is 15" really worth it?
I'm going into college and Computer Science and I'm tryin to decide if I should go with a 12" or 15" powerbook...(possibly the 1.33ghz generation to save a few) I'm not worried about intel stuff and i'll probably get an intel mini next year anyways. Once a rev 2 intel laptop comes along, i might get one, so i'm lookin at a laptop to last me about 3 years. Does the 12" support screen spanning? Also, i'm sure there are some cs majors on this board...what would you recommend? 12 or 15?
also, i'm considering selling my current ibook g3 and getting the cheaper dell clone of the 20" apple cinema...just an idea, not sure of that yet...
also, i'm considering selling my current ibook g3 and getting the cheaper dell clone of the 20" apple cinema...just an idea, not sure of that yet...
Comments
If I did not have an external display, I would have definitely went with the 15 or 17 inch Powerbooks. However, the best solution for me, was the great cinema display, with the 12-inch, for portability.
The 12 inch is great because it is so portable. My mom has a 15 inch and it's bulky in comparison. This powerbook fits in my bag with my textbooks: in fact its smaller than any other textbook of mine and about the same weight.
Originally posted by cj171
true, i would definitely prefer the ati over the older nvidia...but i'm unsure if i want the size..it's hard to tell at the apple store how the 15" will be
I have a 15 inch PowerBook and I have a 12 inch Compaq I have to say the 12 inch while it's a joy to travel with I find if I'm camped out somewhere it really irratates me I have to use an external monitor. The 15 on the other hand even though I have the connection I have never bothered to hook it up to an external even just to test if it works.
If you plan on getting an external monitor go 12 if not get the 15 your eyes will thank you.
Originally posted by cj171
ah, so the 15 isnt too bulky or heavy to not be portable then?
I like the heft of the 15 myself but I'm a big guy at 6'2" and 260lbs so you can imagine the 12 looks like a toy for me.
I personally had a separate laptop case in college because I didn't "trust" any backpack with both my PB and books inside together.
I think the 15" Powerbook is the ultimate compromise of form and function. It's big enough to feel comfortable viewing the screen (i.e. It's not too cramped), but it's small enough that it's quite portable.
If you need something that's REALLY portable, go with a 12" and a monitor that stays planted at your home. If you want a little bigger screen that will go with you everywhere, choose the 15".
Originally posted by cj171
also, do you people put your powerbooks in your bag with your books or a seperate bag? i wouldnt trust my little ibook to survive in with my books
i love my powerbook soo much, i havnt even tried carrying text books in the same bag as my laptop... although when i talked to my brother he said it was ok as long as theres nothing resting on top of the screen flat, but when its vertical its ok he said... even though i trust my brother, i wasnt taking chances of damaging my toy... the most i had in the same bag was a folder, calculator, and 1 3-ring binder, thats about it... nothing heavy or anyhting, and i usually didnt need a textbook w/ me except for physics (which is across my locker) so i picked it up from there and history, and history if i felt like bringing the book to class i just carried it... b/c i wasnt chancing anything...
so, point of story... its fine when its vertical... but when its resting on a table, ground, where-ever, then bad (if books are on top of laptop) if you take off the bag and lean if forward, so the laptop is on top of the books (leaning in that direction) its fine...
so, point of story... its fine when its vertical... but when its resting on a table, ground, where-ever, then bad (if books are on top of laptop) if you take off the bag and lean if forward, so the laptop is on top of the books (leaning in that direction) its fine... [/B]
I broke the screen of an old laptop I was carrying it and a couple of books and I put them down with the books on top I swear I was majorly gentle but the screen cracked any way still not sure if it was the books or maybe it flexed a bit too much.
Originally posted by TekMate
I broke the screen of an old laptop I was carrying it and a couple of books and I put them down with the books on top I swear I was majorly gentle but the screen cracked any way still not sure if it was the books or maybe it flexed a bit too much.
thats why it cracked, b/c the books were on TOP of the laptop.... if the bag leaned forward toward the ground so the laptop would lean on the books/be on top of the books, then it would have been alright... but expect a crack screen w/ any sort of weight on the screen... after all... thats a glass screen thats taking more then it can handle... just like w/ any glass window, itll crack, break if too much weight is resting on it
If you are going to be using apps that have floating tool palettes then 15" is definately the way to go, there's just nowhere to put them on a 12" - even Word eats up the whole screen.
Obviously the 12" wins in terms of portability and you usually get better battery life too, but I didn't want to get an external monitor and then have to sit at school wishing I was in front of my 20" beast because the screen I was using there and then was so small I needed a magnifying glass to see it.
Another bonus with the 15" is that you can get the light-up keyboard, good if you're taking notes in a presetation and the lights are dimmed.
Of course, when thinking about getting the 15" remember that the horizontal resolution is pretty good but the vertical is not much better than the 12" - I find that moving the dock to the side of the screen evens things out a bit and gives you a better space to play in.
I started with the 1.33GHz 15" PB, and while the computer was just great, I thought it was not good value.
I now have a 1.2GHz 12" iBook hooked up to a 24" Dell widescreen, for not much more than the 15" PB cost by itself. I'm very happy!
If you can't touch type, that should be your first priority.
Overall, I say the slightly extra bulk is worth the larger screen. Go for the 15".
However, if you have the bank to blow on some other gear, maybe the 12" is for you. But if this laptop has got to be it, get the 15". All depends on your work / life style.
Using computer while on the go: in our domestic airline seats, and in lecture halls at university, 15" really is too big, while 12" is very manageable.
The act of carrying the computer: there is no weight difference to speak of, they are all really lightweight, but the measurements do make a difference in what kind of shoulder bag is okay. I'm medium height, heavyset, and I find a shoulder bag large enough for the 15" awkward to carry. If you use a backpack, then there is no downside in carrying the 15", although there still may be in using it.
I still maintain that the difference between 12" iBook and 12" Powerbook is mainly imaginary.. and monetary.
When you compare the 15" PB and 12" iBook + the best display you get for the price difference, I find that for most people the iBook would be the better, rational choice. You have *far* more screen at your desk, and an easy-to-handle computer on the go. For some people the 15" will still be the better option. The conditions for that, I think, would usually involve graphic work (so the DVI becomes really important), games (although no Mac is very good at that) or need for gigabit ethernet, Firewire800, PCMCIA slot, etc.
Note that this comparison is a "value" one. If you have a lot to spend, then PB plus external display becomes more interesting. Some people are also able to live off a 15" PB.. personally I would always add an external display, no matter what. Even if it's only a 17" you are still more than doubling your breathing space.
Originally posted by Gon
What are you guys doing in computer science if a lighted keyboard means anything besides aesthetics for you?!
If you can't touch type, that should be your first priority.
i've typed whole essays (1 i remember) eyes closed/blind folded just to see if i could do it, and i did... so touch typing isnt a problem for me... i can do it as easy as riding a bike
Originally posted by webwilly
Another bonus with the 15" is that you can get the light-up keyboard, good if you're taking notes in a presetation and the lights are dimmed.
Obviously this should be read as "if you want to show off to everyone in a presentation and the lights are dimmed"... And of course, due to my lack of touch typing skills this post has taken just over 27 minutes to type.