Originally posted by ink
I've said it before and I have the feeling that I'll have to say it again: As the iBook's screen becomes larger, the notebook itself becomes larger. If you want to buy a sub-compact notebook, then you don't want a large screen. The iBook dual/usb's screen is simply incredible; the level of detail it shows is astounding and it simply looks gorgeous under OSX. All that, and it's about as big as a standard notebook; it fits in my backpack just like a book. I was seriously considering a Sony Vaio until Steve announced the new iBook; I signed up for it on the first day it came up for sale. I love the darn thing, it's everything I hoped it would be. If they made the screen larger (like 13"), it would be a bad thing for me. If you want a portable workstation, then the PowerBook is what you're looking for. If you want a true portable that can go everywhere you do, then the iBook is for you.
"What he said..."
I couldn't agree more. I had actually been agonizing over whether to get an iBook or a TiBook (I do love X so...
), and a major factor in the decision to get the iBook was that it was smaller and lighter than the TiBook. (The Sony, BTW, never stood a chance...). I love that I can fling my 'book in my backpack and haul it with me to work, and not feel like I'm hauling half my office with me. Granted, the TiBook isn't
that much heavier, but it is bigger.
In many ways, the iBook answers the promise that I'd hoped for years ago with the PowerBook 2400c - a very small, lightweight machine with as much bang in the space as possible. The 2400 almost fit the bill, but didn't quite get there (for me), but the iBook is just so very very sweet.
Another contributing factor was the combo drive. If the TiBooks had these, I'd have had a much harder time deciding. But as it was, I was able to get a nicely equipped (combo/256/20G/Airport) iBook for slightly more than the base model TiBook.
To the original question, the screen is (as others have attested) sharp and clear, and although only 12", is very comfortable to work with for extended periods of time.
Something you might consider a factor is the keyboard. With less real estate to work with, the keyboard is smaller than what is on your current 'book. If you've a local retailer you can go look at the iBook at, spend some time in TextEdit, and get a sense of whether you can live with the smaller keyboard. The folks at CompUSA must have thought I was writing a novel with as much time as I spent just typing and typing and typing on the display model. I tend to be very picky about the keyboards on my machines (which is the
other reason the Sony didn't make the cut), and I've found the iBook, although small, quite nice.
The keyboard question notwithstanding, I'd say go get one. Right now. You know you want to..
