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.

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.

Hmmm. I was planning on buying a re-furbished Powerbook from Apple. Basically, I want a laptop I can use for writing, surfing the Internets, and filling with music. (And I do mean filling. I'm planning on putting all my cds on the computer.)

I remember one of the things they mentioned was that the display in the 12" was the same in both the iBook and the PowerBook. The display was only of a higher quality when you compared the 14" iBook to the 15" PowerBook. Since I'm designing on this baby, that made a difference to me. Also, that was a year ago so things may be different.

And, you know, in the end, buy the one you love for the best price you can get. I love the shiny silverness.

Speaking of displays, I am totally tempted to get that gadget ita linked to.

Kristen is correct. Basically, the Powerbook G4 IS an iBook at this point. With the ability to power an external display better. And prettier if you're into silver. But really not worth the extra money, unless you find a fabulous used deal or really need those one or two small features.

To be entirely fair, though, both the iBook and Powerbook G4 line are at, probably, their least cost-efficient point ever right now. They expected to have G5s (in the powerbooks at least) by LAST SUMMER - the G4 processors are old and pretty out-of-date. Really, the only Mac laptop that has good bang-for-the-buck (compared to PCs, I mean) in pure power at the moment is the Macbook Pro... one assumes.

Of course, if you want a 12" Apple laptop, don't want to wait for new iBooks (probably announced next month, shipping in April sometime), and like silver, the Powerbook 12" is your thing, and it is a mighty fine computer. Your caring about "bang-for-the-buck" may vary.

If you want a 15" laptop, though... think HARD about the Macbook Pro. My suggestion.

Whoo hoo! I had knowledge about something beyond cute and pretty purses.