12" vs. 15" powerbook

[Maan Bsat]

Hi,

I'm considering buying my first Mac computer. I want to either get a 12"
or 15" powerbook. I was originally leaning more towards the 12", but
having seen the (smaller than I thought) size of the 15", I'm reconsidering.

I'm aware that the 12" is a newer design, and fixes some mistakes of the
15" model. Most notably:

- aluminum case that gives better wi-fi reception (important for me)
- no keyboard ink "sticking" on the screen

Am I missing anything else? My main question is: how bad is the
reception on the 15"? Is it worth going for the 12" just for that? I
like screen "real estate", which is why I'm really tempted by the 15".

Any insights into my dilemma? Thanks,

Maan

[Watt]

Maan Bsat wrote:

> Hi,
>
> I'm considering buying my first Mac computer. I want to either get a 12"
> or 15" powerbook. I was originally leaning more towards the 12", but
> having seen the (smaller than I thought) size of the 15", I'm reconsidering.
>
> I'm aware that the 12" is a newer design, and fixes some mistakes of the
> 15" model. Most notably:
>
> - aluminum case that gives better wi-fi reception (important for me)
> - no keyboard ink "sticking" on the screen
>
> Am I missing anything else? My main question is: how bad is the
> reception on the 15"? Is it worth going for the 12" just for that? I
> like screen "real estate", which is why I'm really tempted by the 15".
>
> Any insights into my dilemma? Thanks,
>
> Maan
>

The only insight I can offer is that it's been a very long time since
the 15" was refreshed, and Macworld Creative Pro is coming up next week.
I'd wait until after that conference before making a final decision. Not
that a 15" with aluminum case is definitely coming, but it seems to be a
reasonably likely development. The recent price cut is another clue.
(One rumor even says the next 15" will be a G5, but take that one with a
whole shaker of salt.)

[Tim Cutts]

In article <vIFOa.102091$8Q5.16124@news.easynews.com>,
Maan Bsat <mbsat@andrew.cmu.edu> wrote:

>Hi,
>
>I'm considering buying my first Mac computer. I want to either get a 12"
>or 15" powerbook. I was originally leaning more towards the 12", but
>having seen the (smaller than I thought) size of the 15", I'm reconsidering.
>
>I'm aware that the 12" is a newer design, and fixes some mistakes of the
>15" model. Most notably:
>
>- aluminum case that gives better wi-fi reception (important for me)
>- no keyboard ink "sticking" on the screen

My boss has a 15" - which he's had for only about 6 months. The marks
on the screen are already really quite nasty.

Built-in Bluetooth on the 12". I use this to iSync my address book and
calendar with my mobile phone. Very cool. Yes, you can do this with a
USB bluetooth dongle in a 15" PowerBook, but you have to have that
sticking out the side of your machine...

>Am I missing anything else? My main question is: how bad is the
>reception on the 15"? Is it worth going for the 12" just for that? I
>like screen "real estate", which is why I'm really tempted by the 15".

Another factor that might influence you is external monitor output. The
15" has a DVI connector. The 12" has a port for a special dongle so (a)
you need to use the dongle if you want to connect to an external display
and (b) it's analog only - there's no DVI output on the 12". You also
need to pay extra for a dongle to connect to Apple's Cinema Displays, I
believe.

The 12" gets quite hot - I don't know about the 15".

So, that's yet more pros and cons of both to confuse you. Enjoy.

Tim

[Steven Fisher]

aaron matthew croyle wrote:

> On 9 Jul 2003, Tim Cutts wrote:

>>My boss has a 15" - which he's had for only about 6 months. The marks
>>on the screen are already really quite nasty.

>
> Get a screen protector and there is no problem, I have the leather one
> from OWC.

Or wipe them off. A sunglasses care kit works great for this.

[Thomas Chai]

Tim Cutts <timc@chiark.greenend.org.uk> wrote in message news:<8qk*C30Wp@news.chiark.greenend.org.uk>...

> In article <Pine.GSO.4.40.0307091602010.27391-100000@zeta.cis.ohio-state.edu>,
> aaron matthew croyle <croyle@zeta.cis.ohio-state.edu> wrote:

> >

> >> >Am I missing anything else? My main question is: how bad is the
> >> >reception on the 15"? Is it worth going for the 12" just for that? I
> >> >like screen "real estate", which is why I'm really tempted by the 15".

> >
> >I love the screen size. I feel odd on square displays now...

>
> I have a SGI-manufactured 1600x1024 monitor at home which is a dream to
> use with my 12" PowerBook. At work, I have an external 1280x1024
> monitor which also works well. The proportion of time I spend using the
> laptop's own display is quite small...
>

> >> Another factor that might influence you is external monitor output. The
> >> 15" has a DVI connector. The 12" has a port for a special dongle so (a)
> >> you need to use the dongle if you want to connect to an external display
> >> and (b) it's analog only - there's no DVI output on the 12". You also
> >> need to pay extra for a dongle to connect to Apple's Cinema Displays, I
> >> believe.

