Apple Powerbook screen quality - DPChallenge Forums

07/27/2004 07:51:17 AM · #1

Can anyone let me know what this is like? I am looking at buying one but we have no-where here that has them on display.

I currently have a Thai model Sony Vaio. I think the screen has something like dark crystal technology?? Not sure if thats the right term but the screen is fantastic. Better than any CRT i have seen (though i have only seen standard monitors with packages from compaq, dell etc.) and certainly better than any flat screen.

I really want to know how it compares as it is quite a big decision making factor for me. My Sony is a PCG series, i forget the model but it is Thai so they have different models to the UK/US.

RobCoursey

Nikon D100

07/27/2004 08:08:00 AM · #2

Well, hopefully I can help a bit...

I've actually got several laptops to compare it with. Here's a list of the ones I use on a regular basis:
Supplied by work:
- Dell Inspiron 8100, 8000, 8500
- Dell Latitudes in various models
- Gateway Solo 2500, 7000, 9000 series
and a 15" Powerbook
At my house:
- An old Compaq
- and a 12" Powerbook

Of all of them, I like the powerbooks best. They are more reliable, they a light, they have a build in gig network card, etc, etc, etc. In short, they just work.

Now if I had to choose between the 12" and 15" I could swing either way. The 15" has a better resolution (duh...it's 3" larger), but for my needs, I have a G5 w/ 23" Cinerama. I chose the 12" for my house mostly because I do some writing and found that the keyboard is more comfortable than the slightly older 15" that I have.

Personal opinion, I'd stick with the Mac. The choice between 12", 15", and 17" will mostly be based on your budget.

Oh, and one extra tidbit that I've not seen widely advertised: the PowerBooks can, out of the box, dual head themselves. Simply put, you can attach a monitor (VGA or DVI) to the back and extend your screen to it...not mirror the displays but use it as a second display.

07/27/2004 08:15:21 AM · #3

Yeah i think it would be the 15" that i'd go for. The Macs have sold me on more or less everything so far but the screen quality is important so has to be better than what i have now.

The dual head graphics, you mean you can use it like a dual monitor card when you move a window onto the next screen and have double the work space? I have a dual card on my desktop and it is fantastic for web/graphics work but if the powerbooks have this function out the box, i'll buy one.

07/27/2004 08:37:05 AM · #4

Originally posted by biohazard:

you mean you can use it like a dual monitor card when you move a window onto the next screen and have double the work space?

Yes.

If you have any doubts about screen quality, just burn a few JPEGs to CD and bring it to your local Apple dealer. Bring your current laptop for comparison.

07/27/2004 08:42:23 AM · #5

Originally posted by scalvert:

Originally posted by biohazard:
you mean you can use it like a dual monitor card when you move a window onto the next screen and have double the work space?

Yes.

If you have any doubts about screen quality, just burn a few JPEGs to CD and bring it to your local Apple dealer. Bring your current laptop for comparison.

Thats the problem Scalvert,

We only have one Apple Dealer (Jersey Channel Islands) and they don't have display models!!!?!!?

That dual card might be the clincher though, even if the screen isn't as good as my Vaio.

07/27/2004 08:53:05 AM · #6

Ewwww... we're rather spoiled over here. NEW Jersey alone has several dedicated Apple retail stores run by the company itself. Rest assured that the Powerbook screen quality is among the best available in a laptop, and the 15" is an excellent size. My favorite feature (just for the "cool" factor) has to be the backlit keyboard on higher end models.

07/27/2004 08:55:46 AM · #7

From Apple's web site:

"The system automatically displays to the external monitor when you connect it to the PowerBook. Alternatively, you can toggle between dual display and video mirroring modes through one touch of the F7 key. And hereâ��s the best part: The hardware mirroring included in the PowerBook G4 lets you display video content such as QuickTime movies on an external monitor with performance equal to that of the built-in display."

Nusbaum

Fujifilm X-T1

Canon EF 50mm f/1.4 USM

07/27/2004 09:01:14 AM · #8

My 15" powerbook display is far better than the one on my thinkpad, but I don't have a sony here to compare to. Of the two, I would definitey go for the mac. The dual display option that somebody already mentioned is not to be taken lightly. You can add a top of the line apple LCD and a pro level CRT and have massive amounts of space to work on your photos.

07/27/2004 09:03:22 AM · #9

Originally posted by scalvert:

SWEET!

Like it a lot!

Cheers guys.

Now i got to learn how to work and support the dam things ;) I have worked in IT with PC's for 4 years so its gonna be like starting all over again!!

Message edited by author 2004-07-27 09:04:21.

07/27/2004 09:07:00 AM · #10

Not to worry. Even long-time Mac users like myself had to start over when OS X came out, but there's really very little maintenance required. It just works.

Nikon AF-S Zoom-Nikkor 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6G IF-ED VR

07/27/2004 09:09:54 AM · #11

Good stuff, thats what i like to hear! Cheer Scalvert.

