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wei · Jun 9, 2004, 11:13 PM

I need some opinion here, pls help and thanks in advance!

here is my option:
brand new PB 12" RevC Combo - $1599
or a 9 month old PB 15" Combo (with AirPort Extreme Card, no AppleCare and the rest are as original factory specs) - $1300

wei · Jun 10, 2004, 04:30 AM

no one can help huh?

The Placid Casual · Jun 10, 2004, 05:06 AM

If the 15" is in good condition and you can get Applecare, it seems like it could be a good deal, although...

There is nothing like buying and opening a brand new Mac...

A tough call, but I'd say new.

tekno_geek911 · Jun 10, 2004, 05:09 AM

I'll take the 15" if you dont

andreas_g4 · Jun 10, 2004, 05:41 AM

The 15" is the nicer machine. The 12" is the most portable. But I would never get a used laptop, period. And the 12" Rev. C is a very cool Powerbook.

wei · Jun 10, 2004, 09:57 AM

Im still not sure how "good" is the condition of the 15" PB. I'll find out soon when meet up the buyer for a try out. And I know its always good to have a new one, but for the bigger screen and tight budget, the 15" seems to be very attractive for me. And the seller mentioned its a second machine for light web surfing and minor graphic works as he have a G4 tower as a main system.

anything i should look for that i can tell the PB is in good condition? like any system check-up application?

urrl78 · Jun 10, 2004, 10:08 AM

Check the ports functioning and make sure there are no dead pixels. Thats one advantage of buying used. You could get a dead pixel or three with a new one and there won't be any exchanges. I would also buy Applecare before the origional warranty runs out That makes the 15" as good or better than the 12" at about the same price. For me, added firewire 800 port, bigger screen, lighter than a 17" etc, makes it a true no brainer provided I can get the Applecare. And the 15" is tax free.

wei · Jun 10, 2004, 09:24 PM

Originally posted by urrl78:
Check the ports functioning and make sure there are no dead pixels. Thats one advantage of buying used. You could get a dead pixel or three with a new one and there won't be any exchanges. I would also buy Applecare before the origional warranty runs out That makes the 15" as good or better than the 12" at about the same price. For me, added firewire 800 port, bigger screen, lighter than a 17" etc, makes it a true no brainer provided I can get the Applecare. And the 15" is tax free.

thanks for the info... no firewire drive with me now, quess i have to look around for some device to connect to the port. I will get the Applecare for sure. what about the internal performance, like hard drive, RAM... how do I make sure they all working fine?

RooneyX · Jun 10, 2004, 11:37 PM

Go for the new one. Get all the speed you can. Future proofing is the most important thing.

iREZ · Jun 11, 2004, 10:58 AM

I'd go with the 15" although I have a 12" myself. I find that FW 800, PCI slot, Gigabit ethernet, larger screen, brighter screen and the price as posted above a "no brainer." Get the 12" if you love portability like I do, seeing that I carry my 'book wherever I go (school, friends house, work, and starbucks), but if portability isn't that much of a concern the 15" is a fine 'book and is plenty portable for the average notebook user. Only thing the 12" has going for it is 33MHz more, a 5400RPM HD option, and size. If those things don't bother you go, with the 15". If I were you and you wanted the new 12", I'd buy the 15" at that price, chuck it up on ebay, make a few bux on the deal and get the Superdrive 12" or even maybe a new 15".

wei · Jun 12, 2004, 12:47 AM

thanks for the reply iREZ

i think i'll stick with the 15", and get the Applecare within the next 3 month. Hopefully everything is as good as the seller promissed. Will test it out soon.

wei · Jun 14, 2004, 02:27 AM

if get the 15" can i still swap the HDD to 7200RPM / 5400RPM one before/during i purchase the Applecare?

The Placid Casual · Jun 14, 2004, 04:29 AM

Originally posted by wei:
if get the 15" can i still swap the HDD to 7200RPM / 5400RPM one before/during i purchase the Applecare?

I don't think you can. I'm 99% sure that the machine has to opened by Apple themselves (or an Applestore) to preserve the warranty...

iREZ · Jun 14, 2004, 10:37 AM

Placid is right, you have to take it to an Apple store or certified tech to get them installed. I used to think even going to a tech store and getting a 7200HD would void the warranty but was told otherwise in a past thread, I'd still stick with the 5400HD if I were you after seeing these benchmarks Barefeats, just make sure you scroll down. The added 20gigs that you get in a 5400HD for almost the same price is really worth it after seeing those specs.

wei · Jun 14, 2004, 08:27 PM

thanks again iRez! great info, and now i could save some $ for more RAM...