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tuamigo · Nov 11, 2003, 09:59 PM

I was torn between the ibook 800 and the powerbook 1ghz (12 models). I finally decided to go with the powerbook. I have had my powerbook for a few days and I really like it. The only problem is the screen. It only looks good at a certain angle. I know that this is true of all lcd displays but this "sweet spot" is really small on my powerbook. Is this normal?

If I tilt the screen so that the bottom half of the display is at a good viewing angle then the top part of the screen gets darker...likewise, if i adjust the screen so that the top portion is displayed correctly then the bottom half gets too bright.

Do any of you 12" rev b powerbook owner have this same dilemma? Or am i just too picky? By the way...I have tried various calibration tool and the problem is still there.

12"powerbook-combo-256-10.2.8 waiting for update cd's

TheIceMan · Nov 11, 2003, 10:15 PM

tuamigo: Having played around with the 12" PB the past several weeks (at the Apple store, I live close by), I can relate to what you're saying. This is especially noticeable when you place the 12" next to the 15" screen. Larger screen estate aside, the screen clarity/crispness of the 15" is unbelievably clearer than the 12" screen.

I'm not sure what it is because the 15" screens are even clearer than the 17" screens. I have done the side-by-side test with the 12", 15", and 17" all next to each other and the results are the same each time...the 15" screen is much clearer and more crisp.

If only the 12" PB had the clarity and crispness of the 15" screen. That, in my opinion, would make the 12" PB the best laptop in the world!

sbdaigo · Nov 11, 2003, 10:21 PM

I have to agree with all that you have said. I was really concerned about the clarity of the 12 when I saw it by the 15.

I went with the 12, and the screen doesn�t bother me UNTIL I work on our 17� iMac. When I go back to the 12, it is dingy.

I LOVE this notebook - but they improved the screen, I may get the Rev C.

hardcat1970 · Nov 11, 2003, 11:20 PM

i don't know about you guys, but i don't think the 12" display is serious for work, first, it is too small and like all of you said, the screen doesn't have a good angle.

However, at work i hook it up to a large 19" LCD, and it is perfect. It is light to carry around, compared to my pismo, which is very heavy despite a better screen, i would choose the 12" without a question.

At home, i just use my 12" to surf the net and do some light typing, it is just good enough.

fraeone · Nov 12, 2003, 12:58 AM

Ugh, I don't have a 12" PB (yet) but I do have a Dell laptop that has the angle problem as well. It has to be at *exactly* the correct angle for the screen to appear decent. My subjective comparison seems to suggest that my Dell is even worse than the PB though.

phantomo · Nov 12, 2003, 03:13 AM

Yes, the 12" PB screen is really not that great compare to 15" PB. I have a 15" no-name brand LCD panel which the color and brightness is way better then the PB.

Since I prefer to carry a smaller PB, I really have no choice. I agree with TheIceMan, if Apple improve the screen on the 12", I would be happy to pay Apple again for another PB.

BTW, 12" XGA screen doesn't cost that much to manufacture right?

shabbasuraj · 05:45 AM

i agree with most of the above..

Apple is charging top dollar for their notebooks, but they are using 2 year old technology for their TFTs...

not even the top of the line 17" PB has a TFT that can match the mid-level, or entry level Sony VAIO screens...

The 17" resolution also sux...

I challenge anyone to use a Sony VAIO X-Brite screen for a day and you will be forever dissapointed in your recently purchased PB screen...

This is the only thing holding me back from grabbing a 17" PB right now...the resolution, and the poor overall specs of the screen...

But if I can find a used 17" PB at a good price then so be it...I am in...

However, my 3 year old AMD K6-2 Toshiba notebook's TFT is brighter than my 12" RevA, this is completely wrong....

Apple Please Update your screens in the next revision...

PS: This will never happen , I know....

Skypat · 06:40 AM

Brighter ... nicer... once you have your notebook in front of you, you can't compare. I tried the 12" powerbook and found the screen very good. Once you start comparing, you will always find something better.

I heard the same thing about the Studio Display. Some people were saying the 20" cinema display was so much better ! Maybe. I bought the 17" and I am very satisfied. And I don't have a 20" next to me to compare

tuamigo · Nov 12, 2003, 08:03 AM

I agree that comparing different LCD screens will always always lead to the conclusion that one is inferior and the other is superior. It seems that most people are simply satisfied with the the screen of the 12"... taking it as a tradeoff for portability. However, getting back to my original post, even though my screen is at the optimal angle "sweet spot" only half of the screen is ever in perfect focus.

By perfect focus, i specifically mean that colors in the off focus section of the will be to dark or too bright. I guess what could be said is that the whole lower half of the screen is just brighter than the upper half. javascript:smilie('

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Now, shouldn't powerbook buyers who pay top dollar for their machines be able to see the whole screen in a descent fashion@ the perfect angle? At this point it starting to bother me so much that I'm thinking of taking this notebook back and taking a hit of about 250 for returning it to the apple store. Could it only be my powerbook has a defective screen? Can other 12" users see all of their screen real estate at the same angle without the picture becoming out of focus(washed out). javascript:smilie('

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12"powerbook-combo-256-10.2.8 waiting for update cd's

legacyb4 · Nov 13, 2003, 08:41 AM

At four blocks under max brightness (which is what I generally use in roomlit conditions, without moving my head and only my eyes, my 12" screen looks more or less uniformly bright.

Originally posted by tuamigo:
Can other 12" users see all of their screen real estate at the same angle without the picture becoming out of focus(washed out)

Wattsy · Nov 13, 2003, 09:24 AM

The 12" screen is fine - infinitely better than those fuzzy (with a blue/grey cast) crappy ones that came with the Pismo. Just make sure you calibrate it properly and set the gamma to 2.2. As somebody who works with images (and sometimes need to do this with the PB sans external monitor) I actually appreciate the lower contrast screen of the 12" screen (helps me see details in the shadows). I agree, however, that the narrow viewing angle is a real weakness that Apple should address for the next generation of PB's.