[MrForgetable]

I was deciding between the 12" Powerbook and the 15" Powerbook, and decided to get the 15" Powerbook 1.33GHz because of the screen, extra ports, a little bit more expandibility (is that a word?), and that I probably won't need to lug the computer everywhere. And if I need to, it probably won't make much difference in the bag. Yeah, all the 12 inch owners will say, "oh, just use the money left over to get an external LCD." and I agree, it would be an ultra compact laptop which can double as a desktop replacement. That's why I liked the 12 inch PB so much.

But in the end, I decided to order the 15" PB and I hope I won't regret getting the 15" over the 12". It truly was a tossup. I probably stood in front of the screen staring at the 12" and 15" choices for 30 minutes before I even dared to go on. But yeah, it came out to be a little over $2100 with the Cram+Jam deal (damn CA sales tax) for college students so overall, not a bad deal. Now, time to save for AppleCare, a nice bag and mouse, and I'm set!

Oh yeah, I also went for the backlit keyboard. I decided that was one thing I couldn't upgrade and I'm sure I'll find some use for it someday, or I'll make myself find a use I can always turn it off when I don't need it though, correct?

[azdude]

Congrats! Enjoy!

AppleCare --> Good boy. Yes.

Nice Bag --> Highly personal, but I'm in love with my Tom Bihn Brain Bag + Brain Cell combo.

Mouse --> I got the Bluetake BT500 from RadTech.us. It's available (rebranded) from several places. Works great with the PB's Bluetooth. Gets great battery life. Great tracking. Has an on/off switch for worry-free bag tossing (other mini BTmice don't). The click is a little loud, but no big deal.

[MrForgetable]

I come from a 4 year old Dell 1.3GHz Pentium4 with 128MB RAM and a crappy mouse/keyboard, so I'm sure the clicks aren't as bad as this one

Yeah, this is my first ever Mac/Apple (my sister got an iBook) and I'm anticipating lots of pictures during the Grand Opening Should ship on or before 9/09 so at the latest, it should get here on the 14/15/16th.

I actually wanted the Apple Wireless Mouse because I like the feel and looks of it, but 1 button would probably be a hassle. Even my 4 year old mouse has 2 buttons

[azdude]

Originally posted by MrForgetable:
I actually wanted the Apple Wireless Mouse because I like the feel and looks of it, but 1 button would probably be a hassle. Even my 4 year old mouse has 2 buttons

They're both nice--- I have no problem with Apple's one-button-ism... the OS is built for it. However, the "mini" size of the BT500, ability to occasionally use a contextual menu with a right click, and assigning expose to the middle button are all very super-cool.

[MrForgetable]

Originally posted by azdude:
They're both nice--- I have no problem with Apple's one-button-ism... the OS is built for it. However, the "mini" size of the BT500, ability to occasionally use a contextual menu with a right click, and assigning expose to the middle button are all very super-cool.

i did that with my sisters iBook. assigned expose for the middle scroll button. man i found myself playing with expose when i didn't need to

[xavier1]

welcome to the brotherhood of powerbook users MrForgetable.

[StevenWRX]

the 15 is a much wiser choice. you will really appreciate the extra screen size.


welcome and good luck!

[NemesisEG]

I'm glad I'm not the only one who stood in a store for 30 minutes looking at both machines!

I went for the 15" in the end and I think it was the right decision. I've been using the 15" 1.33 for about a month now and it's a fantastic machine. I can sit on the sofa and surf with Extreme, sit up at the table and play games with headphones on and an external mouse and the thing never glitches. NWN and CoD run like a dream. iLife apps are fast.

I would recommend the RAM upgrade to 768. It makes a world of difference.

I was REALLY tempted to order online for the extra GPU RAM and backlit keyboard, but I wanted it there and THEN (as you do) and I've not noticed any GPU problems. It's running fine on 64. The backlit keyboard would've been nice, but I can live without it.

I tell you this. I spend all afternoon setting the machine up, installing Medal Of Honor and getting it all right. That night, I went to our LAN night with friends and as they lugged PCs up the path, I strolled in with a backpack and setup in 2 minutes. A priceless moment. Sitting there all smug whilst they struggled in the door with CRTs. This machine has been worth every penny, and I don't regret choosing the 15 over the 12.

I actually went back to the store a few weeks back, and the 12" screen is just too small for me now. Odd how your views change after a while, I can't see why I worried so much.

[MrForgetable]

Originally posted by NemesisEG:
I'm glad I'm not the only one who stood in a store for 30 minutes looking at both machines!

I went for the 15" in the end and I think it was the right decision. I've been using the 15" 1.33 for about a month now and it's a fantastic machine. I can sit on the sofa and surf with Extreme, sit up at the table and play games with headphones on and an external mouse and the thing never glitches. NWN and CoD run like a dream. iLife apps are fast.

I would recommend the RAM upgrade to 768. It makes a world of difference.

I was REALLY tempted to order online for the extra GPU RAM and backlit keyboard, but I wanted it there and THEN (as you do) and I've not noticed any GPU problems. It's running fine on 64. The backlit keyboard would've been nice, but I can live without it.

