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warpedten · 03:31 PM

So I know this been discussed again and again (and again).... but I really can't make up my freakin mind....

I want a laptop. I want a mac. I can't afford a Powerbook. So, I'm getting an ibook. The only problem is, I can't decide between a 12 inch and a 14 inch screen. I know they have the same resolution, but it seems to me that movies and full-screen games would work a lot better on the 14 incher. On the other hand the 12 looks better and its more portable.

I went into the apple store today, and looked at them both. I've spent the last 3 or 4 hours on the internet looking at possibilities. And suprise, I still can't decide.

If it helps, I'm a college student and I'll be listening to (ridiculously large) amounts of music and surfing the net. I'll also be (hopefully) using the laptop to work outside of the office (the university has a nice Wi-Fi network) .... working for me involves programming...so being able to see text=good. I'll be watching some movies and playing games too...

Someone, please, convince me one way or the other. Pleeease!

P.S. the new specials at amazon look really good. is it possible to install my own hard drive without voiding the warrenty? and will I be missing anything not having bluetooth?

Thanks!

Edit: This would be my only computer, and I don't have an external monitor to plug it into at home.

D'Espice · Oct 29, 2004, 04:26 AM

Would the 14" iBook have a higher resolution I'd say go for it. But since it has the very same everything will only look a lot larger. Also it's bigger and heavier, if you really want something portable go for 12", if you're gonna be spending most of the time with your iBook on one desk or another go for 14".

Also don't forget that you can order the 14" with a SuperDrive which is not possible for the 12" iBook.

wataru · Oct 29, 2004, 05:57 AM

Actually, it's really a moot point: There is no 14' iBook.

warpedten · Oct 29, 2004, 11:32 AM

A fourteen foot iBook would be rather large, wouldn't it.... and at the same resolution as the 12 incher you'd only get 7 or 8 pixels per inch....

It's apple's next step for sure, for people who think the 17 inch powerbook and the 30 inch display are too small : )

MARINEOSX · Oct 29, 2004, 12:30 PM

That is outstanding.

I have the 14" and I like it alot. It is nice when you have a few people watching a movie, and I like games on a bigger screen. I have taken my ibook every where you can think of. Even to Kuwait and I have not had a problem with size.

D'Espice · Oct 29, 2004, 05:42 PM

Honestly, I don't see the point. It's larger yet same resolution. It's bigger and heavier. Of course one can still carry it around after all it is still a laptop

james_squared · Oct 29, 2004, 06:06 PM

Hello,

If it is going to be your only machine, the 14" might be a better option. The 12" might be a bit hard to stare at all day long.

Yes, it is heavier, but it is just 1 pound. If your not carrying it around ALL day, I doubt you'll notice the extra pound.

You could flip a coin!

Which Powerbook would you have chosen?

James

Cadaver · Oct 29, 2004, 10:26 PM

I guess it depends on how good your eyes are... The 12" text can appear fairly small. Not an issue if your eyesight is really good, but for long coding sessions, then perhaps the 14" is a better choice.

I have both a 12" iBook (older 600MHz model) and a 12" PBG4. While very portable, they are not my primary Mac (see my sig below), so the small text for short periods of time doesn't bother me.

Plus, the 14" has a higher capacity battery and faster processor - and a SuperDrive option.

I say get the 14" with the SuperDrive and an 80GB HD.

Don't forget about your student discount...

Oh, BTW, swapping the hard drive yourself is a major hassle on the iBooks.

warpedten · Oct 29, 2004, 11:08 PM

Originally posted by james_squared:

Which Powerbook would you have chosen?

I would have chosen the 15 inch one....it has a lot higher resolution... unfortunately the 14 inch iBook doesn't have that advantage.

I'm not too worried about having/not having a superdrive though....I don't have 200 dollars extra for something I won't use too often : )

Krusty · Oct 29, 2004, 11:35 PM

My 2 Cents: 12". You lose nothing (save 30gigs of HD space which you can upgrade thru apple for a measly $75). This will STILL leave you $225 in the black over a 14" (enough to buy yourself a decent 17" CRT + full size keyboard for when you're at home and STILL come out money ahead).

