iBook or Powerbook? (Do I need the PB?)
Greg (309 pencils) | Sat, 2005-04-23 18:52Hello Mac Lovers!
I have a cruddy desktop PC that I really really dislike and I am more then ready to "switch" to a mac. I am going to require a laptop (becuase I will be traveling a lot in the future) and I'm currently exploring my options... So, basically I need either the 12" iBook or 12" PB I would like any help you guys could give as far as answering the question: "Do I need a PB instead of an iBook?" There are big diffrences in numbers... and I can't afford to waste my money, either on a computer that isn't poweful enough or one that is too powerful and unnessicary. Basically I will use the computer for "normal" activities, email, photo library, word processing, FTP program, addressbook, DVD player, music library, etc. (I'm thinking that iLife and iWork will do it for me.) Other then that all I'll need is to make sure it'll run PS CS and maybe Flash MX. In your opinion do I need a PB? or will a iBook get me by without lagging, skipping, and generally frustrating the heck out of me!! (As my current WinXP desktop does... frequently.)
Thank you for any insight that you owners-of-iBooks-and-Powerbooks can give me!!
-Greg :c)
Commenting on this Forum topic is closed.
I use a Alum 17" G4, maxed out with a gig of Ram. It has never been to much, and with some expected waiting, I can run PS, and Illo at the same time. It takes me about 10-15 minutes to run a droplet that converts .nef raw images to .psd editable files ( about 200 raw images), where as my desktop does that in about 3-5 minutes.... The only experience with an iBook I have is frustrating at best, trying to help out some friends at school and "waiting for the computer to catch up to me" while doing seemingly mundane PS actions, but they had stock amounts of RAM, and the PS files were rather large.
Hopefully this helps a little...
-M
Organized People are just too lazy too look for things.
I have a G3 400Mhz and I can do everything what you described with it. Now, the machine you're getting is a G4 with 1.25Ghz, so you should be more than fine. I think an iBook is good enough for you. There is small difference in power between the iBook and PB.
What you should get is a lot of RAM. OS X likes a lot of RAM and your machine will run very smooth. Nowadays RAM is so cheap you can max out the RAM. The iBook has one fixed 256MB memory and one available slot with max of 1GB. Get the 1GB from a third party dealer. Check the prices with several. Start with crucial.com. Airport (WiFi) is built in, but Bluetooth is optional. If you plan to get wireless mouse for it, get the built in Bluetooth. Other than that you should be ok. Just go for it, it's a great deal for this power!
According to all rumours..
Perhaps you can wait?
I don't see how anyone would want a 12inch ibook OR PB. For me, they are just too small. For surfing the net, and for maybe using it for flash, go with the ibook, if you live in front of your computer, like I do, get what I have... PB 17" G4 with 2gigs of ram.
For you a recomend a iBook 14inch.
http://www.davidpcrawford.com - http://www.vomit76.com
Graphic, Web and Logo Designer from Pittsburgh, PA http://www.davidpcrawford.com
You guys (gals?) bring up some interesting points and i have a few more questions...
1) How easy is it to install RAM? I have never worked on a computer's hardware. Would I really save much money vs. apple.com? (I'm going to buy as a student, and yes, I am one for real ;c)
2) Ivan, you mentioned the bluetooth mouse. Have you (or anyone else) had experience with it? I've heard reports of it being "jumpy"... But I LOVE the idea!!
3) The rumors... anyone have links? I know they just upgraded the Powerbooks are they really going to upgrade them again do you think? I don't remember when the last iB (thanks for showing me the abbrev. BTW) upgrade was.
Also, as far as size goes... I am going to be traveling A LOT in the future and will need something small, that's why I need a 12" I don't see much of an advantge to the 14" because it's the same resolution (1024 x 768) and I don't think it's any better as far as processor power or RAM goes...
Anyway, I really appreciate all your help everyone!! Thank you!!
I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. -Jesus Christ
Powerbook and iBook are just waiting for new ones coming.. Good guess they're launched at WWDC in June..
Just check this sites and you'll probably find a lot of the rumours:
appleinsider.com
thinksecret.com
The apple bluetooth mouse is great. I have never had a problem with mine. It performs just as a USB mouse does.
http://www.davidpcrawford.com - http://www.vomit76.com
Graphic, Web and Logo Designer from Pittsburgh, PA http://www.davidpcrawford.com
Thank you for your comments... I think that at this point I'm going to try to hold out using this nasty PC for a while and see if there are indeed upgrades to the iB and PB. As for the wireless mouse... I'M SOLD! lol. Thank you all. :c)
I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. -Jesus Christ
I'm selling my new PB 15" 1.5ghz with 1.5 Ram also it comes with an extra 2 years full cover warranty from compusa
Completly New conditions
$2400 In box like brand new
Thanks for the offer! Sounds like that might be a good deal (depending on some of the other configuration options.) Like i said before though, I'l love a bi screen bun I need a small one. Thanks for the offer though!
I have an IBook G4 800 with a gig of memory from NewEgg.com and it flies with everything I need.
You don't need a 14 inch (it has the same resolution as the 12"). I can fit my 12" in a very, very small backpack.
If you want to go dual-monior, the IBook can be tweaked to go Dual, even though Apple says you can't....
Best of luck.
I really appreciate you guys who own these computers giving your opinion! It'll make my decision easier! Thank you!
I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. -Jesus Christ
If there's one thing I couldn't live without it's dual screens. Using an iBook, you will get the same output to either display. With a Powerbook, both screens function independently.
How do you align your PB and the external screen to work conveniently. I would think they would have to be on the same level...
There's a simple hack to get around this limitation called Screen Spanning Doctor. I've been using it without any problems for a while.
--
Blog: Electricity & Adrenaline