powerbook!

[DarkAmeba]

I have been looking for a windows laptop for college for some time now. I really liked the Apple designs, but i was afraid of the OSX. However, your pro-powerbook comments in past threads and super positive powerbook reviews convinced me to take a trip to the apple store today. I think i'm sold.

Before I buy, I was hoping to ask you powerbook owners a few questions. My powerbook will be for college use, so it will be used for a lot of MS office/web and DVD playing. Gaming will be done on my windows PC. I looked at the iBook a bit i liked the style, but i don't think it packs enough punch for me.

I'm looking at the 15 inch 1.5ghz model upgraded with the 128mb video memory, 5400rpm hdd, and backlit keyboard. My other option is the 17 inch model. It's 300 dollars more, but it comes with a superdrive (would not be getting that in the 15in one) and obviously a bigger screen. My only concern is that the 17 incher will be difficult to tote around. Is it worth it to upgrade the screen size and how much more difficult is it to transport?

I also am wondering how the G4 processor compares to other processors. I know almost nothing about the G4 and I was wondering how it stacks up against the Pentium M.

Thanks for any input.

 

[Ciber]

I suggest you get a 12-15 inch machine and just have a bigger LCD at home for when you need a bigger screen. Unless you plan on making the Powerbook your main rig.

I personally have a 12" Powerbook as my only system right now since i got rid of my windows desktop and my windows laptops. I just use a 17" lcd and a wireless keyboard and mouse when i'm home(you can close the laptop and it'll still run if you have a external monitor attached to it).

Any of the new Powerbooks will do everything you listed just fine.

As for the performance compared to a Pentium M, I really have no idea... But i can run Halo, UT2K4, America's Army, and Call of Duty just fine on my 1.3 ghz 12" Powerbook once i lower the settings a bit. The chances of you finding a quality PC laptop for around the same prices and specs/dimensions of the Powerbooks that can deliver similar performance are slim to none. The Powerbooks are a steal at their current price.

Only thing that comes close is some Thinkpads, and they are lacking a bit in the specs department when compared to a Powerbook and also cost more.


PS. A thinkpad was my second choice, if i would of had to return the Powerbook.

 

[DarkAmeba]

Yeah, I'll have a 21" CRT for my desktop, so that makes perfect sense. Thanks for the advice!

 

[littlezipp]

Love my 12" 1.33ghz powerbook.
You will love OS X. I strongly recommend the 5400rpm upgrade.
If you are a gamer though, I suggest keeping a cheap pc for that, games are not that great on macs.

 

[DarkAmeba]

Yeah, I think I will be getting the 5400rpm upgrade as well. Didn't even see the option there, glad you pointed that out. It's very suprising to see all the powerbook fans on a PC forum. I think its pretty clear the powerbook is a very good product =)

Its about 100 dollars more if I buy 1gb of memory preinstalled. My other option is buy the powerbook with 1 sodimm 512mb of ram and buy a 512 chip from OCZ. It would save me 100 bucks but I'm not sure what brand OCZ is using =| What would you recommend?

 

[frazzled]

It's definitely a good idea to buy single SODIMM from Apple and then add your own, I've done that with both of my Powerbooks.

I haven't purchased anything from OCZ, but I think they're supposed to be reputable and they should be willing to guarantee compatability. I've always bought from either Crucial or MemoryX . Powerbooks can be picky about RAM so don't buy generic.

And I agree bout the 5400 RPM disk drive.

The Powerbook is a delightful laptop in every way and OS X is GREAT.

Enjoy,

fraz

 

[jdogg707]

I just got my 15.2" 1.5GHZ, 128MB VRAM, 1GB, 5400RPM, Backlit Keyboard, and Combo Drive. It rocks completely and I have decided the only thing I miss from my PC is the ability to play games.

 

[DarkAmeba]

Jdogg: Awesome! I'm really looking forward to getting mine! I'm looking at almost the exact same config you ordered. I have a question for you. How do DVDs look on the 15.2 display? Do they run full screen like they would on a widescreen TV?

 

[jdogg707]

On the 15.2" display they are in their original aspect ratio, but they still have bars. DVD playback looks great, the picture is awesome! I've never had a problem with it on flights.

 

[thuned]

Get the 12 or 15", the 17" is way too big to carry around esp since you have a desktop that you can work on. With a 12" you probably won't hesitate to bring it everyday. If you had a 17", you probably stop for a moment each morning and think which book you're going to skip reading/bringing.