Go with the 12" + "home station". Still cheaper than the 14". More comfortable when you're at home and can stretch out. More portable when you are on the go.

thekore · Oct 30, 2004, 04:30 AM

go for the 12" its sweet, the 14" only runs the same 1024x768 res so you are not winning anything

D'Espice · Oct 30, 2004, 05:20 AM

Originally posted by Krusty:
My 2 Cents: 12". You lose nothing (save 30gigs of HD space which you can upgrade thru apple for a measly $75). This will STILL leave you $225 in the black over a 14" (enough to buy yourself a decent 17" CRT + full size keyboard for when you're at home and STILL come out money ahead).

Go with the 12" + "home station". Still cheaper than the 14". More comfortable when you're at home and can stretch out. More portable when you are on the go.

I think that is the best piece of advice in this thread - I totally second that.

LukeGX · Oct 31, 2004, 05:21 AM

"Go with the 12" + "home station". Still cheaper than the 14". More comfortable when you're at home and can stretch out. More portable when you are on the go."

I totally agree, if you are pushed for space a decent LCD would be good as well.

However if you don't want to set up a permanent home studio type thing I would get the 14" iBook, especially if you want to watch movies and play games (you will need some decent speakers as well).

Most TVs have the same resolution but not many people would prefer a small TV over a larger one.

Basically it comes down to whether you want a machine that is better for movies and games (14") or a machine that is more portable (12").

Note: iBooks are at the bottom of the list for 3D games performance.

jamesa · Oct 31, 2004, 06:40 AM

go 12". I have a 12" powerbook and it rocks.

you're buying it for portability... most any text that you need to be made bigger can be done in OS X apps; zoom in or raise the text size. The size makes a real difference, however.

I came down from a 14" Pismo and seriously, you don't miss it.

-- james

Athens · Oct 31, 2004, 07:00 AM

simple choice really, does size matter to you, will you use this mostly as a desktop or will you want to carry it around with you places, and if you want to carry it around, will you be using it on your lap, in the park, on the bus, in a car and such. If so then 12", if not, if its just going to be on a desk most of the time go with the 14".

Randman · Oct 31, 2004, 07:23 AM

Think 6 months down the road, maybe even a year. Try and think if your computing needs will have changed by then and which model will best suit your needs THEN, not now.

jamil5454 · Oct 31, 2004, 08:31 AM

I'm using the 12" iBook and I have to say it's great. It comes with an adaptor to mirror the LCD screen onto an external monitor which is exactly what I'm doing. I'm using a USB keyboard and mouse and with my decent 17" monitor I sometimes forget I'm using a laptop. The 12" screen is not exactly big, but it is razor sharp. I have no problems using the 12" screen for a couple hours, but using it all day I can see how I might have to squint. My opinion is the same:

Get the 12" iBook, a nice 17" monitor, a USB, and a USB keyboard.

Here it is on newegg:

Monitor - http://www.newegg.com/app/viewproduc...013&DEPA=1

Mouse - http://www.newegg.com/app/viewproduc...165&DEPA=1

Keyboard - http://www.newegg.com/app/viewproduc...009&DEPA=1

warpedten · Oct 31, 2004, 12:56 PM

Thanks for your replies so far, especially given the one million other people asking the same question over the last couple months.

Originally posted by Athens:
simple choice really, does size matter to you, will you use this mostly as a desktop or will you want to carry it around with you places, and if you want to carry it around, will you be using it on your lap, in the park, on the bus, in a car and such. If so then 12", if not, if its just going to be on a desk most of the time go with the 14".

You're saying that the 14" will be a bigger pain to carry around and use in places that don't have desks...obviously its a larger machine, but is it really so big that its impractical to use in parks, on my lap, etc.?

Also, I think the home station thing is a good point

but I was also planning on using my laptop at school to program so I'm not stuck in my office all the time... what do you guys think about coding on the 12"?