I tell you this. I spend all afternoon setting the machine up, installing Medal Of Honor and getting it all right. That night, I went to our LAN night with friends and as they lugged PCs up the path, I strolled in with a backpack and setup in 2 minutes. A priceless moment. Sitting there all smug whilst they struggled in the door with CRTs. This machine has been worth every penny, and I don't regret choosing the 15 over the 12.

I actually went back to the store a few weeks back, and the 12" screen is just too small for me now. Odd how your views change after a while, I can't see why I worried so much.

Thanks for the kind words. I've been stressing out even after I ordered it that I made the wrong decision. 300 bucks difference for a computer with pretty much only a bigger screen, while giving up portability and AppleCare (for now, at least) and everything else being pretty much the same, but now I'm thinking I made the right choice.
It shipped today (last night), and I'm EXCITED. The iPod and the Powerbook should be coming in soon.

I'm actually thinking about doing that 1GB thing, which sounds like a good deal. 1.25GB RAM would be awesome! 2GB would be even better but probably out the budget at least until next year

But my first accessory will definitely be the Logitech MX500 . I can live with 256MB for a while, but I can't live without a 2 button+scroll mouse.

[Lancer409]

hey .. in two weeks, you will have NO REGRETS, Regardless if you chose the 12 or the 15 .. they are both excellent machines and both will leave you speechless and having NO REGRETS .... now ... to get someone to show you the secret handshake

[MrForgetable]

I Wonder why it goes from Shanghai, China, to Anchorage, Alaska, to Indianapolis, Indiana, when I'm here in Southern California !!! Do they do this on purpose?

[novocain]

I order the 15 1.33 too. and upgraded the memory to 512 and hard drive to 80.......and finally i decided not to use the cram and jam. because apple told me i can not get the rebate if i order through my university. but the university will install many softwares for me and the warranty is 3 years. so i think it's better to order from university. in the other other hand, ipod is tooooo popular. almost everyone is wearing the white earphone-_- so maybe i will buy something else such as iriver H320 when it's available. but sadly, much more expensive.....

[Randman]

iriver? What a joke.

[Ω]

Originally posted by novocain:
almost everyone is wearing the white earphone-_- so maybe i will buy something else such as iriver H320 when it's available. but sadly, much more expensive.....

Buy decent earphones for it

[bbales]

Originally posted by MrForgetable:
I Wonder why it goes from Shanghai, China, to Anchorage, Alaska, to Indianapolis, Indiana, when I'm here in Southern California !!! Do they do this on purpose?

That's the route my stuff (12-in PB, purchased right after expo in 2/03) and a relatively new mini -- but I live near Chicago!

BUT -- if it's already gone to Indiana it must be close to you by now.
When's the estimated date of delivery? And how many times an hour are you checking the Fed Ex web site?

I got the 12-in, b/c the 15-inch didn't exist at the time. For portability the 12-inch is great. The bigger screen would sure be nice, too. You will LOVE your machine, so don't look back now. And enjoy, enjoy.

BTW, I got AppleCare shortly before the one year was up. You might want to look at Safeware insurance to cover accidental damage and/or theft/loss, etc.
I have both.

[phillryu]

What type of shipping did you order? I ordered 2 day shipping and it just shipped today from Shanghai... think it'll get to Connecticut by Thursday?

[MrForgetable]

Originally posted by phillryu:
What type of shipping did you order? I ordered 2 day shipping and it just shipped today from Shanghai... think it'll get to Connecticut by Thursday?

says it should ship on 9/9 (first day of school ) at 10:30am.

i ordered on 9/2 10:36PT and chose the regular shipping to save some money for my mouse and applecare

[MrForgetable]

Originally posted by bbales:

BUT -- if it's already gone to Indiana it must be close to you by now.
When's the estimated date of delivery? And how many times an hour are you checking the Fed Ex web site?


BTW, I got AppleCare shortly before the one year was up. You might want to look at Safeware insurance to cover accidental damage and/or theft/loss, etc.
I have both.

It got to Indiana 2 days ago and FedEx says it hasn't shipped out (last time i checked was last night) of Indiana. I try to check once an hour, maybe twice, depending on the work I'm doing, and when I'm at water polo doing a swim set, I try to think each wall is closer to my powerbook

i'm thinking about just getting the AppleCare, haven't heard of insurance but I'm not going to be lugging the thing everywhere, mostly wirelessly desktop in the house hopefully nothing happens, but I'm willing to take the risk of my wrong doing, but not Apple's.

[MrForgetable]

Coincidence:
went online to check my shipping status.
then i saw that it went on the vehicle already.
then when i was jumping for joy, the FEDEX GUY KNOCKED!
IT'S HERE! I'm opening it now. iPod is here too.

[MrForgetable]

I have a question about the Cram and Jam offer though:
1. A completed request coupon- check

2. Proof of purchase consisting of itemized, dated sales receipts showing all Apple Products purchased- I didn't get a receipt with my order(s)??

