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Kanji86 · Jan 23, 2005, 11:02 AM

Hey I been a long-time reader of this forum; never have owned a Mac but always wanted one. I currently use a Dell Inspiron laptop 8600, but I finally am going to switch to Apple.

I need help in what i should look to get...

Mac Mini
Powerbook
iBook

I am a college student and could benefit with the use of a laptop, but then again I could use my dell for class, and leave my apple in my room. Here are my options i looked into:

Mac Mini 40gb, 512mb, combo drive + iWork + 20inch studio + keyboard & mouse = roughly with my student discount $1780

iBook 14inch 60gb, 512mb ram, combo drive + iWork = 1380

Powerbook 12inch 60gb, 512 ram, combo drive + iWork = 1528

Basically, price isnt a real problem, maybe i should go ahead and get a better powerbook? and maybe the mini is pretty useless if i dont have the rest of the goods for it?

I am really going to switch, just need alot of help and advice from experienced users...

Thanks

osxisfun · Jan 23, 2005, 11:15 AM

Hi, Kanji86.

May i suggest you wait till tuesday. Rumor has it (and they may be wrong by a couple of weeks) that new powerbook "bumps" and possibly new emacs will be here tuesday. If this happens it will change the whole price / what you get ratio.

In the mean time,

>Mac Mini 40gb, 512mb, combo drive + iWork + 20inch studio + keyboard & mouse = roughly with my student discount $1780

You should consider an imac g5 for this price. The minis are an awesome deal unless you buy an apple lcd at the same time. then it bumps you into imac g5 territory.

lookmark · Jan 23, 2005, 11:15 AM

Hmm, depends whether you want to make the complete switch or "add." If you want to still use your Dell to play games, and carry around, and don't mind an AIO design, I'd consider the iMac over the mac mini -- gorgeous design, tiny footprint, faster processor.

If you're looking to replace your Dell, than the iBook or Powerbook sounds like a great idea. PBook + iBook 12" are great, compact machines super for class (and both very snazzy looking). I find the iBook 14" something of an odd beast -- it's got the same resolution as the 12"; it's just a bit larger + heavier. Basically for people w/ poor eyesight, who find the resolution on the 12" too small...?

I have the Powerbook 15", and it's a great computer, so if you're willing a trade a little extra weight + size for screen size, it's not a bad trade-off. But if you're constantly on the move from class to class, I think the 12" might suit you better.

One tip: wait at least until this Tues, when Apple will very likely be speed-bumping their Powerbook models, and possibly lowering prices.

Kanji86 · Jan 23, 2005, 11:40 AM

Okay

I think I am very much looking into getting the Powerbook 12inch or the iBook 12inch...

I am a huge fan of supersmall screen sizes, my dell is at 1920 x 1200.

I want something i can take around, but also get the full switch as I am tired of using a PC, been using it my entire life...and I love the things apple has done with the industry.

no iMac for me...i dont like it.

osxisfun · Jan 23, 2005, 11:43 AM

>I am a huge fan of supersmall screen sizes, my dell is at 1920 x 1200.

remember, the rez on the current ibook and 12 inch is 10.24 / 768..

if possible, drop by an apple store. you won't regret it.

AssassyN · Jan 23, 2005, 01:45 PM

I own a 12" PowerBook and love it. As stated, wait until Tuesday JUST IN CASE they bump the speeds/features on the PowerBook lineup.

My only gripe is the 1024 resolution; it's beautiful, but it's too low. Thankfully though, you can connect a DVI or VGA display (via adapters) to it and use it like a dual-display setup.

You also NEED to account for a 512MB RAM upgrade. Coastmemory.com always has the cheapest prices and their RAM never fails me in my Macs. 768MB in your 12" PB would keep things very smooth. The battery life is awesome, and wireless pickup is amazing. I use this thing wirelessly all over my campus and it picks up basically anywhere.

Last but not least, make sure you order from your Apple Education Store (apple.com/education) to save some cash on it.

Kanji86 · Jan 23, 2005, 02:03 PM

I think i am going to get the 15inch, 512mb (2 sticks), combo drive system with iWork

thanks
shamir

mitchell_pgh · Jan 23, 2005, 03:09 PM

I really like the iBook 12"

Sure, it's not a speed monster, but it's nice looking and the price is right. I would probably wait for a speed bump.

