Unless you really need some feature that the Powerbooks would give you, then I would look at gettin a refurbed iBook. You should be able to find a G4 933mhz or a 1ghz model for close to a grand. Then get another one in your junior year in college.
Both iBooks combined would roughly equal the cost of a new Powerbook now.
But this assumes that an iBook would work for you.
Unless you really need some feature that the Powerbooks would give you, then I would look at gettin a refurbed iBook. You should be able to find a G4 933mhz or a 1ghz model for close to a grand. Then get another one in your junior year in college.
Both iBooks combined would roughly equal the cost of a new Powerbook now.
But this assumes that an iBook would work for you.
The iBook is already obsolete due to its GPU not being supported in Tiger. As someone who's PowerBook wasn't supported by Quartz Extreme, this would be an important consideration for me.
I would say the 1.5GHz PowerBook G4 should hold you for most, if not all of the 5 years you are looking to get out of it.
I have a dual 500MHz celery I built in '99 that's still kicking and useable. Having a computer last 5 years, especially nowadays with 1+GHz processors shouldn't be a problem.
Good point. I wasn't aware of this, so thanks for pointing it out.
No problemo, ryukyu. I don't want anyone else to go through what I did when I found out my sub-18 month old $3,500 laptop couldn't handle Quartz Extreme. To have your brand new laptop become obsolete in < 1 year would be just that more painful, especially since Tiger's specs are already public.
No problemo, ryukyu. I don't want anyone else to go through what I did when I found out my sub-18 month old $3,500 laptop couldn't handle Quartz Extreme. To have your brand new laptop become obsolete in < 1 year would be just that more painful, especially since Tiger's specs are already public.
I don't mean to be OT, but what isn't supported besides Core Image?
Apple's only made public a few of the "over 150 new features" of Tiger, so they only feature I know of that current iBooks won't enjoy is Core Image / Core Video. BUT, considering how huge these new APIs are, I wouldn't want to be left out of these advancements.
Are your parrents writing "you" a check for x budget meaning you get to keep the difference between a cheaper iBook or refurbed Powerbook? If not, definitely have them get you a tricked out PB 1.5 Gig with 128MB VRAM, 5400 rpm HD, RAM (buy yourself, it comes with reasonable 512MB), a great durable bag, security chain, and an Airport Extreme router. I just bought that set up and couldn't be happier.
My last computer purchase was July 1999, just over 5 years which was a PowerMac 400 MhZ G4 "Sawtooth". The last year and a half was hard because lots of software had higher demands than I could reasonably handle without some upgrades, but it has handled OS revisions up to Panther (minus Quartz Extreme) and the Adobe Suite ok, until CS, which runs really sluggish.
As to affording a computer sooner than 5 years, my advice:
1) Save at least $20 a month, ALWAYS, and put into the bank into a CD account that rolls over once a month, making it hard as hell to impulse spend.
2) Make your parents a deal that if your grades are B or higher, that they match what you save on a dolloar for dollar level.
3) If your friends want you to "produce" for their band...CHARGE MONEY! Most people on these boards make money of their machines and can justify upgrading their computers more often and get more toys...errr uh peripherals!
Comments
Both iBooks combined would roughly equal the cost of a new Powerbook now.
But this assumes that an iBook would work for you.
Just curious, but did you end up making a decision one way or another?
Originally posted by ryukyu
Unless you really need some feature that the Powerbooks would give you, then I would look at gettin a refurbed iBook. You should be able to find a G4 933mhz or a 1ghz model for close to a grand. Then get another one in your junior year in college.
Both iBooks combined would roughly equal the cost of a new Powerbook now.
But this assumes that an iBook would work for you.
The iBook is already obsolete due to its GPU not being supported in Tiger. As someone who's PowerBook wasn't supported by Quartz Extreme, this would be an important consideration for me.
I would say the 1.5GHz PowerBook G4 should hold you for most, if not all of the 5 years you are looking to get out of it.
I have a dual 500MHz celery I built in '99 that's still kicking and useable. Having a computer last 5 years, especially nowadays with 1+GHz processors shouldn't be a problem.
Originally posted by PBG4 Dude
The iBook is already obsolete due to its GPU not being supported in Tiger.
Good point. I wasn't aware of this, so thanks for pointing it out.
Originally posted by ryukyu
Good point. I wasn't aware of this, so thanks for pointing it out.
No problemo, ryukyu. I don't want anyone else to go through what I did when I found out my sub-18 month old $3,500 laptop couldn't handle Quartz Extreme. To have your brand new laptop become obsolete in < 1 year would be just that more painful, especially since Tiger's specs are already public.
Originally posted by PBG4 Dude
No problemo, ryukyu. I don't want anyone else to go through what I did when I found out my sub-18 month old $3,500 laptop couldn't handle Quartz Extreme. To have your brand new laptop become obsolete in < 1 year would be just that more painful, especially since Tiger's specs are already public.
I don't mean to be OT, but what isn't supported besides Core Image?
Originally posted by dfiler
...
I guess my point is, that in the workforce, most people are used to using computers that we would consider ancient.
...
Right.
...
Computers used as 'tools' are have lengthy lifespans.
Computers used as 'toys' loose their usefulness much more quickly.
...
Absolutely.
...
When I got a dual 450 five years ago, I didn't envision myself being still satisfied with it in 2004. Yet I am.
...
Same with my BLUE DREAMY POWERMACHINE iMac G3 350 CRT! 8)
I love this machine so much. Something like emotional rescue...
Ok, i've got also a PB 1gig
Originally posted by blackwave
Alright, so, I *absolutely* need a new computer a.s.a.p. ...
Do you all have any suggestions that might ease my guilt and concern?
Aaaaactually, i'd run for a refurbished iBook (12 or 14), which will undoubtedly handle all your needs stunning good.
An' more
New Macs are a ripoff
My question to you....
Are your parrents writing "you" a check for x budget meaning you get to keep the difference between a cheaper iBook or refurbed Powerbook? If not, definitely have them get you a tricked out PB 1.5 Gig with 128MB VRAM, 5400 rpm HD, RAM (buy yourself, it comes with reasonable 512MB), a great durable bag, security chain, and an Airport Extreme router. I just bought that set up and couldn't be happier.
My last computer purchase was July 1999, just over 5 years which was a PowerMac 400 MhZ G4 "Sawtooth". The last year and a half was hard because lots of software had higher demands than I could reasonably handle without some upgrades, but it has handled OS revisions up to Panther (minus Quartz Extreme) and the Adobe Suite ok, until CS, which runs really sluggish.
As to affording a computer sooner than 5 years, my advice:
1) Save at least $20 a month, ALWAYS, and put into the bank into a CD account that rolls over once a month, making it hard as hell to impulse spend.
2) Make your parents a deal that if your grades are B or higher, that they match what you save on a dolloar for dollar level.
3) If your friends want you to "produce" for their band...CHARGE MONEY! Most people on these boards make money of their machines and can justify upgrading their computers more often and get more toys...errr uh peripherals!
Hope this helps.