Is the 12" really that much more portable than the 15"?

[Chip NoVaMac]

True. Those are nice to haves. Not necessities.



Which comment I made led you to make that assumption?
(No offense, just curious)

I upgrade my digital cameras about every 3 years. But that is mainly due to the slow improvements made in this field.
I do upgrade my cell phone every 1-2 years... does that help also?

Ok serious now, I don't know it is weird but I hate to make decisions for myself. It's easier making decisions based on the needs of others. Because for yourself you have to actually find out what you want.





Yeah, I guess my point was not wanting to think about buying another book for at least 2, preferrably 3 years. I guess I underestimated Apple's invention cycle

Ok I took your advice and went to a store to check 'em both out. And I took my iBook to compare. First two objections I had towards the 15" were gone pretty fast. First, the weight, it is not as heavy as I thought. Compared to my iBook a pretty neglectable difference. Second, it fits in the bag I have. Barely but it does. So the size... compared to my iBook it really was not that much bigger, just wider. Nothing I couldn't handle I think.
Now here comes the catch... when compared to the 12" pb it looks quite larger. But I guess I have to compare it to the iBook since this is my gauge. So I could gain a bit by buying the 12" or I could lose a bit buying the 15" since my iBook is somewhat in the middle.

Now what really made me think were two things. The first one being the backlit keyboard. I rarely have any lights on when sitting at my desk at night, and right now there are quite some moments where I would like to have it, so this would be a big plus. And the second is the adjusting display brightness according to the surrounding environment. I just catch myself turning the screen brightness down at night so often.
The better specs would definately let me keep the book longer and let me play some games, although I think the 12" would be fine for that too. And if I remember correctly the last time I played a game was almost a year ago. So call me a hardcore gamer

My problem is that neither is the portability that important that I would need the 12" desperately(I think the 15" would be portable enough since it fits in my non-laptop looking bag ) nor are the better specs or keyboard that important to choose the 15".
So I am kind of stuck here. I know I have to make that decision but your opinions definitely help. So thanks for that and thanks for reading.

<edit: spelling - I shouldn't write stuff with my eyes half closed>

The reason i asked about the camera upgrades is that I work for a dealer. And I see to often people buying the newest DSLR as they come out. Whether they need it or not. If you fell in to that group, then maybe buying the top end notebook makes sense.

I think for what you are doing, you will find the 12" a great combo. You probably already know how deceiving size and weight can be with camera gear.

 

[denm316]

I am i the same boat, thinking of a 12 or 15. However I keep thinking to myself that this a a notebook. I want the easiest and smallest thing possible, hence the 12 inch. I also love the look of the 15 inch.

I played with them at the Apple store and the screens dont seem to have a huge difference. But when I closed them and picked them up, the 15 inch was a noticeably larger notebook to carry.

I say go for the 12 inch, thats what I am doing.

 

[Diatribe]

Which is more important:
1. Portability
2. Screen Estate

This is the major factor in your decision, since price hasn't been listed by you so far. If 1 - 12", if 2 - 15". That's mainly it.

The question is not this but rather which is more important:
1. Portability
2. Backlit keyboard, automatic display dimming

And this is what I cannot decide on.

 

[Diatribe]

You're exactly like me I was hoping for Apple to put a backlit keyboard in the 12", because, as stupid as it may sound, this would be the main reason for me to buy a 15". Besides that one point, I would always chose the 12", but this feature is just so cool
I assume the automatic adjustment of brightness only works in the models with backlit keyboard Well, for battery life, it wouldn't matter much, because the 12" generally lasts longer... and if you manually turn down the brightness (which isn't that much work)...
I just looked up the tests done by MacLife (of course the old models, but it'll be similar on these ones):
12": DVD-Playback 2,25h, normal work 4,1h
15": DVD-Playback 2,18h, normal work 3,4h
This is without any adjustments to brightness etc... the differences aren't that big, but coming from an 12" iBook, you might want to consider that, too...

Yeah, isn't this silly? To consider a 15" because of this feature? It's just I'd have so much use for it and I have another mature reason. But I want to... I want to...
I know it's silly but I just love this feature. I just cannot decide if this would be more important over portability since I love the small footprint of my iBook and I am usually all for small sizes in all gadgets.
The other thing is when I thought about the next book I'd buy(this one) I made a list of features I'd like to have and the only ones not met were the fw800, the Gigabit Ethernet(which I can live without) and the backlit keyboard(which is just the decision right now)
I didn't even plan on having a 128mb graphics card but now it sounds intriguing. The question is if the Geforce would be enough for 2 things: Play WoW and to hook up a 20"+ external monitor to it. If yes, I guess I could live with it spec wise. The only thing I have to decide on then is as stated above:
1.portability
2.backlit keyboard

 

[Diatribe]

The reason i asked about the camera upgrades is that I work for a dealer. And I see to often people buying the newest DSLR as they come out. Whether they need it or not. If you fell in to that group, then maybe buying the top end notebook makes sense.

I think for what you are doing, you will find the 12" a great combo. You probably already know how deceiving size and weight can be with camera gear.

Yeah I hear you. I like new features but not if they do not distinguish the new product a lot from the former. The only reason for me to replace my 4MP digital elph from Canon is if they'd put a better flash, a better video resolution in it or make it even smaller. Other than that I am happy with it.

 

[rueyeet]

The question is not this but rather which is more important:
1. Portability
2. Backlit keyboard, automatic display dimming

And this is what I cannot decide on.

While the auto-dimmer is cool, I always found that the computer screen lights the keyboard well enough to see what I'm typing. So unless you're working in an environment where there is specific need for this, I'd weigh more on portability.

