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got my 12" powerbook
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got it thursday morning. one very sweet machine. very solid. the keyboard is very nice, feels much better than the ibook which i liked alot.
runs hot just like the ibook. my only problem is that with the included 256 mb ram its a bit sluggish. i expected shorter launch times than my 700 mhz ibook (which is maxed in ram) but i'm seeing the same launch times. i should have 512 stick of ram later this week and then i'll be able to really compare the two.
oh, i got mine from outpost.com.
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Originally posted by mediacoop:
got it thursday morning. one very sweet machine. very solid. the keyboard is very nice, feels much better than the ibook which i liked alot.
runs hot just like the ibook. my only problem is that with the included 256 mb ram its a bit sluggish. i expected shorter launch times than my 700 mhz ibook (which is maxed in ram) but i'm seeing the same launch times. i should have 512 stick of ram later this week and then i'll be able to really compare the two.
oh, i got mine from outpost.com.
Nice! If I may ask, how is the screen? Is the size okay for some normal applications? Is there anything else worth noting that you have discovered? Thanks!
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Originally posted by mediacoop:
runs hot just like the ibook.
Hello ebisix, how about the fan ? Did you heard it yet ? If yes for how long ?
Regards.
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Originally posted by eole:
Hello ebisix, how about the fan ? Did you heard it yet ? If yes for how long ?
Regards.
I think you mean "Hello mediacoop" instead of "Hello ebisix." I have not used the 12" PowerBook unfortunately.
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runs hot just like the ibook. <--Referring to that.
I'm not too sure what you mean... I don't have one, but every iBook I've played around with is considerably less hot than PC laptops (mainly the Dell x200. That sucker gets HOT).
So does the heat bother and concern you or is it just one of those 'laptop compromising things'? And the fan?
Thanks ahead for your input. I keep recommending the iBook but if this Powerbook performs just as well or better (particularly with OS X and the heat issue) I might change my tune.
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i dont find my iBook heats up.
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*grin* I got my PB also today from the Apple Store in Costa Mesa. I cancelled my online order though.... It does run sort of warm, but noting near hot IMO. Also, the keyboard is very nice and it has a nice tactile feeling to it.
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Originally posted by ebisix:
I think you mean "Hello mediacoop" instead of "Hello ebisix." I have not used the 12" PowerBook unfortunately.
it runs HOT after a while.... just like my ibook. when i say hot i mean more than warm. first 30-50 minutes its cool-warm. after 1 hour its hot. this is more so if it's on your lap and doesn't have air circulation underneath.
the screen is very nice, no better/worse than my ibook. also, it works well with external monitors via the vga connector.... not mirroring but actuall dual display. very, very nice with apps like final cut pro, photshop, etc.
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Umm When I was playing around with a 12" one at the Apple store today it was only warm at best. I asked the uy how long it was on and he said all day since they opened so that was at least 5-6 hours and it never did not have anybody playing around with it. So it is weird how hot the one you tried was running.
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Garrett
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Originally posted by hibbacross:
Umm When I was playing around with a 12" one at the Apple store today it was only warm at best. I asked the uy how long it was on and he said all day since they opened so that was at least 5-6 hours and it never did not have anybody playing around with it. So it is weird how hot the one you tried was running.
I guess it all depends on the machine you are using and how you use it. Thanks.
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the one i saw at tekserve in new york was pretty hot, to the left of the trackpad.
330pm, and it had been on since "the morning"
(and, as a lefty that doesnt make me happy...still i'm getting one!)
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And that is what you all are: inverted Nothings...with potential" (Sun Ra)
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Thanks for the reports.
How's battery life?
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Originally posted by fisherKing:
(and, as a lefty that doesnt make me happy...still i'm getting one!)
What the hell does that matter? I'm left-handed and I'm not concerned. If anything, it's good. that means that you'll be spared the heat when you use the trackpad as opposed to right-handers who keep their nondominant (left) hand on the palmrest while they use the pointer.
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mediacoop:
Are you able to close the powerbook, then plug an external keyboard, monitor, and mouse and use it while its closed?
