Sidebar Sidebar
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

Powerbooks? iBooks?

I think that fit a bit larger screen in the original sized iBook was a better idea.
The 12.1 iBook has some space around the screen, reducing this border it's not impossible to reach a 13 diagonal.
The reduced border always makes great effetc and makes resemble the screen larger than real.
 
more resolution

i'm more on the tech side of the isle (EECS undergrad), but the current low Ti resolution is the ONLY issue keeping me from getting one now. I'm going to wait til the next revision.
14' PC laptops have offered 1400x1050 and 1600x1200 for years now--a 1536x1024 display would be less tight than even the 1400x1050. I'm currently using an iMac at 1024x768 and feel very squashed. OS X's oversized menus demand more resolution. I know BTO adds to Apple's overhead, but at the very least they should offer a better display as an option.
By the way, there is MacNN forum thread from a year ago echoing my sentiments.
http://forums.macnn.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic&f=17&t=001155
 
I think that pretty much all of the unix people who have adopted, or are thinking of adopting, the TiBooks would agree - increased screen resolution would be one of the most looked for features. In particular, this would allow us to have terminals that can be smaller for the same 'text readability' - or alternatively, keep the same physical size but have a nice anti-aliased font. This applies to pretty much most applications, actually - you can generally change either the font size or the scale at which a document is viewed. And the menu strip at the top could do with being a bit smaller in any case...
 
Although I should add, that what would be of even more benefit than increasing the screen resolution, without changing the hardware at all, would be for Apple to introduce a better anti-aliasing scheme. The current one is not exactly state of the art. Perhaps they could license Adobe's "CoolType" pixel-subsampling system for use in OS X? This would give an increase in effective resolution for LCD screens without them having to change the LCD displays on the powerbooks at all.
 
Originally posted by 240vac
Although I should add, that what would be of even more benefit than increasing the screen resolution, without changing the hardware at all, would be for Apple to introduce a better anti-aliasing scheme. The current one is not exactly state of the art. Perhaps they could license Adobe's "CoolType" pixel-subsampling system for use in OS X? This would give an increase in effective resolution for LCD screens without them having to change the LCD displays on the powerbooks at all.
Click to expand...

I would like to see Apple add the ability to change the font size that is used by the system, desktop and folders. I typically use either 10 or 11 point Arial under OS 9.2.2. They probably could do something with the type color to allow you to either change it, depending on what your background/desktop color/image is. Or have it adjust on the fly (depending on what the background is).
 
OS X's rendering system (Quartz) is already resolution independent. You can see this when you shrink a quicktime movie into the dock and it continues to play. However, much of the system interface is still drawn using bitmapped images that were never meant to change resolution.

With a little effort (well, maybe more than a little) OS X and in particular its finder could be made completely resolution independent (via higher resolution bitmaps or even vector graphics for critical interface elements like buttons, bars, etc.). Instead of messing around with monitor resolution by choosing presets you could work a slider that controls the relative sizes of the menubar, individual windows, etc, rendering vector graphics appropriately and antialiasing bitmaps to the fullest extent of the technology. Come to think of it making the resizing process user friendly might be a little tricky, but I'm sure apple would be up to it. They could even make the process automatic. A resolution independent (but aware) GUI interface would completely free users from the constraints of existing interfaces. Ultimately it's going to be essential anyway, as VERY high resolution monitors penetrate the marketplace... especially in the professional disciplines of graphics (Apple's forte), science (their newest opportunity), and engineering (the ultimate market).

Quartz makes it possible. I suspect they're working on it already.
 
cryptochrome

I suspect that you are correct in thinking that Apple is already working on that. We might see something like it with 10.1.3 or 10.2, but may not be fully implimented until 10.3 or later.

For Apple to go with a higher resolution lcd in the laptops would most likely increase the price tag. Right now, they are at a good spot, and I think more people would complain about the prices going up, then about the lack of higher resolution numbers.
 
Re: more resolution

Originally posted by Unregistered
i'm more on the tech side of the isle (EECS undergrad), but the current low Ti resolution is the ONLY issue keeping me from getting one now. I'm going to wait til the next revision.
14' PC laptops have offered 1400x1050 and 1600x1200 for years now--a 1536x1024 display would be less tight than even the 1400x1050. I'm currently using an iMac at 1024x768 and feel very squashed. OS X's oversized menus demand more resolution. I know BTO adds to Apple's overhead, but at the very least they should offer a better display as an option.
By the way, there is MacNN forum thread from a year ago echoing my sentiments.
http://forums.macnn.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic&f=17&t=001155
Click to expand...

whoa momma. i've seen 15" screens with 1280x1024 and that's really the max i'd go. i once saw 1600x1200 on a dell and that was a joke. how people use that is beyond me. i'd have a headache in five minutes.

and BTO isn't really an option when you're talking about LCD screens. as far as apple's concerned, different size lcd means different product. and that makes sense too. apple doesn't deal with the economies of scale that dell does, so they can't offer the flexibility that dell does in some of its bto processes.
 
