Going from 12" to 17"? (not an "enhancement" spam =)

[Mr.kr]

I first joined the forums here a few years ago when I was looking to make "the switch." Since then I have been a very happy 12" PowerBook G4 owner.

I'm thinking with the recent SR MBPs, it's time to upgrade. I really do like the 12" form factor, it's light and portable. But since joining the Mac team, I've been doing more and more video work (plug alert: sketch comedy at http://goodcommitment.tv) I edit on my PowerBook a good bit and it gets the job done but mostly I edit on a PowerMac G5 with a 1600x1200 display at my place of work (after hours, of course).

So here's my question. Have any of you jumped from a 12" to a 17"? How bad was the adjustment curve of the added bulk? Did you love it right away, over time or wish that you had gone with a 15" instead?

Going to 15" makes sense for several reasons but that new high res 17" display caught my attention in a big way. Initially I figured I could upgrade to a 15" and eventually get a 23" or 24" external display for "desktop" work but this would eliminate the need to buy a display.

Any thoughts or experiences are appreciated.

 

[TimJim]

i had a 12" ibook and went to a 15" MBP and it was great. going smaller to bigger isent much of a problem and you would probobly like it.

 

[wako]

I went from a 12'' PowerBook to a 13'' MacBook, and now a 15'' MacBook Pro


Personally I do miss the portability factor, of just grabbing and go and how small and light it is. For me personally, ever since I went to a MacBook which was bigger than the PowerBook I found myself taking it around to places alot less because it was more of a hassle. With my new MacBook Pro, I cant see myself taking it anywhere, maybe if I absolutely need it, but carrying it around for the hell of it, probably not anymore.


I really hope Apple will make a super portable MacBook Pro sometime. The Dell ones are super tiney and still quite the powerhouse. If it ran OSX and had a look and feel of Apple, I might have just gotten that.... Meh...

 

[dcv]

I'm in the same boat as you. Absolutely love my 12" PowerBook and can't imagine carrying around anything bigger than that. Even the MacBooks don't appeal as they're just that little bit too big and I hate the fugly keyboard and cracking plastic.

I'm now at the point where my PB is too slow for my needs so am too looking at the MacBook Pro range. I went in to the Apple Store last week to compare the 15" and 17" and decided that there's not a huge difference between them (in terms of physical dimensions). In my opinion neither of them are particularly portable as compared to the 12" so I'm thinking I may as well go with the 17" HD option as a proper desktop-replacement kind of machine and keep my 12" PowerBook for on-the-go.

Course this might change if an ultra-portable is announced this week unlikely I know, but I can dream...

If I were you I'd go for the 17" HD option, particularly for your video editing needs. Don't think you'll need the external monitor.

 

[Igantius]

Going to 15" makes sense for several reasons but that new high res 17" display caught my attention in a big way. Initially I figured I could upgrade to a 15" and eventually get a 23" or 24" external display for "desktop" work but this would eliminate the need to buy a display.

Any thoughts or experiences are appreciated.

I know you were asking about moving from smaller to larger laptops, but...

Speaking from my own editing experience, I would be using an external monitor whichever machine you bought - even if it wasn't straight away. Obviously, the 17" laptop extra screen estate is a big plus - particularly if you need to edit away from your usual workspace - but if that was the only screen I was using all the time, it would drive me crazy!

That said, one of my friends quite happily uses a 17" laptop as his main editing station - and he does a looooooot of editing.

 

[dcv]

Obviously, the 17" laptop extra screen estate is a big plus - particularly if you need to edit away from your usual workspace - but if that was the only screen I was using all the time, it would drive me crazy!

That said, one of my friends quite happily uses a 17" laptop as his main editing station - and he does a looooooot of editing.

The 17" (high-def) now has the same resolution as the 23" Apple Cinema Display so unless you're gonna get the 30" or some other display, I'm sure the 17" would be just fine

 

[mavherzog]

I started out with a 12" iBook, moved to a 13.3" MacBook, then bought a 12" x60s because the MacBook was way too bulky.

Ubuntu is fine for my mobile needs...but am looking forward to a pimpin' MacPro once I get home from Iraq.

 

[Igantius]

The 17" (high-def) now has the same resolution as the 23" Apple Cinema Display so unless you're gonna get the 30" or some other display, I'm sure the 17" would be just fine

Good point! I was thinking more along the lines of using the dual-monitor mode, but I hadn't taken that into account - or made myself that clear for that matter!