Really, will I notice much of a difference? I am talking about the current ibooks $1199 and $1499. I am trying to get two one for my wife and one for me. We don't need the combo drive but is the faster processor worth it?
If you don't need the Combo drive, the 600MHz will suit you just fine. The processors in the iBook are based off the new SIMD model, and are actually just reguarly faster than the G3's of before (in the iMac, for example). Just make sure you load that sucker up with RAM. OS X eats it for breakfast. I recommend 384 at LEAST, but you may want to make the leap to 512 or 640 from the beginning. Trust me, it's worth it, and it will probably give you even more of a speed increase than if you went with the 700MHz, and cheaper too (that is, if you buy from somewhere other than Apple; they tend to overprice their RAM).
<strong>If you don't need the Combo drive, the 600MHz will suit you just fine. The processors in the iBook are based off the new SIMD model, and are actually just reguarly faster than the G3's of before (in the iMac, for example). Just make sure you load that sucker up with RAM. OS X eats it for breakfast. I recommend 384 at LEAST, but you may want to make the leap to 512 or 640 from the beginning. Trust me, it's worth it, and it will probably give you even more of a speed increase than if you went with the 700MHz, and cheaper too (that is, if you buy from somewhere other than Apple; they tend to overprice their RAM).</strong><hr></blockquote>
<strong>The processors in the iBook are based off the new SIMD model, and are actually just reguarly faster than the G3's of before.</strong><hr></blockquote>
Umm, there aren't any SIMD units on the new G3. The new speed is largely accounted for by I believe the larger L2 cache. On that note, for what you want, the 600 Mhz is probably fine.
<strong>The Radeon mobility on the 700mhz model will also be much nicer for graphics/games.</strong><hr></blockquote>Uhm...the 600mhz model has the radeon mobility too...
you could also overclock the 600 machines to 700 r even 800 *(i bet they could handle it, because they are most likely clocked down 700s) using the software overclocker discussed on some other thread... the new Sahara chips support this, you dont even have to open the case either, its all software!!!
do a search, or if i come across it i'll link to it...
the new i book 600 is faster than the previous i book 600 , better CPU (by a 20 % factor due to the much better L2 cache : cache locking features, double size, 256 bit wide compared to 64 bit for the previous), and much better video card : the radeon mobility.
The 700 mhz is only 15 % faster : it's up to you to make your choice : my advice take the 600 and add more RAM : OS X is a RAM eater. 512 MB will make your i book rock. 256 MB is the minimum.
I disagree about the RAM. It is true that OS X cares more about RAM than processor speed, but once you've purchased a certain CPU model that's it. If you want more later you have to start all over with a new machine. Overclocking might work out, but it might not.
On the other hand, it's a given that eventually you'll have the money to upgrade the RAM.
Don't forget that a combo drive can save your rear, particularly in a portable. I know of two major assignments I could have turned in on time if I had a combo drive in my earlier laptops. Sometimes you just have to cut a disk fast for printing on another machine when you're away from your own desk.
Then there's importance of regular backups.... you'll probably have at least one thing on your computer you'd pay $300 to recover if the machine were stolen, but from the tone of your post I'm guessing you have a tower or some other solution for the other purposes of a combo drive.
<strong>you could also overclock the 600 machines to 700 r even 800 *(i bet they could handle it, because they are most likely clocked down 700s) using the software overclocker discussed on some other thread... the new Sahara chips support this, you dont even have to open the case either, its all software!!!
do a search, or if i come across it i'll link to it...</strong><hr></blockquote>
<strong>So if I need to have the Combo drive, well 600mhz with 512MB of RAM be sufficient?</strong><hr></blockquote>
If you go to Apple's website you can see that the 600Mhz model doesn't come with the option for a combo drive. So you'll have to get the 700Mhz model if you are contemplating that. I personally have the iBook 700 and love it.
Not sure whether this is a misunderstanding on my part, or whether it's due to different models for different markets (I'm in the UK), but you CAN get a 600MHz iBook with Combo drive - I bought mine last week from Apple UK.
Also, if you're looking to save money, I bought mine from Apple's Refurbished Store - I saved 35% on the list price and it comes with all the regular guarantees you get on a new model. The catch is that you can only buy online and the Refurbished Store is only open on Wednesdays.
Those minor glitches apart, it's a pretty good deal.