 

[addragyn]

OWC sells guaranteed Mac stuff. Their RAM is guaranteed compatible and well priced. I've been buying Apple laptop RAM from them.

http://eshop.macsales.com/Catalog_Page.cfm?Parent=405&Title=PowerBook%20G4%20Titanium%20&Template=

 

[addragyn]

The 15" is a great size just a little bigger than a legal pad. Perfect for a backpack. It's also perfect on an airplane seat tray.

Don't forget to use your education discount!

 

[DarkAmeba]

Awesome guys, thanks for the advice. I believe I will be purchasing a 15in Powerbook tonight =)

For any other students intrested in a powerbook, check out the student developer subscription. It's 100 dollars, and with the subscription you can buy a powerbook almost 400 bucks cheaper. Thats a 300 dollar savings, plus you get new versions of the OS free for a year. Definitly beats the already great 200 dollar edu discount.

 

[frazzled]

Great choice! You're going to love it.

BTW, appropos of nothing in particular, did you notice that your thread brought all of us old timers out of the woodwork? Look at some of those "joined" dates!

I can only speak for myself, of course, but I'm a recent switcher, used to be a die-hard PC user and self-builder (the main reason I started hanging out here 5 years ago). Part of the reason for my switch was that I started to burnout on the constant upgrade cycle and fiddling with maintaining all of the Windows machines around here.

Of course, maybe I just got too old and impatient...

Enjoy your Powerbook!

Jil

 

[addragyn]

Damn frazzled that's a good observation. Remember talking Slot 1 and how awesome it was taking that celly 300a to 450. I still smile when I think of getting a BP6 to run 2x400a @ 600. I didn't just get sick of doing that stuff you mentioned on my machines - friends, family and clients too. I wonder if it's been much of a trend...

(I wouldn't call myself a switcher, more like an adder.)

 

[frazzled]

Been there, done that!

Both my kids got overclocked 300As as their first computers...still have those CPUs somewhere upstairs.

Actually, with my house filled with PCs (not to mention my work machine) I'm still an "adder" myself. Powerbooks are a great way to start. And hey, I even souped up a stock Cube my husband surprised me with for Valentine's Day...although the look on his face when he found his gift completely dismembered was pretty amusing...:laugh:

Ah, memories....

JT

 

[DarkAmeba]

Thanks for the input everyone. Definitly very comfortable with my decision now. One thing: I know that "Tiger" is going to be demoed at the apple conferences this month. Should I be waiting until Tiger releases before I buy my powerbook?

 

[rainypickles]

off topic, but since there are many interested mac people here, i have a question. whenever i use a mac, i am frustrated. is there an easy way to switch between windows? like alt-tab in windows. shortcuts to closee, minimize and maximize windows? thank you for indulging me. free bump =)

 

[way]

DarkAmeba: Tiger (OS X 10.4) won't be released for a while (later on in the fall). I'd get a PowerBook now as whatever productivity you'll have with it between now and when Tiger is released will be worth more than the $130 cost of Tiger.

rainypickles: Mac OS X 10.3 (Panther) does have alt-tab to navigate different application windows. There's also shortcuts to minimize windows---it's usually command-m.

 

[DarkAmeba]

Awesome! Ordering tonight

 

[thraxes]

Don't forget Panthers awesome F9 button: Expose is a really handy thing to have!

 

[manly]

The 1.5 GHz 15" PowerBook does have a built-in 4X SuperDrive. Needless to say, I'm jealous of you.

 

[TJ69]

I've been eyeing the powerbooks for quite some time, but the cost has always driven me away. Last semester, I bought an eMachines M6807 instead. Although its a great notebook, I still wish sometimes I had powerbook to play with. Not sure if its the candy desktop or *nix base that draws me in.

Now that DarkAmeba has pointed out the Student Developer's program, it's going to be much more difficult to resist.

 

[DarkAmeba]

Ok well the powerbook is on its way here. I can't wait to get it! While i'm waiting does anyone know of any external soundcard or other solution that will let you connect 5.1 speakers to a powerbook? I can't seem to find one that is mac compatable. If I can't find one its not the end of the world, but it'd be a nice thing to have.

 

[way]

Ummm, something like this? http://www.minidisc-canada.com/htmspecs/p271.htm
I just googled around and saw that.