[haze]

Ok, finally have enough extra loan money to get a PB. This is my first foray into the Mac. I had been waiting for a G5, but it is going to take too long, delay after delay with the production/heating issues. Anyhow, I have been lurking a couple years getting info, waiting for money/G5. So, I am leaning towards the 12 due to cost and portability, but I am concerned about screen real estate for programming. I am getting a teaching credential and will be teaching business/technology and to be more employable I need to learn a programming language or three. My friend is a CC/EE major and says that the screen size/resolution is not enough. What do you guys think? Also, is there any open source version of VB on the Mac? Or would I be out of luck? I assume C++ and Java would be fine?

[Altair]

I am a CS Major with a 12" so I think I can help

I find the screen real estate "usable" but if you are going to get one of these invest in an external monitor. The 12" is a very good portable machine and so I take mine almost everywhere (class, girlfriend's, College of Computing, etc). If you are going to be carrying this thing everywhere you go then this is a very good purchase. If not, then I would highly suggest the 15". With the 15, it is much easier to have two windows open on the screen at the same time making programming much easier.

As for programming languages, there is no VB for the mac. This is a good thing but since you are learning it to enhance your resume then you might want to try using virtual pc. Java works great on the mac and I recommend using eclipse as your java editor. C++ does exist in some form on the mac though I have never played with it on mine. I would recommend learning php as well.

[maxintosh]

I'm a CS major too. 1024x768 is OK for Java and C++ esp. with Command-Tab and Exposé. Write your code in SubEthaEdit, cmd-tab to the Terminal and compile. XCode runs fine in 1024x768 too.

However for serious stuff (and esp. graphic design/web dev, my concentration) an external monitor is a good thing. I ordered a cheapo LCD that got good reviews (Acer 1415B I think). It was under $220, 17" and has 1280x1024 resolution w/ 3 year full warranty. Try your PB out and if you feel it's too restrictive pick up a monitor for home. LCDs are getting cheap these days.

[wilsonng]

The external monitor is a must. I am currently programming a 4D database on my 12" PB. When I'm not attached to an external monitor, I can get by on my 12" screen with the help of Panther's Expose.

However, it is more comfortable to connect to an external monitor with dual monitor spanning. This increases the screen real estate I get by at least 2-3 times.

Learn to use Panther's Expose features. I have it programmed for F10, F11, and F12. Expose really makes windows much more manageable. Once you start using Expose, you'll wonder how you ever got along without it.

[Angus_D]

Originally posted by Altair:
As for programming languages, there is no VB for the mac.

You might want to take a look at REALbasic, though.

[jamil5454]

C and C++ are available on almost any platform that's ever existed. The GNU C and C++ (gcc and g++ respectively) are some of the best you can find. Also, Apple has optimized gcc and g++ to be very fast in OS X, so you won't have to worry about speed.

Eclipse is a nice IDE for Java, but I like Xcode more. Eclipse feels kinda sluggish on my iBook G4.

But most of the time I'm not working on a big project so an IDE is not necessary. TextEdit or another simple text editor and the Terminal is mostly what I use.

Since my iBook 12" screen is the same as your PB, I know where you're coming from. As long as you're not doing any serious graphics programming or time-critical programming then 1024x768 is fine. But, like everyone else said, I would buy an external monitor with at least a resolution of 1280x1024. That Dell widescreen 20" is simultaneously awesome and cheap.

[Polo2883]

I was in the same situation you are in. I got the 15" powerbook becasue I knew I wanted a larger screen. Even if the larger screen I still span my screen to another monitor to work. I usually use 2 terminal screens, one to compile and 1 to type out my code.