Well, I'm comparing the iBook and the PowerBook, and basically drooling all over the PowerBook hardware. I can afford a PowerBook, so... I'm trying to figure out what screen size I really need, and if I feel like spending ridiculous amounts of money on the 17". Or go smaller screen but up the hard drive.

I got the 15" and am quite happy. I will say that, while the 17" is supercool, it's a bitch and a half to find a cute laptop bag it will fit into.

I will say that, while the 17" is supercool, it's a bitch and a half to find a cute laptop bag it will fit into.

Dude, this is exactly the type of info I was looking for, and why I love the Buffistas.

I didn't get the 17" either. I almost did, but decided I didn't need the extra real estate. The 15" is great--I've seen a friend's 17" and it didn't ping envy, no matter how much he tried. I watch video fullscreen on it all the time and it's lovely.

The 17" Powebooks are a huge pain in the ass. Ginormous. The 15" is as big as I can imagine using - it really cuts a fabulous compromise.

I do actually prefer the 12" form factor in some ways, because it's just so damn portable. Still, the 15" is a LOT nicer when sitting at a desk, so your preference may vary.

I you're interested in a Powerbook G4 right now, you're probably gonna get a better deal surfing ebay and craigslist and such for slightly used ones (still in warranty so you can add applecare to it if necessary) being sold by new Macbook Pro order-ers. Or, you could join me on the slightly scary cutting edge and go for a Macbook Pro yourself - I think they're gonna rock. And since they kept the same design as the Powerbook, it shouldn't be quite as risky a proposition as a true first generation release... knock on wood.

HA! You know, I wondered as I was typing it, if that was a stupid thing to care about. But it wasn't!

The 15" doesn't even fit in my old laptop rolling bag but that's okay. I got a supercute hot pink laptop bag and just use that as my purse when I go on the plane.

And what ita said regarding full screen video.

ETA: The 15" has never really felt unwieldy to me. I mean, I carry it everywhere, every day. Then again, it's light as a feather when compared to the brick of an old Dell laptop my former company had assigned to me.

I'm reading all this very closely, as I'm thinking of getting a 12" Powerbook Real Soon Now.

The 17" seems so honking gigantic to me. I am a freak though - I watch TV/movies on my 12" and it doesn't bother me a bit. I got a nifty little neoprene case for it at ebags, and the whole deal just slips right into my messenger bag. I do carry it places I really don't need to, though, just because I can.

Jilli, I remember reading reviews, back when I was trying to decide, that suggested, if you were going for a 12", to buy the iBook. That it was a better bang for your buck. I can't remember the specifics now.

Apple also has refurbished machines on their website -- less risky than ebay/Craigslist. The inventory changes pretty frequently, so I don't know if there are any Powebooks available right now.