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Which Powerbook?

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FHKJ

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Just getting to grips with my 20D which I love. I am going to buy an Apple Powerbook to archive and edit all my images. I'd like to be able to take it around with me some of the time, and have performance enough to edit hi-res and RAW images.

So, is the 12" Powerbook G4 enough, or should I go for a higher spec 15" one?

Thoughts and advice welcome!
 
I would choose the 15" with the superdrive. A 12" screen is a little small for editing pics. The 15" is large enough, but still very portable. For more help, you might want to post this question in the Mac forum here.
Jeff
 
I own the 12 inch 1.33 GHZ, superdrive Powerbook and it is plenty powerful enough to do photo editing with Photoshop CS. You should get as much ram as you can afford, I've got 768 MB and it works fine. The small screen is a little limiting, but that's the trade off for portability. I could see using it as my only computer as long as I had a large monitor at home. I've used mine on the seat tray of an airplane with no problem. If you'd rather have more screen space and sacrifice a little portability, get the 15 incher.
 
I would get the 12 inch with superdrive, max out the RAM and pick up an external monitor for use at home.

When it comes to working in confined spaces, like an airplane or a car (or even some coffee houses) the 12 incher is the Cat's Meow. In those circumstances, bigger is not better.

jack
--
A few of my photos:
http://www.sportsshooter.com/members.html?id=4177
 
I concur with some of the above posters: the 12" (I've got the 1.33 Ghz) is an awesome little machine, and will serve you well power-wise, but the screen is kind of small. It really comes down to just how portable you want this to be, and whether you're willing to sacrifice screen size for portability, and how much screen size (didn't Dell just announce a 19" laptop? but it weighs a ton). Thing is, if you want more screen when you're home, you can pick up a good used flat-screen CRT (better for photos than LCD anyway) for under $100. When I really settle down to do major editing, I hook my 12" up to my old 17" Apple CRT.
 
I have a 12" screen and find it really limiting for Photoshop work. Also, I have a combo drive but really want a superdrive so my 1gb cards can be transferred to DVD's when I return with a handful (5) CF cards full of images.

The 12" screen isn't quite as nice as their larger cousins, they are manufactured by different companies. The 12" screen is manufactured by the company that produces the iBook line. This is all info I've taken from Apples support site via their powerbook forums, you can visit that website to learn more about the specifics.

I mainly use a 20" desktop screen but with regard to a portable, I'm willing to trade the 12" portability for more screen real estate as I just feel too darn cramped. Also, I want a that slot for a card reader and the 12" does not offer that feature. That, combined with the higher quality screen on the 15" was enough to cement my decision.

Either powerbook will work, it just depends on your specific needs and desires.
 
I've had just about every Powerbook ever released because of my job and I've sort of fallen into sticking with the 15" version. The 12" version is only marginally faster than an iBook, has the limiting screen resolution-wise, and no card slot so you have to have an CompactFlash adapter with you. While there are other differences, if the computer is to be used as a desktop replacement, the 15" is the best combination of portability and power. The 17" is better as a desktop replacement but it's bulky and the screen's resolution is inadequate given its size so why bother. And running Photoshop at 1024x768 on the 12" version is kind of annoying.
 
--E-Mail me at [email protected]

I have a Canon 20D and also am in the process of buying the Powerbook. I can answer all your questions. I did all the research on the powerbook in the last several months.

Keep Taking Photos,
Jeff
The Digital Wolf
 
I really like the size of the 14" IBook w/superdrive and have considered it over the wider PowerBook - can you tell me how you think this would be for transferring pics into and doing editing?

Wendy
 
wendyorg said:
I really like the size of the 14" IBook w/superdrive and have
considered it over the wider PowerBook - can you tell me how you
think this would be for transferring pics into and doing editing?
Click to expand...
It's fine; for Photoshop its amply powerful, and probably more able to take knocks than the PB. I really can't see the benefit of the 12" PB at all. Buy an iBook and spare the saving on a lens!

Stuart
 
Wendy,

The 14" iBook has the exact same screen resolution of the 12" iBook.....You don't gain anything in the way of screen real estate. My opinion is that the 12" screen is a tad sharper, you can see them side-by-side and judge for yourself. That said, you can't get a superdrive on the 12" which is a bummer and a good reason to go with the 14" iBook.

I'm a Mac fanatic and think you really can't go wrong with any of them as long as you get the one that meets your needs. I want more memory so I'm stepping up to the 15" Powerbook from a 12" iBook which I adore. The iBook can be tossed in a handbag and is very portable, I'll miss that along with the 'cuteness' factor.
wendyorg said:
I really like the size of the 14" IBook w/superdrive and have
considered it over the wider PowerBook - can you tell me how you
think this would be for transferring pics into and doing editing?

Wendy
Click to expand...
 
I've got the 12 Powerbook. I love the latop and use it for hours a day. It has enabled me to get rid of my PDA and find it small enough to take just about anywhere. Portability is excellent.

For Photoshop editing it is okay only if you have a GB of ram. I thought the screen was good until I started to compare it with my kids G 5 IMAC 20 inch. NO comparsion. I realized what I was missing.

For me the 12 Powerbook is my daily ride due to portability. It is wonderful for trips and downloading on the road. Great stuff. However, for good graphics you need a larger screen. So do you get a second computer or just a monitor? Depends on financial considerations. I have found wireless lnking Apple computers on a network so easy that that is not a consideration. Synciing them is also easy to do at night while I sleep and easy to set-up. Also two computers means I have automatic back-up on two harddrives.

If I had to have just one computer I would go with a Powerbook. Work requirements general portability say the 12 but I am sure the 14 would work better for graphics.
 
--The least you should get is the 15 Inch Powerbook and ADD 1GB Ram. Add a 20inch monitor at home and you have a portable solution and desktop for powerful editing.

I have asked numerous Pro Photographers. They ALL say Editing Photoshop on a laptop is not really the way to go.

Think about it. The angle of the screen depending on where you are sitting and the light in the room you are in does NOT give you consitant Edits as far as Color Management goes.

Basic editing like Quick sorting of your days shoots and some minor contrast control etc makes sense, but to use Photoshop at its fullest do your editing on a laptop ATTACHED to a large monitor in one room in your house. I am buying the 17inch and adding a 23 inch monitor. Personal Choice. :) But the 15 inch Laptop and 20 inch External monitor is a great choice as well!!!!

Keep Taking Photos,
Jeff
The Digital Wolf
 
Hey Jeff, you mentioned that you have completed a bit of research on your pending purchase......has Apple fixed the 'pink' issues on the 23" monitor? I haven't dropped by the Apple forums lately to find out but I'm curious about it.

Steph
DigitalWolf said:
--The least you should get is the 15 Inch Powerbook and ADD 1GB
Ram. Add a 20inch monitor at home and you have a portable solution
and desktop for powerful editing.

I have asked numerous Pro Photographers. They ALL say Editing
Photoshop on a laptop is not really the way to go.
Think about it. The angle of the screen depending on where you are
sitting and the light in the room you are in does NOT give you
consitant Edits as far as Color Management goes.
Basic editing like Quick sorting of your days shoots and some minor
contrast control etc makes sense, but to use Photoshop at its
fullest do your editing on a laptop ATTACHED to a large monitor in
one room in your house. I am buying the 17inch and adding a 23 inch
monitor. Personal Choice. :) But the 15 inch Laptop and 20 inch
External monitor is a great choice as well!!!!

Keep Taking Photos,
Jeff
The Digital Wolf
Click to expand...
 
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