iBook (G3) versus PowerBook (G4)
So I've been looking at benchmarks (Can't remember the links). Most of the benchmarks I've seen show the iBook in the same performance range as the PowerBook, even being faster in some tasks...
Is this true or is there something I'm missing? Why should I pay more for a PowerBook, besides status symbol?
Thanks,
Kurt
Is this true or is there something I'm missing? Why should I pay more for a PowerBook, besides status symbol?
Thanks,
Kurt
Comments
I had actually purchased an iBook a couple of weeks ago, only to have to return it the next day; dead trackpad and broken display latch. I was going to have another one brought in, but figured with the rumors of speed bumped PowerBooks very soon, and a holiday that would basically erase a week's worth of waiting, I'd wait it out a little. I am so glad I did.
I stopped in at WestWorld Computers in Edmonton (about as close to an Apple Store as we'll see in Alberta for a long time ), and got to see the Aluminum PowerBooks for the first time. One word describes them: WOW. I did a side by side comparison of the 12" PowerBook and a 12" 900MHz iBook and couldn't believe the difference. The iBook was instantly scratched off my list of potential purchases. The feel, fit, and especially the keyboard... I will definately be buying a PowerBook as my next portable.
Photos really do not do the 12" PowerBook justice. Having just the iBook in my house, I was impressed enough with it... but damn, after using the PB for 20 minutes I was sold. I will NOT buy an iBook. Beg, borrow, steal... spend the extra dough and get the PowerBook. My newly founded opinion, anyway.
Originally posted by murbot
[B
I had actually purchased an iBook a couple of weeks ago, only to have to return it the next day; dead trackpad and broken display latch. I was going to have another one brought in, but figured with the rumors of speed bumped PowerBooks very soon, and a holiday that would basically erase a week's worth of waiting, I'd wait it out a little. I am so glad I did.
[/B]
Damn, you should never put a plastic i book in the hands of an hulking moderator
SuperDrive is overrated, and underused, by most. Blank discs aren't cheap (yet), and not of great quality.
G4 867 is not impressive (no L3 cache version) in comparison to G3 900. Altivec enhancement is nice, but not needed if you are looking at a iBook.
iBook is not a PhotoShop or FCP type of machine. It is a day to day web surfing, email checking, cd burning, dvd watching, type of machine.
If you are on the fence between the two, then the iBook is probably your best bet.
As you can tell from previous poster though, USE IT BEFORE YOU BUY IT.
Good luck!
Originally posted by yzedf
USE IT BEFORE YOU BUY IT.
Definitely!!
if you can afford it go for the g4 i'd say...if not get the g3 and up the ram and HD some
G4 867 is not impressive (no L3 cache version) in comparison to G3 900. Altivec enhancement is nice, but not needed if you are looking at a iBook.
Unless you think you'll be using iTunes, iMovie, or OSX.
If you are on the fence between the two, then the iBook is probably your best bet.
As you can tell from previous poster though, USE IT BEFORE YOU BUY IT.
Good luck!
Absolutely. I had basically decided on the iBook from specs alone, but my decision changed almost instantly when I actually got my hands on one. Of course, YMMV.
G3 = altivec is nothing blah blah
G4 = yeah its cool
used both = altivec is awesome get a g4
Originally posted by murbot
Unless you think you'll be using iTunes, iMovie, or OSX.
Absolutely. I had basically decided on the iBook from specs alone, but my decision changed almost instantly when I actually got my hands on one. Of course, YMMV.
iTunes is not a good program IMO. Makes a mess of everything (dir structure and ID3 tags).
iMovie is ok... I guess.
OS X is nice of course
As to the G4 vs G3 comment above (who has used which)...
Originally posted by yzedf
iTunes is not a good program IMO. Makes a mess of everything (dir structure and ID3 tags).
only if they were a mess to begin with... I found iTunes made my organization of my mp3s MUCH easier... but then again I am anal retentive about my ID3 tags...
Originally posted by Paul
only if they were a mess to begin with....
Exactly. I friggin' love iTunes.
Originally posted by yzedf
iTunes is not a good program IMO. Makes a mess of everything (dir structure and ID3 tags).
iMovie is ok... I guess.
OS X is nice of course
As to the G4 vs G3 comment above (who has used which)...
we've also just found out who downloads mp3s
haha if u do change the names...iTunes does its job but it assumes the mp3s were ripped...if this isn't the case be sure to change the ID3 tags as soon as you get them or you'll have a mess on your hands
But then again as a first Mac for myself the iB has been wonderful and cheap enough to let me spring for a decent scanner.
Originally posted by ast3r3x
we've also just found out who downloads mp3s
haha if u do change the names...iTunes does its job but it assumes the mp3s were ripped...if this isn't the case be sure to change the ID3 tags as soon as you get them or you'll have a mess on your hands
No downloading here. Most of my stuff was ripped with grip (linux). I am just used to what grip does... and iTunes does it slightly differently.
But at the end of the day it is all down to cost. The ibook I had was great I even did photoshop and other work on it, but there always was limitations like no desktop spanning or bluetooth. I see it like getting a standard car and the GTI version.
Get what is right for you!
Originally posted by yzedf
No downloading here. Most of my stuff was ripped with grip (linux). I am just used to what grip does... and iTunes does it slightly differently.
unless you have an obscure CD, iTunes should automatically check a CDDB and find the information...if it can't, load the information yourself before you rip...it will make ur mp3 organization better then any other...the design fo iTunes was built for organization...not mp3's named "do whop" or "track 01"
hope you know how to edit multiple mp3s at once though
Originally posted by Jukebox Hero
Thanks for the replies... Altivec sounds important to me, as I would like to try some 3D animations eventually. Thats a cincher for me...
Altivec is kind of overated. For instance it does NOT speed 3D rendering up. Apparantly the FPU does this... Both Cinema 4D and FormZ has explained this on their webpages long time ago.
Altivec especially speeds up long rows of similar calculations, which means for instance mp3 encoding, 2D filters in photoshop and FCP, mathematical calculations.
As for the speed improvement in OS X itself I can't see any difference personally...
ap
Originally posted by ast3r3x
unless you have an obscure CD, iTunes should automatically check a CDDB and find the information...if it can't, load the information yourself before you rip...it will make ur mp3 organization better then any other...the design fo iTunes was built for organization...not mp3's named "do whop" or "track 01"
hope you know how to edit multiple mp3s at once though
Every ripping program worth 1/2 a askjgdhag checks CDDB. iTunes was not built for organization, it was built for music