Another one PB 15" vs 17" - Confused. Help!

[Vanilla]

After struggling with this decision for a week, I took the plunge and ordered the 17" powerbook

Congratulations! You've made a fine, fine choice.

I've had mine for nearly two months and I'm still in love. I use it every day at work, connected to a pc network, carrying it to and from home and truly size/weight is not an issue. The screen real estate is just awesome, its fast, its stable and its beautiful.

Its nothing short of miraculous what Ives has done here.

Vanilla

 

[PieMac]

Congratulations!

(Let us know how you like it!)

Will do and thanks! I just checked the status and they are preparing it for shipment...keeping my fingers crossed that it will hopefully get here Friday!

 

[Lancetx]

Will do and thanks! I just checked the status and they are preparing it for shipment...keeping my fingers crossed that it will hopefully get here Friday!

Congrats on the purchase! I too ordered my 17" PB from Amazon (in late July) and even with the free "super saver shipping" I received mine from UPS on a Tuesday after ordering it just that previous Saturday. They also packed it great (triple boxed!) and overall were great to deal with.

 

[PieMac]

Congrats on the purchase! I too ordered my 17" PB from Amazon (in late July) and even with the free "super saver shipping" I received mine from UPS on a Tuesday after ordering it just that previous Saturday. They also packed it great (triple boxed!) and overall were great to deal with.

Thanks! That's really encouraging to hear! Is it running good for you? Any dead or stuck pixels?

 

[Jovian9]

I've had a number of 14" iBooks, a 12" G4 iBook, and now a 17" PowerBook.......and the 17" is the best of all (granted it's a PB and not an iBook like the others). The screen is sharp and has plenty of room for multiple windows. If you're traveling it is not that heavy to carry around, just be sure to get a comfortable case that holds what you need with the PB (to me this is the most important issue for traveling with a 17"). I love my PB and may never buy a smaller laptop again. You will not be disappointed with the 17" and it's a great size for desktop use/replacement......but if you want easier portability go for the 15".

 

[PieMac]

I've had a number of 14" iBooks, a 12" G4 iBook...

That's one of the deciding factors in my going with the 17" powerbook...I have a 14" iBook (that I will soon be Ebaying) and I figured that the 15" screen wouldn't be that big of a difference.

What case did you get for your 17"?

 

[Jovian9]

What case did you get for your 17"?

I bought a case made by Macally. I bought this b/c I carry around various cables, CD-R's/DVD-R's, a stand, headphones for my iPod, my iPod, a mouse, and some games and this case holds them all. This case also fits so that the strap hangs on one shoulder while the PB is on the other side of the body which helps distribute the weight while carrying it. It's a great durable case with lots of pockets and room. Here is a link to it:

http://shop.macconnection.com/web/S...hLogID={7193C99F-DED9-4CDC-BC74-EED00B0A19BA}

You might also look into getting a PowerSleevz and a ScreensavRz to slide your case into (protect the outside) and put over your keyboard when closing the PB to keep the keys from pressing on the screen and to keep the oils from your fingers from going from the keys onto the screen (these can also be used to clean the screen). These protect the PB very well. Here is a link to these:

http://thinkdifferentstore.com/index.php?cPath=35&osCsid=b1356e96aa163d7072f0103f77f511ed

Hope this helps!

 

[PieMac]

Many thanks for the info!

 

[Lancetx]

Thanks! That's really encouraging to hear! Is it running good for you? Any dead or stuck pixels?

It's been great so far in the 2 weeks since it arrived. It showed up in perfect shape with no dead pixels and I haven't regretted going with the 17" at all. As far as cases go, I went with a Vanguard aluminum case and a Tucano Second Skin sleeve. I know it's probably overkill to first put it in a sleeve and then into a hard aluminum case, but I wanted to make absolutely sure it was protected really well. The iCurve has also been great for using it on a desk with an external keyboard/mouse and you'll definitely be glad you picked that up as well.

 

[heaven]

Congrats! You will love your PB! Now you can really show off infront of your friends Trust me

 

[PieMac]

Got it!

I received my 17" today and it really is impressive. Amazon did a great job packaging it and they got it to me within 3 days (and that was with their free "Super Saver Shipping"!). Not to mention that I saved some moola which will come in handy for picking up a case and some knick-knacks for it (I'm thinking Apple wireless keyboard, mouse, and adding a stick of 512 RAM to up the total to 1 GB just for good measure...although it's doing just great on the stock 512). Is this difficult to do? I just noticed that the manual recommends that you take it to an Apple service center for this but I've always upgraded my own RAM on my iBook, PowerMac, and my other half's iMac.

