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You are here: MacNN Forums > Hardware - Troubleshooting and Discussion > Mac Notebooks > Powerbook 17 vs MBP, opening angle

Powerbook 17 vs MBP, opening angle
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glhart
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Oct 25, 2006, 05:06 PM
 
I have a PB 17 (latest version), and was thinking of getting the MBP 17, as its screen is brighter and glossy. I went to the Apple store and looked at them side by side. The MBP was somewhat brighter and easier to read, but then I realized that I could open the PB much further than the MBP. Since both have a somewhat limited viewing angle (the PB is a bit worse than the MBP), it is important to be positioned directly in front of the screen. I often find myself using the PB all the way open in order to get the best angle. Since the MBP won't open that far, I decided I don't want it. Does this happen with the 15" machines also? In any event, it seems to be a significant flaw in an otherwise excellent machine.
     
Tomchu
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Oct 25, 2006, 05:18 PM
 
I find that the maximum open angle of the 15" MBP is just perfect for me when I'm sitting up straight and have it on a desk that is the appropriate height.

I don't see why you would want to open it any more than this, unless your computer is much, much lower than it should be (as far as ergonomics are concerned).
     
Alexander1
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Oct 26, 2006, 06:59 PM
 
Using it in your lap when lying down with your knees up. If I wanted a desktop, I would have bought a desktop.
     
Dave Hagan
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Oct 26, 2006, 08:36 PM
 
According to the manual for the new Core2 Duo model, the display opens to maximum 135°, as opposed to the 120° limitation in the MacBook Pro's first iteration.
Dave Hagan | Apple Certified Technical Coordinator | iMac G5 1.9GHz | PowerBook G4 1.5GHz | Power Mac G4 933 MHz
     
JonDeck
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Oct 26, 2006, 09:55 PM
 
well thats at least a small improvement, but I personally wouldn't know if the limitation was a problem in the first place.
     
cbrfanatic
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Oct 26, 2006, 10:32 PM
 
Originally Posted by Alexander1 View Post
Using it in your lap when lying down with your knees up. If I wanted a desktop, I would have bought a desktop.
+1
I use my laptop this way alot too.
     
slffl
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Oct 27, 2006, 11:17 AM
 
Originally Posted by glhart View Post
I have a PB 17 (latest version), and was thinking of getting the MBP 17, as its screen is brighter and glossy. I went to the Apple store and looked at them side by side. The MBP was somewhat brighter and easier to read, but then I realized that I could open the PB much further than the MBP. Since both have a somewhat limited viewing angle (the PB is a bit worse than the MBP), it is important to be positioned directly in front of the screen. I often find myself using the PB all the way open in order to get the best angle. Since the MBP won't open that far, I decided I don't want it. Does this happen with the 15" machines also? In any event, it seems to be a significant flaw in an otherwise excellent machine.

You'r not alone. After using a 17" PB for years, I returned my 15" MBP because of the limited opening angle. It just isn't enough and for anyone who says you can view the screen perpendicular when it's on your lap, I would love to see a picture.

I'm waiting for the next redesign of the MBP. Hopefully they change it. If not I'll have to learn to live with it, but Apple better not be surprised if I return it to get it repaired after I rip the screen off of the hinge.
"I'm the commander - see, I don't need to explain - I don't need to explain why I say things. That's the interesting thing about being the President. Maybe somebody needs to explain to me why they say something, but I don't feel like I owe anybody an explanation."

- Dictator George W. Bush, Washington Post, 11-19-02
     
slffl
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Oct 27, 2006, 11:18 AM
 
"According to the manual for the new Core2 Duo model, the display opens to maximum 135°, as opposed to the 120° limitation in the MacBook Pro's first iteration."

I saw that too, but then someone that just got a new 15"MBP says it doesn't open as wide as his old 17" PB, which opens to 135 degrees.
"I'm the commander - see, I don't need to explain - I don't need to explain why I say things. That's the interesting thing about being the President. Maybe somebody needs to explain to me why they say something, but I don't feel like I owe anybody an explanation."

- Dictator George W. Bush, Washington Post, 11-19-02
     
Dave Hagan
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Oct 27, 2006, 10:08 PM
 
I think the 135° only applies to the 17-inch MacBook Pro.
Dave Hagan | Apple Certified Technical Coordinator | iMac G5 1.9GHz | PowerBook G4 1.5GHz | Power Mac G4 933 MHz
     
   
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