Another 12" vs 15" PB thread. . . Sort of

[wPod]

I am the happy owner of a 12" PB, and have been for the past two years and 3 months. Well, apple was ever so kind and decided to produce the new video iPods with USB 2.0 only, and not firewire. My 12" PB (rev A) does NOT have USB 2, otherwise it is a perfectly good machine. I have been tossing around the idea of e-baying it then upgrading to the 1Ghz (rev B) version which has USB 2. But then at work the other day I was working on a 15" compaq laptop someone brought in (im a student and work at the IT helpdesk at my university) and i really enjoyed the larger size screen. I dont know why this one struck my interest, i work on tons of 14" or 17" and 15" screens but for some reason when working on this one i enjoyed the 15" (i think it was because i was just working on a big excel spreadsheet on my 12" screen and realized how much nicer the 15" was) So that made me think I should swap in my 12" for a 15" since I want to upgrade anyway. My only concern is portability. I LOVE the size/portability of the 12" and i know the 15" isnt that much bigger but i am worried that even a slight increase will have me carrying a load of bricks around all the time (btw i use public transportation and walking a lot to be clean to the environment so i often have my laptop in my bag on my back) So anyone with a 15" out there who thinks its too much to carry around frequently? or who enjoys carrying it because its not that heavy? I am usually a die-hard 12" fan when it comes to portability, but maybe i should re-think this. . . the only way I would be able to tell for myself is if someone let me borrow their 15" for a couple of weeks, but i dont think that will happen!!!!! well, let me know! thanks, hope you dont mind another unusual twist on the 12" vs 15" !!!!

 

[AstrosFan]

I have the 15" PB & transport it quite frequently.
I haven't found it to be TOO cumbersome, though I know it's nowhere near as portable as the 12". I carry it in a bag, typically with the power supply and a few folders of papers.I think it is definitely do-able, but if portability is a huge asset for you (which it sounds like it is), I would recommend you to stick with the 12".
If you're generally happy with the amount of screen real estate you've had thus far, then I think you'll be happier with the improved portability of the 12".
Hope that helps!

 

[smartgirlglasse]

15" is super

I am a law student, which means that everywhere I go, my laptop follows (really, the extent of our co-dependent relationship is quite sad). I currently have the Rev B 12" PB and love its portability.

That said, I'm buying a new PB today, and it's going to be the 15". I gave the 12" v. 15" a whole lot of thought, and concluded that it's still small/light enough to carry around on a day to day basis. Many of my classmates have the 15" and say it's just as portable as the 12". While it's a bit larger, it only weighs 1lb more, making it a featherweight compared to most of the comperable PCs out there (esp. the Thinkpad my office gave me this summer, man was that thing a brick). We're all marooned away on public transport, and none of them have found the 15" to be any more cumbersome than my 12".

The one disadvantage I see to having the 15" is that I can't throw it in my totebag (in a sleeve, of course) the way I can the 12", but I reckon that carrying it my Timbuk2 messenger bag is probably better for my posture in the long haul, anyway.

So buck up, man, and buy the 15". I'm a tiny chick, and if I can lug it around, so can you!

 

[panda]

hnow it too well

have had the same dilema in my mind for 2years.

and now that its time to buy, the 15er is just too sweet to pass up... one now gets so much more on the screen with the higher resolution, its also crisper and brighte.

it also seems a pity to have 'so' much processing power and such a small screen.

so this huge 12" fan is definately going 15" now.

 

[wPod]

well i went for it. i just ordered the 15" today. though i ordered a referb to save some money. . . just in case i dont like it and want to e-bay it soon. but i think ill like it. i stopped by the apple store and held the 15 in one hand and the 12 in the other and the difference (1 lb) was not very noticeable. so i guess if i really like it i might e-bay it anyway and get the new one with the better resolution. or might keep it. cause if i really want resolution and desktop space, ill hook it up to my 20" dell monitor at home! but on the run it will be better than what im used to with my 12" so i should be set.