why no threads on 14" ibooks?

[designerguy]

My searches have found mostly info on 12" IB and 15" PB models but not much on the 14" ibook?

Any reasons for this? Do yall not like the 14" version?

thanks.

[Matvei]

I personnaly never considered it seriously. Same resolution as 12incher, big fat weight, bizarre esthetics (scaling), price.

[Luca]

Yeah, it's unpopular because it's heavier and larger without any real benefit. Really it's just an iBook for people with bad eyesight, and you pay too much of a premium for a tiny benefit.

[Kiren]

Bassicaly to most people the only reason for a larger 'book is to have a higher resoloution -which the 14" iBook doesnt have. Frankly I don't get the point.

[naren]

It's funny, it's a totally boring product, but 1/3 of my University is toting these things around.

http://www.winona.edu/its/laptop/Models/appleibook1200.htm

[Wickers]

What's kinda funny about them. . . is that on the G3 version (and I think G4) the logic board and most internal parts are exactly the same between the 12" and 14". The only difference is the screen size.

[psmith2.0]

Yep, exactly. My best friend has one, but her peepers are horrible and there's no way she could deal with the 12". It has its place, no doubt. It is a comfortable, easy screen to read and looks like a big tasty Chiclet. :p

[The Return of the 'nut]

Yeah, it's unpopular because it's heavier and larger without any real benefit. Really it's just an iBook for people with bad eyesight, and you pay too much of a premium for a tiny benefit.

I would not be surprised if more 14 inchers are sold than 12 inchers. Apple's models suggest this and based on my observations on campus many more people have 14 inchers than 12 inchers.

People like big screens, the majority dont even know there is a thing as different resolutions, they just want a big screen.

[Mac+]

I personnaly never considered it seriously. Same resolution as 12incher, big fat weight, bizarre esthetics (scaling), price.love your work - nice and succinct. :D

Marge to Homer - "Go pat the cat"
Homer - "Eh, what's the point?"



... yeah yeah for sight impaired folks - or those who want a bigger screen just for the sake of it (aesthetics be damned!)

:shrugs: Doesn't Interest Me.

[Luca]

I think Apple's trying to promote the 14" iBooks by making the faster configurations available only with the 14" screen, but it ends up just making them bad deals. For example, if you take a 14" iBook with the Superdrive and configure it to be as close to the 12" PowerBook with Superdrive, it ends up costing the same despite being a slower, less powerful machine with fewer features.

14" iBook
• 512MB DDR266 (256MB built-in & 256MB SO-DIMM)
• 80GB Ultra ATA drive
• SuperDrive (DVD-R/CD-RW)
• AirPort Extreme Card
• Bluetooth Module
• Keyboard & Mac OS X - U.S. English
• 14-inch TFT XGA display
• 1.33GHz PowerPC G4
• ATI Mobility Radeon 9200 w/ 32MB DDR video memory
$1,674

12" PowerBook
• 512MB DDR333 (256MB built-in + 256MB SO-DIMM)
• 80GB Ultra ATA drive @ 5400rpm
• 8x SuperDrive (DVD±RW/CD-RW)
• AirPort Extreme Card
• Keyboard/Mac OS - U.S. English
• 1.5GHz PowerPC G4
• NVIDIA GeForce FX GO 5200 with 64MB DDR Video Memory
• 12.1-inch TFT Display
$1,699

The obvious solution is to just not buy an iBook with all the features and options. But hey, compare the cheaper models:

14" iBook
• 512MB DDR266 (256MB built-in & 256MB SO-DIMM)
• 60GB Ultra ATA drive
• Combo drive (DVD-ROM/CD-RW)
• AirPort Extreme Card
• Bluetooth Module
• Keyboard & Mac OS X - U.S. English
• 14-inch TFT XGA display
• 1.33GHz PowerPC G4
• ATI Mobility Radeon 9200 w/ 32MB DDR video memory
$1,424

12" PowerBook
• 512MB DDR333 (256MB built-in + 256MB SO-DIMM)
• 60GB Ultra ATA drive @5400rpm
• Combo Drive (DVD-ROM/CD-RW)
• AirPort Extreme Card
• Keyboard/Mac OS - U.S. English
• 1.5GHz PowerPC G4
• NVIDIA GeForce FX GO 5200 with 64MB DDR Video Memory
• 12.1-inch TFT Display
$1,499

So really, the only way the 14" iBook could possibly be a good deal is if you get the completely stock Combo drive model and upgrade the RAM yourself rather than letting Apple do it. But why do you have to do that? The 12" iBook is a great deal, but the 14" is pretty disappointing. Plus, Apple charges a $200 premium for a 4x DVD burner in the top end iBook, compared to $150 extra for an 8x burner in the PowerBooks.

Hopefully we'll see an iBook update soon. They're due up.

[johnq]

If I'm going to have 1024x768, I want it in the 14.1 screen. I like seeing my pixels. I do photoshop a lot, I want fat pixels, saves me from zooming in a much. :shrug: