powerbook or ibook

rlp · January 15, 2003 1:54PM

well heres the problem..... am purchasing a new notebook soon but cant descide on which one suits my needs better, an ibook or powerbook. Also keep in mind i want this to be around for sometime so i dont want to get something that will be out dated in the near future.

These are the systems i am considering. 800ghz ibook with 14" screen 640 ram, combo drive, or a 867ghz powerbook 15" screen, 256 ram, and superdrive.

It will be used for webpage building, mp3's, dvd play back, cd burning, and other trival daily tasks such as email, web surfing...ect. that type of stuff. It will also be on an wireless "extreme" network.

I am aware of all the hardware differences but i want to here from real users. Which should i buy...will i be taxing the G3 too much. And isnt it coming time to retire it soon??? Please any help is greatly appreciated. <img src="confused.gif" border="0">

mcq · January 15, 2003 2:03PM

Well, for what you described as uses, the iBook would be more than suitable, I do basically everything you said (except for web development, I don't do much of that) on my 800 iBook and it's just fine. However, you said you didn't want it to be outdated too soon, so I'd suggest the Powerbook, just more power all around and would last much longer than an iBook.

rlp · January 15, 2003 2:28PM

[quote]Originally posted by MCQ:

Well, for what you described as uses, the iBook would be more than suitable, I do basically everything you said (except for web development, I don't do much of that) on my 800 iBook and it's just fine. However, you said you didn't want it to be outdated too soon, so I'd suggest the Powerbook, just more power all around and would last much longer than an iBook.<hr></blockquote>

thanks for the input, i just checked your site out and it sounds like you really like your ibook...rlp

eman · January 15, 2003 2:39PM

I think the iBook would be fine for you. As long as your vision's ok I'd go for the 12" though.

rlp · January 15, 2003 2:42PM

[quote]Originally posted by EmAn:

I think the iBook would be fine for you. As long as your vision's ok I'd go for the 12" though.<hr></blockquote>

checked them out at the local apple store and just cant do it...too small.

torifile · January 15, 2003 3:32PM

Actually, if you want airport extreme, neither will do for you. The 15.2" pb doesn't have airport extreme; nor does the ibook. You'd have to get one of the just release pb's (12.1" or 17") to utilize it. While either of the two you're thinking about would work on the 802.11g network, it'll slow all other devices on the network down to 802.11b speeds. Just something to consider....

[ 01-15-2003: Message edited by: torifile ]

pscates · January 15, 2003 3:52PM

Or you could wait a few months until the inevitable update of the 15" TiBook to match the 12" and 17" models in enclosure, tweaks, enhancements (AirPort Extreme, aluminum case, better AirPort reception, Bluetooth, for example).

Actually, THAT'S going to be the model that's hard to beat when they apply the 12" & 17" PowerBook stuff to the 15" model!

Think about it: the 12" rocks, but it's pretty dinky for lots of people. The 17" is amazing, but no one I know could ever afford it.

When they make the 15" models come with all the coolness the new ones do, that's going to be an AMAZING seller, because the screen is just right and the prices are a tad more affordable (mid-$2000 range or so).

The improved AirPort reception, cooler case, other enhancements will be wonderful icing on the cake.

scott · January 15, 2003 4:11PM

I would not buy a G3 based system at all.

"i dont want to get something that will be out dated in the near future" is not the G3.

pscates · January 15, 2003 4:17PM

This thread (and the bazillions more like it) just sparked an idea: AppleInsider should have a section (a FAQ type of thing, if you will) where common needs or profiles of users could be listed and the appropriate Mac paired with it.

Does that make sense?

Have a grid or table or whatever, with one side saying "burn mp3s, surf, e-mail, light gaming, etc.", then out beside it, the Mac best suited for it.

Might be a nice, one-stop place to find the info (can poll the members here and come up with some sort of average, middle answer or consensus.

If anything, it might make for less "what should I buy?" threads. OR, if it doesn't decrease them, perhaps it would make for better, more informed ones because everyone can go to that grid or FAQ and kinda get dialed in, then come here and ask for further info or opinions.

It's sometimes weird asking (especially here at AI) "what do I get?" because you have this ridiculous range of interests and expectations. For every mellow, MHz-ignoring doofus like me, you have the "QUAD-PROCESSOR G6!!!" asshead who is smoking crack and thinks everyone should be on 3GHz iPods with 42" Cinema Displays.

