[y2kerr]

So I'm buying a laptop sometime between now and the end of August, and it will likely be an Apple laptop. But I don't know if I should get an iBook or a Powerbook. As things stand right now, I'd get the (15" 1GHz) Powerbook. I plan on having this laptop for a long, long time so I'd like to get something with as much power as I can afford. The Powerbook's in my budget, but just barely.

Does anyone know what the next revision of the iBooks will include in terms of hardware or when the revisions will be made? I'd rather get the iBook if it's updated sufficiently. And If I can save money by buying an iBook I'll be able to afford an iPod too!

Thanks,
Mike

[jeffcoop]

The latest rumor (from Think Secret) is that a refreshed iBook is due shortly, but that it's only an incremental upgrade with a slightly faster G3 processor. If that happens (and Think Secret's track record is good but far from perfect), it's extremely unlikely that there would be another revision to the iBook before August.

I got a new iBook about a month ago, with the expectation that it will last me three years. But it's not my primary Mac, and I use it mostly for word processing, email, and web browsing--not exactly demanding tasks. If your purchase is going to be your only computer, you're planning to do anything more elaborate, and you want to be confident that your investment will still look good a couple of years down the road, you're probably better off with a PowerBook.

[BrunoBruin]

I agree with jeffcoop. I'm advising a friend on a laptop purchase right now, and she's adamant on not spending more than $1,300 or so. I think the iBook will be okay for what she wants to do right now, but the PowerBook would be more future-proof.

Since you don't need to buy right now, another option would be to wait and see what the next 15-inch PowerBook revision brings. If the new model is not really compelling for you, you will be able to pick up one of the just-discontinued models at a good discount as long as you're ready to move quickly. That's what I'm thinking about doing, I really want to upgrade from my 667 to a 1GHz SuperDrive model, and if the next revision is just a case change I'd opt for the Ti.

[milhouse]

if you can wait till the end of August, I'm certain there will be revisions to the Powerbook line. You'll likely be able to pick up something very nice closer to the July-August time frame. I'd wait if you don't need it right now.

good luck

[MacMaui]

Originally posted by y2kerr:
So I'm buying a laptop sometime between now and the end of August, and it will likely be an Apple laptop. But I don't know if I should get an iBook or a Powerbook. As things stand right now, I'd get the (15" 1GHz) Powerbook. I plan on having this laptop for a long, long time so I'd like to get something with as much power as I can afford. The Powerbook's in my budget, but just barely.

Does anyone know what the next revision of the iBooks will include in terms of hardware or when the revisions will be made? I'd rather get the iBook if it's updated sufficiently. And If I can save money by buying an iBook I'll be able to afford an iPod too!

Thanks,
Mike

One way to look at the future proof issue is that you can virtually get two ibooks for the price of one powerbook. One ibook for now, and then buy one later once the first one is in need of an upgrade. It's likely the second ibook, assuming you wait a couple of years, will be more powerful than the current powerbooks, and certainly more new. Also, you can sell the first ibook to contribute to the cause at that point, or end up with two machines

Imho, unless you absolutely need the power of a powerbook today (and that's the key), then it's more wise to go the ibook route.......