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tonewheel · Apr 14, 2003, 07:26 PM

I had my 17" with me last night at a local Starbucks. Numerous laptops in there with their wireless network service. You know how it is. Same on airplanes. The unspoken glances (and silence) about who has the nicest computer. We'll, I took out my 17", and I can tell you that a fair number of people are using Ben-Gay on their necks today. Lot's of rubbernecking, and people around me asked about the PB and were tremendously impressed. PC weenies were very aware of what was sitting on my table, but they pretended not to notice and seemed to get more involved in their work.

Don't you love this!?

gururafiki · Apr 14, 2003, 08:00 PM

I notice this too when I am at school! The funny part is that the only people who have the guts to sit near me are those who have their (smaller

) powerbooks/ibooks.

javabeans · Apr 14, 2003, 09:07 PM

Originally posted by tonewheel:
I had my 17" with me last night at a local Starbucks. Numerous laptops in there with their wireless network service. You know how it is. Same on airplanes. The unspoken glances (and silence) about who has the nicest computer. We'll, I took out my 17", and I can tell you that a fair number of people are using Ben-Gay on their necks today. Lot's of rubbernecking, and people around me asked about the PB and were tremendously impressed. PC weenies were very aware of what was sitting on my table, but they pretended not to notice and seemed to get more involved in their work.

Don't you love this!?

Doesn't it feel like you're driving a Ferrari and people keep starring at the car?

rustyclockwork · Apr 14, 2003, 09:10 PM

The PC users that I meet when I'm out to dinner and working on some schoolwork ask me if that's the "new powerbook" (I have a twelve) and the thing is, so far, ALL OF THEM (about five or six) have been computer science students like me... they all have liked it so far...

The last one was at the Tripple X restaraunt near Purdue University... A computer science guy, and a buddy of his. The XXX has been in business since the 1920's I think, pretty cool place. (and the XXX has NOTHING to do with the porn industry btw)

I refuse to go to a starbucks (with my laptop) though :-)

because.... you know how it is...

Jason

mindwaves · Apr 14, 2003, 09:16 PM

Haha, I get the same with my 12'' PB (yeah, I don't have a 17'' PB, but I a posting here still ;-P) A lot of people glance at it and some even say out loud "Yao Book." It all makes me feel better. Now if only it wasn't in repairs...

macndave · Apr 14, 2003, 09:19 PM

Originally posted by rustyclockwork:

I refuse to go to a starbucks (with my laptop) though :-)

because.... you know how it is...

Jason

Okay, I will blame it on being an old fogey, but ..."What?"

How is it...at Starbucks?

SOLIDAge · Apr 14, 2003, 09:25 PM

Originally posted by mindwaves:
Haha, I get the same with my 12'' PB (yeah, I don't have a 17'' PB, but I a posting here still ;-P) A lot of people glance at it and some even say out loud "Yao Book." It all makes me feel better. Now if only it wasn't in repairs...

Ya i get that alot "thats the Mini-Me computer!"
and "Wow, now THATS a laptop"
alot of glances and views my way

Axo1ot1 · Apr 14, 2003, 09:40 PM

I hated using my powerbook in public because I felt like I was coming off as an elitist. I privately called it the FreudBook G4.

nobitacu · Apr 14, 2003, 10:10 PM

Yea, a lot of people looked at me when I have it out. Some even freaked out and wanted to touch it and lift it. Some are saying how much they liked it and wanted one, others have said, "Damn you rich boy." as well as, "What's up with Asians? they all seems to have too much money to spend, why don't they just give them to me to use instead?" Yup... some one did indeed said that. Other window users have also said, "Good God, I won't touch that if I was you, it might rot your hands." Yea... I've had the good comments as well as bad ones.

Ming

beanman · Apr 15, 2003, 12:37 AM

Most of the reactions that I have ran into is that, "My god, that is huge." Or the classic, "That's almost too big." But you know what my response to that always is? "But it's mine."

I hope to have more stories soon. I've been sick as of late and haven't had much of a chance to take it out and about. No Starbucks in town here, but there are some coffee houses with wireless access. The student union is fun, but I need to hang out with no headphones on sometime so I can actually hear people sometime. Hopefully this week.

rcarlosnyc · Apr 15, 2003, 12:59 AM

I pulled out my 17" PBook at a StarBucks in Manhattan and I swear I heard half of the place says "OOOOHHHHH that's pretty" "It's so big!"

