iBook 12.1" vs 14"

[dubbz]

I'm considering getting either the 12.1" or 14" 1GHz iBook and I'm curious if there's any difference between them beyond the size/weight difference.

Is there any difference in battery capasity? Does one of them get any hotter than the other? Any other differences I should be aware of?

I'm currently unsure which I should get. I'm thinking that 1024x768 on a 14" whould be easier on the eyes compared to a 12.1", which is why I'm considering it at all.

Edit: Main usage will involve browsing websites, text chat, listening to music and maybe the occational movie.

Edit2: Oh, and no PB. Already considered it. It's outside of my self imposed prize range, not too mention that I whould need to add more RAM, raising the price even higher.

 

[vraxtus]

I'm considering getting either the 12.1" or 14" 1GHz iBook and I'm curious if there's any difference between them beyond the size/weight difference.

Is there any difference in battery capasity? Does one of them get any hotter than the other? Any other differences I should be aware of?

I'm currently unsure which I should get. I'm thinking that 1024x768 on a 14" whould be easier on the eyes compared to a 12.1", which is why I'm considering it at all.

Personally my feeling has always been, if you have the money, screw an iBook and get a Powerbook... they just last longer (in terms of depreciation).

If you're forced to choose... I had a first gen dual USB iBook and I did like it for it's small size at 12". Honestly the resolution with smaller pixels never ever bothered me, but everyone's different.

 

[FriarCrazy]

I wouldn't go for the 14 if I were you, the extra screen size does not make up for the fact that the resolution is the same as the 12". I would suggest going for the 12" and giving it a substantial ram upgrade. Or, if you have the money, do as Vraxtus said and get a PB.

 

[Finiksa]

I have a 14" iBook and use a 12" Powerbook quite a bit. The 12" is an excellent size and not at all too small for viewing 1024x768, 14" seems a little blurry compared to the 12" because of the larger pixels, but not excessively. I think the 14" is the better option only if you don't have the best vision, I'll be getting a 12" next time.

The battery life is the same for both iBooks, the only real difference is you can BTO the 14" with a SuperDrive.

 

[lazymuoio]

battery life is the same and ive always said if you get a laptop get the maximum portablility you can a.k.a get the 12in, the screen size never bothered me but test it out at a retailer

 

[Brother Michael]

I love my 12" G3 iBook! I wouldn't mess around with the 14" screen, all you need is the TV converter that comes with the iBook to watch movies on a bigger screen with.

Other than that, screw the Powerbook, it's overkill for what you want to do...not to mention more expensive.

Mike

 

[Pomme]

I'm no expert. I just bought my iBook this summer, and I don't know anything about pixels or resolution or hardware. That said, I went with the 14". I visited an Apple store and played with both models... and while the 12" was cute and compact and a little more portable, I've found my 14" to be more practical for me.

1. I have terrible eyes. I'm always wearing contacts or glasses, but even then, my eyesight isn't anything great. The 14" is easier on my eyes, and I haven't found my screen to be blurry at all. To my uneducated eye, it seems perfectly crisp and bright!

2. My 14" is portable! I got a Tucano second skin, and the 'Book fits nicely in any regular-sized backpack. Very easy to carry around.

3. I'm using my iBook as a desktop replacement. This computer is coming to college with me, and ideally, it'll last four years. That said, I don't have the money for extras. I didn't want to deal with an external display or any of that hullaballoo. I needed a laptop. Period. And the 14" is small enough to fly 'cross county to school and back, but large enough to serve as my primary computer for school work and surfin' the web and such.

Whatever you get, you'll be happy with. The 14" is perfect for me, and I love my iBook. You're going to be blown out of the water when you get your computer--they're sleak, beautiful, intuitive little machines. It sounds like an iBook should be just fine for what you need it for... for me, a PB seemed a little over-the-top, not to mention more costly. The iBook is awesome, and my PC friends are intensely jealous.

 

[dubbz]

Thanks a bunch! Unfortunatly, there's noone around here selling Apple hardware so I don't have the chance to see one in action, but I think I'll go with the 12.1" and use the the extra cash to max out the diskspace

 

[vraxtus]

3. I'm using my iBook as a desktop replacement. This computer is coming to college with me, and ideally, it'll last four years. That said, I don't have the money for extras. I didn't want to deal with an external display or any of that hullaballoo. I needed a laptop. Period. And the 14" is small enough to fly 'cross county to school and back, but large enough to serve as my primary computer for school work and surfin' the web and such.