> >
> >I'm not sure the point you are trying to make here. The 15" can attach
> >directly to a studio display, it also comes with a dongle for VGA (and one
> >to take the S-vid to RCA).

>
> My point is precisely that; you have lots of these options on the 15",
> but they are absent on the 12" laptop.
>

> >> The 12" gets quite hot - I don't know about the 15".

> >
> >I use the 15" on my lap daily, for hours. I tend to rest it between my
> >legs rather then on them. I'd say it would keep you warm in the winter,
> >but not too hot to use.

>
> The 12" *can* get uncomfortably hot, especially if you have the
> performance settings set to "high performance" rather than "longest
> battery life".
>
> Oh, two more 15" advantages, which may or may not matter to the original
> poster:
>
> a) Faster CPU (largely due to more L2 cache)
> b) More memory (15" can go to 1 GB of memory, 12" only has one
> SODIMM slot so is limited to 640 MB. Not a problem for me -
> depends on your software. Rumour has it that 1GB SODIMM cards
> *do* work in the 12" PowerBook, giving you 1.25 GB of memory, but
> this is not a supported configuration. And if they do work in
> PowerBooks, you presumably could put two of them in a 15" to give
> you 2 GB of memory...
>
> Tim

My opinioon is this...if you weight more on buying a 15" as oppose to
12", I would say spend a few extra bucks and go for the 17". You won't
regret it. I was once also considering between a 12" and a 15"
thinking that 17" would be too big and heavy. But once I pay a visit
to Apple Center playing around with the 3 machine, I couldn't help it
but get myself a 17". Forget about the current 15" as it's consider
obsolete. If you could wait longer wait for the new one instead, but
if you can't go for the 17".

[Mike A]

I would have a hard time living woth the low resolution of the 12" screen.
AFAIK it is only 1024 x 768 - not enough to practically run the apps I need.

Wait for the new 15" models is what I'd do

Happy shopping

"Maan Bsat" <mbsat@andrew.cmu.edu> wrote in message
news:vIFOa.102091$8Q5.16124@news.easynews.com...

> Hi,
>
> I'm considering buying my first Mac computer. I want to either get a 12"
> or 15" powerbook. I was originally leaning more towards the 12", but
> having seen the (smaller than I thought) size of the 15", I'm

reconsidering.

>
> I'm aware that the 12" is a newer design, and fixes some mistakes of the
> 15" model. Most notably:
>
> - aluminum case that gives better wi-fi reception (important for me)
> - no keyboard ink "sticking" on the screen
>
> Am I missing anything else? My main question is: how bad is the
> reception on the 15"? Is it worth going for the 12" just for that? I
> like screen "real estate", which is why I'm really tempted by the 15".
>
> Any insights into my dilemma? Thanks,
>
> Maan
>

[chibitul]

In article <8qk*C30Wp@news.chiark.greenend.org.uk>,
Tim Cutts <timc@chiark.greenend.org.uk> wrote:

>
> Oh, two more 15" advantages, which may or may not matter to the original
> poster:
>
> a) Faster CPU (largely due to more L2 cache)
> b) More memory (15" can go to 1 GB of memory, 12" only has one
> SODIMM slot so is limited to 640 MB. Not a problem for me -
> depends on your software. Rumour has it that 1GB SODIMM cards
> *do* work in the 12" PowerBook, giving you 1.25 GB of memory, but
> this is not a supported configuration. And if they do work in
> PowerBooks, you presumably could put two of them in a 15" to give
> you 2 GB of memory...
>
> Tim
>

Hi Tim,

Now please tell me how a 1GB + 128 MB = 1.25 GB, 'cause my brain keeps
telling me it's more like 1.125 GB. It may be the 3rd prime number of
beers I had this evening, but I don't think so...

[CT Seeker]

I just bought a 12" and love it. I got the 40 GB hd and the 640 meg Ram and so
far most stable unit I ever used in the mack line.

Only thing I don't like is the heat it generates dam hot since the case is part
of teh heat sink system as there is no room for a fan system.

I prefer the smaller size coming up from a duo 2300. overall foot print about
the same but a third thinner.

Don.

[Tim Cutts]

In article <ch1b1tul-F665F8.23143512072003@newssvr10-ext.news.prodigy.com>,
chibitul <ch1b1tul@sbcglobal.net> wrote:

>Hi Tim,
>
>Now please tell me how a 1GB + 128 MB = 1.25 GB, 'cause my brain keeps
>telling me it's more like 1.125 GB. It may be the 3rd prime number of
>beers I had this evening, but I don't think so...

More like the beers I had, which caused me to have finger trouble. The
number is missing a , and has the decimal in the wrong place. :-) I
should have typed 1.125...