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Originally posted by Altair:
mediacoop:
Are you able to close the powerbook, then plug an external keyboard, monitor, and mouse and use it while its closed?
Why are some people so dedicated to getting that feature? It's not like your going to put something on top of the Powerbook anyway.
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Agent69
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Originally posted by arnette:
What the hell does that matter? I'm left-handed and I'm not concerned. If anything, it's good. that means that you'll be spared the heat when you use the trackpad as opposed to right-handers who keep their nondominant (left) hand on the palmrest while they use the pointer.
for me, i rest my left hand on my powerbook, with a finger out to tap on the trackpad; where do you keep your left hand??
either way,
a. it WAS hot
b. i STILL want one
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"At first, there was Nothing. Then Nothing inverted itself and became Something.
And that is what you all are: inverted Nothings...with potential" (Sun Ra)
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Originally posted by Altair:
mediacoop:
Are you able to close the powerbook, then plug an external keyboard, monitor, and mouse and use it while its closed?
i have not done this but according to the booklet enclosed with the computer this will work.
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Originally posted by Agent69:
Why are some people so dedicated to getting that feature? It's not like your going to put something on top of the Powerbook anyway.
Here's why I desire that feature:
When the powerbook is displaying on two displays, the LCD and an external, the VRAM is divided in half between the two.
If I am presenting on a projector and have my notes on paper, I want -all- my VRAM dedicated to the projector so that my transitions in Keynote are smooth.
Likewise if I'm playing a Quicktime movie on the projector.
Additionally, if I wanted to use the computer as a desktop with a large monitor and didn't need spanning, I'd prefer to close the LCD and only look at my large display. But this use isn't as important as the first, where I want all VRAM used for the projector.
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Originally posted by vmarks:
Here's why I desire that feature:
When the powerbook is displaying on two displays, the LCD and an external, the VRAM is divided in half between the two.
If I am presenting on a projector and have my notes on paper, I want -all- my VRAM dedicated to the projector so that my transitions in Keynote are smooth.
Likewise if I'm playing a Quicktime movie on the projector.
Additionally, if I wanted to use the computer as a desktop with a large monitor and didn't need spanning, I'd prefer to close the LCD and only look at my large display. But this use isn't as important as the first, where I want all VRAM used for the projector.
I have a question. If you turn your display all the way down (i.e. OFF) will the VRAM be dedicated to the external display, be it projector or screen?
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Originally posted by vmarks:
Here's why I desire that feature:
When the powerbook is displaying on two displays, the LCD and an external, the VRAM is divided in half between the two.
If I am presenting on a projector and have my notes on paper, I want -all- my VRAM dedicated to the projector so that my transitions in Keynote are smooth.
Likewise if I'm playing a Quicktime movie on the projector.
Additionally, if I wanted to use the computer as a desktop with a large monitor and didn't need spanning, I'd prefer to close the LCD and only look at my large display. But this use isn't as important as the first, where I want all VRAM used for the projector.
The smaller screen also could be a distraction to one's eyes somehow if it is open. However, they could just close it most of the way if it can't be closed totally. Or they could even turn it around if it bothers them that much.
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Originally posted by vmarks:
Here's why I desire that feature:
When the powerbook is displaying on two displays, the LCD and an external, the VRAM is divided in half between the two.
If I am presenting on a projector and have my notes on paper, I want -all- my VRAM dedicated to the projector so that my transitions in Keynote are smooth.
Likewise if I'm playing a Quicktime movie on the projector.
Additionally, if I wanted to use the computer as a desktop with a large monitor and didn't need spanning, I'd prefer to close the LCD and only look at my large display. But this use isn't as important as the first, where I want all VRAM used for the projector.
It is called video mirroring and it can be done with either the lid closed or open. Just go to: http://www.info.apple.com/
and type "Video Mirroring"
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When are any of the 12" Powerbook owners going to post pics?
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Originally posted by hadocon:
When are any of the 12" Powerbook owners going to post pics?
There are others out there, but here are mine.
