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b1NARY73 · Apr 1, 2006, 02:44 PM

I have recently Sold my Powerbook 17" to a dear friend, and picked up a 12" Powerbook. I am wondering if I should have went with the 15". I use it quite a bit away from home.... so yes it does travel ( Why I sold th 17" ). I am plugging into a 20" Dell 2005FPW when I am at home. I just miss the extra screen of a 15... or 17. I have now owned all three sizes.... my question is this: what size do you prefer?

hyteckit · Apr 1, 2006, 03:23 PM

Depends on needs yo.

12": Ultra-portable and don't need the larger screen size.
15": Great high-end laptop who don't mind the extra weight and size compared to the 12".
17": Desktop replacement. Use mostly at home. Need to move off desk once in a while to couch.

Basically, if you carry your laptop around very often, you'll either want a 12" or 15". I have a 15" which is great when you need dual screen use. I can't imaging using dual screen with a 12". I've own a 12" laptop before. Love the size, but didn't like the limitations of the 12".

Abbas · Apr 1, 2006, 03:48 PM

Ideally, a 13.3 with the screen resolution of the MBP or a 12.1 with a 1280x800 screen res but since thats wishful thinking at the moment, I use the 15.4" MBP which I'd say isnt too bad.

-a

mduell · Apr 1, 2006, 04:13 PM

13.5" at 1920x1200

Skypat · Apr 1, 2006, 07:28 PM

I hope we will soon have a 13,3 MBP. I saw a Sony vaio of that size and it's really cool.

turbopants · Apr 1, 2006, 07:32 PM

The present 15" screen is the sweet spot to me. The resolution of the old 17", in the smaller form factor of the 15" that is easier to transport and use.

_kevin · Apr 1, 2006, 08:26 PM

15". No question.

romeosc · Apr 1, 2006, 11:05 PM

I wish they had a 19" or 21"..... As I get older eyes get weeker and I mostly just use in Hotels after traveling! The 17" is not a problem to carry to and from plane etc! If I were a student, it might be different... (but when I went to georgia Tech... we used slide rules!)

Abbas · Apr 2, 2006, 01:05 AM

Ouch! You must have really good eyes.

Originally Posted by mduell

13.5" at 1920x1200

mduell · Apr 2, 2006, 01:28 AM

Originally Posted by Abbas

Ouch! You must have really good eyes.

No need for super-vision... turn your font sizes up.

volcano · Apr 2, 2006, 03:24 AM

Originally Posted by mduell

No need for super-vision... turn your font sizes up.

Then what's the point of having a screen that size with that kind of resolution if you're just going to enlarge everything? The images you view online will still retain their original size though, and enormously-sized text against tiny images isn't usually a good thing.

I have a 20" iMac @ 1680 x 1050, and I'm happy.

sabrejim · Apr 2, 2006, 09:40 AM

Originally Posted by b1NARY73

I have recently Sold my Powerbook 17" to a dear friend, and picked up a 12" Powerbook. I am wondering if I should have went with the 15". I use it quite a bit away from home.... so yes it does travel ( Why I sold th 17" ). I am plugging into a 20" Dell 2005FPW when I am at home. I just miss the extra screen of a 15... or 17. I have now owned all three sizes.... my question is this: what size do you prefer?

I just picked up the MacBook Pro 15" to replace my powerbook 12". Not sure I'll ever get used to the bigger size :/ the 12" has the trackpad closer to the keyboard so you could use your thumb on it without moving the rest of your hand. Also my arms now rest on the edge of the laptop, instead of the bottom of my palm. this is annoying as well.
This may just be because of the revision PB I had, but I think the keys on that had a deeper depression than the 15" mbp.

The 15" has better speakers and screen, hopefully if they bring the 12" back they dont put that crappy screen on it again.

But the big sticking point is the location of the trackpad. It really kills usability for me.

The 12" is also ALOT smaller.

mduell · Apr 2, 2006, 04:43 PM

Originally Posted by volcano

Then what's the point of having a screen that size with that kind of resolution if you're just going to enlarge everything? The images you view online will still retain their original size though, and enormously-sized text against tiny images isn't usually a good thing.

I have a 20" iMac @ 1680 x 1050, and I'm happy.

I wouldn't increase the font size as much as the increase in resolution. If you have 70% higher pixel density and make everything 30% bigger (for those with poor eyes), you've still increased your usable screen by 30%. If the images are too small, you can up-size those too.

Also, you can watch HD video in its full native resolution instead of scaling it down. Edit larger images. When was the last time anyone said "I have too many pixels"?

Sourbook · Apr 2, 2006, 05:35 PM

Originally Posted by hyteckit

17": Desktop replacement. Use mostly at home. Need to move off desk once in a while to couch.

Thats exactly why I got mine. Rarely does it leave my home.

Voch · Apr 2, 2006, 06:47 PM

I'm looking for a 13.3" 1280x800 MacBook (as in my 'sig). I did *finally* play with an MBP at the Fairlawn, Ohio, CompUSA...the screen is freakin' fantastic and it looks like a wonderful machine. I may break down and get one if the 13.3" never materializes.

Voch

romeosc · Apr 2, 2006, 08:15 PM

size does matter.... I'll wait for the 17"

DeeKat · Apr 3, 2006, 01:01 PM

I've been using a 17" for 2 years and I find it slightly big. My next PB will be a 15". Defenatly the perfect size. I'm actually temted to sell this one right now while I could still get a decent price and get myself the MBP 15" decisions... decisions...

MRTrauffer · Apr 3, 2006, 01:09 PM

I'm partial to the 15".

I had the opportunity a whle back to use a 17" for editing, which was nice, but for personal use I prefer my 15".