I am struggling to decide which Apple PowerBook to buy. Shoud I go with the 15 inch model or the 17 inch model?
The current favorite is the 17". That screen is just so big! As for size? Well I am currently using a 12" iBook so either one of the models I am looking at will be bigger.
Size is the only drawback. I travel quite a bit, but when I am on a plane I am usually reading or listening to podcasts so the issue of not being able to crank that 17" screen open in coach is not a huge drawback.
For the longest time it was either going to be a 12" or a 17" but then the middle ground of the 15" looked sensible. Budget is not an issue since the difference in the 15" and 17" configurations I am looking at is $200.
Has anyone else faced this same decision?
Visitor Comments
I've been using the 15" for the past couple of years and found it to be excellent. The 17" was not an option when I bought it, but I don't think I'd swap. The larger screen soaks up more power on flights too, and the 15" only just fits on the seat table with enough tilt angle. Agree the 12" is nice but best for frequent flyers and fans of small fonts.
Posted by: Morgan McLintic | April 20, 2005 10:35 AM
Go 15". Not only is the 17" larger, but it will drain your battery that much faster. You can always plug a second monitor in when you get home and have the need for more screen real estate.
Posted by: Mike | April 20, 2005 4:40 PM
Josh, I demo'd a 17" PB during the PMA show and though it is nice in the hotel room at night to watch dvd's on, I personally would go to 15", and when editting photos like I do, the screen size was not that big of a needed improvment from 15-17. If you remember, I used to have a 15" TiBook, and loved it. When the hard drive crashed (as in nothing could get the thing to boot, not even the Apple Store in Orlando Genius Tech. for a second time and found more cracks in the second case (again along the top of the dvd drive and on the sides) after Apple Care fixed the first one beyond my wildest dreams, practically a complete overhaul the first time around, including new display, I decided on a 14" iBook. Yeah, the iBook is much more rugid, the main reason I bought it, I am going to buy another 15" PB after Tiger comes out. Yes the screen is nice on the 17" but try to find a case that does not scream laptop. I forget if you ever saw the black pistol case I carried my TiBook in. Covered in event stickers (hey gotta help Fred as much as possible) and did not even whisper laptop.
Just my rambling help,
Mark
Posted by: Mark | April 21, 2005 3:37 PM
Looks like the 15" is the way to go.
Posted by: Josh Hallett | April 21, 2005 8:02 PM