Originally posted by AlphaTech

I have seen one laptop (a peecee) set to a higher resolution and everything is so friggin small it's not even funny. About a week after the user set that resolution, he had to change it to a lower one because it was giving him too much eye strain (making him tired faster long before when it was set to lower numbers).
Click to expand...
hmmm, how'd he do that. after all, lcds have one native resolution, anything less and you're talking interpolation. i've seen a few pc laptops interpolate to 800x600 (from 1024x768) and it ain't pretty. macs laptops do a much much nicer job, but even then, it's still only good enough for games. i wouldn't set my ibook 500 to 800x600 as my normal work resolution.

All in all, I think Apple got the resolutions right, and they shouldn't change them. If they do, then 1280x1024 would be the maximum that I can recommend or will use on any screen.

Then again, it's a free country, so set yours to whatever you want, and keep getting those eye exams and paying for new lenses. Personally, my prescription has not changed in the past 2+ years (past two exams, one per year, gave the exact same prescription). I attribute this to getting contact lenses (they can have that affect on some people).
Click to expand...
i wish it were as easy as saying "set yours to whatever you want" but it's not. lcds have a single native resolution as i said above.

the only real solution to this is to have a 300dpi screen (like the ones ibm supposedly makes) and to make os x resolution independent. that way, the "1600x1200 on a 15" screen" people can have their space and the "800x600 on a 15" screen" people can still read. the OS would take care of all the recalculations needed. and in system preferences, you'd just have a slider control that resizes the screen elements. everything would always be readable because of the high resolution. we'd actually need to come up with a new screen measurement or benchmark because pixels would be irrelevant!

and then you can even have a few presets for people like print and graphic designers so it matches up with picas and whatever. but i'd put this at more like OS XI or even OS XII instead of 10.3. that's a huge architectural change and would affect all the programs that are running on the os.

ah, how sweet would that all be...

oh, getting contacts didn't change my rate of perscription changes. i've been wearing contacts for the past 6 years and my eyes didn't stop until the past two years. oh, and in the last exam, i found out i've got better than 20/20 vision with my current contacts. hooray!
 
Re: Re: more resolution

Originally posted by cmoney


whoa momma. i've seen 15" screens with 1280x1024 and that's really the max i'd go. i once saw 1600x1200 on a dell and that was a joke. how people use that is beyond me. i'd have a headache in five minutes.
Click to expand...

Thank you...
 
Originally posted by AlphaTech
well 'Unregistered' if that really is your name... get the asbestos shorts on cause here come da flames...
Click to expand...

Sorry, "Unregistered" was me, forgetting to login. :)

All your complaints are valid. I guess it's just a matter of preference - I would prefer 1536x1024, while I know others who would, and you would prefer 1152x768, while you know others who would as well. Okey-dokey. I think us 1536x1024'ers are probably a bit more numerous than the 1% you make us out to be, but, whatever.

It could be said that 1152x768 --> 1536x1024 would be a pretty big jump. How about a compromise? 1280x960? Still a little too low for me, but still a little high for you - perfect. :)

Alex
 
Originally posted by cmoney

i wish it were as easy as saying "set yours to whatever you want" but it's not. lcds have a single native resolution as i said above.

the only real solution to this is to have a 300dpi screen (like the ones ibm supposedly makes) and to make os x resolution independent. that way, the "1600x1200 on a 15" screen" people can have their space and the "800x600 on a 15" screen" people can still read. the OS would take care of all the recalculations needed. and in system preferences, you'd just have a slider control that resizes the screen elements. everything would always be readable because of the high resolution. we'd actually need to come up with a new screen measurement or benchmark because pixels would be irrelevant!
Click to expand...

There you go. Good thinking. Unfortunately, as you said, it's quite a ways away.

How about this solution: Apple should make what *I* want and everyone else can SHOVE IT!! :)

Yeah, I like that solution the best. :)

Alex
 
Originally posted by alex_ant


Sorry, "Unregistered" was me, forgetting to login. :)

All your complaints are valid. I guess it's just a matter of preference - I would prefer 1536x1024, while I know others who would, and you would prefer 1152x768, while you know others who would as well. Okey-dokey. I think us 1536x1024'ers are probably a bit more numerous than the 1% you make us out to be, but, whatever.

It could be said that 1152x768 --> 1536x1024 would be a pretty big jump. How about a compromise? 1280x960? Still a little too low for me, but still a little high for you - perfect. :)

Alex
Click to expand...

Ahh...

I think something along the compromise could work... We will all have to wait and see what Apple does though, and go from there.
 
AGAIN, ATI RADEON MOBILITY ON TV

could any of you Titanium owners please tell me, if the RADEON MOBILITY can display fullscreen thru the s-videojack?

someone please at least throw me a link to shut me up :)
 
Re: AGAIN, ATI RADEON MOBILITY ON TV

Originally posted by emdezet
could any of you Titanium owners please tell me, if the RADEON MOBILITY can display fullscreen thru the s-videojack?

someone please at least throw me a link to shut me up :)
Click to expand...

Well, I've never played any games on mine. The only time I've had mine connected to a TV was to play a DVD, and *that* worked full-screen, but I know that's probably not the same as a game. I don't see why a game *wouldn't* display full-screen with video mirroring, but...

