Powerbook Cycle

Posted:
in Future Apple Hardware edited January 2014
I am the owner of a first edition Titanium 400mhz powerbook (yes, the very low end!) which was my first Mac purchase ever. Now I am concidering replacing the current with a new one but the questions is, ofcourse, when to do this.



I suspect that as long as the current Titanium line is only being updated (speed bumps etc.) and not revolutionized (dismountable bluetooth screens for watcing DVD's etc.) it will still be possible to sell, but as soon as it is being radically changed then, it will be too late.



Naturally, I realize that if I sell & buy every 1 1/2 year then it will cost me but on the other hand; I doubt that anyone will pay anything for a 400mhz machine 1 year from now.

So, does anyone have any experiences or thoughts about when and how to get into the *right* cycle??



SprBk



<img src="graemlins/hmmm.gif" border="0" alt="[Hmmm]" />

Comments

  • Reply 1 of 6
    what do you use your pbg4 for?



    are you buying just for the sake of buying? If so you will never be happy. I own the 667dvi and i _LOVE_ this machine. after all the revs over the past year 1/2 i think apple has hit a sweet spot. upgrade to that one if you have the cash and need since you get a big l3 cahce and QExtreme support with the video card which will keep you machine up on OSX for a while.





    ps. I thing a detachable screen for DVD would be a gimmick. now if it detached for inkwell...
  • Reply 2 of 6
    No...I am not bying just to spend money.

    <img src="graemlins/oyvey.gif" border="0" alt="[No]" />

    I am a selfemployed Designer/Art Director using my powerbook for sketching in Flash, Video, Photoshop, etc.



    The thing is that the 400 mhz can't be upgraded and the 1152x768 LCD display really sUks compared to the TFT 1280x854. When working, as well as in presentations, I could really use a better display.

    The DVD/-R can't be replaced with a combo drive either.



    Apart from this, I do love my PBook...absolutely no (almost) complaints. I'm just trying to look a bit ahead. My guess is that if I am to enter the cycle of replacing Pbooks, while minimizing the loss, then I should sell just BEFORE every major upgrade approx. every 2 year.



    (( Speaking of major upgrade...is a detachable display to much to ask by January 2003??? ))





  • Reply 3 of 6
    [quote]Originally posted by superbook:

    <strong>

    I suspect that as long as the current Titanium line is only being updated (speed bumps etc.) and not revolutionized (dismountable bluetooth screens for watcing DVD's etc.) it will still be possible to sell, but as soon as it is being radically changed then, it will be too late.

    </strong><hr></blockquote>



    I loved the idea of bluetooth headphones for the iPod, but after doing some research into bluetooth, I discovered that bluetooth (first gen. bluetooth) doesn't really have the bandwidth (the best it can really do is 700kb/s) for full quality audio. There is no chance that you will get DVD quality video sent over the slim pipe of bluetooth. I think a cooler idea would be to expand with 802.11(a or g maybe?) and do it with that, but then keep in mind, it would require two airport cards (one for screen and one for body).



    Another idea that would be cool (though I have no idea if it would actually work) is using dual or tri bluetooth (so three bluetooth(teeth) per screen and three bluetooth(teeth) per body) This would still be cheaper than two airport cards, though it might start consuming a lot of power.



    anyway, a good bluetooth reference is here: <a href="http://www.palowireless.com/bluetooth/"; target="_blank">http://www.palowireless.com/bluetooth/</a>;
  • Reply 4 of 6
    matsumatsu Posts: 6,558member
    It's really up to you. You can lose your money in lots of little steps every 1-2 years or in one big step every 4-5 years. There's a sweet spot, but unless you're really on top of things, you will ALWAYS lose money when upgrading.



    Some machines tend to lose less value intially while others do better in the long run.



    Murbot? Care to do a little seminar?
  • Reply 5 of 6
    Personaly I plan on upgrading from my current Superdrive iMac to a top-of-the-line Powerbook spring 2004 just before I graduate school (gotta take advantage of those educational discounts.) I will be using mine for DV, some CAD (hopefully we'll have Solidworks ported by then), as well as my daily office and internet apps. I want my next machine to last me for several years. Hopefully they will have those new IBM 64bit chips in there by then, it should serve well as a hot plate at the same time.
  • Reply 6 of 6
    [quote]Originally posted by superbook:

    <strong>I am the owner of a first edition Titanium 400mhz powerbook (yes, the very low end!) which was my first Mac purchase ever. Now I am concidering replacing the current with a new one but the questions is, ofcourse, when to do this.



    I suspect that as long as the current Titanium line is only being updated (speed bumps etc.) and not revolutionized (dismountable bluetooth screens for watcing DVD's etc.) it will still be possible to sell, but as soon as it is being radically changed then, it will be too late.



    Naturally, I realize that if I sell & buy every 1 1/2 year then it will cost me but on the other hand; I doubt that anyone will pay anything for a 400mhz machine 1 year from now.

    So, does anyone have any experiences or thoughts about when and how to get into the *right* cycle??



    SprBk



    <img src="graemlins/hmmm.gif" border="0" alt="[Hmmm]" /> </strong><hr></blockquote>



    I like the idea of the detachable display..cool. Well, i don't own a powerbook yet. i hope to buy one soon but i will wait for the next update. However, i update my powermac whenever i feel the specs provide enough of an advantage for my needs. this is usually every year, until recently. i have a dual 533 now and have not felt the updates warrent a buy/sell. However, i am hoping this tuesday will change all that. i never concern myself too much with the cost because i am willing to pay for something i want and meets my needs..makes me happy. that is why i have not spent the money on the latest and greatest from apple. i feel it isn't the greatest at this time. I hear alot about the current powerbooks and how great they are but know they still need to be updated so i am waiting. although i have many professional level programs, i am not a professional and only play. the current system would meet all my needs, but i feel it just isn't justifed at this time..i can wait and get buy with what i have.
Sign In or Register to comment.