What is the minimum acceptable 15" Powerbook?
I know this is a strange open-ended question, but I got to toy with a 15" Pbook today, and I really liked it. I had previously messed around with the 12" but it was too small, and I still think the 17" looks vaguely like a joke with that little tiny keybaord and all that open space.....
However I have low cash. So, it's not likely I'll be buying new. The amount of cash I'm willing to spend is not set, so I cannot give you a price range, and even if I could, I don't want to--I want to know the broad range of what people think about what is 'acceptable.'
reqs: I will run OS X exclusively, I don't game much but I expct performance to be decent when I do (current game Sim City 4 on a PC), and I have a pretty itchy trigger on having the computer make me wait.
In your opinion, then, what is the minimum acceptable 15" Powerbook? And why?
However I have low cash. So, it's not likely I'll be buying new. The amount of cash I'm willing to spend is not set, so I cannot give you a price range, and even if I could, I don't want to--I want to know the broad range of what people think about what is 'acceptable.'
reqs: I will run OS X exclusively, I don't game much but I expct performance to be decent when I do (current game Sim City 4 on a PC), and I have a pretty itchy trigger on having the computer make me wait.
In your opinion, then, what is the minimum acceptable 15" Powerbook? And why?
Comments
Higher Screen Resolution than current 15.4 (e. g. 1400 horizontal)
Al case
Choice of DVD/CDRW DVD-R/CDRW
Originally posted by Anders
Some personal financial advise: You have a computer that works and your credit rating is low. Perhaps its time to fix what is broken instead of breaking it even more by giving in to your "must-have" lust. I know its a HP and you must suffer greatly but try to put that aside.
This is a nice advise, but out of the question. He did asked not to care about the cash, but just to answer the question. Quite funny to see how some people's only goal is to convince you that you shouldn't aim what you're aiming at, based on partial informations. Or maybe he knows you better than I imagine. Anyway, here would be my minimum acceptable specs:
1.2 G4, 512K L2, 1Mo L3
80Go HD
512 DDR RAM, 2 Gigs max
1400 horiz. res.
FW 800, USB 2.0
DVD-R or DVD/CD-R
200MHz bus
If an update just ends to an adjustment to 12" specs, plus a larger screen, then I'd go for the 12".
he is talking about a used computer...
in my opinion the lowest you should go on a 15"er is the 667 DVI model... it is the cheapest you will find with the newer (higher res) display... it is my current main computer and works like a charm. load it up with <512 ram and you will be set for at least 2 years... 3 or 4 if you can stretch it and stay away from sites like this...
If you want to run OSX and games, I recommend a machine with at least an 800MHz processor and 32MB of video ram. The TiBook introduced in April, 2002 was the first to reach 800MHz, and also included some other niceties such as DVI video out.
There are some good deals on this model on eBay. If you can afford it, go the next step up, to an 867MHz or 1GHz. Of course, if you can afford it, wait until the line is updated (all signs point to some time between now and this fall) and get a 15" AlBook.
Originally posted by Anders
Some personal financial advise: You have a computer that works and your credit rating is low. Perhaps its time to fix what is broken instead of breaking it even more by giving in to your "must-have" lust. I know its a HP and you must suffer greatly but try to put that aside.
Wha???? My PC is a back-of-the-mag mail order job, my credit is fine, and I've wanted a new laptop for some time now, to replace the iBook 600 I used to have but gave to my cousin for college......but thanks for playing.
This isn't so much a 'help me decide' thread as an 'enlighten me about Powerbook models from a personal perspective' thread. I have looked at all the specs for the Pbooks at lowendmac, so I know what the tech specs are, but I'm trying to get a feeling from users instead of just a chart of numbers.
Wait until the PowerBooks are updated (if ever) and then buy an older model. There are always closeouts when a model reaches the end of its life, but the price is always lower AFTER it's discontinued than before.
Originally posted by I, Fred
hmmmmm.....i would have though the pbook folks would be out in full force.
Well, here's another opinion for what it's worth
Make sure you get the higher res screen if you can. I have a 550 MHz TiBook which I love. But at times it would be nice to have higher res since the screen can get cluttered with floating palets. And I don't mean hard core Photoshop palets, but just simple formating palets.
Now if Apple would just pump out one more iteration, I might be able to swoop in on a 667 DVI for a real nice price. 8)
Additional opinions and comments still solicited!
let me know when you are ready
I'd say, see when the loans are available and use the time to generate the rest of the income to make a better purchase. Otherwise, it would have been a pain to take on the extra $500+ interest on the item. This way you get a laptop that'll last and have spent the least amount to have it in your possession.
Oh... and don't forget to get AppleCare before the year warranty is out just to be safe.