I don't have both, but my brother-in-law does, and I can tell you that the 12" just feels tiny and eminently carry-able. In fact, it just almost invites you to pick it up and go, with its tidy little package--I've seen day-planners bigger than this thing. The 15", by contrast, is like a thick pad of full-size paper. Big enough to know you're really carrying something. It's a surprising difference.

 

[thirteen1031]

15"--BE HAPPY!

Yeah, isn't this silly? To consider a 15" because of this feature? It's just I'd have so much use for it and I have another mature reason. But I want to... I want to...

It sounds to me like you WANT the 15". And in the end, that's the single most important reason to get it.

GET IT.

Trust me on this. If you NEEDED the 12" portablity--if for example you flew to and from business meetings weekly and needed that 12" for lightness and being able to fit on an airline tray table, then that would be different. Then it would be harder to justify the 15" Or if you wanted that 12", if you'd taken one look at it and couldn't keep your eyes off how adorably small and cute it was, then that would be different.

But you don't NEED the 12" tiny footprint and you don't seem to WANT it either.

On the other hand, in just about every post you seem to be leaning toward that 15". You want that back-lit keyboard and the larger screen, the potential to play games, the better specs. You want it and, MOST important, you believe these things will keep you from regretting your decision. You say again and again, you'll probably keep the 15" for more years--which means it will pay for itself. You will use it and be productive.

Wanting features is a good enough reason to get the 15". The potential to be happier and more productive with a 15" is a good enough reason to get it. You don't have to NEED a 15" to justify getting it--you only need to have the money for it. Get it, and be happy

 

[shortyjj]

Making the switch... to a PB

I just got my 12" PB yesterday, upgraded from the 14.1" iBook (G3). I thought there would be a huge difference when I looked at the screen, and maybe b/c they're the same resolution, there isn't. Things look _slightly_ smaller, but crisper.

On the other hand, I used to think my laptop was portable.. until I tried carrying it around to class. It was a pain to lug around. This thing is much lighter, and soon I'll be carrying it everywhere.

 

[denm316]

I still agree its a tough decision, but at least you will love either one you get.

 

[Diatribe]

It sounds to me like you WANT the 15". And in the end, that's the single most important reason to get it.

GET IT.

Trust me on this. If you NEEDED the 12" portablity--if for example you flew to and from business meetings weekly and needed that 12" for lightness and being able to fit on an airline tray table, then that would be different. Then it would be harder to justify the 15" Or if you wanted that 12", if you'd taken one look at it and couldn't keep your eyes off how adorably small and cute it was, then that would be different.

But you don't NEED the 12" tiny footprint and you don't seem to WANT it either.

On the other hand, in just about every post you seem to be leaning toward that 15". You want that back-lit keyboard and the larger screen, the potential to play games, the better specs. You want it and, MOST important, you believe these things will keep you from regretting your decision. You say again and again, you'll probably keep the 15" for more years--which means it will pay for itself. You will use it and be productive.

Wanting features is a good enough reason to get the 15". The potential to be happier and more productive with a 15" is a good enough reason to get it. You don't have to NEED a 15" to justify getting it--you only need to have the money for it. Get it, and be happy

Damn you for being so observative. No, thanks for just saying what I wasn't quite ready to admit. I guess the only thing that had me thinking was that I just needed to know whether I wasn't giving up on to much portability when I was considering the 15", hence my thread title...
The thing is if I get it and then think it's to large on my lap when lying in bed or to big to carry it around I am going to kick myself in the butt. Anyways you're right I am definitely leaning towards the 15"... a lot. It's just the beforementioned that keeps me from making the final decision. I wish I knew someone who had the 15" I could borrow for an hour or two.
Oh well thanks anyway for making a really good point.

<edit: Actually I am sitting on my couch right now while I type this and I'd be pissed if I couldn't do this anymore>

 

[shortyjj]

Spend as much time as you want in the store, but it'll still never be a good guide of life outside the store.

Case in point: I bought a 55" widescreen television which looked smallish in the store, but now I realize it barely fits in the room. And with decisions like these, they're hard to undo and you live with them for years....

 

[thirteen1031]

The thing is if I get it and then think it's to large on my lap when lying in bed or to big to carry it around I am going to kick myself in the butt.

If that's all you're worried about, stop worrying. It's going to be perfectly comfortable on your lap when lying in bed (though it really would be better to use a tray/breakfast table--much more stable surface for ANY laptop) and it's certainly not too big to carry around. The 15" is 5.7 lbs. That's about .8 heavier than your current iBook.

It's a bit of a sacrifice...but in enchange for a backlit keyboard and the extra game power...worth it don't ya think?

 

[Diatribe]

Spend as much time as you want in the store, but it'll still never be a good guide of life outside the store.

Case in point: I bought a 55" widescreen television which looked smallish in the store, but now I realize it barely fits in the room. And with decisions like these, they're hard to undo and you live with them for years....

Great, that made me feel comfy

 

[Diatribe]

If that's all you're worried about, stop worrying. It's going to be perfectly comfortable on your lap when lying in bed (though it really would be better to use a tray/breakfast table--much more stable surface for ANY laptop) and it's certainly not too big to carry around. The 15" is 5.7 lbs. That's about .8 heavier than your current iBook.

It's a bit of a sacrifice...but in enchange for a backlit keyboard and the extra game power...worth it don't ya think?

Screw the stability if it doesn't feel big on your lap it's all right. I've just never had a huge laptop. Oh well a 14" Samsung but I've never used that as much as I do my iBook now. I guess since this is going to be only computer it's better not to make any sacrifices, well some I you always have to make, but that's life I guess.
I will go to the store again and check it out one last time and then decide.
By the way what are you using?

 

[thirteen1031]

By the way what are you using?

12" Powerbook. I was asked if I wanted a 15"--didn't even give it a 2nd look. I found the 12" irresistable.