Bigger screen, more productive?

[yoak]

Hi.

When I bought my iBook, I planned to buy the 15" Powerbook, but unforseen expenses cut my budget in half just before I bought it. Hence, the ibook.
I have been thinking of getting the new Macbook in a couple of months time.
But in the back of my head I have a feeling I would be more productive (and enjoy it more) working on a 20" imac than a 15" MB screen.
I find myself not bothered to use Final Cut as often as I thought I would, and it´s mostley down to the small screen on my ibook.

Can anyone that work on both 20" and 15" share their experience and give me some advice?

PS I will probably not use a 2nd monitor with either machine, and a 17" laptop is too big for my likeing

 

[Lacero]

I work on a 20" ACD and I'm much more productive than on my 12" PowerBook, so yeah, at a certain point, you'll be more productive. If I were to switch to a 30", I probably won't be as productive as I am right now on my 20". But that might change once I start working exclusively with HD video content, for which I'm sure 20" would start affecting my productivity.

But for video editing on FCP, you'll need 17" or higher. I can't see anyone using anything lower than 15" with FCP.

Here's to the Crazy Ones ​

 

[smwatson]

Hi
I have the last PPC 20" iMac, and also a 3GhZ pentium 4 with a 15" monitor. The monitor has onl a resolution of 1280 x 768 (i think) so i find it hard to word process on word because not enough room for a whole page (realistically). However, now i have my 20" beast its so cramped going back to the 15". Go for the iMac any day of the week. I would actually recommend the PPC one with all the slow speed rumors about the intel, although financially its suicide But definetly, a bigger screen is more productive.

 

[Kernow]

Interesting thread.

I use a 23" ACD at home for Logic Pro and other audio apps, and we have tiddly eMacs at college for the same thing. I'm constantly scrolling round the screen at college trying to fit everything on, whereas at home, I can see pretty much everything in one go. So definitely bigger screen = more productive for me.

 

[yoak]

I work on a 20" ACD and I'm much more productive than on my 12" PowerBook, so yeah, at a certain point, you'll be more productive. If I were to switch to a 30", I probably won't be as productive as I am right now on my 20". But that might change once I start working exclusively with HD video content, for which I'm sure 20" would start affecting my productivity.

But for video editing on FCP, you'll need 17" or higher. I can't see anyone using anything lower than 15" with FCP.

Here's to the Crazy Ones ​

Thanks for the quick replies.
Taht´s what I thought as well. When I got the ibook I thought I could use FC since I don´t do big projects, just my showreel and small stuff.
Problem is ofcourse that you are still sitting infront of the screen for long periods.
I have edited stuff on my ibook, but it´s been awhile now, I just don´t feel like it. (And it´s time to updat my showreel)
I can see your point about 20"to 30" though

 

[yoak]

Just a little bonus question.
Would you say it´s more enjoyable on s bigger screen?

 

[Les Kern]

I have a 15 PB and a 20" iMac. Also I have a 20" new cinema display hooked to my tower. Without a doubt I am more productive on the iMac. The issue I have with the 20" cinema is the 16/9 aspect ration. I find myself with 2 pages side by side going off the bottom, and have been debating whether to put my 21" Viewsonic LCD on the tower. It has the 4/3 ratio and can easily show two pages. Some might argue that I should use Expose more... well I DO use it. Even with that going back and forth between multiple pages is better with 4/3.
If you are LOOKING for productivity, get the iMac, or the laptop with an external display.

 

[Les Kern]

But for video editing on FCP, you'll need 17" or higher. I can't see anyone using anything lower than 15" with FCP.

Here's to the Crazy Ones ​

FCP on 15" PB is nothing short of a nightmare! I gave up. Didn't need it to be portable, so I had to ask "why?".

 

[yoak]

Thanks. I think what would be the perfect solution for me is to get an imac and keep the ibook for traveling etc. It´s perfect for that.
I guess I´m just trying to convince my self (and my wife ) that I need an imac to go with our ibook.

 

[smwatson]

Just a little bonus question.
Would you say it´s more enjoyable on s bigger screen?

Yes. Everything is more enjoyable on a bigger screen. The 20" screen in my iMac is the biggest screen ive used and its so much better for viewing photos, and watching videos. I dont do any video editing but for pitures, you need a bigger screen, and im guessing its the same for video (??). But yes much more fun to have so much space. Also, you can have endless fun seeing how much stuff you can fit on your screen. Or maybe thats just me...

 

[ibilly]

It sounds like you are on a budget, so unless you definately needed the portability, I'd save money/get a faster machine in the iMac and have the bonus of the screen realestate. I've got a TiBook, and I don't feel too cramped, and the new PB has a higher rez screen (the same resolution as the orig. 17", I think). On the other hand, if you have good eyes, you may enjoy the detail of smaller pixels while working with media...
If you need the portability, my guess (I haven't worked w/ FCX or FCP) is that the PB will be sufficient in the screen area, very fast, and it'svery portable! On the other hand, more screen space is better in most cases, and having too much screen space isn't a problem I've experienced yet.

P.S. My sisters have 20" iMacs, so I do know the screens. They're very nice, and plenty big.

 

[revisionA]

I dont mind either 23 on the desk or 15 in my lap.

$

 

[yoak]

I dont mind either 23 on the desk or 15 in my lap.

$

lol.