Anyway - haven't you heard of imaginary memory? :*)

Tim

[Jessica Campbell]

In article <ALf*3-fXp@news.chiark.greenend.org.uk>,
Tim Cutts <timc@chiark.greenend.org.uk> wrote:

> In article <ch1b1tul-F665F8.23143512072003@newssvr10-ext.news.prodigy.com>,
> chibitul <ch1b1tul@sbcglobal.net> wrote:

> >Hi Tim,
> >
> >Now please tell me how a 1GB + 128 MB = 1.25 GB, 'cause my brain keeps
> >telling me it's more like 1.125 GB. It may be the 3rd prime number of
> >beers I had this evening, but I don't think so...

>
> More like the beers I had, which caused me to have finger trouble. The
> number is missing a , and has the decimal in the wrong place. :-) I
> should have typed 1.125...
>
> Anyway - haven't you heard of imaginary memory? :*)
>
> Tim

Man, you were totally busted by the typing police! Why do these assholes
get off on berating people - when pretty much everyone else knew what
you meant... Sheesh...

[Tricia]

<< which he's had for only about 6 months. The marks

>>on the screen are already really quite nasty. >>

I just use the thin piece of foamlike plastic that was in the computer when I
bought it.

[M. Landers]

I'm also very interested in the 15" PB. I had been waiting to see if
anything new was going to be announced this week at Macworld. It would
seem that there won't be a new 15" PB for a little while longer.

At this point I'd be inclined to get an existing 15" - except that so
many people say that it is "old" and some even claim it is obsolete!

Is a 1Ghz G4 really outdated?? I would hope that if I purchased it
today that it would be viable for at least 3-4 years...



In article <vIFOa.102091$8Q5.16124@news.easynews.com>, Maan Bsat
<mbsat@andrew.cmu.edu> wrote:

> Hi,
>
> I'm considering buying my first Mac computer. I want to either get a 12"
> or 15" powerbook. I was originally leaning more towards the 12", but
> having seen the (smaller than I thought) size of the 15", I'm reconsidering.
>
> I'm aware that the 12" is a newer design, and fixes some mistakes of the
> 15" model. Most notably:
>
> - aluminum case that gives better wi-fi reception (important for me)
> - no keyboard ink "sticking" on the screen
>
> Am I missing anything else? My main question is: how bad is the
> reception on the 15"? Is it worth going for the 12" just for that? I
> like screen "real estate", which is why I'm really tempted by the 15".
>
> Any insights into my dilemma? Thanks,
>
> Maan

[Mike A]

If you can buy one - it's obsolete !

Mike A :)


"M. Landers" <macklander@adelphia.net> wrote in message
news:170720030805196596%macklander@adelphia.net...

> I'm also very interested in the 15" PB. I had been waiting to see if
> anything new was going to be announced this week at Macworld. It would
> seem that there won't be a new 15" PB for a little while longer.
>
> At this point I'd be inclined to get an existing 15" - except that so
> many people say that it is "old" and some even claim it is obsolete!
>
> Is a 1Ghz G4 really outdated?? I would hope that if I purchased it
> today that it would be viable for at least 3-4 years...
>
>
>
> In article <vIFOa.102091$8Q5.16124@news.easynews.com>, Maan Bsat
> <mbsat@andrew.cmu.edu> wrote:
>

> > Hi,
> >
> > I'm considering buying my first Mac computer. I want to either get a 12"
> > or 15" powerbook. I was originally leaning more towards the 12", but
> > having seen the (smaller than I thought) size of the 15", I'm

reconsidering.

> >
> > I'm aware that the 12" is a newer design, and fixes some mistakes of the
> > 15" model. Most notably:
> >
> > - aluminum case that gives better wi-fi reception (important for me)
> > - no keyboard ink "sticking" on the screen
> >
> > Am I missing anything else? My main question is: how bad is the
> > reception on the 15"? Is it worth going for the 12" just for that? I
> > like screen "real estate", which is why I'm really tempted by the 15".
> >
> > Any insights into my dilemma? Thanks,
> >
> > Maan

[Nym]

M. Landers wrote:

> I'm also very interested in the 15" PB. I had been waiting to see if
> anything new was going to be announced this week at Macworld. It would
> seem that there won't be a new 15" PB for a little while longer.

I was also waiting to see if a new 15" model arrived. Since it didn't, I
bought a shiny (at least I hope so) almost-new 17" Powerbook. It was a
pretty good deal I think. ;-)

PB 17" ("almost new", unregistered, full Apple warranty, all original
materials, "flawless")
1 GB RAM (512 MB upgrade)
Superdrive, etc. etc...etc. :-)
17" backback case
Mac Office - unregistered, full copy
5 GB iPod

$2690 out the door for all of the above.

I probably would have preferred the 15" form factor...although for the
above price I'm pretty sure I can make this a free test drive if I
really don't like the keyboard or something. I will make a big effort to
live with it believe me. :-)

I'm a switcher who's been using AMD+Linux (Windows as necessary) for a
while...I'm looking forward to an easier to live with environment! It
should kick for software development! And in a while, a G5 to look
forward to...

Does the 17" have a problem with the screen rubbing the keys? I'll make
sure the seller ships it with the original protective material I guess.
Any other issues regarding the 17"?

TIA!