Once again, thanks a bunch

MARINEOSX · Oct 31, 2004, 01:33 PM

Well if you are going to be doing coding then the 14" will be easier on your eyes. Again I have taken my 14" everywere! On a bus stuffed full of marines, and then on a plane for nearly 17 hours. I take mine outside and surf the net when it is nice, and the only thing that I can complain about... is that i wish the speakers were louder. It has always been able to fit, after all it is a lap? Yes that is right LAPTOP.

LukeGX · Oct 31, 2004, 04:55 PM

The 14" is still very portable, more so than most windows based laptops.
We can tell you many different points of view but when it comes down to it you should choose the screen size that suits your needs. If you have good eyes and are strapped for cash, get the 12". If you are worried about eyestrain and place a high priority on watching movies/playing games, get the 14".

I am not really biased towards the 14" or 12" iBook, they both have their advantages and disadvantages. I own a 12" but I have used a 14" on a regular basis.

From your posts I think you would be best to get the 14".

* Lengthy coding sessions WILL cause less eye strain with the 14").

* Movies and games will be on a bigger screen.

* The 12" is smaller but the 14" still fits on your lap and if you get a backpack (eg. a Targus) to carry your iBook you wont notice the extra weight. Remember most windows laptops are 15" and still quite portable (not that I think they are any good).

MARINEOSX:
"i wish the speakers were louder"

I second that,

I would recomend getting "iFire" from "Griffin Technology" and some "Apple Pro" speakers. They are portable and sound good.
To watch movies, play games and listen to music you will need external speakers. The built ins just don't cut it. It is best to get speakers that dont require an external power source so you can use them anywhere.

willmore · Oct 31, 2004, 08:19 PM

I'm a little confused. I just purchased an 14" ibook SD and upgraded everything. However a couple of my friends have told me that I need to look for a DVD-rw to work with the machine. Is this correct? The machine is a DVD-r and CD-rw.....what exactly does this mean.

If I do need a dvd-rw - any suggestions on a compatible model - remember I live in Canada.....

Thank you.....any quick responses would be appreciated.

AleroLeanne · Oct 31, 2004, 08:49 PM

Originally posted by willmore:
I'm a little confused. I just purchased an 14" ibook SD and upgraded everything. However a couple of my friends have told me that I need to look for a DVD-rw to work with the machine. Is this correct? The machine is a DVD-r and CD-rw.....what exactly does this mean.

If I do need a dvd-rw - any suggestions on a compatible model - remember I live in Canada.....

Thank you.....any quick responses would be appreciated.

If the computer is only DVD-r then it's not a superdrive, it just has a dvd reader (making it a combo drive). But a superdrive would be DVD-rw (read/write) meaning you would already have a burner installed.

The 14" high-end has the burner option. The lower end 14" is only a combo drive...hopefully this helps.

warpedten · Nov 2, 2004, 02:00 AM

I hated being so indecisive about this computer thing.....

But I've made up my mind! Today I ordered a 14" iBook G4 with a Combo Drive, 80 GB hard drive, and Bluetooth! Eventually I'll even be able to afford to upgrade the RAM : ) Thanks for all your help everyone...

Now if you live in the States, go vote!

Randman · Nov 2, 2004, 02:05 AM

Congrats, but get the ram asap, otherwise you're just handicapping yourself from the beginning.

turtle777 · Nov 13, 2004, 08:47 AM

Originally posted by warpedten:
I hated being so indecisive about this computer thing.....

But I've made up my mind! Today I ordered a 14" iBook G4 with a Combo Drive, 80 GB hard drive, and Bluetooth! Eventually I'll even be able to afford to upgrade the RAM : ) Thanks for all your help everyone...

Enjoy the machine.

-t

EdipisReks · Nov 14, 2004, 02:28 AM

i think the 14" was the right decision. my mother has a 1 ghz 14", and it is super readable. i think that 1024x768 is a good resolution for 14" screens. i probably wouldn't want to see anything bigger. the battery life is also AMAZING. super solid machine. enjoy