Then this PC goon with a big clunky IBM Thinkpad sat next too me and put his coffee cup AN INCH AWAY FROM MY BRAND NEW POWERBOOK. I gave him such an evil look!!! He said oh sorry and moved it too the other side.

I bet if I had let him leave it there he would have "accidentally" spilled on my gorgeous PBook. HATERS!!!

k2director · Apr 15, 2003, 01:39 AM

I have the 15" Ti, and a lot of people (sometimes twice a day) ogle it, and ask me how I like my new 17 incher.

I can only imagine their awe once confronted with the real thing....

beanman · Apr 15, 2003, 01:48 AM

And do you find that after using your 17 for so long, it doesn't seem so huge until someone comes along and tells you so? And you kind of have an "oh yeah" moment?

After owning this for about two weeks now, I feel like its size is just normal to everything. But that's just me. I hope to venture out soon and post from where ever that might be.

graphics84 · Apr 15, 2003, 02:04 AM

People ask me if my Ti1gig is the new 17 all the time... they need to get a clue

I swear it's like a puppy at the park...

girls ask what I'm doing all the time.. but I think what kicks it off is the Wacom tablet...

rustyclockwork · Apr 15, 2003, 02:29 AM

Originally posted by macndave:
Okay, I will blame it on being an old fogey, but ..."What?"

How is it...at Starbucks?

well, it's like the feeling of being "elitist" that someone mentioned...

I know that I didn't buy this bad ass computer for that reason, but since I get looks from other people when I whip it out... (sorry, coudn't resist)

It's just that it's my first mac portable, and I wasn't expecting people to act like it's a Porsche 550 Spyder.

I'm sure it'll wear off.

I have a favorite spot at my school to park with this powerbook, it's in this old room at the library, no one goes in there, and i can concentrate on whatever i'm writing about... plus, the school's wireless signal can be picked up there.

macndave--- but of course, I can't order a brownie frap there ;-) darn it.

Jason

tanhauser · Apr 15, 2003, 02:34 AM

Well so far I'm the only one in the whole department at the university with a PB 17 and let me tell you... everyone loves it. People just keep coming into my room just to get a chance to see it.

I don't have a Starbucks anywhere near me though... god I miss their Cinnamon Spice Moccha

F

makkystyle · Apr 15, 2003, 05:16 AM

When did people stop drinking COFFEE? All these cinnamon spice brownie mint caramel frappa-mocha-chino things drive me crazy. That crap is for girls.

justinhale · Apr 15, 2003, 09:28 AM

i just got 2 comments on my 17" while reading this post.
only thing im concerned about is that it kinda red flags people.

like look at that kid, he has money.
especially in a class room, college setting.

trust me though, if someone even tries to take this baby.
if someone even TRIES to mug me. they wont get too far.

love this book way too much.

bbales · Apr 15, 2003, 09:41 AM

Originally posted by macndave:
Okay, I will blame it on being an old fogey, but ..."What?"

How is it...at Starbucks?

I'm right there with you in being an "old fogey" -- and I agree -- how IS it at Starbucks?

mcs37 · Apr 15, 2003, 10:08 AM

Originally posted by justinhale:
trust me though, if someone even tries to take this baby.
if someone even TRIES to mug me. they wont get too far.

That's an interesting point, something I was worried about. I plan to get a Rev A 12.1" PB this August, with a 17" PPC 970 PB next year. I am worried that some bastard would steal my 17" PB. Is there an insurance plan you can subscribe to with Apple? It seems to me that it would be worth it for such a great machine. Anyone who buys a car for $3,300 usually buys insurance for it too.

Anyone know of an insurance provider for laptops? Or is this not really ever done?

Timo · Apr 15, 2003, 10:19 AM

Originally posted by Axo1ot1:
I hated using my powerbook in public because I felt like I was coming off as an elitist. I privately called it the FreudBook G4.

