Does size really matter?

[dwin888]

Ok, I've been thinking about getting a mac. A powerbook to be exact. Now, I'm debating if I should get the 12inch or the 17inch. Need your input guys.


What's the main advantage of the 15 or 17 inch over the 12inch aside from the screen size?

Is the 17inch really travel friendly like what my friend says?

Anyway these are the questions I can think for now.

TIA,

Baldwin

[hannibal]

yes, size does matter...

if you intend to use it on the road, most often, then i would suggest you get the 12" but if you like power and bigger screen, get the 17"

[berniej]

Its not what you got, its how you use it...

But seriously now, choose the 'Book size that fits your lifestyle. If you see yourself shuttling around with your 'Book, then get the smallest but most powerful model you can get. Even if you have your own transportation, the larger 'Book is really hard to lug arround. But if you intend to use it as a desktop replacement and you don't intend to move around with it a lot, get the 17" and your eyes will thank you for the extra screen real estate you have.

I personally opted for a 12-incher since I have to shuttle around two (sometimes three) offices in one day everyday. I'd hate to do that with a larger/heavier 'Book and I might end up with a slipped disk in the future with it.

[super_ed]

ditto.

it depends on how you plan to use it. bear in mind for instance your attitudes in computing; ex. in opening windows i.e. Imaging or editing apps. (i gave this example because this types of application opens multiple/ cascading windows for your tools). a 17" inches screen provides an extra ample space suitable for such apps.

[extremyks]

If you do timeline base editing either audio or video, that extra inch will make a difference. I find the 12" size very handy...on my out-of-town shoots.

[ncarandang]

baldwin, get a 12 if you need the portability. a 15 or a 17 if you need the desktop space. it's not the size, it's how you use it.

[PatrickGaerlan]

The 2.3 lb. difference between the 12" and the 17" models may not sound like much, but I guarantee you'll notice it after carrying them for even a few minutes If you plan on bringing your PowerBook with you most of the time, then go for the 12". It's small enough that you can slip it in your bag as an afterthought.

P.S. The 17" IS travel-friendly, RELATIVE to other 17" notebooks. Those other notebooks weigh up to 11 lbs. and are usually twice as thick.

[jofab]

i'm using a 17powerbook now and i can really feel its weight on my back when i travel with it.

Sure it's a great machine, but i have considered getting a 12 or 15 replacement becasue I've been traveling so much and it's starting to slow me down.
Hopefully I can trade it in for a smaller laptop and an LCD screen.

The decision should really depend on your work and lifestyle.

[Edited on 5-30-2004 by jofab]

[jorweeck]

If you travel a lot, go with the smaller ones.
If you're after a space-saver, go with the 17 incher!

I wish I had settled for the 17 inch...

[cutiepanda]

I have to agree with everyone's reply, size does matter a lot when ur always on the move. I have friends who even think the 15" is too heavy! hehehe...

Personally I use a 17"er too, I've gotten quite used to it as I prefer to have a power machine on the go and the big boy really makes a big "WOW" during presentations... the weight takes a lot of getting used to, thus I've taken a lot of time to find the right bag for it.

If you have access to external monitors at ur destinations, I'd go for the 12"er as it is lightweight... but if not, the 15"er and 17"er monitors do make a big difference in the screen quality (if that matters to the work u do).

It's a hard decision, I've gone through all 12", 15" and 17" models myself (trading in between them) and have settled for the 17"er, but it's just a personal preference of mine....