Has the 12" PowerBook simply disappeared?

I own both 12" and 15" G4 PowerBooks and was seriously considering replacing both with the 13" MacBook. Here's why.

The 12" PowerBook screen is just too small, too dim, and lacks the pixel count to serve as my desktop computer. As an attorney, I frequently am working on one document while reading and cut/pasting from another. The widescreen and 1280 horizontal resolution on the 15" PowerBook make it a snap, while still letting me keep my desk free of the clutter that even the sleekest desktop (iMac) would add. I just don't want a desktop keyboard and mouse on my desk, and like the way that a laptop has everything in one compact enclosure, even when used at the desk. Despite all of that widescreen goodness, the 15" PowerBook is just a little bit too large and heavy for me as a travelling machine.

When I travel, I can make do without the large screen as I value small size and light weight. I've travelled with a 12" PowerBook for the last three years, recently moving up from the 1.0GHz Rev.B to the 1.5GHz Rev.D model. I consider this to be close to perfect as a travel laptop, with the MacBook adding everything that I've ever wanted in the 12" PowerBook.

So what's the problem? Simple, integrated graphics. In the 12" PowerBook, I wished for a smaller widescreen that when open was the same height as the 12" PowerBook (fits great on a tray table in coach). I wanted the ability to add the full 2.0 GB of ram from the larger PowerBooks. I wanted the longer battery life of the iBook, and I wanted an Intel processor so that I could load Boot Camp and play Windows games when stuck in some lonely hotel room.

Apple gave me everything I want in the new MacBook, but then they put in that crummy integration video card, which for me, defeats one of the main purposees in going Intel - Windows gaming. You just can't play even mid-level games on an integrated graphics chipset and expect good results. Oh, and they also added weight, which was definitely not welcome.

So in the end, I've decided to hang on to my pair of PowerBooks despite the inconvenience of switching between two computers. The 12" remains my travel machine, still doing everything as well as it did before the MacBook was introduced. The 15" remains on my desk, recently upgraded with a DL superdrive (Pioneer DVR-K05) and a 120GB hard drive. Its 1.5GHz G4, 2.0 GB of RAM and 64MB ATI Radeon 9700 graphics make it adequate for games, though of course limited by the small selection of Mac titles.

Too bad, a MacBook, even at the current model's 5.2 lb weight, would be my one and only laptop right now had it only had an option of discreen graphics. I'd live with the other negatives (glossy, bulk, no modem), but with integrated graphics, it just isn't worth my while.

That's the point. Early benchmarks prove the new 13" Macbook is a dud compared to 12" little al. A seperate GPU is a must.

Where then is the 13" Macbook Pro? 15" is the smallest size for their pro powerbook? That's lame. They will lose some loyalists who would quickly dump little al for a new pro macbook that is small. IMHO anyway.

Help us out, Steve! The 12" form factor has been my favorite portable. Ever. And I started with the 190c :)

I think that a suitable replacement for the 12" PowerBook would have to consider the ability of the graphics processor (GPU). In the 1.5 GHz 12" PB this is the GeForce FX5200 that had its own Video RAM (VRAM) allowing it to run sophisticated graphics and video editing software. This is no longer possible with the new MacBooks (if I am not mistaken) despite the increase in CPU speed. I believe that a suitable replacement MacBook should provide an option for a separate GPU. Does anyone have any specific benchmarks comparing the ability of both machines to handle such graphics and video editing tasks?

Man, take the MacBook, find a way to add real graphics, and make an aluminum case for it. Bang, instant MacBook Pro 13.3 inch! Price it at $1799 and watch them move.

I agree tho, no more 12 inch. Thas' cool. I hope they will explore smaller notebooks, although on the other hand, the Powerbook 2400 was cool but a failure as a product overall due to its too-small size. Apple is not really a failure-tolerant company right now.

Hmm, wierd.... If I use educational discounts, ibooks are still availible.

For now, the Mac family is complete - Apple doesn't want 13" fence sitters to think the 12" is around the corner - since they still seem to be selling as many MBP as they can sell ... on the other hand ... it's just a marketing slogan.

In two months we could get 12" and the slogan - NOW EVEN MORE COMPLETE.

Or a an 8" ipod with optional Make-it-a-Mac attachment ... one never knows and that's the fun.

Or the other side where an OS gets announced and 4 years later, it's almost nearly in beta ...

I love my 12" Powerbook. As someone who just last year made a switch from carrying around a too heavy 15" I am very sorry to see it go. The glare from the MacBook's screen and the lack of a dedicated video card won't cut it for me.

I wonder what Sony has as a replacement.

MacBook Mini? It does have a ring to it. Everyone else is trying, but I think Apple could pull off a tablet like device. It is too much off a hassle to pack the 12" PB everywhere, and the Treo or TX just doesn't do the internets all that well. Combine them all into the MacBook Mini and I have just bought another Apple.

The MacBook Superdrive has DL read support according to the specs.

I will miss the 12" as well, I would have bought a 12" MBP. Although I am getting used to the 15" and don't think I'll switch to a MacBook.

Had the same question, so I send them an email. Here is the answer (which btw came in 9 minutes -that's fast):

"Tassos,

The new MacBook does replace the 12-inch PowerBook so go for it!

Janette Barrios
PR Program Manager, Portables & Wireless
408.974.7608
jbarrios@apple.com"