Click here to go to the NEW College Discussion Forum

Hi I am going to buy a powerbook for college. I am going to be a history major and will be using my computer to primarily type class notes and write reports. I looked at both of them and prefer the screen on the 15inch but prefer the portibility of the 12 inch. Is the 15 inch PB too big for bringing to classes and carrying around in a backpack all day? Do you think that the 12inch will suffice or is the screen size too small that it will strain my eyes after viewing for long periods of time.

By Welshie (Welshie) on Tuesday, July 13, 2004 - 02:43 am: Edit

That's a personal question. I personally would opt for the larger screen because I could see the 12" PB straining my eyes late at night (I have problems with my sight as is [legally blind in my right eye]). But like I said, it's a personal question, could YOU handle the 12" screen late at night typing a report? Could YOU handle the extra weight when you are hiking across campus?

By Glamourbaby19 (Glamourbaby19) on Tuesday, July 13, 2004 - 10:18 am: Edit

I have a 12" iBook, which has the same viewable area as the 12" PB, and I haven't had a problem viewing text. Also have really bad vision (legally blind in BOTH eyes uncorrected), and haven't yet encountered a problem with the 12". Like Welshie said, it is a personal preference. The 12" and the 15" (as far as I know) are the same resolution, so you are not actually gaining any real estate by getting the 15".

By Demingy (Demingy) on Tuesday, July 13, 2004 - 10:46 am: Edit

It is a personal preference. I also have bad vision (wow, all three of us), and my laptop has a 10" screen. I really like the portability, which is why I chose the smaller screen. What I've done to make it easier is I tweaked the system with the larger font and icons and I've found it to be pretty comfortable for me.

By Ferrari (Ferrari) on Tuesday, July 13, 2004 - 02:50 pm: Edit

The 15" looks sooo much better though . . .

By Cornellhopeful (Cornellhopeful) on Tuesday, July 13, 2004 - 02:54 pm: Edit

if all you're doing is typing reports, going on the internet, and all the basic college stuff, the 12" is all you need. I'm on my 12" PowerBook right now, and it's really enough. If they had a 14" PB that would be better, but the 12" really is enough. You can always connect a larger screen to the computer if you need more viewing space.

By Ambitiousyokel (Ambitiousyokel) on Tuesday, July 13, 2004 - 03:09 pm: Edit

I just bought a 12". I was afriad that it'd be too small, but the size is absolutely perfect for me. It takes up little space on a desk and it weighs sub-5 lbs. Of course, if money isn't an object, with the 15" you can get SuperDrive, FireWire 800 and the really nifty backlit keyboard. For my money, the 12" was a great buy.

By Dmscramjet (Dmscramjet) on Tuesday, July 13, 2004 - 03:15 pm: Edit

just wondering, doesn't the 12" powerbook come with a different video chip?

By Ako86 (Ako86) on Tuesday, July 13, 2004 - 03:27 pm: Edit

I just got a 12" PB and I love it. My old computer had a 17" screen, so it was an adjustment, but I don't think the 12" is worse in any way. I use it all day and night both to do work and just mess around and haven't noticed any strain on my eyes.

If you plan to carry around campus, you'll definitely notice the difference in weight between the 12" and 15". If you're truly interested in portability, try the 12".

If you can, go to an Apple store and use them both for awhile to see how you like them. If you're not near an Apple store, check out Best Buy/CompUSA/etc and play around with laptops of similar sizes.

Also, it's very easy to hook the PB up to an external monitor if you want a bigger screen when you're at your desk. You can even use both screens simultaneously for even more viewing area. It's pretty cool.

-Andrea

By Asdad (Asdad) on Tuesday, July 13, 2004 - 04:42 pm: Edit

what is the difference in the powerbook and the ibook?

By Imahoya (Imahoya) on Tuesday, July 13, 2004 - 04:53 pm: Edit

For your needs, get the 12" Powerbook and if you want, buy an external monitor to connect your laptop to if you really need the extra screen estate while in your dorm room.


That way you have the best of both worlds. To your classes and wherever you want to go, you can carry your petite 12" in all its portable glory but when your stuck up in the dorm grinding away at papers, the bigger screen can treat your eyes a little better.

the 15" screen is excellent but do you really want to spend that many hundreds of dollars more JUST for the screen? Many of the other features exclusive to the 15" (like Gigabit Ethernet, Firewire 800, PC Card slot, etc.) aren't even necessary for someone like you so you gain little utility from those things. The Backlit Keyboard is great on the 15" but it costs an additional $60 on top of the $400 upgrade from the basic 12". And on top of all this, you carry the burden of an extra pound, 3" wider frame (makes it harder to fit in backpacks), etc.


Save the money and go for the 12". Then use the money you saved for a quality external monitor if you find that the 12" screen is just a little too small.



EDIT:" what is the difference in the powerbook and the ibook?"



the powerbook is faster, has more storage, can come superdrive equipped in all models, faster graphics card, is built-in with wireless internet and bluetooth (for wireless peripherals like mice and keyboards), and plenty of other features. Not to mention, bigger screen sizes. Of course this all comes at a little premium called $$$$

By Glamourbaby19 (Glamourbaby19) on Tuesday, July 13, 2004 - 05:26 pm: Edit

The main difference between the iBook and PB is that the iBook is a "consumer" laptop, while the PB is a "professional" laptop. For my needs as a student (typing, surfing, downloading, light photo/media work), the iBook fits me perfectly, not to mention my budget. It is a little more sturdy than the powerbook because its case is plastic rather than aluminum (or whatever they are making them out of these days). It really depends on what you want to use it for. The powerbook is faster, but the $1000 price tag on the 12" iBook is alot more attractive than the $1400+ for the same size PB.

*the iBook comes with the option of adding wireless internet cards and bluetooth things as well.

By Playtothebeat (Playtothebeat) on Tuesday, July 13, 2004 - 05:26 pm: Edit

why an ibook? ;)
get a real laptop :-d

By Exonian04 (Exonian04) on Thursday, July 15, 2004 - 03:39 pm: Edit

galmourbaby: The iBook is a little less sturdy than the powerbook in my opinion, but otherwise your assessment seems valid.

By Savedbythebell7 (Savedbythebell7) on Thursday, July 15, 2004 - 07:26 pm: Edit

16 Inch Sony Vaio. Problem solved. Moving on.....