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hopesfall · Jan 27, 2004, 08:32 PM

Hey...Well as being relatively young (15) i have been forced to suffer under pc rule for years ( it was all my parents, i swear!). Now iv finally saved enough money to pick up a powerbook 12 inch, YEEHAW! I have a few questions for you folks however, before i do run out and purchase one.

1) I have heard that the powerbook 12 inch display is not that good ( a review said that it was terrible) Previusly i heard it was beautiful, sharp and crisp. Which is it? lol

2) How do i know if i am getting the latest powerbook model (rev a or rev b) I heard that rev b is the best version of the powerbook (display fixes, etc) and want to know if, by ordering it from apple will i get the latest version.

3) Is there anything i should know about mac osx? ( i know almost nothing about how to work it)

4) I am looking into getting into graphic design/ 3d modeling as a sorta side hobby. Do you know of any programs/tutorials i could take so i could learn how?

Thank you for your time!

tooki · Jan 27, 2004, 09:33 PM

1) I have heard that the powerbook 12 inch display is not that good ( a review said that it was terrible) Previusly i heard it was beautiful, sharp and crisp. Which is it? lol

It's not a bad screen, it's merely not as bright as the 15" and 17" screens, which have a brighter and purer-white color to them. The 12" (like the older 14" PowerBooks) have a slight green tinge to them, which you will notice if it's side-by-side along a good CRT, or a larger PowerBook -- you won't notice it on its own, your eyes will adjust.

2) How do i know if i am getting the latest powerbook model (rev a or rev b) I heard that rev b is the best version of the powerbook (display fixes, etc) and want to know if, by ordering it from apple will i get the latest version.

The ones from Apple are usually the latest, and frankly so are most of them you'll get elsewhere.

3) Is there anything i should know about mac osx? ( i know almost nothing about how to work it)

You shouldn't have too much trouble, and if you are switching from Windows, Apple has a little switching guide online, and there is actually a book for Windows switchers out there (I don't remember the title).

4) I am looking into getting into graphic design/ 3d modeling as a sorta side hobby. Do you know of any programs/tutorials i could take so i could learn how?

As far as free stuff:

-for layout: RagTime personal
-for high-end 3D: Maya Personal Learning edition

As for demos:
-page layout: Adobe InDesign, Photoshop, and Illustrator; Macromedia FreeHand
(I dunno toooo much about 3D apps)

Welcome to the Mac!

tooki

Switched2Mac · Jan 27, 2004, 09:42 PM

1. The PB 12" screen is great. No issues. And I am a longtime WinTel guy.

2. The Rev B. 12" PB is the 1 gHz model. The 867 mHz was the Rev A.

3. Best thing, play with it. And then get a nice Panther book.

4. I am not a graphics inclined guy. Can't help you there.

PS:

I just bought a SuperDrive 12" and I love everything about it EXCEPT the damn heat it generates!

I took the two episodes of Battlestar Galactica and tossed them into Roxio6 to burn a watchable DVD just now. He encodes the MPG1 stream (which damn iDVD won't!!!!) and the temp monitor software showed the cpu running at 147 degrees!!

The bottom was so HOT it I could not hold it for long. The left palm rest was frying too.

They said this was fixed. Clearly it wasn't. The fan has been on full blast and now the temp is down to only 122 degrees.

Worries me though. Considering taking this back..........

mishap · Jan 27, 2004, 10:12 PM

1) Laptop screens have gotten much better over the last few years, but they simply cant compare to a CRT or an Apple Display.

After working on laptops for over two years... i cant wait to get back on a real display

depends what you do... web surfing and word processing is amazing on a 12"

typoon · Jan 28, 2004, 08:40 AM

I have a 12" and the screen isn't too bad. If you can play with it just see how you like it. Pretty much everything these days for the12" is going to be the latest.

When you get the powerbook be sure to get a good bag for it as well as something to prop it up like a CoolPad or Podium Pad or something like that. It will keep the powerbook cooler as well as get the heat away from your legs and other important appendages in the area.

Welcome to the Mac. I'm sure you will LOVE your Powerbook more since you saved to get it yourself. Congrats. Also get a couple of books if you can. there is a book for switchers as well as a good book on OS X Panther. Either that or just come and visit the forums. The BEST helpdesk on the net.

iREZ · Jan 28, 2004, 10:37 AM

Dont ya think seeing how this would be your first time using a mac that you shouldn't get a pb, I mean I remember when I was 15 and I would be as clumsy as Giligan. Maybe a souped up ibook would be a better choice for you now untill you get used to OS and software etc. With a student discount it'll cost only around 1500+tax for a 12inch ibook maxed out on everything (60g hd, BT, AE, 640ram) and applecare for 3 years. If your goin to use your comp for web surfin, emails, writing papers, and games as primary, and photoshop, illustrator, maya as secondary, I would go with the iBook. If you absolutely need a PB then by all means go for the 12inch its just an awesome computer.

PeterKG · Jan 28, 2004, 11:03 AM

Originally posted by iREZ:
Dont ya think seeing how this would be your first time using a mac that you shouldn't get a pb, I mean I remember when I was 15 and I would be as clumsy as Giligan.

Who is Giligan?

ibook_steve · Jan 28, 2004, 04:51 PM

Originally posted by PeterKG:
Who is Giligan?

How old are you and why aren't you watching TV Land? Gilligan from Gilligan's Island, of course!

"Just sit right back..."

Steve

iREZ · Jan 28, 2004, 05:29 PM

Maybe he's reffering to the fact that I mispelled his name by using only one L, and if not.....well lets just hope it is.