Safe to buy Powerbook G4 at Christmas, or wait?
Should I buy the Powerbook G4 at Christmas or wait until later.
In 1999 when I bought the iMac G3, I thought it would last a while, but I figured out it didn't have a CD burner. Then 1 month later (2000) they came out with one that had a CD burner.
Then (2003) I bought an iPod Gen3. 1 month later (2004), they came out with iPod mini.
So what should I do this year? Buy it now, or later?
In 1999 when I bought the iMac G3, I thought it would last a while, but I figured out it didn't have a CD burner. Then 1 month later (2000) they came out with one that had a CD burner.
Then (2003) I bought an iPod Gen3. 1 month later (2004), they came out with iPod mini.
So what should I do this year? Buy it now, or later?
Comments
Just my 2 cents.
--B
Viktor
and if you neeeeeeeeed something for under the christmastree (?),
take your crayonbox and make yourself a nice coupon that's worth 1 (one) next revision powerbook of any size.
(this will also stimulate your creative skills)
Nice suggestion gar
Originally posted by Res
That's what I'm gong to do: buy the 12" iBook now and sell it when the new powerbooks come out after MWSF.
Personally, I'm wondering whether I should sell my 15" PB or keep it. There's nothing wrong with it, but when the warranty runs out at the end of spring, every failure will be expensive as hell. I don't like to fret about hardware, I want it to be inexpensive and replaceable. There are other considerations as well (other computers and family). The one thing I don't worry about is when faster/newer hardware is coming, because this is quite fast enough, and I don't think the old hardware is going to experience a big price drop either. There is only so much you can change about laptops, and most of the 15" PB price is not because of the processor.
"wait and you will regret, don't wait and you will also regret - wait or don't you will regret".
I would WAIT (the regret from waiting two months would be smaller than if you bought one before X-mas and a major upgrade showed in Frisco)
Then while you're waiting, it may be a great time to think about
your true current and future computer needs.
Why do you want/need a portable machine?
What will be your primary use for a new machine?
Until we see dual core processors, both the PowerBooks and the IMacG5's will be limited to single processor abilities.
Many who are not willing to wait are going for either the dual 1.8 or 2.0
towers which are far superior to ANY single processor machine and
for about the same price, providing you already have a display.
Even if Apple does release a G5 PowerBook after January, you can expect
a long back order, but then the G4 Powerbooks should be a sweet bargain in any configuration.
If you are looking for a tax write-off before the end of the year
there's nothing wrong with getting a cinema display.
If the money is burning your pockets BAD, consider a 3 month CD
at you bank. <">
Also, some points in favor of the PowerBook G4:
- The design is mature, stable, proven and reliable. The design, which the original titanium PowerBook ushered in, had a long, rough start before Apple really nailed it. The G5 could well go through a similar cycle, where it doesn't really click until the 3rd or 4th revision. Do you want to risk becoming a hardware beta tester just to have the latest and greatest?
- There should be some attractive pricing on the existing models if they really are being replaced. You could walk away tomorrow with a PowerBook and a few hundred bucks you wouldn't otherwise have.
- You can get one now, not some unknown number of months from now.
The bottom line is that if you buy what you need when you need it, and measure obsolescence relative to your own usage, rather than relative to the technology treadmill, you'll save yourself a lot of trouble and worry.Since purchasing advice belongs in General Discussion, I'm moving it there.
Originally posted by trtam
Should I buy the Powerbook G4 at Christmas or wait until later.
In 1999 when I bought the iMac G3, I thought it would last a while, but I figured out it didn't have a CD burner. Then 1 month later (2000) they came out with one that had a CD burner.
Then (2003) I bought an iPod Gen3. 1 month later (2004), they came out with iPod mini.
So what should I do this year? Buy it now, or later?
WOW you sound like leo laporte (see techtv in the good ole' days) He bought a G4 cube and got to work an hr. later where he read a relese from Apple that the thing had been killed - and PM prices were cut slightly...too bad for him he had opened it and used it to read the press release...or so the tale goes.
Originally posted by Amorph
The design, which the original titanium PowerBook ushered in, had a long, rough start before Apple really nailed it.
Actually, the current PBG4 is based on the iBook design, which Apple nailed at the the beginning. The titanium had some weak points, but nothing that bad.
Regardless, MWSF is less than 1 and a half months away, if you can't wait that long, well then, your a little baby. Be a fucking man.
If you need it now. Buy it now. Otherwise...
Forget MWSF. Forget Trade shows. Forget all Tuesdays. Keep waiting indefinitely until a new model comes out. Wait 1-2 months after new model hit shelves. If there aren't any serious problems, buy. Then stop reading rumor sites about cool and new technology right around the corner.