<img src="graemlins/bugeye.gif" border="0" alt="[Skeptical]" />

One man's iBook is another man's Xserve...

spiffster · January 15, 2003 4:27PM

The 12 " powerbook is only US $50 more than the 14 inch ibook. The only cavet to the powerbook is the smaller screen, but the larger screen doesn't give you anymore pixels. To me, the 14" iBook would be a waste of money, with the 12" AluBook so close in price. But then again, i like small...

arnette · January 15, 2003 4:32PM

Get the 12" PowerBook and if the screen is too small, hook it up to an external monitor when at home. Simple. Easy.

why get an ibook? you know you want the PowerBook. Unless money's a factor. In which case, don't overspend because you'll regret it in the end (a rhyme!)

eman · January 15, 2003 7:19PM

[quote]Originally posted by Scott:

I would not buy a G3 based system at all.

"i dont want to get something that will be out dated in the near future" is not the G3.<hr></blockquote>

The G3s in the iBooks are really good chips though.

fran441 · January 15, 2003 7:46PM

You want to talk about the iBooks? Let's talk about the iBooks.

3 years ago, Apple released the Pismo. In 3 years, this is what has been 'gained':

+300MHz speed increase (Pismo can be upgraded to 800 MHz G3)

+10GB HD (Pismo can be upgraded to same max HD as iBook)

+16x CDR, 8x CDRW (Pismo can always use external drive)

+24 MB video memory

Lost:

-364 MB RAM (Pismo can take 1024 MB)

-Expansion Bay (Dual Battery support)

-4 hr. battery life (with dual battery)

-Firewire port

-PC Card slot

-Infared port

-Video and sound in/out options

So in 3 years (next month), the ONLY benefit to having the new iBook over the Pismo is 24 MB of VRAM. Yes, it requires more money to get the 800 MHz G3 and to buy a CD burner, but you can get a faster drive than the built in combo and you can even buy a combo drive (with some modifications) that will burn CDs at 8x.

Look what is lost as well. While VRAM is important, the iBook really isn't that impressive compared to the Pismo that is 3 years old. If there was only a way to upgrade the Pismo's VRAM, there would hardly be a reason to upgrade at all!

pscates · January 15, 2003 7:56PM

Yeah, but the iBook cuter and the Apple logo is oriented properly. So there!

matsu · January 15, 2003 8:25PM

I wouldn't look at throwing good money at a Pismo unless I already owned one. If I did, I would consider it upgradeable enough to bump up the RAM and do a little CPU swappage when the time (price) was right. But I wouldn't buy one expressly for the purpose of bumping it. A modern iBook will trounce it (even if upgraded), as well as not give you any out of warrantee worries (at least fo the first year).

scott · January 15, 2003 8:31PM

[quote]Originally posted by EmAn:



The G3s in the iBooks are really good chips though.<hr></blockquote>

My wife's iBook is often annoying slow and stalls from time to time.

ironchef82 · January 15, 2003 9:30PM

[quote]Originally posted by pscates:

This thread (and the bazillions more like it) just sparked an idea: AppleInsider should have a section (a FAQ type of thing, if you will) where common needs or profiles of users could be listed and the appropriate Mac paired with it.

Does that make sense?

Have a grid or table or whatever, with one side saying "burn mp3s, surf, e-mail, light gaming, etc.", then out beside it, the Mac best suited for it.

<hr></blockquote>

I think this is a great idea. I've been having this ibook/powerbook debate for the past few months now. Do you think people can start such a grid here for now and if it takes off the moderators can move it to its own page? This would really help out.

Nevertheless, I'm still very much leaning towards the 12" powerbook... i'm gonna hold off until more detailed reviews come in once people actually hold and test the new machines...

ijerry · January 15, 2003 9:39PM

Not that I have tested the new powerbooks, but the ibook is dog slow when it comes to GoLive. I can't stand to use it, but I have had to endure at times. It is useable, and is okay most of the time. But I find that it really makes the ibook unstable. Meaning that GoLive often "Unexpectedly Quits." Sure the info is saved, but it gets annoying. Whereas on my imac 17" it is much more stable. Plus, you want extreme, then that narrows down the choice pretty handily. You want something that won't be outdated, well the ibook already is. I do love my ibook, but if I had a choice now, it would most definitely be a powerbook, no second guesses, and no looking back.

eman · January 15, 2003 9:44PM

[quote]Originally posted by Scott:



My wife's iBook is often annoying slow and stalls from time to time.<hr></blockquote>

How much RAM does she have? and which iBook? I know my 500 MHz is plenty fast for me but it's definately not the best.

kecksy · January 15, 2003 11:01PM

Buy a 12" PowerBook with a SuperDrive. Give in. You know you want to

scott · January 16, 2003 5:33AM

[quote]Originally posted by EmAn:



How much RAM does she have? and which iBook? I know my 500 MHz is plenty fast for me but it's definately not the best.<hr></blockquote>

Blah blah blah ... I've been trough this alread on AI. The iBook can be a slug from time to time.

How many people here that are recommending the iBook own and and use one?

powerbook or ibook

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