[MacPsycho]

I'm fed up waiting for the 15" Al to start shipping again and have just about finalised my decision to go with the 17". I've been coming to terms with the idea of using the 17" as a true laptop...sitting on the couch surfing the web. I checked out the 17" again today at an Apple store and think I can get used to the large profile.

An added bonus in getting the 512 ram in only one slot, faster processor speed, and of course screen size.

Has anyone else pondered this same issues? If you went with the 17" are you happy with your decision.

I've currently got a TiPB 667 and can't wait any longer to update. Glad to hear your ideas.

Cheers,

[rturpen]

I got the white spots after a week. Took it back to the Apple store (Willow Bend) and traded up for the 17", the exchange the backpack too.

I am LOVING the 17!! So much so that I went out and got a new digital camera to use with it!

[SEkker]

One big negative is that once you have a 17", you'll never want to go back to the smaller screen real estate.

[DUDE 007]

I also love my PB 17" and considering I have only had it since the beginning of October I have had no problems what so ever. No white spots, dead pixels, crashing or tech problems of any kind. The idea of having a 17" on a laptop is amazing. People say its too big well I dont think that at all. Considering i'm 6'4" in height it actually looks tiny compared to my size LOL.
Go for it dude and never look back...I did.

[wintermute1]

Congratulations on your choice. I did the same thing. I am still waiting for my 15 inch AL powerbook to come back from apple for service. I bought a refurbished 17 -- which is what I sold to get the 15 (what a *huge* mistake!).

The 17 is a wonderful machine with none of the hardware or software issues that the 15 has. Indeed, Panther on the 17 is a pleasure and is speedy as well.

Bravo

David Mussington

[JBoss303]

Originally posted by MacPsycho:
I'm fed up waiting for the 15" Al to start shipping again and have just about finalised my decision to go with the 17". I've been coming to terms with the idea of using the 17" as a true laptop...sitting on the couch surfing the web. I checked out the 17" again today at an Apple store and think I can get used to the large profile.

An added bonus in getting the 512 ram in only one slot, faster processor speed, and of course screen size.

Has anyone else pondered this same issues? If you went with the 17" are you happy with your decision.

I too ordered the 15" AlBook but after five weeks of waiting I gave up and bought the 17" TiBook (1Ghz) which they had in stock. I got a very good offer (extra 700USD off) for it since the store manager was unhappy about having me wait extra time

I was also concerned about the AlBook quality so that also tipped the scales.

What an awesome machine! No problems whatsoever so far. No dead pixels, no warped display, no white spots, no bad battery performance (3:30 typical), no bad latch etc.

The 17" screen is not that much bigger than the 15". But it looks brilliant. After two weeks of using this laptop I took a look at my old 14" laptop and the screen looks pathetic, never going back!

It is not even that heavy if you compare it to typical ctrl-alt-Dell machines. My friend has a wide screen 15" dell that weighs the same and has almost identical dimensions.

I guess the 17" AlBook will be even better than this old model.

So my advice: skip the trouble with the 15" and go straight to the high end model.

My name is Jari and I'm a switcher.

[dschwab]

I'm doing the exact same thing, was even coming to this forum to gather answers to this very question before placing my order. I figure, worst case I find that the 17" is too big for true laptop usage and I sell it on eBay after a few weeks for close to or more than what I paid for it.

[turkstonidust]

Originally posted by dschwab:
I'm doing the exact same thing, was even coming to this forum to gather answers to this very question before placing my order. I figure, worst case I find that the 17" is too big for true laptop usage and I sell it on eBay after a few weeks for close to or more than what I paid for it.

You will not be disappointed in the 17". Despite the "very large" profile, I am convinced we only "think" it's that big because of what we are used to. The 17"er is easy to use on your lap while sitting on the couch, and very mobile (room to room for me mostly ) Mine has only left my house once but it was no different than moving about with my work laptop (if not slighty more nerve racking simply based on the $$ value invested into it)

[Podolsky]

Originally posted by dschwab:
I'm doing the exact same thing, was even coming to this forum to gather answers to this very question before placing my order. I figure, worst case I find that the 17" is too big for true laptop usage and I sell it on eBay after a few weeks for close to or more than what I paid for it.

I did the exact seem thing too and I am SO GLAD I did given reports of the 15. In fact, I went from a 667 to the 17 133 and it feels like a major upgrade. It was the 512 single stick of ram that had me get the 17. The 17 is just better in every way and if the size isn't a problem - than you will love it too.

[Link]

If you want it, get it, you'll be happier in the long run!

Personally I don't think the 15" is ready for the mainstream, while on the other hand the 17" was extremely reliable as I heard FAR less about any defects (what comes to mind are black spots and misaligned screens.. both very rare).

Otherwise it's a much nicer laptop, not to mention the wow factor! I always thought the 15" was too small.

[acadian]

The size issue wears off within 24 hours. I dont even think of it as big anymore.It's simply a wonderful machine and I will never go back to a smaller screen.

[MickS]

I went from a TiBook to a 17" AlBook. The only size based issue has been difficulty getting hold of a decent bag that would hold the 17" (now have a Crumpler Crisp Suit). I love the extra screen resolution, though still fill it with windows.

[Crusoe]

A few days after I got my 15", Apple dropped the price of the RevA refurbs to $2199. I would have been all over one of those because the only reason I didn't get a 17" was my budget.

They are equally beautiful machines and there would be no difference between carrying a 15" or 17" to me.

[MacPsycho]

Thanks for all your positive feedback on the 17" PB. I ordered it yesterday and picked it up this morning. Now its just the waiting to finish work and get home to set it up.

I was pleased that Panther came with it.

I'll post may comments on the user experience as soon as I can use it.

[dschwab]

My 17" arrived today as well. It is noticeably larger than the 15" when closed, takes up more room on the coffee table than I had hoped. However, the screen is awesome! Nice and bright, graphics look much better. Now I just have to figure out what to do with all of this screen real estate. I'm also surprised at how much better the keyboard is than it was on the TiBook, typing just feels so much smoother.

EDIT: forgot to mention the thing I'm most happy with so far. The Airport reception is rock solid as opposed to the difficulties with my old TiBook at the same location.

[BJNY]

I, to, am considering the purchase of a 17" AluBook. Aside from GHz, what are the differences between Rev.A 1GHz & Rev.B 1.33GHz?

[MacPsycho]

Well I've been using the 17" for a few days now and have to say it is a brilliant machine. So glad Apple couldn't supply the 15" I had on order and which forced me to seriously consider the 17".

What a stunning Mac:

• Screen is sharp and vivid, and so much more real estate (there's no going back to anything less now!)
• Size of the PB is no problem in Laptop mode
• Overall engineering is so precise, it blows my old TiBook 15" out of the water.

If you are considering the 17" and are concerned about the size, just get one, and you'll be a convert.

Now there's a 20" iMac, you never know??? A 20" PB, now that would be going too far. Maybe?