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It is called video mirroring and it can be done with either the lid closed or open
I'm not sure, but I think that mirroring still divides the VRAM in two, so that wouldn't be a solution. The aim here is to shut off the LCD on the notebook completely so all the video memory is dedicated to the alternate screen/projector/display. Anyone know how to do this?
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Originally posted by Hozie:
I'm not sure, but I think that mirroring still divides the VRAM in two, so that wouldn't be a solution. The aim here is to shut off the LCD on the notebook completely so all the video memory is dedicated to the alternate screen/projector/display. Anyone know how to do this?
From the manual:
Using your PowerBook with the display closed
You cna use your powerbook with the display closed if the computer is connected to an external monitor, keyboard, and mouse, and the power adapter is plugged into the powerbook and an outlet.
To operate your computer with an external monitor attached and the display closed, do the following:
1. Connect a USB keyboard and mouse to your powerbook.
2. Close the powerbook display to put the computer to sleep.
3. Follow the steps in the previous section to connect your powerbook to an external monitor.
4. Wait a few seconds and then press any key on the external keyboard to wake the powerbook.
HTH.
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Sweet! They disabled the feature in the iBooks, so I was assumin it'd be gone in the 12" Pbook as well.... Oh man, now I gotta get one for sure!
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Originally posted by torifile:
There are others out there, but here are mine.
Thanks for posting those. It's good that you put it right next to the 15" TiBook in a few.
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Originally posted by Hozie:
Sweet! They disabled the feature in the iBooks, so I was assumin it'd be gone in the 12" Pbook as well.... Oh man, now I gotta get one for sure!
The iBooks CAN perform video mirroring. The iBooks CAN NOT perform video spanning (without hacking).
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The iBooks CAN perform video mirroring. The iBooks CAN NOT perform video spanning (without hacking).
Uhhh.... I was talking about closed lid operation. Well, serves me right for not using quotes!
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Originally posted by Hozie:
I'm not sure, but I think that mirroring still divides the VRAM in two, so that wouldn't be a solution. The aim here is to shut off the LCD on the notebook completely so all the video memory is dedicated to the alternate screen/projector/display. Anyone know how to do this?
Don't AGP video boards utilize slower system RAM to expand their video RAM? If that's true, then won't the PB's video board offload a static bitmap to system RAM, and thereby dedicate all of its VRAM to the actively changing image (projector, 2nd monitor, etc.)?
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I *SERIOUSLY* doubt that there would be any impact in performance of anything but extremely texture intensive 3d games with two monitors connected... Does anyone have benchmarks proving otherwise?
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Originally posted by skyman:
The iBooks CAN perform video mirroring. The iBooks CAN NOT perform video spanning (without hacking).
However, the iBooks only do mirroring at 1024x768 (the same resolution as the built-in LCD). The 12-inch PowerBook, OTOH, can do mirroring at up to 1600x1200. That makes a huge difference and is worth extra dollars. What's the point of running an external monitor with an iBook if you can't get any more pixels? (Larger pixels, I guess.)
Escher
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"The only laptop computer that's useful is the one you have with you."
Until we get a 3 lbs sub-PowerBook, the 12-inch PowerBook will do.
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How can you mirror to a higher resolution than the internal LCD? I thought mirroring meant that the same image was on the internal LCD and the external monitor.
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Originally posted by Icruise:
How can you mirror to a higher resolution than the internal LCD? I thought mirroring meant that the same image was on the internal LCD and the external monitor.
cos its a screen thing there are only that many pixels in an LCD screen whereas a crt can be driven to whatevr pixel dimensions the video card can handle (ihave to say as soon as i typed this, i am now not sure).
But the whole closed book factor makes the 12" my perfect machine as have big ol trusty 19" screen i can plug it into, Here if apple bring out a bluetooth keyboard and mouse you could wall hang the pb with a discreet lead to the monitor and power
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Originally posted by mediacoop:
i have not done this but according to the booklet enclosed with the computer this will work.
Sold! Now to start saving.