<strong>Not sure whether this is a misunderstanding on my part, or whether it's due to different models for different markets (I'm in the UK), but you CAN get a 600MHz iBook with Combo drive - I bought mine last week from Apple UK.
Also, if you're looking to save money, I bought mine from Apple's Refurbished Store - I saved 35% on the list price and it comes with all the regular guarantees you get on a new model. The catch is that you can only buy online and the Refurbished Store is only open on Wednesdays.
Those minor glitches apart, it's a pretty good deal.</strong><hr></blockquote>
But you got the older model. The new ones have a different processor that's faster and a better video card.
Comments
<strong>If you don't need the Combo drive, the 600MHz will suit you just fine. The processors in the iBook are based off the new SIMD model, and are actually just reguarly faster than the G3's of before (in the iMac, for example). Just make sure you load that sucker up with RAM. OS X eats it for breakfast. I recommend 384 at LEAST, but you may want to make the leap to 512 or 640 from the beginning. Trust me, it's worth it, and it will probably give you even more of a speed increase than if you went with the 700MHz, and cheaper too (that is, if you buy from somewhere other than Apple; they tend to overprice their RAM).</strong><hr></blockquote>
I agree. Skip the MHz and go for more ram.
<strong>The processors in the iBook are based off the new SIMD model, and are actually just reguarly faster than the G3's of before.</strong><hr></blockquote>
Umm, there aren't any SIMD units on the new G3. The new speed is largely accounted for by I believe the larger L2 cache. On that note, for what you want, the 600 Mhz is probably fine.
Pres
<strong>The Radeon mobility on the 700mhz model will also be much nicer for graphics/games.</strong><hr></blockquote>Uhm...the 600mhz model has the radeon mobility too...
do a search, or if i come across it i'll link to it...
The 700 mhz is only 15 % faster : it's up to you to make your choice : my advice take the 600 and add more RAM : OS X is a RAM eater. 512 MB will make your i book rock. 256 MB is the minimum.
Have a good buy :cool:
[ 06-22-2002: Message edited by: powerdoc ]</p>
On the other hand, it's a given that eventually you'll have the money to upgrade the RAM.
Don't forget that a combo drive can save your rear, particularly in a portable. I know of two major assignments I could have turned in on time if I had a combo drive in my earlier laptops. Sometimes you just have to cut a disk fast for printing on another machine when you're away from your own desk.
Then there's importance of regular backups.... you'll probably have at least one thing on your computer you'd pay $300 to recover if the machine were stolen, but from the tone of your post I'm guessing you have a tower or some other solution for the other purposes of a combo drive.
<strong>you could also overclock the 600 machines to 700 r even 800 *(i bet they could handle it, because they are most likely clocked down 700s) using the software overclocker discussed on some other thread... the new Sahara chips support this, you dont even have to open the case either, its all software!!!
do a search, or if i come across it i'll link to it...</strong><hr></blockquote>
yeah,
This would make the iBook 700 a very good deal.
<a href="http://www.xlr8yourmac.com/systems/ibook_2002_overclocking.html"; target="_blank">How to Overclock iBook 700 to 800 via software.</a>
Blizaine
<strong>So if I need to have the Combo drive, well 600mhz with 512MB of RAM be sufficient?</strong><hr></blockquote>
If you go to Apple's website you can see that the 600Mhz model doesn't come with the option for a combo drive. So you'll have to get the 700Mhz model if you are contemplating that. I personally have the iBook 700 and love it.
Also, if you're looking to save money, I bought mine from Apple's Refurbished Store - I saved 35% on the list price and it comes with all the regular guarantees you get on a new model. The catch is that you can only buy online and the Refurbished Store is only open on Wednesdays.
Those minor glitches apart, it's a pretty good deal.
<strong>Not sure whether this is a misunderstanding on my part, or whether it's due to different models for different markets (I'm in the UK), but you CAN get a 600MHz iBook with Combo drive - I bought mine last week from Apple UK.
Also, if you're looking to save money, I bought mine from Apple's Refurbished Store - I saved 35% on the list price and it comes with all the regular guarantees you get on a new model. The catch is that you can only buy online and the Refurbished Store is only open on Wednesdays.
Those minor glitches apart, it's a pretty good deal.</strong><hr></blockquote>
But you got the older model. The new ones have a different processor that's faster and a better video card.
<strong>Newer model? Since last week..?! Yikes! How long have these upgraded models been around?</strong><hr></blockquote>
They've been around since May 20th.
Sssh! That's my iBook acquisition plan too.