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DigitalEl · Jul 1, 2003, 01:17 AM

Still trying to decide between the 12" PowerBook and the 14" iBook. Prices are somewhat comparable. I know the PB vs iB thing has been beaten to death... But the build quality issue keeps coming up.

My question. Does your iBook scratch easily and look like arse after a short time of everyday use or is that something PowerBook users say to feel better about spending more? And for those of you who have worked on both machines, how does the aluminum finish on the PB hold up?

Thx.

SupahCoolX · Jul 1, 2003, 06:28 PM

The iBook's plastic is more prone to scratches, smudges, etc than the PB's aluminum finish. My iBook is over a year and a half old, and I've kept it in very good shape, so you can't even see the tiny scratches if you really look up close. Just don't treat it like crap* and you'll be fine.

*By that I mean use a case/sleeve when you travel with it, don't toss it around, don't put in in a backpack with your keys, etc.

arnette · Jul 1, 2003, 07:47 PM

If you are thinking about a 12" anything versus a 14" ... bigger is better. The reason I sold my Powerbook had a lot to do with the teensy screen size that at first I thought I'd like, but it turns out I couldn't stand.

And I'm not talking about screen real estate... if you are thinking about an ibook 14 inch vs. the powerbook 12 inch, go for the ibook because of the screen alone. Apparently, a lot of people think the performance differences are negligible anyway. I couldn't say... I've never seen an ibook in action for more than 5 minutes.

Or you can do what I'm doing and hold out 'til Panther is released before you buy. Guaranteed savings of 129 dollars!

Sosa · Jul 1, 2003, 08:53 PM

Fit and finish on the iBooks is awesome as far as I'm concerned, although I don't particularly like the new material used in the palm rests of the newest iBooks.

Regarding scratches, the acryllic(?) type of plastic does scratch but its difficult to notice without actually trying to find them. After almost 1 year of extensive use, my iBook has signs of wear but it certanly does not look like "arse." Personally I think it looks beautiful, especially compared to those sticker full PC craptops.

Scooterboy · Jul 1, 2003, 09:51 PM

Overall the fit and finish of the iBook line is good. Personally I prefer the "iceBook" cases over the newer opaque white iBooks. I'm hoping they update the cases with the new IBM 750GX processor updates.

DigitalEl · Jul 2, 2003, 12:37 AM

Personally I prefer the "iceBook" cases over the newer opaque white iBooks.

I've read a lot about the "IceBooks" vs. the new opaque finish, but can't find an example of each to compare (not that it matters, I guess, since the latter is all that's available now).

There was a thread about the new finish, but all the embedded pictures were invalid links. Am I correct in assuming the old finish was like that on the original 5 GB iPod, where the new finish is like that of the new, 3rd Generation iPods? Thx.

If you are thinking about a 12" anything versus a 14" ... bigger is better. The reason I sold my Powerbook had a lot to do with the teensy screen size that at first I thought I'd like, but it turns out I couldn't stand.

I agree with this, in principal... But for a second computer, I think the 12" would be fine. If it were going to be my only machine, such a small screen would be unacceptable.

The iBook's plastic is more prone to scratches, smudges, etc than the PB's aluminum finish.

I know this is the iBook forum, but does anyone know what the PowerBook's aluminum finish looks like with wear?

Cipher13 · Jul 2, 2003, 07:23 AM

14"?? Noooo... get the 12"... the resolution is the same...

MartiNZ · Jul 3, 2003, 05:22 PM

Yeah, I would say definitely go for the 12" over the 14" - for a start the 14" iBook is just ugly with so much wasted space. Almost like the 17" powerbook, which I think should have a proper keypad in that space (like some Dell 17" laptop has now).

But then I would also say go for the 12" iBook over the 12" powerbook, or wait until the latter has been updated so that it has more L2 and any L3 cache. From what I understand they are very important to the G4.. and for the moment the iBook has more, but I think that the powerbooks will have to be updated soon.

dannyillusion · Jul 7, 2003, 03:27 PM

Slightly off topic...
I like the finnish of the ibook more as I think the PB12 looks like **** with it's fake aluminium buttons...
But I just recently noted that my Ibook has a small crack in the right corner in the metal colored part...
PB12" probably are a hell of a lot less prone to this kinda damage. I think it came from me often lifting the open ibook with my right hand.

arnette · Jul 7, 2003, 03:31 PM

Originally posted by dannyillusion:
Slightly off topic...
I like the finnish of the ibook more ...

I like the finnish too. Finland is great!

rozwado1 · Jul 7, 2003, 04:06 PM

I've had my iBook for a year and a half and I'm satisfied with it. The only worry I have with the iBook is that it doesn't seem too solid when moving it around while opened. The plastic seems too flexible for all of the panels that make up the bottom casing. I always feel like the CD drawer and the I/O board are prone to crack off if I move it around too much. I would think the bottom casing on the PB would be more solid because the CD and I/O board are enclosed under Aluminum. I say pick the fit and finish of the PB over the iBook if you have the money - and definately no 14" iBook because the resolutions are the same.

dannyillusion · Jul 8, 2003, 08:41 AM

Haha...

I like the finnish too. Finland is great!

Point taken! I promise to stop smoking...