the proud owner of a 17" Powerbook.

Decided against upgrading the HDD to the faster one... and the upgrade to video... but did upgrade RAM to 1GB.

Reason for this:
As I was in the shop the truck delivered a heap of new Powerbooks, and the only option they can spec up in the shop is RAM...
so 7-10 day waiting vs walk away with one then and there...
and well let's jsut say the allure of the sexy machine kicked in ...

Now to switch my data over, and play!!!
WOOHOO!!!!

Haha - gotta love impulse buying - there's nothing quite like the feeling. Congratulations on buying an awesome machine! You will love it.