Whatever you get, you'll be happy with. The 14" is perfect for me, and I love my iBook. You're going to be blown out of the water when you get your computer--they're sleak, beautiful, intuitive little machines. It sounds like an iBook should be just fine for what you need it for... for me, a PB seemed a little over-the-top, not to mention more costly. The iBook is awesome, and my PC friends are intensely jealous.

I'd agree now that given what he described his uses for the iBook were, it makes more sense... but using a laptop as a total desktop replacement, to me, is frivolous unless you have the top of the line... not the bottom.

Laptops yes are made to be portable... but to last not really. Given that the current PB line has been out for over a year or so, and the design of the current iBook line has been out since 2001, you should consider the future. Should there be significant design changes in the near future to both lines, which given the history of Apple is quite likely, getting parts, i.e. batteries which only have a normal life of 2 years (I'd know since the battery on my iBook is practically dead) you have trouble getting the parts you need to maintain your laptop in the coming years. However seeing as how the person above listed that they were a cross country traveller, it's probably a better option than lugging a huge desktop all over the place. That said, caveat emptor, don't just buy for now... consider where you might be in a few years, and the extra cost you might incur to maintain that laptop!

 

[James L]

Hello,

I would get the 12" and max it... biggest HD you can afford, most ram you can afford, make sure you add in bluetooth (it is cheap to do and even if you don't want it now, you CAN'T add it in later internally... it is a now or never deal while it is at the factory), get your airport now if you can, etc. You will be happy with this machine for a while, assuming you are not a hardcore gamer (the 32MB of VRAM is limiting). I priced this out on the american apple store, no discounts (i.e., educational or ADC):

Summary

• 768MB DDR266 SDRAM (256MB built-in & 512MB SO-DIMM)
• 60GB Ultra ATA drive
• Combo (DVD-ROM/CD-RW)
• AirPort Extreme Card
• Bluetooth Module
• Keyboard/Mac OS X - U.S. English
• 12-inch TFT XGA display
• 1GHz PowerPC G4
• ATI Mobility Radeon 9200 w/ 32MB DDR video memory

Subtotal $1,503.00


I don't know what your price limit is, but that is a decent laptop for what you want. Remember that the two best ways to extend the life of your machine are more RAM and larger HD space, so max these right away if you can!

Cheers,

James

p.s. With regards to the above post I just bought a new replacement battery from apple for a 3 year old iBook!

 

[vraxtus]

Yeah, thankfully you can still get parts... but that's because the current design model is still available!

As for the setup... you could buy extra RAM and a newer internal HD for cheaper, assuming you know how to install them.

 

[dubbz]

snip

Exactly what I had in mind, except that I whould go with 256mb and buy extra RAM cheaper, elsewhere.

I'm in a dillemma now, though, because I whould be maxing the HD and adding bluetooth and airport... the 12" powerbook have the same sized HD by default, and bt and ap included.. Add in that I also got a rebate code in the e-mail from Apple recently, that I had forgot about, and the PB suddenly seem more tempting... and possible...

 

[soccerfan]

I debated about the 14" iBook and figured out that on a student discount it was about the same price as a 12" PB.

When all the comparisons were done I went with the 12" PB. I've had it two weeks and LOVE it. The screen is definitely not too small.

I'd make the same purchase decision again.

 

[lasuther]

The 12" has the same resolution as the 14", so get the 12". I do think you should consider the PowerBook. The 64MB graphics card, faster processor, and DVI is very nice. Also core capabilities in Tiger will not be compatible with the current iBook.

Also, don't forget about the $200 discount when you buy a iPod and xBook.

 

[dubbz]

Just put in an order for the 12" PB, w/80GB HD. I could hear the bank account crying out in anguish as I pressed the button

Hopefully there's no funny business with my VISA, and the beauty will be shipped ASAP

 

[echeck]

All you can do is determine what your needs are (as you have already done so) and go from there.

I think a 12" iBook with 512 RAM (or more, wouldn't go less) and a larger hard drive than default would do you just fine.

As far as longevity is concerned, this is a sketchy subject in regards to computers. Technology changes so fast it's nearly impossible to judge what you should buy and what you should wait on. If you wait for the next technology to come out, you'll never actually buy anything!

If you have a need for the iBook now, then buy it now. iBook's are wonderful machines, and the great thing about Apple computers is that you will have this laptop for years and it will still run great. Sure it may not be as quick with some of the upcoming software, but it will still chunk its way through it.

Wonderful machines, Macs are.

I'm about two weeks away from buying my own 12" iBook w/ iPod through Cram and Jam. I can't wait!

Cheers!


EDIT: Note to self: Refresh page before posting response. Congrats on your upcoming 12" PB!!