Ok, I'll make this as short as possible. Over the slower winter months, I would like to accomplish three things:
1. Switching to Canon (I REALLY want a MK IIn)
2. Switching to a mac
3. Shooting raw

I need a laptop that I can use for editing, slideshows at weddings, and general everyday stuff. I have a desktop at home that is fantastic, I'm just never there to use it. So, buying a G5 is out as it would never be used. I really have to have a laptop since I'm on the move so much.

So, the questions are:

1. Is a 17" too big to take with you all the time, and do you think a 15" is big enough to get by with?

2. Should I get 2gigs of ram, or is 1 enough?

3. Am I wasting my money buying a powerbook since I really want Appeture and they don't recommend it for powerbooks?

4. What programs (other than CS2) should I buy from Apple?

Thanks guys!

Hey Choli,

1. Not sure why your switching to Canon but to each his (or her) own What's wrong with the D2X? What do you use now? Why do you think the MK II will be better? Just curious.

2. I would buy the 15" with 2 GB of RAM (More ram is always better with programs like Photoshop and I'm sure Aperture will love Ram too:) Personally I think the 17" is too big to carry around.
(According to Apple's System Requirements for Aperture you should be Fine) See attached screenshot from Apple's website.

3. You will wonder how you ever did without raw after you get used to it.

4. Adobe Photoshop CS2 is probably all you will need beside Aperture. IMHO

PS: If you decide to go with 1GB of Ram to save money be sure you get your 1GB as a 1GB stick rather than 2 512MB sticks. This will leave your other slot (there's only 2) open for buying another 1GB stick of Ram later. Just a suggestion.

Hey Choli,

I agree with Alan everything except the laptop size. If you plan on doing slideshows at your reception then you definitely want the 17". I just got the new one and love it. I used to have the 15" and yes the new one is bigger but it's not overbearing.
Definitely get more ram and like Alan said if you only get 1gig in it make sure it is one stick so you have another one open. I'm on 1.5gigs right now and everything is running great.
And I definitely love the larger screen while I'm working in Bridge since I can see many more pictures.

Ok, two replies and conflicting answers on the size I should get. I wish I had an apple store here so that I could check them out side by side. I know that I would love the 17" for slideshows, I just fly constantly and don't want to have to lug around a big computer.

I think I'll definitely go for 2gigs of ram...I'd rather too much speed than not enough.

Thanks for the answers guys!

Great advice guys.

Choli, the 17" isn't all that much bigger and heavier, you won't even notice the size when traveling. However, when it's open you will definitely appreciate the size. There is so much more real estate when working with CS2.

So if you are doing slideshows and a decent amount of editing I would recommend the 17".

That's my 2 cents.

i used to think if i ever had the money for a new apple laptop i'd go with the 15"
but recently i realized i would actually want the 17" for the extra screen space.
the difference is 1440x960 vs 1680x1050
a extra 240 x 90 may not seem like much in specs but you'll appreciate it when working on photos.