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grendelAI · Oct 19, 2003, 10:10 PM

I reviewed a lot of articles on this forum before I made the decision to ignore everyone and purchase a 15" PB. Since most of the articles I saw were negative, I thought I would post a positive comment. I am thoroughly enjoying my 15" PB.

This is my first laptop that I've personally owned. So the decision was a difficult one to make. I was a dedicated Intel guy with 3 active XP machines and a RedHat Linux server. I have had no hands on experience with Apple, but I was very impressed with what I read on OS X and the stylish design of the PB. I needed a laoptop for mobile development (python and java) and to start a video editting hobby. The PB was a natural choice.

I delibrated over the 17" (rev b) and the 15" for four hours in the mall. Ultimately I decided I did not need a desktop replacement and compromised the screen space.

I am glad I did. The 15" PB is great. I purchased it from the store with the stock hardware. I have not found any white spots. The harddrive seems plenty fast. I may possibly add more RAM later. Eclipse and Final Cut can use all that it can get. But for now, I am good.

My only compliants:
- the right shift key seems to not work as easy as the left. I have to hold it down pretty hard.
- the battery heats up.
- battery life is a bit short, but I am adjusting. Thinking of getting a second battery

So for everyone on the fence about the size of the laptop. Unless you are truly mobile the majority of the time on your computer or the direct opposite and 90% of your time is spent in 2 different locations, take the middle ground. You will not regret it.

djjava · Oct 19, 2003, 10:23 PM

i noticed @ my apple store the 15" PB was really hot, though I doubt it is because it's on all the time. I think there is some genuine design flaws that make it so hot.

To give a needed boost to the RevA PB17.. i've been burning a DVD on mine for an hour and half (digital video takes forever to encode), and it is very cool to the touch. I doubt that 15" AlBook at the Apple Store was doing much to merit such a heat wave.

nagromme · Oct 20, 2003, 12:08 AM

Maybe try cleaning under the Shift key--that's not normal. Blow hard or--IF the keys are meant to come off--pry it off.

Previous PowerBooks have keys than snap on and off for cleaning. But I'm NOT sure about the new ones! Ask current owners before attempting!

And congrats on the new 'Book! Don't forget to upgrade to Panther.

PeterKG · Oct 20, 2003, 12:14 AM

Originally posted by nagromme:
Maybe try cleaning under the Shift key--that's not normal. Blow hard or--IF the keys are meant to come off--pry it off.

Previous PowerBooks have keys than snap on and off for cleaning. But I'm NOT sure about the new ones! Ask current owners before attempting!

And congrats on the new 'Book! Don't forget to upgrade to Panther.

The above is poor advise. Do not follow it. First of all a new PB willl not have dirt under it's new shift key. Secondly the keys are difficult to remove and put back on. If you bought form an Apple store or have one near you take it in to the Genius Bar. They know how to remove/replace them.

nagromme · Oct 20, 2003, 12:40 AM

Better leave it to the experts then--that's why I said "IF" and "ask."

But grit, or a hair, or a plastic shaving, etc.--IS at least a possibility, even in a new PowerBook. It takes just an instant for something to get in there.

A single hair did that on my Lombard G3--made a key very hard to use. Luckily, those PowerBooks are easy to clean by popping off the keys. I once took ALL the keys off... what a mess underneath!