This resonates w/me.

pjmurphy · Apr 15, 2003, 10:33 AM

Originally posted by mcs37:
... It seems to me that it would be worth it for such a great machine. Anyone who buys a car for $3,300 usually buys insurance for it too.

Anyone know of an insurance provider for laptops? Or is this not really ever done?

Regarding insurance.. i just placed a "rider" on my homeowners insurance policy for my TiPB. Covered in case of a fatal drop, stolen, etc.
Runs me an extra $10/year

Not sure if you can place a rider on renter's insurance..

videian28 · Apr 15, 2003, 10:41 AM

ahh adding to home owners insurance is a grand idea

Commodus · Apr 15, 2003, 10:52 AM

Oh, it might be some sort of Freudian compensation, but at the same time I think it's incredibly fun to get reactions to your laptop just by bringing it out. It almost feels like you're practicing guerilla marketing for Apple.

And yes, I've occasionally had the feeling that I've been labelled a "rich boy" for owning a 15" PowerBook while still in university. Whenever people tell me that, I respond that I'm just a geek who saved up to indulge in his "hobby."

PoisonTooth · Apr 15, 2003, 11:12 AM

This thread is sad. I cannot believe you people are high-fiving one another because of the way your laptop looks, and that people look at it in public. Big freaking deal.

Shaddim · Apr 15, 2003, 11:20 AM

Yep, I congregate with the other Apple `book people at Borders... the PC goons sit over in their section and glare at us. I even had one jerk with a Dell come over and try to play with the trackpad and push the keys on my 12"er without my permission. The nerve of some people. The he commented, "I got a 14" screen and a 1.6GHz P4 for less than you paid for that little thing". My reply was, "a POS with a 14" display is still a POS".

spaced · Apr 15, 2003, 11:24 AM

Originally posted by MacNStein:
Yep, I congregate with the other Apple `book people at Borders... the PC goons sit over in their section and glare at us. I even had one jerk with a Dell come over and try to play with the trackpad and push the keys on my 12"er without my permission. The nerve of some people. The he commented, "I got a 14" screen and a 1.6GHz P4 for less than you paid for that little thing". My reply was, "a POS with a 14" display is still a POS".

Wow dude... you showed some great restraint. I would go circus freak crazy on anyone who touched my 17" PowerBook like that without asking first. Seriously... I would scratch their eyes out.

And when will people stop worrying about how much the damn thing cost? My blanket reply to people like that is "Your Dell/IBM/HP/Compaq/crappytacular computer doesn't run OS X. End of story."

parsec_kadets · Apr 15, 2003, 12:28 PM

Originally posted by PoisonTooth:
This thread is sad. I cannot believe you people are high-fiving one another because of the way your laptop looks, and that people look at it in public. Big freaking deal.

I don't see why you think this is so sad. They're just having fun. Personally, when I got these sort of comments when I first got my Ti 400 I just answered any questions people asked me and I brushed it off. The only time I didn't was when my professor singled me out in a class of about 100. It was a technical journalism class, so he made some comment about how the Times New Roman font on a Mac looks slightly different than the same font on Windows. He said that some people might find that disconcerting when they're reading a user manual, because they're already in unfamiliar territory when learning how to use something new. He claimed they didn't need something else that was new to them.

I never said this to him, but that was the biggest load of crap I've ever heard. It seems like every manual I ever pick up uses a totally different font. He then went on to say that I might not be able to use some of the features he was going to point out in Word, such as table of contents creation and index creation. I think I proved him wrong when I turned in my assignment with the Mac "version" of Times New Roman and automatically created table of contents and index

rustyclockwork · Apr 15, 2003, 04:27 PM

Originally posted by bbales:
I'm right there with you in being an "old fogey" -- and I agree -- how IS it at Starbucks?

exactly what I'm getting at... ;-)

read my original post.... "how it is" at coffee houses (for the majority) is simply a silicon valley car show...

Jason

andreas_g4 · Apr 15, 2003, 05:14 PM

Originally posted by javabeans:
Doesn't it feel like you're driving a Ferrari and people keep starring at the car?

Yes, but sometimes I don't like the attention I get with my Ferrari.

...

...

...

...

