Anyone prefer the 17" Powerbook G4's over the 12"/15" if so why?

[Unknown_K]

Was wondering if you guys like the 17" model powerbooks over the 15 or 12" ones and why. The 15" seems like a decent size to carry around and the screen space is decent. I don't have a 17" (which is why I am asking) and was wondering if getting one is worth the trouble. They use special batteries, seem kind of bulky, and I read they have monitor issues.

 

[TheWhiteFalcon]

I've owned three. There's something special, and frankly, a little awe inspiring about using a laptop that big. I don't find them too bad to carry around, but they definitely need a bigger bag, and the keyboards are a little more flexible/spongy than the 12". Used ones seem to be commonly damaged though.

 

[Unknown_K]

Quite a bit of the ebay powerbooks have issues no matter what the size. It is harder to get parts for 17" models since not that many were made.

 

[galgot]

I have three. One 1Ghz and two 1.67s . And two 17" MacBooks. Ever since Apple started doing 17" laptops I took these because for graphic work it's perfect. True they are heavier , you need a bigger bag, some have graphic chip or screen issues (but same for the 15"), and spares are harder to find and more expensive.

But I can't find the same comfort with a 15" , even a retina...  Plus the cool factor.

I've yet to find a good last model A1139, somewhat rare and still expensive.

 

[Elfen]

Graphics is a major plus on the 17in. Custom batteries? They all had custom batteries.  You can't take the battery from 12in to put into the 15in or the 17in.

Plus RAM Expansion on the 17in is two slots (like the 15in), not one on the 12in. And the PCMCIA on the side adds more functionality - faster USB Ports, CF or SD PCMCIA adapters, RAM Cards, so on. If the 12in had that I would be one happy puppy. an the CPU is faster on the 17in - the fastest 12in I believe is 1.5GHz while the 15/17in has 1.6GHz (correct me if I'm wrong).

 

[Unknown_K]

Well you can find a new 12" or 15" battery for under $20 shipped, the 17" batteries are 3x+ that. Without a working battery it might as well be a desktop.

Yes 1.5ghz is the fastest 12" Powerbook. I have yet to benchmark the ddr1 to ddr2 1.6ghz models to see if the upgrade did anything for speed.

 

[Byrd]

DDR2 on the final model PowerBooks does little to jack all for performance - the G4 is unable to take advantage of the additional bandwidth.  Mind you, I wonder if this model can take more than 2GB DDR2 RAM?

JB

 

[TheWhiteFalcon]

Probably not, the Core Duo MBP's that followed it are also capped to 2GB.

 

[Byrd]

I'll have to try will get back - never thought of it, was given some 2GB DDR2 So-DIMM sticks recently.

 

[Unknown_K]

I looked it up and 2GB is it but I have not tried larger sticks myself.