[TWinbrook46636]

I sold my 800Mhz 12" iBook G4 and want to upgrade to one of the new ones.

I would really like to stick with the 12" model as it is the ideal size and weight and aesthetically it's perfect. The 14" model seems like a beast in comparison. Lots of space on each side of the keyboard, same screen resolution and speakers, only much bigger and heavier.

However, I also would like a Superdrive and unfortunately Apple does not offer one BTO on the 12" model. Should I move up to a 14" just to get it? I know the 12" PowerBook sounds ideal but I think the iBooks are more durable, have better battery life, better wireless reception and I prefer the look of them.

So are there any attributes of the 14" model that I have missed? Is the screen sharper or brighter than the 12" model? Would it run cooler because of the extra space inside the case? Any benefits other than the Superdrive?

[TWinbrook46636]

Ah, I see now there is an "Apple ibook top of the line 14" for graphic design?" thread that asks similar questions. Still, I haven't seen answers to these:

1). Is the 14" screen brighter or sharper?

Obviously it is bigger and so is easier to read but is it brighter than the 12" version? Is the backlighting more even? Is it sharper? Perhaps there is a difference in PPI between the two?

2). Would it run cooler due to have a bigger case?

3). Does it have the same size speakers? It looks like it.

4). Would the 1 Ghz 14" model be ideal for battery life?

Thanks!

[The Placid Casual]

For me, from what I've seen the Powerbook is just as durable.

It also will look much better aesthetically after a few years usage.

I would just buy a 12" PB SD model.

[jon l. dawson]

To answer your question about the display, from other posts I have read on here it would seem that the 14" has a "fuzzier" display because there are fewer pixels per inch. It may however be brighter.

I don't really like the 14" iBook for the same reasons as you. For all the design work that went into the original 12", the 14" just looks like a supersized version with a disproportionate looking keyboard.