I am majorly impressed with how sleek, thin, and elegent the design is despite it's size...that alone, plus the amazing screen, really more than make up for the extra two inches. Of course, I will be using it primarily around the house and at my desk (I am typing this from the sofa). I don't find it awkward at all on my lap...and I am used to using a 14" iBook for a portable. My only regret is that I am going to have to Ebay my PowerMac and iBook to afford it...but I know it's worth it.

I have to chuckle at those who rave about the size issue...drama queens!

 

[cursorx]

Second thoughts?

It's been great so far in the 2 weeks since it arrived. It showed up in perfect shape with no dead pixels and I haven't regretted going with the 17" at all. As far as cases go, I went with a Vanguard aluminum case and a Tucano Second Skin sleeve. I know it's probably overkill to first put it in a sleeve and then into a hard aluminum case, but I wanted to make absolutely sure it was protected really well. The iCurve has also been great for using it on a desk with an external keyboard/mouse and you'll definitely be glad you picked that up as well.

So now u aren't wishing u had got the 15? I mean u must be using pretty regularly so the size/weight now doesn't bother you at all? Any second thoughts?

 

[PieMac]

Follow-up

After using my new 17" PowerBook for a few days now, I can say that the size really isn't an issue...you adjust to it quickly. I love the screen size (my eyes are grateful) and I definitely feel that it is a fair trade-off. Too, it's so thin and sleek...and that also offsets the size.

I struggled with this same decision for two weeks but I kept coming back to my gut feeling which was the 17". What also helped me make my decision was honestly reaccessing my needs: I was going to be using my PowerBook as a desktop replacement as well as a portable, but I knew that I wouldn't be traveling any large degree with it. I use it mainly around the house, sometimes outside, the occasional trip to the local coffee house, and on trips home to see my family. And screen size was a big factor to me. I really got used to my 17" Studio display and before I graduated to that set-up, I used a 14" iBook which was a great little machine, but after a year and a half, I started jonesing for a larger display. The 15" PB wouldn't have been a major difference. The 17" definitely is and I am very glad I went with it. Anyway, hope this helps and that you reach your decision soon!

 

[DJY]

Two months for me and my 17" this weekend as well!!!!

Still very in love and still very much in awe of it, the screen, the OS!

New switcher - who is unsure how long I will be known as a new switcher?

 

[Abstract]

Not that this seems to be a great issue, but I just wanted to add that if you don't travel alot, go with the 17". I have a 12", and while I love bringing it to school everyday, once I finish school, I would want a 17".

There are so many things people don't consider when choosing their PB. Firstly, while the 12" is super portable for carrying around, its actually quite awkward to use on your lap. I don't do this often, but when I do, its difficult. Why? Because the footprint is so small that I feel as though its going to fall between my legs and hit the ground. It just doesn't feel comfortable. A 15" would fit better than a 12" or 17". I like my 12" though.

Another consideration: If you're going to go portable, the 15" has a shorter battery life than the 17". Yes, that's right. The 15" has the worst battery life of all the Powerbooks. Same battery as the 12", and the 12" can last for about 4 hours on battery life if you're ONLY using Word. The 15" usually lasts less than 3 hours. The 17" has a bigger battery than the 15" and 12", which compensates for the size. This is one reason for the 1.2lbs difference in weight. It would be worth it for Apple to put in the 17" battery into the 15" and make it a tad bit heavier.

The 1280 x 854 resolution of the 15" isn't THAT much greater than the 1024x768 res of the 12", meaning that it doesn't make that much difference in screen real estate. You may as well get the 17" and get the screen real estate that warrants a laptop size greater than the 12". No point going bigger than the 12" if it isn't that much bigger.

 

[PieMac]

Another consideration: If you're going to go portable, the 15" has a shorter battery life than the 17". Yes, that's right. The 15" has the worst battery life of all the Powerbooks.

Last night I got 4.5 hours in battery life...and that was while surfing the net with airport on (had bluetooth off).
That's even better than I got on my iBook.

