Still worth it to get the latest 12" PB?

[ozone]

I'm willing to pick up an extra battery if needed. Based on what I've heard, I don't think any Apple laptop is going to quite compare with my tablet on battery life - it goes for almost 5 hours on a reasonable load, brightness, moderate wifi usage - but battery life isn't really my prime concern; so long as it's decent, that's great.

I think I just really want a Mac for myself. My brother and wife are long time Mac users and just love them. I'm happy enough with my tablet - and like I said, I can't beat the tablet for sheer functionality - but I keep wondering what I'm missing.

I've been lusting after a 17" PB for ages now - I'm greedy, I'll admit it - it's just so damn sexy and would look great sitting on my desk! But I travel just enough that I realize a small form factor is ideal. So, for ages I was always battling the "is a 17" PB too large" issue for work related endeavours. Now, I figure I'll just leave it at home most of the time and I'll use it for "me". Except, I can't seem to get a 17" PB anywhere for a price I could justify given the impending switch to Intel. So, why not go the other way and get a smallish, light 12" PB, especially if the price is right. Besides, nothing beats a big, fat external LCD. Plus, I'm very picky about keyboards. So far, I only prefer IBM (Lenovo) ThinkPad keyboards, Apple, and my HP business class notebook (don't like the HP consumer line keyboards).

Sorry folks... I'm rambling right about now. Thanks again for all the great advice!

 

[California]

Let price dictate. talk them down on the PB. I got mine new for the same as the 12" ibook; so it was a no brainer to get the 12" PB. The thing about the 12" is that I don't believe Apple will be making them anymore. The small size is great.

 

[_bnkr612]

It all comes down to one thing, the keyboard. iBooks are lesser quality, PBs are not. You can feel it when you type on them.

Compare in a store, the PB will come out on top.

 

[YS2003]

I like both of my 12" PB and 12" iBook equally. The shiny case on PB is is its own league as most of other notebooks are made of plastic casing. Good things about having both 12" units are:
I can use the same bag for 12" PB and iBook.
I can use the same AC power adaptor (45 W for both models)

I can pick up whichever model at my whim when I need to take it with me on my trip. I almost always end up with my 12" iBook as I don't want to mess with my PB and it is already connected to my 20" ACD on my desk.

Regarding the keyboard experience, I have not been able to use them too much as I have been using external keyboards for all of my notebooks (as they are all perched on iCurves). But, from my typing experience with my iBook during my business trips, the feel of it was good. Well better than Ti PB's kebboard, that I can tell.

 

[wongulous]

I love my 12". I like the new MBP, but I'd never upgrade until the 12" version comes out. And I've had a 12" iBook, but I didn't love it this much. However, the 12"/13" MacBook might be enough to sway me from the pro line.. if it has MagSafe and good specs and isn't terribly ugly. But this PB is so much prettier.

 

[brikeh]

All you guys with 12 inch pbs: When connected to an external display, do the fans go nuts? Im thinking about picking up an ACD to go with my 12 inch rev d pb.