Oh, wait... I'm a poor little schoolchild that only has a mountainbike

Wet Jimmy · Apr 15, 2003, 08:21 PM

Originally posted by PoisonTooth:
This thread is sad. I cannot believe you people are high-fiving one another because of the way your laptop looks, and that people look at it in public. Big freaking deal.

Looks like SOMEONE doesn't have a 17" Powerbook. Sucker.

Wet Jimmy · Apr 15, 2003, 08:22 PM

Originally posted by andreas_g4:
Oh, wait... I'm a poor little schoolchild that only has a mountainbike

Mountain bikes rock. What do you have?

chrisutley · Apr 15, 2003, 09:02 PM

I hope nobody in the PC world ever gets their hands on this thread.

djjava · Apr 15, 2003, 09:13 PM

Originally posted by justinhale:

trust me though, if someone even tries to take this baby.
if someone even TRIES to mug me. they wont get too far.

love this book way too much.

absolutely! i just imagine bringing my PB17 to school (Newbury St, Boston), and some dumbnuts tries to take it... I may not be in good shape, but should someone try to take it, you'd think i was a marathon runner... And let me tell you, no mercy! i'd bash the guy's head till his skull cracked.

Ryan1524 · Apr 15, 2003, 10:04 PM

i wish i have a 17" PB...i'm so envious of you guys..

and thou i never experienced it with a PB, but i too just hate it when people snigger and make jealous ignorant comments behind my back (or to my face) because i have something nice. why can't they just shut up and leave me alone..

i'm planning on getting a PB for univ. but because of this, i'm reconsidering it...maybe i should get something a bit more low-key...should i?

Commodus · Apr 15, 2003, 10:27 PM

Ryan:

If you want to get something relatively low-key, just get a 12" PowerBook. It's nice, of course, but it doesn't scream "I have money!" as much as the 15" or 17" models do.

Ryan1524 · Apr 15, 2003, 10:32 PM

Originally posted by Commodus:
Ryan:

If you want to get something relatively low-key, just get a 12" PowerBook. It's nice, of course, but it doesn't scream "I have money!" as much as the 15" or 17" models do.

that's what i've been thinking...but i'm kinda feeling that the 12" screen is a bit small for me...i'm already too used to a 15" screen. and also, i'll probly be doing all my work on that machine. i'll try it out first..thx

jckalen · Apr 15, 2003, 10:38 PM

I just got mine the other day at compUSA (after weeks of waiting). I have not had a chance to take it out in public yet but I swear to god - everyone in that store (especially the employees) looked at the box. Since I bought a laptop for the purpose of mobilizing my business, I actually did buy it for the "WOW" factor. My only real concern is that I'll end up spending too much time talking about the computer when I should be talking about the business!

mrmister · Apr 15, 2003, 10:59 PM

There is something...icky...about this thread.

Ryan1524 · Apr 15, 2003, 11:16 PM

Originally posted by mrmister:
There is something...icky...about this thread.

it's just happy users posting their experiences. no harm.

xylon · Apr 16, 2003, 12:18 AM

Okay, so I have three or four stories. I'll try to keep them short.

I'm a business major and everyone in the business schools uses PC's. Everyone, no kidding. So, about 50 biz majors are sitting around typing away and I whipped out my 17". The hallway got a lot quieter. I don't like to show it off, but...Well, it was nice.

Next off, I go to Carnegie Mellon, a school that is best known for it's computer science department. So, I was eating lunch, and three or four guys walk by and start drooling. Turns out they're all CS majors who were considering getting a Mac for a second computer. I think seeing my 17" made them really really begin to think about it.

Lastly (and bestly), we had our Spring Carnival this past weekend. My friends and I were sitting around waiting to see Jurassic 5 (a freaking awesome hip-hop/rap band). We were talking about how they expected more gawkers when I hear this deep voice from behind me. I turn around and there's one of the band members. Said he hadn't seen any of the new 17" up close yet and this was the first one he had seen in the flesh. I didn't even realize who he was (he was so tall it threw me off), but once he started walking away his identity started to dawn on me. Then, I watched him and the rest of Jurassic 5 perform. Made my day, quite possibly my week.

That's all from me for now.

Ryan

tonewheel · Apr 16, 2003, 01:36 PM

As far as the comments concerning this thread being "sad", etc....

