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HazelGirl · May 14, 2004, 10:45 PM

Just wondering how much you all payed for your 17 inch PBook.

If I ever get a Mac...and I will, one of these days!!!! I will opt for the larger 17 inch laptop because I really do need a large screen. Myabe the 15 inch...but I prefer the 17 inch, especially since it is the lightest 17 incher on the market tha tI know of.

Just owndering....and how do you like the backlit keyboard? I type a lot at night so that would be useful to me! Anyone pay over 3k, including taxes?

Crusoe · May 15, 2004, 03:16 AM

I swiped up a 1GHz 17" refurb from the Apple store for $2199 back in January. It arrived in flawless condition. They now have the 1.33 GHz for the same price.

I sold my 15" for a 17" for screen size and resolution alone. I've found the backlight quite useful, though I'm pretty much a touch typist, gaming puts your hands in unusual keyboard positions sometimes. Last with the ambient light sensor, it adjust screen brightnees automatically. Every evening when the sun goes down my screen automaticaly dims. Nice feature.

HazelGirl · May 15, 2004, 10:18 AM

wow...neat! Yeah, I thought about maybe getting a Refurb....at least then I would be more able to afford the larger screen. How is wireless internet reception?

cszar2001 · May 15, 2004, 10:38 AM

Doesn`t matter how much you pay for it-in the end it`s definitely worth it.

I will never trade in my PB17 Rev. A for something with a smaller screen.

SEkker · May 15, 2004, 09:44 PM

The wireless reception is top notch on this revA powerbook. Comparable to an older Pismo Mac, wayyyyyyy better than TiPB.

Oh, and PB17 notebooks should come with a large WARNING label -- PLEASE NOTE THAT AFTER USING THIS COMPUTER, USER MAY NOT BE ABLE TO RETURN TO NOTEBOOK LIFE WITH A COMPUTER WITH A SMALLER SCREEN.

HazelGirl · May 16, 2004, 12:10 AM

LOL....I know tha twhen I get a laptop I will need at LEAST a 15 inch screen.... right now I am using a pc with a 15 inch flat panel display and I think THAT is too small...coming from a 17 inch flat panel from school 9which is in storage!). At work, I have a 12 inch regular monitor which is VERY tiny!!!

rag on a muffin · May 16, 2004, 12:14 AM

how bad was the range on the old TIbooks?

aricher · May 16, 2004, 12:41 AM

Range on the tibooks? try... nada. I had one - would drop signal from room to room - plain sucked - worked better with a post-factory wifi card. My PB 17 1.33 however ROCKS!! As others have posted - you can't use a smaller screen - tried using my bus. partner's PB 15 - no comparison - I can't live \
w/o the 17". I paid a pretty penny - bought using the student discount and bought the RAM from Crucial - 2 GB worth every penny. As I tell friends, "It's like buying a used car. Within 2 mo the computer paid for itself with the jobs I completed. As others have said - buy when you need it - waitg for the G5 if you have to but... I needed it, bought it and paid for it within 2 months. Huzzaahhh - I LOOOVVEEE my 17" PB

HazelGirl · May 16, 2004, 01:01 AM

How is the heating on the new pbooks? what about bat life?

aricher · May 16, 2004, 02:29 AM

I've been laying here on th ecouch for 1.5 hours with the PB 17 on my lap - no serious heat issues - depending on what I use if for my battery life is 2.30 - 3:15 hours. I usually keep it plugged in and bring an extra battery with me when I'm on the road.

Buy a 17" You will love it!!

angelmb · May 16, 2004, 07:40 AM

Originally posted by SEkker:
Oh, and PB17 notebooks should come with a large WARNING label -- PLEASE NOTE THAT AFTER USING THIS COMPUTER, USER MAY NOT BE ABLE TO RETURN TO NOTEBOOK LIFE WITH A COMPUTER WITH A SMALLER SCREEN.

So true !

Crombie914 · May 16, 2004, 09:41 AM

Hey just to get back to your original questoin, i was able to get a Rev A 17' off of eBay for $1,500. The computer was completly flawless and i couldn't have been happier. John

HazelGirl · May 16, 2004, 11:16 AM

WOW...I would be terrified to buy something like tha ton ebay because of all the frauds that go on...glad it worked out for you though...wow, 1500????

Is the 17 inch easy to carry in a laptop bookbag or should bag or is it too heavy?

If I did get a 17 inch i would probably try to get a refurb....hehe..

NightEyes · May 16, 2004, 11:53 AM

I have a large Cargo Bag from Waterfield and keep my 17 in a sleeve to tote around in the bag. Honestly, I can't tell a difference between my old 15 and my current 17 when carrying it in the bag. Go for the 17; you won't regret it.

Crombie914 · May 16, 2004, 02:10 PM

Yeah i was really happy that it worked to, i was in contact with the seller for the entire transaction and it was done through PayPal so i was insured with my money, plus i had a good feeling about the entire add, but you have to be quick with that stuff, the auction was up for only 10 minutes before i found it.. good luck with whatever you decide

HazelGirl · May 16, 2004, 02:15 PM

Thanks a lot! A 17inch would be good for me because of my poor eye sight! Its also great that its a widescreen since I always have so many apps open at the same time.

I wish I knew more peeps on Macs though so we can go through it together! My pal refuses to try a Mac....though I think I may like the newer OS.

I use Macs at school if I go to the Comp lab. Usually there is always a free Mac seat, but the Wintel machines are ALWAYS packed full of students....hehe.

Link · May 17, 2004, 04:17 AM

Having messed with the 17"ers enough before and liked them so much to want one, I can't say much more than they totally rawk.

They're not all that heavy either.. but it's certainly not the kinda laptop you balance on one hand and carry off. One of the more surprising things to me though, and it keeps on surprising me.. is how thin they are for 17"ers o_O

angelmb · May 17, 2004, 08:37 AM

Originally posted by Link:
They're not all that heavy either..

Indeed, just try to handle a 17" PC laptop, and Hazelgirl, there are out there really nice PowerBook bags aimed to ladies.

BTW, I got my 17" from a well known music guy that just replaced it with the then 'all new'1.33 GHz model, but I can not tell you any more!

HazelGirl · May 17, 2004, 02:13 PM

I want one I want one!!

Link · May 17, 2004, 07:06 PM

I have a ~10 inch laptop that weighs 7lbs.. then again it's from 1996

wex · May 25, 2004, 07:36 PM

I bought a 17" (1GB) off eBay and just got it today. It's pretty awesome!

I paid $1980 (including shipping). In retrospect, I probably could have done better. I'm going to end up paying another $350 for Applecare and there are lots out there for about what I paid w/ faster CPU and Applecare included. I hate not getting the best deal, but am pretty stoked with it so far.