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Originally posted by escher:
However, the iBooks only do mirroring at 1024x768 (the same resolution as the built-in LCD). The 12-inch PowerBook, OTOH, can do mirroring at up to 1600x1200. That makes a huge difference and is worth extra dollars. What's the point of running an external monitor with an iBook if you can't get any more pixels? (Larger pixels, I guess.)
Escher
Having "fixed" the production problems in the iBooks which disable spanning on the Radeon 7500 , my iBook can push 1920x1440 on my external monitor. (Okay.. but it's 60Hz and that sucks).
Anyhow - I wish Apple would just add a F-key which would toggle between mirror/span/LCD-only/external-only. My VAIO does this (sans the spanning ability) and it's much more convenient IMO... and doesn't require a 30-post thread to figure it out.
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Keep the rubber side down!
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Originally posted by xtal:
I have a question. If you turn your display all the way down (i.e. OFF) will the VRAM be dedicated to the external display, be it projector or screen?
The display doesn't actually go off if you turn it all the way down, it only turns off the backlight. To confirm this, turn the brightness all the way down on your 12" and shine a flashlight through the white apple behind the lcd..
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12" PowerBook 867/640/60/SD/AE
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Originally posted by flatcatch:
Anyhow - I wish Apple would just add a F-key which would toggle between mirror/span/LCD-only/external-only. My VAIO does this (sans the spanning ability) and it's much more convenient IMO... and doesn't require a 30-post thread to figure it out.
I think there is a function key for that (or something similar). Can someone with the new powerbook verify what F7 does?
You can see the key I am referring to here: http://61.194.6.235/030107/DSCF0398.JPG
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Originally posted by douthat:
The display doesn't actually go off if you turn it all the way down, it only turns off the backlight. To confirm this, turn the brightness all the way down on your 12" and shine a flashlight through the white apple behind the lcd..
Wow!
You know, that's actually an incredibly simple idea, but something that had never occured to me!
Seems like it increases the "readability" of the LCD by leaps and bounds....almost like printed-word quality.
I'm sure quality isn't the right word, but at 1:53 in the morning on a Wednesday, who CAN find the right words?
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Well just got my 12" PB and I'm thrilled. To answer the F7 key question: it switches between spanning and mirroring modes. There is no way to turn off the internal display via key combination.
This is no biggie (if you have ext. Keyb. and mouse) tho' as I am writing this with the screen closed--something I missed on my old iBook.
I had been wanting a product like this since the old PB 2400s, and sold my QS733 and iBook 600 Combo to get it.
The infamous heat issue has not bothered me yet, although i will admit that it gets warmer than my old iBook did. I'm still running some tests to assess performance, but the XBench scores i got were acceptable (91.94 CPU, 55.48 Thread, 84.33 Memory, 74.87 Duartz, 104.65 OpenGL).
I am waiting for my 512MB RAM and the AE Card, but it's ok with a mere 256MB. Oh yeah, one last thing, the build quality is sensational!
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Originally posted by Icruise:
How can you mirror to a higher resolution than the internal LCD? I thought mirroring meant that the same image was on the internal LCD and the external monitor.
Icruise: I'm not sure whether my understanding of the terminology is correct. From the literal meaning of "mirroring" it means that you display the same image and resolution on the internal and external display. But for some reason, I am under the impression that some people use the term mirroring in an expanded, non-literal sense to contrast with spanning, regardless of resolution.
Regardless of terminology, I meant to say that the iBook can't drive a single desktop that is larger than 1024x768. The iBook can't run without its internal display, even with the firmware hack. In other words, ther internal display has to be on. OTOH, the 12-inch PowerBook can drive a large external monitor (up to 1600x1200) whilte its internal display is turned off (and the lid closed). Does what I say make more sense now?
Escher
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"The only laptop computer that's useful is the one you have with you."
Until we get a 3 lbs sub-PowerBook, the 12-inch PowerBook will do.
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the F7 key switches between spanning and mirroring on the external monitor. to go external only, attach a usb keyboard, close the powerbook, and press a key on the keyboard. To go with the lcd only, either unplug the external monitor, or set it to mirroring and turn it off.
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12" PowerBook 867/640/60/SD/AE
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