You paid significant dollars for your Big Al. You purchased one of the finest, full-featured laptop computers available, with the finest operating system. It also happens to be the most stunning notebook on the planet. This entitles you to covet your right to the "wow" factor.

So turn those heads! Flash that sliver of aluminum! Ooze the jealousy factor.

You have a 17" PowerBook Computer.

xylon · Apr 16, 2003, 02:09 PM

Originally posted by tonewheel:
As far as the comments concerning this thread being "sad", etc....

You paid significant dollars for your Big Al. You purchased one of the finest, full-featured laptop computers available, with the finest operating system. It also happens to be the most stunning notebook on the planet. This entitles you to covet your right to the "wow" factor.

So turn those heads! Flash that sliver of aluminum! Ooze the jealousy factor.

You have a 17" PowerBook Computer.

Indeed. I generally try not to show off my computer. I find rather remote places to work or eat, but it is nice to have someone stop and ask about my PB.

spaced · Apr 16, 2003, 02:36 PM

I don't think as many of us have "tons of cash" as we do large revolving credit lines.

graphics84 · Apr 16, 2003, 02:38 PM

Originally posted by spaced:
I don't think as many of us have "tons of cash" as we do large revolving credit lines.

dito

Gene Jockey · Apr 16, 2003, 05:39 PM

Originally posted by spaced:
I don't think as many of us have "tons of cash" as we do large revolving credit lines.

Yeah, I don't think qualifying for an Apple Student Loan makes me rich. In fact, it does quite the opposite.

I got lots of nice looks at my Ti400 when I bought it in 8/01. I used it a lot at the local coffee place, which didn't have any wireless access, but I was just writing my thesis, so I was OK. Most of the people there dug it. Another girl had a Pismo that I gave an appraising look. I like all Apple hardware...

--J

neon_duke · Apr 16, 2003, 05:49 PM

I'll let you know the reactions as soon as the dang wonderbook comes off of backorder!

Xterratop · Apr 16, 2003, 07:50 PM

I think this goes for any powerbook from Apple- people tend to gravitate their focus to your laptop at the local cafe or Starbucks. I don't have a 17" because to me its too big, but I do have a Tibook 15" 867 and many people ask me if I like my new 17". I usually laugh and correct them that what I have is a 15". To many PC users, they still think that the 15" ratio makes the laptop look bigger. I just like the fact that Apple makes the coolest powerbooks. Cheers to those of you who are loyal powerbook owners/users!

DekuDekuplex · Sep 10, 2003, 01:37 AM

Originally posted by mcs37:
That's an interesting point, something I was worried about. I plan to get a Rev A 12.1" PB this August, with a 17" PPC 970 PB next year. I am worried that some bastard would steal my 17" PB. Is there an insurance plan you can subscribe to with Apple? It seems to me that it would be worth it for such a great machine. Anyone who buys a car for $3,300 usually buys insurance for it too.

Anyone know of an insurance provider for laptops? Or is this not really ever done?

In a similar vein, does anybody know of any location in Manhattan where one could store (perhaps in a safe) and use a 17-inch PowerBook in a silent, secluded environment without fear of theft? My studio apartment is so small that I can't use it there regularly, and I somehow feel unsafe with just Safeware� insurance, despite its apparently good reputation

.

DekuDekuplex

nobitacu · Sep 10, 2003, 01:45 AM

Well, I was at the airport and the spot in which they have to check my bags and such. Because I have a laptop in my bad, they told me I have to bring it out for them to look at it, just to make sure it's a real working laptop. Well, I brought mine out of my backpack, and the lady who was going to check on it had her eyes wide open and said

Lady: "Oh my God! you have the big one!"
Me: "Yup, hehehe"
Lady: "Wow, she's a bute! I'll make sure I'll be very careful on this"
Me: "hehehe no problem"
Lady: "Now only if my husben will let me buy one, I will be set!"

She just looks at it, *cleaned* the side of my Powerbook and my screen, closed it, and gived it back to me

Lady: "Here you go, thanks for showing it to me."
Me: "Thanks for cleaning it."

So yea... not only did she not really check it, she cleaned it for me and gived it back to me. Now that was a weird moment. And this was at the Vegas airport!

Ming