[PConvert]

I am a college student (as of next year) looking to use my powerbook for iLife, web browsing, e-mail, aim, and some games. I can't decide between the 15" and 17" models.

I hear that the 17" fits more comfortably on your lap (although i can't see how), and is an all-around better machine than the 15" and 12". One review cited that "after using the 17", i cant go back to the smaller models".


However, I would like to bring my PBook to class (college students - is this common practice?), use it on the train, and be able to move around the house with it when i'm home. Will the 17" be too big for this?

I also hear the 17" has a better battery than the 15".

Thoughts?


Also, I had tried ordering a PBook two weeks ago, the cost was $3200 from Apple, the Daily Spending limit on my PNCBank/Visa card is $3000. So the order was cancelled. I called my bank and they said they can't raise the lmiit unless it's an emergency. Did anyone else run into this problem?



Thanks again guys, if any of you can throw in ideas and help out I would like to join the mac world ASAP .

[TailsToo]

If you're going to be carrying around your laptop a lot, the 17 might be too big. After using an iBook for a few years, I find that the 15 is even a little annoying.

As for the cost, you might want to see about a student loan. Apple will help you with it, and the interest is usually less than most any credit card would be.

[t4r1q]

If portability is a concern for you go with the 12" (15" max, but it is still quite a bit big). For the uses you listed, a larger screen isn't really needed unless you like to have multiple windows open or do lots of graphic design.

[magicharm]

I think the difference in sizes is purely a personal one - I'm getting the 15, I prefer its looks and it's slightly more portable.

As for the college students using computers in class - almost no one in my school does. Maybe in certain new media courses, but other than that no one bothers. I don't know if that is how it is in all schools, but I don't think I know anyone anywhere who actually lugs a laptop around to class.

I read your comment about the PNC bank thing and had to laugh. I went with my boyfriend a few weeks ago to purchase his G5, and we couldn't figure out why the hell the bank wasn't authorizing the charge. We ended up putting 2,999 on his card and I payed the rest in cash - wich he then went and got back for me from the ATM. So I don't know how you would do this online, unless they could somehow charge you half the cost one day and the other half another - but if you go to the store you can take some from the ATM and put the rest on the card. Good Luck!

[cszar2001]

Originally posted by PConvert:
I hear that the 17" fits more comfortably on your lap (although i can't see how),

It has a greater surface area-so it doesn`t get as hot as the other models.
It is wider than the 15''-that way it sits on top of both legs.

[Andrew Stephens]

Bizarrely banks can also decline your card if the amount is BELOW your limit. Our Mac support lady spent a frustrating couple of hours trying to order an ibook only to have her card repeatedly declined. Turns out that banks do this (particularlywith computer purchases) as an anti fraud measure. Normally the bank computer looks for purchases outside your normal spending pattern but computers can also trigger this behaviour. Woese they won't even tell you why they are doing it!

Seems to me that banks should come up with a better way of protecting me from fraud than refusing to allow people to use their own money (this was a debit, not a credit card but this is true for credit cards too), to buy what they want. Lazy lazy lazy.

[dodo_nutter]

Im in the same situation as you, off to uni in october and i went and bought a 15".

I was deciding between a 12" and 15" though as the 17" was far too big for what i was looking at (plus it was waaay too expensive for my current bank balance!!).

In the end im glad i got the 15 because it has a nice screen size that you can work with without the need for an external display. Im use to a 15" iMac display which has the same height but isn't wide screen so the extra inches around the edge of the PB make it feel much bigger.

Even then i sometimes i regret not getting the 12" because it is so tiny and compact and you can whip it out anywhere, whereas the 15" feels a little too big to pull out in public all the time and so the 17" you'd have no chance!!

On a side note, I noticed in MacWorld magasine this month that the 1.5GHz 15" actually performed better in 5/6 tests than the 17" 1.5GHz model.

Good luck on the money front! (have you thought about getting your parents to buy it then paying them back?)

[Maflynn]

I'd opt for the 15"al a little cheaper,and imho a lot easier to lug around.

Have you given any thought to the iBook, cheaper, the plastic enclosure can take a beating. A lot more durable the the pbooks and cheaper. You give up monitor spanning, operating with the lid closed, more memory and maybe one or two more features that do not come to mind.

