[teknik]

So, come this September I'm moving out to college, well an Art college rather. I will be going for a B.S in Multimedia and Web Design. I know I will definitely need a new computer (I have a decent PC now and a 600mhz G3 iBook w/ 8mb of videoram :-( )

Anyways, I'm really keen on getting a new G5 in July after Macworld, BUT many people have told me from first hand experience that a laptop is better. That factor got me looking into either a 15 or 17 inch PBG4. The only thing that kind of worries me about the Powerbook is upgradability and display (Is it true the Powerbooks screen is ALOT better than the iBook's?) Iam aware that the Powerbook can hook directly up to a DVI monitor, which seems really nice aswell. But of course by then things start getting really spendy!

I really need to have the computer to last 3/4+ years and be really reliable. If any of you were in my situation what would you do?

[Axo1ot1]

1) Your sig is too big

2) You're thinking about this too early and the landscape will have changed considerably by July.

3) Think about weather or not you would take notes well on a laptop. If not, then what do you need it to be so portable for?

4) Realise that this is a power vs. portability issue and you are the only person able to decide which is more important to you.

5) Your sig is just way too big. 140x40 plz.

[RevEvs]

Well as you have an iBook already just get the G5. im doing a CompSci course, and noone at all uses a laptop to take notes, as it is much faster to write, also you find yourself writing on notes provided or similar.

You have the iBook for portability. When you do any major work i assume you will be sitting down somewhere to do it, so you can get a tower for that, unless u plan on going to sit in some random location with a laptop to do your work

FYI, I went through 2yrs on Uni with a 1.2Ghz PC, a G4 450 Tower (now replaced with a 2Ghz G5 ) and the iBook 500.

Ive done a bit of everything from OpenGl, programming in various languages, web design, Director, Flash etc...

All has been fine. So all you need (want? ) is the G5.

I would wait until a month or so before you go though - to get the most up to date system

revs

Edit: The PC by the way was just there for games

[tooki]

Well, I for one have never taken notes on a laptop, and I still think it's a better choice for a lot of people. Taking notes is NOT the only reason for getting a laptop! They take up less space, and can be easily toted around for giving presentations in class (much more reliable than the Dell or Gateway laptops your school AV services will bring in), or working on group projects, doing work in the library, etc.

Of course, if you already have an iBook, the G5 will give you decidedly more computing power -- by the time you finish college, the G5 won't seem as slow as the PowerBook.

The 12" iBooks have similar screens to the PowerBooks. The 15" and 17" PowerBook screens, on the other hand, are significantly brighter than the 12" and 14" screens.

tooki

[I am me]

Consider getting something cheap for your first year or two (iBook or eMac) and upgrade to for your last two years. 2 iBooks(2004&2006) or even 1 iBook + 1 low end Power Mac(2006) costs as much as one Dual processor G5. That and you won't be stuck with the dual G5 when Apple introduces the quad G6 10Ghz machine for $1500.

Either way, make should to keep whatever you buy locked down. It would suck to have you big project work off the day before its due.

[I am me]

Does your collage have wi-fi or atleast ethernet ports around campus? I know I enjoyed getting out of the Comp Sci building and logging in to the Unix boxes from the student union.

[teknik]

Originally posted by I am me:
Does your collage have wi-fi or atleast ethernet ports around campus? I know I enjoyed getting out of the Comp Sci building and logging in to the Unix boxes from the student union.

Its a small art school in the middle of Minneapolis, around 900 people attend it. I believe there may be some WiFi in the building. I know my 'school sponsored' apartments have highspeed via ethernet though.

Decisions, decisions.

P.S I know this is way early, but I just would like to get an idea.

[TimmyDee51]

Sean, is it MCAD? If it is, I met one of the IT people there at a conference a few weeks ago and I might be able to ask her some advice for you. If it helps, MCAD makes you buy a large FireWire hard drive to store your files on when you are in one of their labs. That may be enough to swing your vote one way or another. PM me if you want.

[DBvader]

If you already have an iBook, then i believe the choice is simple. Mobility is key in a colege environment (I often wish I had an i/Powerbook to roam around UCSD with), but performance for a notebook really isnt. If I were you, I would get the G5 for home, and use the iBook when i was at school to take notes, etc. Im an Electrical Engineering Computer Science Major and i don't think it would be practical taking notyes on a laptop in class becuase its not very versatile (cant draw charts, figures, etc on the fly). On the other hand, the ability to write papers/surf the net in my free time on campus would be great. My whole point is that you dont need much performance for the notebook. Since you have an iBOok, use it at school, and get a G5 for your dorm/home/etc.