The 12" powerbook is just as much machine as the 15" and 17" models. Same logic board, same processor line, same system bus speed, same agp and IDE, etc, etc.

There are four main differences, besides the screen size among the different powerbooks:

-12" does not have a backlit keyboard
-12" has one less firewire port, one less USB2 port, and no S-Video out (has DVI though)
-12" has a DIFFERENT 64mb graphics accelerator card, the nVidia Go, and the 15" and 17" models have a 64mb ATi mobility.
-The 12" is 1.33ghz, and the 15" and 17" are available up to 1.5ghz

The 12" is a very portable work horse capable of running the same demanding multimedia, science and design apps that the larger powerbooks and towers run. Saying that it is inferior because it is smaller is pretty goofy thinking.

And as long as you don't want a super drive (CD and DVD writer/player) you can get a combo drive (DVD play, CD read/writer) 15" for $2000 or 12" for $1600. Throw in a display and wireless keyboard/mouse for home/office, and a ram upgrade, you are still out the door for clear under $3000.

And for the starter of this thread, he would only need an iBook for what he is doing. I think a 14" iBook would be perfect for him.

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Cassidy
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