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You are here: MacNN Forums > Hardware - Troubleshooting and Discussion > Mac Notebooks > Ti 550 Still a decent machine ?

Ti 550 Still a decent machine ?
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Dedicated MacNNer
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Apr 10, 2003, 04:50 PM
 
Well, the topic says it all. How much work can still get done on a Ti 550 ? Has this machine far passed it's time in the limelight, or can programs like photoshop and such still run well ? I know that it has 16mb vram, which will support QE, so that is a plus. Any 550 owners around that can tell me what they use their book for, and how well it performs ?

Thanks !

Anim8r
     
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Apr 10, 2003, 05:01 PM
 
i just replaced my Ti400 (8MB vram) with a new 17" last week. I used it for all sorts of work (adobe design collection, dreamweaver, etc) and didn't have problems with it. it was slow on occasion, but was generally quite solid and trusty. i'm guessing that a 550 will be even moreso.
     
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Apr 10, 2003, 05:58 PM
 
remember that for audio and video, it performs about the same as a ti400.
     
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Apr 10, 2003, 06:30 PM
 
what exactly do you mean by that ? This machine has 16mb vram as opposed to 8. I would think that as far as video, it would perform a little better.

Anim8r
     
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Apr 10, 2003, 06:34 PM
 
I have a 550 and frankly, it's too slow.
     
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Apr 10, 2003, 06:36 PM
 
Originally posted by gregpins:
I have a 550 and frankly, it's too slow.

Too slow in what way ? What are you doing with it ? I would be using the machine for coffee house surfing, as well as a dvd player on the road. Nothing too intense. I just bought Maya for my PC, so all of my graphice stuff will be done on there.

Thanks,

Anim8r
     
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Apr 10, 2003, 06:52 PM
 
I don't have a 550, but I had a 400 and I just upgraded to an 800.

I think for just surfing the web and word processing, you'll be okay. It'll take a bit longer in loading up apps and what not.

I won't run too many apps at the same time either.

But on my 400, I had Safari, Mail, iChat, iTunes, and Word open and it wasn't too bad. I mean you won't get piss off at it.

It also depends on what you are used to. Is this the machine w/ the upgraded resolution? Or was it before that?
     
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Apr 10, 2003, 07:07 PM
 
Actually, my current machine is an iMac 800. I need the portability more than this desktop. I can do all of my desktop stuff on my PC, and play games on my Xbox or PC. The powerbook is just a cheap way to have a laptop that will do what I need. I could get an iBook, but the Ti is just a novelty to me, as the screen is what attracts me to it. i've always wanted a Ti, and this one should make me happy. . . (i hope)

Anim8r
     
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Apr 10, 2003, 08:35 PM
 
I picked up a Ti 550 a couple months ago and I love it. I'm currently running 10.2.4 and for most of my apps, the speed of it is just fine. Heavy stuff like Dreamweaver and Fireworks do slow down a little bit, but not to the point for me that its unbearable, or worth the price of buying a new system. Its become my main computer and I use it practically everywhere. I also love being able to sync my palm IIIc via IR.
     
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Apr 10, 2003, 08:43 PM
 
A friend of mine has a Tibook 500mhz/Jaguar. It runs photoshop, office apps, internet amd mail just fine. I think that your 550mhz will be a good deal and you'll be able to do whatever you want to..
Powerbook 1.67ghz 15" (100GB HD, 128MB VRAM, 1.5GB RAM)
     
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Apr 10, 2003, 09:47 PM
 
The 550 is a bit slower than the 500, because it doesn't have very much cache...but it should totally be fine for coffehouse/DVD playing.
     
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Apr 10, 2003, 10:10 PM
 
Hi!

I've had my Ti550/512MB for over a year now and love it. Sure I wish I had a 17" PB or a Dual 1.25 Ghz.

I'm currently using it to publish a small magazine (InDesign, Photoshop, Office X), surf the web (Safari, IE X), watch DVDs, use iTunes. The Finder could be faster (as is always the case), but for the things I've mentioned, I don't think I'll really need anything else for another 2 years.

You'll have no problems surfing the net, using DVDs, or iTunes, or other graphics apps (lightly). Good luck with your purchase!
     
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Apr 10, 2003, 10:28 PM
 
from what it sounds like you want to use it for, the ti550 should do just fine. if you are looking for all us here to help you decide, it would help if we knew what kind of deal you were looking at or what you've been offered...then you'll get some more opinions on whether it is "worth it."
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Apr 11, 2003, 02:42 AM
 
I bought a 500Mhz in January and it's been great. I usually have project builder, interface builder, iTunes, a few web pages and fractal painter (in classic) going. You'll have no problems doing what you need. I run Maya 4.5 LE on occassions but haven't delved into advanced features or rendered high detail stuff yet. I prefer to watch DVDs on it over my TV, quite smooth.

TiBook 500 Mhz, 512MB Ram, OSX 10.2.5
If a group of mimes are miming a forest and one falls down, does he make a sound?
     
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Apr 11, 2003, 03:02 AM
 
Hi Anim

I am currently using the TiPbook 550mhz. It is a nice powerbook to use. I use it for web surfing, web design stuff, motion graphics, and for Maya 3d animation. Modelling, toggling, and viewing work on Maya is working well, except for complicated/intensive shading stuff, it will slow down the toggling. Rendering may be a bit on a slow side, but its ok. DVD movie viewing is great. Overall a good laptop to have.


QUOTE]Originally posted by anim8ing:
Well, the topic says it all. How much work can still get done on a Ti 550 ? Has this machine far passed it's time in the limelight, or can programs like photoshop and such still run well ? I know that it has 16mb vram, which will support QE, so that is a plus. Any 550 owners around that can tell me what they use their book for, and how well it performs ?

Thanks !

Anim8r
[/QUOTE]
     
   
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