Welcome to the MacNN Forums.

Mastrap · Apr 14, 2003, 02:46 AM

So it's looking like I've got it narrowed down to two choices:

1. A new 12" PB with superdrive. Max the RAM, get an external monitor, lovely. Portability and screen real estate in one yummy package.

2. A refurbished 15" Gigabook. Again, maxed out memory with a superdrive.

Price for these two solutions will be roughly identical. Thing is, I love the size of the 12" and with an external monitor I am not worried about the screen size anymore. One thing that will make the decision a difficult one is the difference in speed . How does the 12" compare to the 15", especially with the lack of level3 cache? Has anybody used both books in anger?

I am not all that worried about the video memory, I'm not a gamer so it's not much of an issue for me.

Sean Li · Apr 14, 2003, 03:41 AM

Originally posted by Mastrap:
So it's looking like I've got it narrowed down to two choices:

1. A new 12" PB with superdrive. Max the RAM, get an external monitor, lovely. Portability and screen real estate in one yummy package.

2. A refurbished 15" Gigabook. Again, maxed out memory with a superdrive.

Price for these two solutions will be roughly identical. Thing is, I love the size of the 12" and with an external monitor I am not worried about the screen size anymore. One thing that will make the decision a difficult one is the difference in speed . How does the 12" compare to the 15", especially with the lack of level3 cache? Has anybody used both books in anger?

I am not all that worried about the video memory, I'm not a gamer so it's not much of an issue for me.

The speed difference will be small but noticeable. It really depends though on what you're going to use the PowerBook for. If it's just checking emails, using Word, etc... then it won't make much difference, but if you're using more processor-intensive applications like Photoshop, you're more likely to notice the difference (especially with Virtual PC, which makes heavy use of the L3 cache).

Also, the screen on the 15" is somewhat better, not just in screen size, but resolution, viewing angle, brightness. Having said that, the keyboard is better, IMO, on the 12".

If portability is a big factor though, the 12" is hard to beat.

AssassyN · Apr 14, 2003, 07:09 AM

I totally agree w/ the previous post.

If you're just going to be using your notebook for minor tasks that omit hardcore tasks such as gaming (as you stated) 3D graphic work, video editing, etc., then the 12" AlBook's small speed difference won't hinder you very much.

The extra Mhz & L3 Cache would really come in handy if you were a gamer, or were doing very processor intensive tasks, but for the usage it sounds like you'll put into it, the 12" AlBook's small form factor and portability seem to make it the notebook for you.

Good luck w/ your decision!

Patcarla · Apr 14, 2003, 07:10 AM

Originally posted by Mastrap:
So it's looking like I've got it narrowed down to two choices:

1. A new 12" PB with superdrive. Max the RAM, get an external monitor, lovely. Portability and screen real estate in one yummy package.

2. A refurbished 15" Gigabook. Again, maxed out memory with a superdrive.

Price for these two solutions will be roughly identical. Thing is, I love the size of the 12" and with an external monitor I am not worried about the screen size anymore. One thing that will make the decision a difficult one is the difference in speed . How does the 12" compare to the 15", especially with the lack of level3 cache? Has anybody used both books in anger?

I am not all that worried about the video memory, I'm not a gamer so it's not much of an issue for me.

If your only concern is raw speed, take a look at xbench numbers:
http://ladd.dyndns.org/xbench/
you'll see that the 12" average at 71-73 whereas the tibook 15" 1ghz is about 88-91..
Those are just numbers but that's a good way to compare speed..

threestain · Apr 14, 2003, 03:48 PM

I must agree - I wanted to get a 12", but in the end went for a 15" because the speed increase is always good - I do DV editing and stuff, and also, the quicker the computer, the longer it'll last before it joins the millions of others on the scrap heap!

7Macfreak · Apr 14, 2003, 11:17 PM

i would go with the 12" + external display
why? because the 12" has a better form factor, newer technology (bluetooth/airport extreme), better keyboard and awesome sound. and of course is a lot more 'portable'.
the lcd is pretty much the same when it comes to brightness and view angles.

besides, you'd be using a NEW computer, not a refurbished one.

Taloston Man · Apr 16, 2003, 12:05 PM

Hmmm....From what I've seen, there's DEFINITELY a difference in viewing angle between the 12 and 15" PowerBooks.

7Macfreak · Apr 16, 2003, 01:54 PM

Originally posted by Taloston Man:
Hmmm....From what I've seen, there's DEFINITELY a difference in viewing angle between the 12 and 15" PowerBooks.

you think so?
i just checked again and only noticed a slight difference. perhaps lighting conditions are to blame?

todrain · Apr 16, 2003, 02:02 PM

I had a 12" iBook, and while it has a good screen, the Ti Book is much brighter, and does have a wider viewing angle.

CatOne · Apr 16, 2003, 04:47 PM

I have a PB 800 DVI (15" screen). I'd choose the GHz 15" for 2 reasons:

1) It's a bigger screen, with more resolution (1280x852 versus 1024x760... that's a lot more working space).

2) With an external monitor, the GHz TiBook will be a LOT better if you choose to use an external LCD. It has DVI out, so you can use a DVI monitor or an Apple Cinema Display (I have a 23" I use). With the 12", you get VGA out and this means CRT or LCD using VGA in. VGA into an LCD is *significantly* less clear with text than is DVI.