 

[Sven071]

I got my 15" pb a few 2 weeks ago, and i am very pleased with the screen size, its just right...................... bow when i look at 14in notebooks, they all look funny to me with out the wide screen................. just my 2 cents

 

[PeterD42]

I think if you are going to use it mainly on the desktop I'd go for the 17inch. I love my 15inch and really compared to my old 13 inch Toshiba it is physically smaller. If you are only going to use it occasionally as a "lap" top you could still use the 17inch for this prurpose.

 

[Lancetx]

So now u aren't wishing u had got the 15? I mean u must be using pretty regularly so the size/weight now doesn't bother you at all? Any second thoughts?

None whatsoever. Like I said in a previous post, the extra 1.2 lbs is barely noticeable. I absolutely love it and would highly recommend it to anyone. I see that PieMac feels the same now that he has his too.

 

[PieMac]

None whatsoever. Like I said in a previous post, the extra 1.2 lbs is barely noticeable. I absolutely love it and would highly recommend it to anyone. I see that PieMac feels the same now that he has his too.

Yep...wouldn't trade it! And I highly recommend Amazon.com as place of purchase and I'm sure Lancetx would agree.

 

[Lancetx]

Yep...wouldn't trade it! And I highly recommend Amazon.com as place of purchase and I'm sure Lancetx would agree.

Absolutely. I'm quite happy to hear that your experience with getting your PB from them was as good as mine was. I'll definitely look there first again next time I'm in the market for a new Mac.

 

[wiregen]

I am having doubts on mine. I put mine on the for sale/trade for a 15" or a 12".

-Truthfully my biggiest issue is not the weight, but the size and how I need to get an unconvential bag to carry it around.
-Not only that during lections, its so big it attracts attention, in a bad way. always have to sit in the back of the class to get anything done without someone staring. Which is good only if I was in a starbucks.
-My other gripe is how much room it takes...which i quickly remedied by just using the powerbook as my writing space...did i mention is a pretty good place to leave quick post its notes?

Which leaves me to my thoughts. Is there a good bag with this laptop to carry books/my laptop/and that is a messanger not backpack style that looks good but also protects? If I actually find a decent messanger style backpack I might actaully keep this, thats my only biggiest annoyance..since I bring this everywhere I go via/ powersleeve and carrying my normal backpack..which is a pain.

 

[Lancetx]

I am having doubts on mine. I put mine on the for sale/trade for a 15" or a 12".

-Truthfully my biggiest issue is not the weight, but the size and how I need to get an unconvential bag to carry it around.
-Not only that during lections, its so big it attracts attention, in a bad way. always have to sit in the back of the class to get anything done without someone staring. Which is good only if I was in a starbucks.
-My other gripe is how much room it takes...which i quickly remedied by just using the powerbook as my writing space...did i mention is a pretty good place to leave quick post its notes?

I don't blame you. If I were using mine for the same things you are, then I probably would have bought the 12" myself. But thankfully Apple gives us 3 choices so that pretty much fills any need a person may have. Hope it all works out for you.

 

[PieMac]

Which leaves me to my thoughts. Is there a good bag with this laptop to carry books/my laptop/and that is a messanger not backpack style that looks good but also protects? If I actually find a decent messanger style backpack I might actaully keep this, thats my only biggiest annoyance..since I bring this everywhere I go via/ powersleeve and carrying my normal backpack..which is a pain.

I highly recommend Waterfield. I ordered the sleeve with all of the works and it arrived in just two days and this was from across country with the standard $5.00 shipping! They have a large variety of bags specifically made for the PowerBook line. Some are on the pricey side, but I have no doubt they are worth it. My needs are minimal which is why I just went with the sleeve with foldover flap, shoulder strap with pad (bare none the most comfortable I've ever used...it actually has a "bungee" type effect to it), and the "piggyback" added for peripherals. Oh, and my 17" PowerBook fits perfectly and with ample protection. I had done a good bit of research on a bag/sleeve and found nothing but positive things about this company and their products...and I second that!

I previously had a Crumpler McBains Lovechild for my iBook and while it was a well constructed bag with great looks, this one blows it away.

 

[Rob587]

See Im kinda screwed when it comes to this decision. I really need the 17" b/c it needs to be a desktop replacement and I think its really sexy, but it will be for colllege and if I find my self wanting to type notes in class I deffinatley wolnt want to with the 17". Now I know you guys are gonna say "whats the problem just get the 12"", but Im pretty obsessed with the 17" and If I dont end up wanting to take notes in class or find it not that big of a deal ill regret not getting the 17".(dont really like the 15")