[nagromme]

Just in case anyone else is in the same dilemma I am between the cheap/small 12" and the top-end 17"... here's my comparison list. (Prices are NON-edu, US$.)

First, I'll price out what I'd add to both models as follows--so subtract these if you wouldn't want them:

12": Triple the RAM from 256 to 768 MB by adding 512 MB from 3rd party (TransIntl or Other World) = ~$120 RAM cost. Plus I'd add the $19 TV-out adapter which is not needed with other PowerBooks. Total upgrades to the stock 12" = $139.

17": Triple the RAM from 512 MB to 1.5 GB by upgrading slot 1 to 1 GB from Apple ($400--yes that's actually the cheapest route if you want more than 1 GB total), and adding 512 MB 3rd party ($120) = $520 RAM cost. Plus I'd go for the 5400 rpm drive for $125. I know most people won't, but adding a 7200 yourself voids the warranty, plus it's a smaller (60 GB) drive. Total upgrades to the stock 17" = $645.

So here's my decision-list:

12" benefits:

Smaller footprint (1.6" less deep, 4.5" less wide)
Much lighter (2/3 the weight: 4.6 vs. 6.9 lbs.)
Longer battery life (5 vs. 4.5 hrs. claimed)
All ports on one side
Side-load drive, if you prefer that
Save $1906!

17" benefits:

17" display, 1.3 megapixels vs. .79 (83% bigger in sq. in.)
1/3 higher GHz
Faster RAM and system bus
Faster 5400 rpm HD (little to no battery loss, but some noise?)
Better GPU (ATI Radeon vs. nVidia GeForce)
Double the VRAM (64 vs. 32)
Battery swapping during sleep (and no coin needed)
Lit keys & auto-dimming screen
Double the HD (80 GB vs. 40)
Double the RAM
Airport Extreme pre-installed
SuperDrive/iDVD (good for backups too; $200 option on 12")
CardBus slot (good for reading still cam flash chips with a cheap, fast internal reader)
FireWire 800
Gigabit ethernet (10x the speed)
15% thinner
Bigger trackpad (but farther from keys)
Two swappable RAM slots (future flexibility, higher max RAM)
Smaller TV adapter (none needed for S-Video)
Better speakers? (more stereo separation for sure)
Less heat?
Brighter screen?
Front-load drive if you prefer that

I'm leaning towards the 17" since I will be working long hours, plus I do some 3D gaming. But with the cheaper 12", I can later justify a nice 17" rev B or C PowerBook G5 in 2005, and hang onto the 12" when I want something small. And I do have a perfectly good eMac at home when my eyes can't take the 12". OR... I could wait for the NEXT PBG4 (duals CPUs? 2-button trackpad per dubious rumors at MacOSRumors?) and just grin and bear my old G3/333 on trips for another 4-5 months. OR... I could keep an eye open for a redesigned 12" iBook (can't be long now, and it'll be cheap!) and see what I think of that for now...

Hmmmm....

No matter what, I'm waiting for Panther.

And for those considering the bottom 15", in my book it priced out not much above the 12", yet has a lot of the above benefits. But if I'm giving up the 17" screen, I want the best portability. The 12". No happy medium for me!

[iDaver]

Interesting choices. Most folks aren't making a decision on mini vs. mighty. There's no comparison between the two IMHO. Go with the 12" if you need portability and want to save money. Choose the 17" if neither matter; it's a much nicer computer.

Why would you think you'd have to triple the memory on the 17" by the way, if you could do what you want with 768MB in the 12"?

[nagromme]

I know--but I saw a few people posting who are in the same position I am between the two extremes. The 15" is best for most people, but it's a compromise.

I've selected the most economical RAM vs. performance solution for both. 1 GB modules are expensive--it would have increased the 12" price a LOT to go with more (1.25 GB). But the 17" has another way to do that, since you have TWO slots to work with. I'd also shift the balance towards power if I got the 17" and be more willing to cut corners on the 12." (Which is why no SuperDrive.) I know I'll want a larger, G5 laptop eventually, and the 12" won't last me as long as the 17"--so the more I save now, the easier I'll afford to replace the 12" in a year or two.

As for how MUCH RAM someone needs... OS X likes as much as it can get! I'd always want more than 512 at least, but if 2GB were economical I'd happily take it.

[iDaver]

You said you would want the faster drive in the 17" if you got it which means BTO at the Apple store. If you could live with the slower drive, MacConnection (and probably others) offer a FREE 512MB memory bump. That's where I got mine and got a free carrying case too (with no sales tax). All worth "putting up with" the slower drive, IMO.

[amazing]

Here's something else to consider:

You're gonna want a G5 laptop, when they eventually come out. So get the smaller system now with the thought of saving the extra money (or not taking out as big a loan) and selling it after the break-in period of the first generation G5 laptop.

Best to get what's adequate for now, with the hope of better things to come, one to 1.5 years from now. If you blow your wad now, you'll regret it when G5 laptop envy sets in. You know you're gonna want a better laptop either for grad school or for a graduation present (to yourself?) so get what will work for the next couple years, then upgrade.

[nagromme]

Yep, those are both factors. Also, if I can avoid any BTO, supposedly some stores have a nice return policy if I find warping or dead pixels. (Even with the 12" I've considered BTO: to get a bigger HD.)

The question is, can I make do with a tiny screen until a G5 is out? With an eMac at home, sure--the eMac's great. For gaming, sure--output to TV. For travel... well, I'll just have to decide!