[jorgem4]

After only two hours of using my mac my girlfriend fall in love with apple and wanted to switch ASAP...we were all about the 15" PB because of the speed and the dual display possibilities...

But yesterday I learn that the 12" PB has that too and she likes the 12" because of the size (very portable). We are both college students and use the computer a lot.

Can the 12" replace a desktop with the help of an external display?

What would you go for 12" or 15"?

Please advise cause I am in a limbo!

[slider]

The 12" is probably perfect for her and you can use a VGA monitor. I friend of mine recently got one and she was coming from Mac OS 9, she absolutely loves OS X. My current desktop is a 867Mhz computer with 133 Sys bus, which are the same specs as the 12" powerbook, so yes, the 12" PB will be a good desktop replacement. A piece of advice, drop a 512MB ram chip in it, Mac OS X loves ram and the more it has the better it runs.

Good luck with all.

[C-Bear]

My understanding is that if you go with the 12", you're dealing with a model that only has VGA (that is, analog) out, and if you get an Apple monitor, it's going to be digital. You'll therefore need what is apparently a very expensive ($400?) adapter to run from your analog 12" to your digital monitor, and there will be a diminishment of picture quality. 15" and 17" models are DVI (that is, digital) out and don't run into this problem.

[slider]

Originally posted by C-Bear:
My understanding is that if you go with the 12", you're dealing with a model that only has VGA (that is, analog) out, and if you get an Apple monitor, it's going to be digital. You'll therefore need what is apparently a very expensive ($400?) adapter to run from your analog 12" to your digital monitor, and there will be a diminishment of picture quality. 15" and 17" models are DVI (that is, digital) out and don't run into this problem.

Err, where did he say he would be using an Apple monitor and were did it say they needed a digital display or an adaptor for an Apple display. If you're going to make assumptions, assuming she has a PC desktop with an analog display seems the more reasonalbe one based on the information given.

[reybart]

I am a new switcher and before buying a new one, I wwent to this forum to find out what is best... Bottomline, I bought the 15' PB, No regrets. it is awsome.

[C-Bear]

Originally posted by slider:
Err, where did he say he would be using an Apple monitor and were did it say they needed a digital display or an adaptor for an Apple display. If you're going to make assumptions, assuming she has a PC desktop with an analog display seems the more reasonalbe one based on the information given.

You're right, yours is the more reasonable assumption. I was just pointing out one of the consistent complaints about the 12", that it 's VGA out rather than DVI.

[Gir]

I can tell you, coming from a PC, the 12" powerbook is the best computer I have ever had the pleasure of using. The portability is nice and although the screen sounds a little bit small I've gotten used to it quickly. However, having used the 12" I can't imagine how awesome the 15" is. I'm sure she won't be dissappointed with either book, but I'd lean toward the 12" for sheer ruggedness.

[11011001]

Originally posted by C-Bear:
You're right, yours is the more reasonable assumption. I was just pointing out one of the consistent complaints about the 12", that it 's VGA out rather than DVI.

Even with a DVI connector on the back, you still need to buy an expensive adapater to use an Apple display. The connectors on the Apple displays are different from DVI, in that they also carry USB, and power for the monitor. Not sure if the adapter has VGA though.. for certain it has DVI though.

Oh, and jorgem4, keep in mind that the 12" does not have a hot swappable battery like the 15" and 17" PBs.