torn between 15" and 17"

[Sic]

im looking at updating my 12" powerbook to a 15 or 17", because i just find the 12" too small and i want to be able to use dual monitors and spanning.

are there any differences between the 15" and 17" models other than screen size? i was originally looking at the 17" but i dont think it's going to be very portable, and that's kinda essential for me.

what's the max screen res on the 15"?

also, if it makes any difference, i'll be going for the "bang-up-to-date" ones...not second hand.

thanks for any help

 

[maddav]

The 17":

- comes with the 120GB 5400rpm / 100GB 7200 rpm Hard Drive at no extra cost, on the 15" it's an optional extra

- screen is 46% brighter than the original, apparently the 15" is only 20% or so brighter.

- Is 1.3 pounds heavier than the 15"

Max screen res. on 15" is 1440 x 960, on the 17" it's 1680 x 1050.


My opinion, if you want power + portable, go for the 15".

 

[japasneezemonk]

Dude, i just went to the Apple store this past week to look at the new 15" PB, you will not be dissapointed with the screen resolution. It's like an optical illusion, the 15" screen now looks as big as the 17", and the 17" now looks like a behemoth. I guess some PB lovers got their wish of a 20" laptop. I say, go for the 15", you get lots of screen real estate, and i could defintely read what was on screen without having to lower the resolution. don't lsten to those people saying that higher resolution makes it harder to type papers, etc... i am also selling my 12".

 

[cepler]

Go to the store and look and hold them both. I was just about set on the 17" before the revisions to get the extra res (my Thinkpad was 1400x1050, didn't want to downgrade much) but when I looked at things in person, ouch... The space in front of the keyboard on the 17" is ..well...expansive. Felt weird....almost like there should be 2 hard drives in there...heh. Anyhow, I'm not knocking the 17" as a machine but if you need portability then you probably won't be happy with the 17". The bumped up res on the 15" finally sold me and pushed me over the edge this weekend so I finally picked up my first Mac. I'm a Linux/FreeBSD/Windows guy so learning this platform and how things work (apps, where stuff goes, shortcuts etc) is a learning experience, but I'm a geek and I thrive off learning all that stuff..

 

[Sic]

awesome, cheers guys. i don't know if this sort of enquiry is allowed in here, i dont see why not though. how much does a second hand good condition 12" 1.33 768mb combo drive powerbook go for nowadays?

think i'm going to go 15"...17 would be greedy. only thing is the hard drive, and i have 250Gb USB anyway

 

[japasneezemonk]

i have 250Gb USB anyway

get FW 400 HD, nice and smooth.

 

[Sic]

the one i have is USB and Firewire enabled

 

[Stampyhead]

think i'm going to go 15"...17 would be greedy. only thing is the hard drive, and i have 250Gb USB anyway

That's a good choice. I've had both, and while the 17" is a wonderful machine, it's not great for portability. It sounds like, with the new screen resolutions, you'll get a 17" display in a 15" body!

 

[plinkoman]

i'm in the same situation right now, i'm leaning toward the 17" though...

i guess all you have to do is decide if a 2in. 1lb. difference really makes a difference in one way or another. looking at them in person is the best advice, but unfortunately for myself, the nearest apple store is an hour away...

 

[japasneezemonk]

That's a good choice. I've had both, and while the 17" is a wonderful machine, it's not great for portability. It sounds like, with the new screen resolutions, you'll get a 17" display in a 15" body!

Believe me, once you look at the new 15" you will have to re-check to make sure your not looking at a 17". sweet.