Nusbaum

Fujifilm X-T1

Canon EF 50mm f/1.4 USM

07/27/2004 09:12:04 AM · #12

Originally posted by biohazard:

Originally posted by scalvert:
From Apple's web site:

"The system automatically displays to the external monitor when you connect it to the PowerBook. Alternatively, you can toggle between dual display and video mirroring modes through one touch of the F7 key. And hereâ��s the best part: The hardware mirroring included in the PowerBook G4 lets you display video content such as QuickTime movies on an external monitor with performance equal to that of the built-in display."

SWEET!

Like it a lot!

Cheers guys.

Now i got to learn how to work and support the dam things ;) I have worked in IT with PC's for 4 years so its gonna be like starting all over again!!

Macs do tend to just work, but if you like getting into the guts of the system it will feel similar to any linux or unix based system you might have worked with in the path. Most people don't notice how nice OS X is under the covers, but as an IT person you will be able to appreciate how nicely the OS is put together.

flip89

Nikon D700

07/27/2004 09:39:41 AM · #13

Originally posted by biohazard:

Good stuff, thats what i like to hear! Cheer Scalvert.

I no longer use my desktop Macs ... the powerbook is now my workhorse(s). It pretty much does what my desktop does and I can carry it anywhere in my house or in the office and be connected wirelessly and seamlessly including printing through the Airport. Screen quality is outstanding - I do a lot of Photoshop work and the powerbook is sufficient for it. It is light for travel and transferring photos from the camera is no hassle - even while you're in the field.

07/27/2004 09:53:04 AM · #14

Sweet, It'll need to be a desktop replacement as i'll be working with it as my computer in Indonesia. Sounds like it will do the job nicely.

digistoune

Canon EOS-20D

07/27/2004 09:57:11 AM · #15

Originally posted by biohazard:

SWEET!

Like it a lot!

Cheers guys.

Now i got to learn how to work and support the dam things ;) I have worked in IT with PC's for 4 years so its gonna be like starting all over again!!

You won't have a problem. I had the same worries when I switched to Mac in 2002 but found that OS X is very intuitive and you'll be surprised at how many everyday tasks are the same (like cut & paste for example). I bought Pogue's "Missing Manual for OS X" with my first Mac and it got me up to speed FAST. Oh, and if you don't like using the touch-mouse thingie on the PB, do yourself a favor and get a two button mouse. Should be the first Mac accessory purchase IMO.

07/27/2004 10:01:28 AM · #16

Originally posted by digistoune:

I didn't realise you could get a 2 button mouse for them. That will be my first purchase. I know a 1 button mouse would wind me right up. Does the second button act like a PC one? Ie. menus, properties etc?

Olympus 50mm f/1.8 MF Normal Zuiko

07/27/2004 10:15:42 AM · #17

Yes, they work the same way. Most standard PC rodents work fine out of the box. My personal favorite is the Logitech MX700 (I haven't used an Apple mouse in years).

Message edited by author 2004-07-27 10:16:27.

eostyles

Canon EOS-400D Rebel XTi

07/27/2004 10:37:00 AM · #18

I love my Powerbook but at the same time I need a PC for programming ASP for web sites so I get the luxary of carrying around 2 laptops...

digistoune

Canon EOS-20D

07/27/2004 10:44:24 AM · #19

Originally posted by scalvert:

Yes, they work the same way. Most standard PC rodents work fine out of the box. My personal favorite is the Logitech MX700 (I haven't used an Apple mouse in years).

Yup! Scalvert's right. I have a Microsoft (yes, it gives me a giggle to have a Microsoft product hooked up to my beloved Mac) 4 button mouse with a thumb wheel. Works great and stays in one spot which was a big selling point for me. And I have a Kensington keyboard that has integrated iTunes buttons - damn handy. Not that Apple keyboards are bad, mind you. My son had a major oops! with some coke which prompted the Kensington purchase.

emorgan49

Olympus E-5

07/27/2004 10:53:08 AM · #20

I can't for the life of me calibrate the screen on the powerbook. Even a tiny shift in viewer angle changes everything. It is great for everything excpet photo editing. Think about a second monitor for editing.

RobCoursey

Nikon D100

07/27/2004 11:46:24 AM · #21

I also fully agree about the ease of getting used to the system. I'm an old timer (did I actually say that? don't tell my wife ;) and prefer command line stuffs (grew up with the various flavors of Unix). Been doin it now for 23 years (*GASP*). The older fluffy-bunny foo-foo crap that Mac has always been associated with is pretty much a thing of the past with the advent of OS X. They took a serious step in the right direction now that they allow you to bring up a shell and do your unix stuffs.

In short, as to the OS, you have the foo-foo of Macs, you have the ability to use Microsoft Office v.X, and have a Unix background that you can fully utilize for programming, network security, or whatever. All that with it hardly ever crashing -- I have to say hardly because I do some pretty screwy stuff that most users wouldnt try ;).

Microsoft better watch their backs...