The only link I could give that might help would be one to Google.

Alex
 
Re: NO TO 14inch!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Originally posted by digitalrampage
I work in an Apple reseller, and the 14 inch iBooks are not that incredibly popular.

The best feature about the 12 inch iBook is its size... thats a major selling point to children, students etc...

To go 14 inch across the line would be stupid! A higher res on the top of the line would be good, but ditching the 12 inch would certainly reduce sales...

:eek:

So dont say DieBook... the 12 inch has to stay, in at least a combo format.
Click to expand...

i like the 12 inch laptop which is under five pounds and a 14 inch laptop would not have that lightness advantage
 
From what I have seen, both iBooks have a place. Some people want the smaller screen, while others want the larger. Just like some people want the PowerBook.

To each his/her own (Mac's hopefully).
 
More Powerbook/iBook dirt from MOSR

Check out MacOS Rumors they've got some new dirt on the sizes of the portables, materials, and eventual superdrives in Powerbooks.
 
when to buy one of these things

I'll be a-headin' off to college in the fall and I was planning on waiting until MWNY to buy a laptop seeing as I figure that Apple will introduce anything new during the keynote.

I have two questions, I suppose...first is would people recommend getting a Tibook now or in the near future or would you recommend waiting for MWNY and see what they come up with?

Secondly, would you consider it generally a better idea to get a Tibook, say the midrange 667, or to get an iBook (IF they give it a decent graphics processor!), and then to upgrade to something spiffier a couple of years down the line?

Thanks.
 
Personally, I would go with the fastest TiBook when you are ready.

I would also recommend waiting for MWNY since if you don't you will probably be kicking yourself at that time. I made the mistake of not waiting to buy a system when I got my tower. About a month later (at one of the expo's) they released the dp500.

I would also recommend going to at least 512MB of memory in the laptop. Get all CL2 (or better if it comes out) rated memory when you do.
 
Re: when to buy one of these things

Originally posted by Curiousstrngmint
I have two questions, I suppose...first is would people recommend getting a Tibook now or in the near future...?

Secondly, would you consider it generally a better idea to get a Tibook, say the midrange 667, or to get an iBook...?

Thanks.
Click to expand...

i got one of the very first dual-usb iBooks shipped to Germany. i had had it for months when the upgrades to 600MHz and Combo became available and after that affordable. so it was ok with me. NOW, however, is not the time to buy. NOW is the time to wait for the new TiBook.

Unless of course, you don't need the G4's velocity engine, a widescreen display, the pc-card slot or infrared. In that case go out and buy the iBook. It's a fine machine - as is. Personally I'll sell mine only for the new TiBook, which I want for hard disk recording and audio editing, games (2b honest), MacOS X's performance, and for other (irrational) reasons :))

emdezet
 
Hang on there a minute...

What's up with all of you who are making appeals to the Laws of God and Nature to justify why higher resolution is undesirable to you and therefore must be Just Wrong for everyone? In my experience, half of the computer-using population spend their time asking the other half how they can read that tiny text on their screens. I live on the tiny text side of that divide. Personally, I use the highest resolution available on an LCD, and the highest resolution I can get at 75Hz or better on a CRT, and it just doesn't bother me.

If you get right down to it, I'd much rather have 2048x1536 resolution and use slightly larger screen fonts, given the choice.

I understand the argument that higher resolution LCDs are more expensive to put into laptops, but this argument that "I don't find higher resolution useful therefore anyone who doesn't agree with me lives in a fantasy world" doesn't fly. You're certainly welcome to use your computer in whatever way makes you comfortable, but speaking personally, if I could ask for one thing in my Powerbook, it would be higher screen resolution.
 
Re: Hang on there a minute...

if I could ask for one thing in my Powerbook, it would be higher screen resolution. [/B]
Click to expand...

if the gpu and the cpu back it up to keep aqua fluid....

which is why i am so particularly freaked out about that radeon 7500 mobility. i foresee it will become a great Jedi Knight, i mean TiBook.

emdezet
 
I suppose my real question is which

I suppose what I'm really wondering is whether people think a college student would have a use for a tibook or whether an ibook is plenty powerful. Also the advantage of getting an ibook is that you can save like $500 or $750, and put that towards a new laptop a couple years later. Thoughts? Thanks.

PS--If there are any college students out there please make yourself heard.
 
Re: I suppose my real question is which

Originally posted by Curiousstrngmint
I suppose what I'm really wondering is whether people think a college student would have a use for a tibook or whether an ibook is plenty powerful. Also the advantage of getting an ibook is that you can save like $500 or $750, and put that towards a new laptop a couple years later. Thoughts? Thanks.

PS--If there are any college students out there please make yourself heard.
Click to expand...

Oh, yeah, if you're a college student, go for the iBook. It's a little tougher and a lot smaller if you get the 12.1". The iBook is still the "life in a backpack" laptop. The Ti is more expensive and requires a little more careful handling, neither of which seem well suited to college life. The iBook will be plenty for your needs, and you can spend the extra money on pizza and beer. ;)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.
Top Bottom
Back