MichiganRich · Jan 23, 2005, 03:16 PM

My love for my 17" PowerBook hasn't dminished one bit in the year and a half I've had it. It is the most distinctive laptop out there, and it never fails to get longing glances from the corporate types and their big black Compaq bricks.

chadseld · Jan 23, 2005, 05:40 PM

I have a 12 PowerBook. I like it a lot, but the current models are not much better than the current iBooks. As a student, you may prefer the iBook because it's plastic case will hold up better to backpack abuse than the really thin aluminum of the PowerBook.

The only major difference between the two is the video out options. The iBook supports video mirroring to an external monitor but it is limited to a resolution of 1024x1024 even on that external monitor. The PowerBook supports video mirroring and dual-monitor output, and the resolution of the external monitor is not limited.

osxisfun · Jan 23, 2005, 05:42 PM

i know i am just wishing but a 12 PB G5 would be sooo awesome.

Kanji86 · Jan 23, 2005, 05:47 PM

15inch, 512mb, 60gb, combo drive + iwork + (other good software recs?).....im waiting for thursdays news, if it interests me, then ill act accordingly, if not...ill buy it on wed/thursday

sworthy · Jan 23, 2005, 06:12 PM

Remember: They may not be released this tuesday. Thinksecret, who is almost always reliable says that there will be updates either the 25th or maybe as late as the 2nd link

Thraxes · Jan 24, 2005, 07:06 PM

Hey Kanji86

www.anandtech.com has only just published a review of the Powerbook 15" from a mainly PC users perspective with more emphasis on the experience of the platform as a whole. Since you are considering the very same machine and have never worked on a mac before, you might want to check it out: Linky to article

There is a part one of the article as well which gives an intro to OS-X apparently the boss of a mainly PC hardware oriented site is becoming quite a mac-head

Kanji86 · Jan 25, 2005, 08:20 AM

I couldnt wait and yesterday i bought my first apple!\

Powerbook 15inch & MS Office 2004.

currently 256 mb ram, and will be upgrading very very soon.

THANKS all, currently running ichat and itunes!!

any ideas on what software and stuff i should get?

lookmark · Jan 25, 2005, 10:52 AM

Couldn't hold out another week, eh?

Well, enjoy, and welcome.

Single recommendation: Quicksilver. Everything else is gravvy.

f1000 · Jan 25, 2005, 11:02 AM

Originally posted by Kanji86:
I couldnt wait and yesterday i bought my first apple!\

Powerbook 15inch & MS Office 2004.

currently 256 mb ram, and will be upgrading very very soon.

THANKS all, currently running ichat and itunes!!

any ideas on what software and stuff i should get?

The first thing you should do is sell all your other computer junk, including your Dell. If you really need to run an occasional PC app, build yourself a cheap tower and RDC into using WiFi. You could show all your PC friends how you can run a Windows app on your PowerBook from anywhere on campus (I assume that most college campuses have WiFi now).

Kanji86 · Jan 25, 2005, 12:42 PM

def could not wait. i love this powerbook so much.

the dell is going to my uncle/cousin who needs a new computer.

im looking to get a bluetooth mouse, and maybe some more fun software....suggestions?

osxisfun · Jan 25, 2005, 12:51 PM

>software

what types of stuff do you do?

are you a writer? media creator etc...

definately, get a virtual desktop manager...

i've used desktop manager, i bought codetek's solution but i am now using You software , you desktop...

its like having multiple monitors or "workspaces" and makes the most of your screen real estate.

podshop · Jan 25, 2005, 02:04 PM

Welcome, Kanji. Get ready to actually enjoy using a computer again.

Kanji86 · Jan 25, 2005, 04:24 PM

As for stuff i do...

I do web design, love music. I like gadgets and fun things on computers, dont mind any free games...i guess i dont do much...but im having fun doing pretty much nothing with this computer! haha. everything is just so smooth and pleasing to the eyes.

love it. looooove it.

shamir

funkboy · Jan 25, 2005, 05:26 PM

Congratulations! Enjoy the Powerbook - might I suggest my tennis game or golf game as fun diversions on your new system?

www.karlbecker.com

You made a good decision by not waiting - no new Powerbooks today, and you have a brand new computer. Usually, if you want a new computer and can afford, you might as well get it without waiting too much.