You best bet is to "test drive" the units at an apple store or a compusa. Get a feel of the keyboard, the display weight etc. Then you can determine what works best for you. if you get it an apple store i beleieve you still can get the student discount and you forgo the shipping charges.

Mike

[PConvert]

The problem with an Apple Store is I can' t upgrade the hard drive or video card in there, only online.

I still can't decide between the 15" and 17". I'm gonna drive up to CompUSA today and test them out I guess.

[wiregen]

i ordered a 17" 128MB 5400rpm powerbook, I'm telling you right now its personal preference. I drive to work and go to campus, walking with a powersleeve17 makes things very easy to log around. Certain days when i have quite a load to carry around (books and such) i use my targus backpack.

I owned a 15" and i found it crappy since i really needed the screen space (i work in media production) the 15" resolution was odd.. the 17" u have things side by side and more room for tools
Its your choice but having the extra screen space is worth my 160$ more. plus you dont need to pay an extra 80$ for apple to give u 1 512MB stick instaed of 2x512s : /

Then again its all by what ur doing. I dont find traveling with it so hard, just finding the right backpack/sleeve to go with it.

EDIT also battery life is rougly the same if thats also answering ur question haha. I get about 3 hours...normal usage, word, excel, web...

[urrl78]

I read somewhere you can get Powerbooks customized with 128 VRAM, etc without tax, perhaps SmallDog? Check into it, may save you hundreds.

[Maflynn]

Well I'd say all things being equal try the 15" as that should get you under the spending limit.

Mike

[PConvert]

I just can't decide...bleh I wish I could use each of them for a week and know which one feels better.

This is so hard.

[0s and 1s]

Whatever you end up doing, do NOT get the Apple student loan!! It's a curse, I tell yah!

[SplijinX]

For your bank limit problem, couldn't you order your PowerBook over the phone through a rep? You can probably charge up to your limit on one card and perhaps use a second to cover the amount over your limit. If you don't have a second card, sign up for one, use it, pay it off and then just close the account.

As far as taking laptops to class, it's often more of a hassle than it's worth. Sure you see swarms of CS majors coding away in the hallways, and people typing papers in the library, but as far as in-class use is concerned I personally have not had much success.

The idea of having digital notes would be wonderful. But at this point note taking is just impractical, especially when you have to add figures and diagrams. Granted if you’re taking a history class or something and all you are doing is typing in facts and dates it may be doable, but copying math equations and theorems? Pen and paper wins hands down.

Moreover, carrying around something that expensive everyday your chances of it being stolen, dropped or damaged goes up a bit. But if you’re careful and protective of your stuff it should be a big deal, just get some insurance when possible.

As for the screen size, it comes down to what you are going to do with it, whether you have an external monitor to use along with it, and whether or not you are willing to put up with the extra bulk and weight. I pack my 12” PB and a couple books with me in a messenger and ride a couple miles each day to class and it doesn’t take much before your muscles knot up and cause some pain.

Try and figure out what you need most and I’m sure you will be happy with your decision. Either way they’re great machines.

[brentsg]

To back up what someone else said, I cannot imaging taking my laptop to class. I'm sure some people like to do this, but I wouldn't. I got an engineering BS and MS and never once saw anyone with a laptop in class. I think taking notes on one would drive people around you crazy.

I own a new 12" rev C PowerBook. I'm probably a bit anal about keeping it nice. That being said, I would definitely consider an iBook for the college atmosphere. Just remembering what my college life was like, all the people around me, etc... I think my PowerBook would have been beaten to death. Living on campus my friends were always borrowing stuff and I would have wanted a more durable laptop.

Of course if you're living at home and such it wouldn't be such an issue.

Just my $02.

B

[PConvert]

Why do you say the apple student loan should be avoided?

[t4r1q]

I'm in third year and lots (5-10%) of people bring their laptops to class. Usually just to take notes, but mostly to chat on MSN, play games, or surf since the lectures are so boring

In fact, the university just started a new policy last year forcing ALL students to rent/buy an IBM Thinkpad R31 in the program. Luckily I had already started the program and was exempt.