17" PowerBook Opinions

[jackwanders]

Interesting how people who say the 17" pb is too big are people who don't own one.

I've owned a 17" powerbook since the month they came out, so almost 2 years now. I carried around with me for a year of college and now carry it to work and back most days (when I don't leave it in the office). Yes, it's 6.8 pounds, but it's definitely not 'too' heavy. i've never been discomforted by carrying it around. The important thing is to get a good lightweight bag to put it in. I put mine in a marware sleeve and then put that in my large timbuk2 bag.

The only thing that would keep me from getting another 17" powerbook when this one finally peters out will be price. If I can afford it, I'll get another 17". If not, I'll get a 15", but I'll sorely miss the lost screen space.

[Southern Patriot]

Interesting how people who say the 17" pb is too big are people who don't own one.

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Maybe that's because they've used one and determined that the extra weight and size and cost were not what they wanted, therefore they didn't buy one. IMHO, there is not THAT big of a difference in resolution between the 15" and the 17" screens to justify a $200 price difference and over a pound difference in weight. As soon as I get the money, I'm looking at buying a PowerBook to replace my iBook, and most likely it will be a 15" (unless Apple releases a widescreen 12" version by then, which I hope they will). When you are carrying the machine around with you every day, that size and weight difference means a LOT.

[1337.g4M3R]

if you are spending that much money on a powerbook anyway, the extra $200 for the 17" is worth it IMO.

a pound difference in weight is nothing really, anyone who moans about it really needs to go to the gym more lol :p

[thetman]

"Combined optical digital input/audio line in (minijack) (17-inch model)"

"Combined optical digital output/headphone out (minijack) (17-inch model)"

"Dual display and video mirroring: Simultaneously supports up to 1440 x 900 pixels on the built-in display and up to 2560 x 1600 pixels on an external display, both at millions of colors (17-inch model)(6)"

Edited May 17, 2005 by thetman

[Southern Patriot]

if you are spending that much money on a powerbook anyway, the extra $200 for the 17" is worth it IMO.

a pound difference in weight is nothing really, anyone who moans about it really needs to go to the gym more lol  :p

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It isn't just the weight, it's the size as well. Try using a 17" notebook on an airplane or a bus. There just isn't room. Even the 15" is pushing it in some situations. If the size and weight of a notebook didn't matter to at least a portion of the market, why would the sub-notebook class of machines even exit?

[IK47]

the 15" powerbook would be my first personal preference. Although I really like the screen real estate that the 17" offers, I think that it is too large for me. the 15" fits nicely in my backpack / briefcase and is comfortable to work with. 17" laptops require special laptop cases to fit them, and are quite clumsy to work with in crowded/busy environments.

If you are looking for a big-screen portable desktop replacement, then go for 17", for mobility/desktop replacement go for 15", for mobility go for 12".

[YBG]

If you like the 17" that much just roll with it. Personally, I'd prefer a 15" like most people here, but like the others said if it's OK with you to carry it around and it's not that big of an issue to you then you should just get it. Personally, I wouldn't mind if it weighed 6.8 pounds, but I have a question. Since the screen is bigger, will it need more battery power to run or what?

[Southern Patriot]

Since the screen is bigger, will it need more battery power to run or what?

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I would assume that it would. I think the 17" model has a bigger battery to compensate for that though.

Personally, I'd love to see Apple turn the 12" into a true sub-notebook and give it a wide format screen (1420x800 maybe? That would roughly work out to 16:9, perfect for a widescreen DVD).

Edited May 18, 2005 by roadwarrior