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Anyone use their 12" ibook/pbook as their main computer?

I've used a 12" PowerBook for the last year, and had happily used Photoshop, Illustrator and InDesign quite happily with it. Not that extra screen wouldn't have been nice, but was still very happy. Safari etc was absolutely fine. then I started using Dreamweaver and that was the first time I found it inconvenient to have the smaller screen. Having said that, I find the portability to be vastly more useful than the minor inconvenience of occasionally wanting the smaller screen, as I 'use' the portability far more.
 
I'm going to be using a 12" 'Book as my main computer for college next year, and I'm glad to hear that nobody has huge complaints about the form factor. I've grown used to my 13.3" Latitude (1024x768) and I think a little smaller would be ideal.

I use Desktop manager on my iMac. It makes 1024x768 bearable.
 
I use a 12" Powerbook as my primary and only computer. As soon as I got it I sent my PC down the road and have not missed it. I am also a student and the 12" is ultra portable I have not even plugged it into my router for over 4 months. I simply use it anywhere I please, watching TV, at my desk, or work. Screen size has not been an issue, it was an easy transition from a 17" CRT to the 12". I personnally would not bother buying a stationary home based machine, portability is to much of a convienience.
 
I keep my 15" PB on iCurve at home while I take my 12" PB with me when I travel on business. The current 12" P B is powerful enough to meet my computing needs such as Photoshop, InDesign, Illustrator, Macromedia MX2004 Studio and etc. I have 20" and 23" ACD and I use 20" for this 12" PB at home to increase the screen space. Using Adobe CS2 on this 12" screen is a little tough because of its limited space; but this is true for any 12" notebook computer. The screen size will be solved by getting a nice large LCD screen. If this one breaks in the future, I will get the similar model from Apple.
 
I used my iBook G3 500Mhz as my main computer for a while. It was a little old to be using as a main computer, so it was hard, but as far as size, it was perfect. My iBook G4 that I ordered will be my main computer!
 
When I got my 12" iBook G4 800mhz I moved my old PC to the basement and havn't missed it (or hardly even used it) since. I went from a 17" CRT to this 12" LCD, and didn't really miss anything.

That was about 16 months ago, and now I am definately feeling cramped while I'm at my desk, as I don't sit super close to the screen. I'm either to compliment the iBook with a nice 20" display or an iMac.

However the 12" screen is ace while its on my lap in my bed or out and about.
 
Also, does anyone else feel like the screens on the 12" pbook/ibook are a bit dim? I played with the store models and they seemed more dim compared to the 14" ibook and the rest of the pbook line. Just a question...
 
Agreed

tsk said:
I used one as my main system *with* a monitor. That worked fine. I don't know that I could manage all the time on 1024x768 resolution. It's fine when you're trying to be portable, but a little cramped in general.
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I've been using my 12" powerbook (upgraded with 1.25 GB of RAM) for 7 months now since I sold my Powermac on Ebay. It is EXTREMELY convenient to surf in the living room/kitchen, etc. with the wireless connection, but the screen is small. I'll be getting an iMac soon, maybe. I might wait for Intel for my iMac, especially since I'll be buying my dad a Macmini this week for his birthday :).
 
I do. Works great. I also have a 15" screen (1024x768) that I use on occasion with it.

PowerBook 12" Rev. C and I love it... sometimes I wish for more screen real estate, but Exposé does a really good job with helping me. And iScroll 2 works wonders, better than Apple's simply because I gain a right-click function with it.
 
Mechcozmo said:
I do. Works great. I also have a 15" screen (1024x768) that I use on occasion with it.

PowerBook 12" Rev. C and I love it... sometimes I wish for more screen real estate, but Exposé does a really good job with helping me. And iScroll 2 works wonders, better than Apple's simply because I gain a right-click function with it.
Click to expand...

What do you do to right click? I thought it just did scroll?
 
My 12" PB was my main computer for the last 2 years. I recently replaced it with the 15", and I miss the portability and battery life of the 12". I appreciate the larger display of the 15, but the 12" did not feel cramped to me over those 2 years. The 12" PB was my favorite computer ever, of many.
 
I don't have my PB yet, but I am planning on getting the 12". I only use the internet, Word, and iTunes and some lite Photoshop Elements. I have seen it in person a like the size of it. The 1024 x 768 is a good enough resolution for everyday things. I am sure that if you were a heavy Photoshop user, video editor, website designer then the 15" or even the 17" would be much better choice obviosly.
 