3. the reseller's name and address-www.apple.com, Apple Store for Education Online?

4. My name and address- check

5. Serial numbers- check

6. Prices paid for the qualifying products- can I just use the emails they sent me?

7. UPC code. check

thanks

[xavier1]

Originally posted by MrForgetable:
Coincidence:
went online to check my shipping status.
then i saw that it went on the vehicle already.
then when i was jumping for joy, the FEDEX GUY KNOCKED!
IT'S HERE! I'm opening it now. iPod is here too.

post some photos!

[MrForgetable]

Originally posted by xavier1:
post some photos!

i took about 25, but i can only find 18. all the opening of the ipods are gone, but everything else i'm uploading right now before the battery goes down.

[Scooterboy]

Congrats! You made a good choice. I'm stoked today because my BTO 17" 1.5 GHz arrived today! I'm still at work and will set it up when I get home. Only 12 minutes to go!

[MrForgetable]

just a pic. if you want the rest go here:
http://www.s2ki.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=233799

[songoku912]

You made the right call. As much as I loved my 12 inch iBook G3 and G4, the added screen real estate is worth the $ in my opinion. I daresay I love my pbg4 even more

[teknopimp]

congrats MrF. i know that new powerbook feeling, just had it last month. have fun!

[8minute]

Yep, congrats on your new toy

For me the decision between a 12" or 15" was simple ... I couldn't afford a maxed out 15"!!

[albook]

Congrats with your new PowerBook.
I got the 1.5GHz SuperDrive modell and its the best portable I have owned!

[novocain]

Originally posted by Randman:
iriver? What a joke.

ipod's design is perfect. but iriver is a more practical choice.

I love ipod......i always hope i can have it, in fact i've already bought a nice headphone for it........but i hate the tricky cram and jam!!!!

[ryju]

Hey I ordered mine yesterday, Applecare left Cali today so let us see whose gets here first.

[wuzup101]

Congrads! I too recently ordered my first powerbook... which also is my first mac. I'm in love with thing thing. The 15" is definitely plenty portable IMHO and OSX is awesome. I also recently picked up a 20gb 4g iPod and all is right with the world. I'm thinking of getting a g5 iMac this summer for my house depending on the summer internship I get and the money situation!

[ChillieMac]

Mr. Forgettable,

I totally relate to your fantastic experience because, I just received my Powerbook 1.5 Ghz, 15", 128VRAM, 5400 rpm HD yesterday. Got it along with an Airport Express, AppleCare, and Command and Conquer-Generals.

I,too, had doubts as to wether I should have gotten the 17" or if I made a mistake going with the Combo Drive instead of Superdrive, but ALL dobts and fears vanished once the FEDEX guy arrived and I opened the box!

Congrats to you and maybe if you play any networkable games, we can keep in touch.

Question to everyone:

Anyone know a good web site that delves into what is possible/available in the way of PCMA cards? I know there are tons of cards that add ports, (ethernet, Firewire, USB/USB2, Flash Media readers etc. are there cards that add GPS, TV, radio, XM radio, etc.?

Also, I'm still looking at cases...I know most people put the following as top priorities: Looks, Shoulder Strap comfort, size, storage...and maybe protection. However, when I put down nearly $3K for something, I want to REALLY protect it. Anyone know of a site that rates a bags protective qualities as well as looks and comfort? Anyone able to make a recommendation based on an experience with a protective bag that actually saved their expensive toy? I travel a lot on Chicago's public transit and it gets really crowded and people can be pushy, forcing you or your bag forcefully against other people or worse, very solid seating.

Anyone know the Secret Powerbook owner handshake?

[bookofjames]

Originally posted by ChillieMac:
Anyone know the Secret Powerbook owner handshake?

someone please teach me!


please?

[Randman]

James, head down to SGL at Sim Lim and there'll be people that can teach it to you. .
I've been using Macs regularly since my sophomore year at NMSU in 1986 and mt new PB 17 is the best of the bunch. Add in the fact that I got it at the price of a 15 with free Applecare (details posted on a different thread) and it couldn't be beat.

[MrForgetable]

Well a couple of days ago I got the Cram and Jam check in the mail, so it is not a scam

[.saNNic.]

I just picked up a Al Powerbook 15" 1.25 with backlit and 768RAM off of ebay for 1,500.00. I am very happy and cannot believe I waited so long to get one of these wonderful machines! I have always been a desktop person but my Dual 1.42 MDD G4 hasn't been touched in two days.

[gsxrboy]

I always wondered if I could live with a portable as my only machine, I was thinking screen envy for 20" cinema displays etc, tossed up between 12,15 & 17.. man it was tuff ! finally decided on the 15" 15. with vram & hdd ups.. I lurv this machine and cant imagine becoming a desktop buyer again for a long time..
Well that and no money to buy one now

[His Dudeness]

Originally posted by MrForgetable:
I Wonder why it goes from Shanghai, China, to Anchorage, Alaska, to Indianapolis, Indiana, when I'm here in Southern California !!! Do they do this on purpose?

Frequent Flyer Miles?