MUCKYFINGERS said:
I'm going to be moving out for college next year (2nd year college student now), and I'm wondering if anyone uses their 12" ibook/pbook as their main computer? And also, does the screen size matter?
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i am not currently a student, not away at school anyways, but for a long time a pc laptop and and g3 ibook were our main machines...we live in a small house so it was basically a necessity to have laptops if we were to have two machines booted up daily

...now we use just one dual g4 desktop and it does all we want and really, besides the more comfy desktop apple keyboard and larger adjustable lcd monitor, laptops and desktops for most things are the same

as long as you don't get way into gaming or heavy graphics/video editing, the ibook or powerbook should be able to be your sole computer

these days, many are making a laptop their main and only computer and though there is no easy way to make a laptop that comfortable to use for six hour stretches, it's suitable for almost anyone

and once you get used to a 12" inch lcd screen, you won't find a need to have a large viewing area
 
MUCKYFINGERS said:
Can someone answer my question about the brightness of the 12" i/pbook? ;)
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Many other people have made the same comment you have, so you are probably correct. OTOH, your eyes are very adaptable, and in most indoors circumstances, I have found the 12" screen to be satisfactorily bright. It doesn't do so well in bright direct light, though, like outside or by a window on a really bright summer day.
 
I've also used my 12" PB Rev. B as a main computer for the past two years. It's worked great, and it's survived being lugged around in a backpack every day (something, ironically, that my old iBook couldn't handle!!!).

I recently purchased a 19" LCD monitor, and it works very nicely. I would definitely recommend the PowerBook 12" because it can fit anywhere a normal 8.5 x 11" book will fit.

-S
 
I've used my 12in. PB almost exclusively for the year I've had it. My windows machine is sitting and waiting to be replaced as soon as the Mini gets updated.
 
I've used a 12 inch iBook as my main computer for about two years until I recently got a new 17 inch iMac. To be honest, the iBook was perfectly adequate but I had some cash burning a hole in my pocket and I really couldn't resist the latest iMacs so I had to get one. Still, the 12 inch laptops are fine for most uses/users.
 
I use my 14" iBook as my main computer, and that works fine for me. I use Office, iLife, Photoshop mainly, and find the screen fine.

Not sure on 12" though . . .

::20ROGERSC::
 
ITASOR said:
Now someone answer my question, please. :D :) :eek:
Click to expand...
Heres the answer to your question!

iScroll does not only do scrolling, but you can set it so tapping the trackpad does a selected mouse command, in this case, a right hand click.

Hope this helps.

::20ROGERSC::
 
I use my rev a PB has my main computer, and until about months ago I just used it as a laptop. Now I have a 15" LCD screen and USB Keyboard+Mouse so I use it as a desktop.

**edit**
I've been using this is my maine computer since I moved out of my parents house in August '03 to attend UMaine for New Media. I live off campus and my PB goes with me anywhere I need a computer.
 
amin said:
My 12" PB was my main computer for the last 2 years. I recently replaced it with the 15", and I miss the portability and battery life of the 12". I appreciate the larger display of the 15, but the 12" did not feel cramped to me over those 2 years. The 12" PB was my favorite computer ever, of many.
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Wow, so you actually prefferred the smaller, less expensive 12" over the 15". What do you do? I'm trying to decide between the 12" or 15" for college.
 
crazydreaming said:
Wow, so you actually prefferred the smaller, less expensive 12" over the 15". What do you do? I'm trying to decide between the 12" or 15" for college.
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I am getting the 12". It is perfect for my needs. You have to ask yourself what are you going to be doing with this laptop? Regular school stuff (Word, internet, iTunes, etc) the 12" should be fine and saves you at least $400. Since they basically have the same hardware inside except the GPU, they will preform pretty equal if you get the 1.5GHz 15" or any 12".
 
MUCKYFINGERS said:
I'm going to be moving out for college next year (2nd year college student now), and I'm wondering if anyone uses their 12" ibook/pbook as their main computer? And also, does the screen size matter?
Click to expand...

I use my 12" Rev.C for my main computer. Size is never a factor for me because i constantly have it on an iCurve hooked up to a 17" LCD. That setup is workin find for me in college.
 
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