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veganpower88 · Aug 20, 2003, 03:31 PM

Hey guys,
I am considering selling my 17" Powerbook and all my accessories for a new G5 with a 20" display. I was hoping to use my powerbook more as it is intended but it has sat above its icurve for 3 months only leaving the stand twice where it was with me while I sat on my living room sofa. There are possibilities of using it more in the future while commuting but that isn't a given. My question is if you had a 17" 1ghz powerbook with all the accessories, bag, sleeve, icurve, external keyboard,mouse, and had it maxed out at 1 gig of ram would you sell it and buy a 1.8 ghz G5 with a 20" display. I do some pretty extensive programs where the extra pixel real estate and higher processor speed would be nice, however this notebook has done all I have needed it to do so far. Sort of torn, and wondering what others have to say.
thanks

The Placid Casual · Aug 20, 2003, 03:36 PM

If the 17" Powerbook does all you want it to, why change?

Why take a price hit, and go through all the hassle of selling a machine that is ideal for your needs?

I think you may be suffering from a case of 'Shiny Kit Syndrome'...

Just because something new and jazzy came out, doesn't mean that what you have now is any inferior.

There are loads of people out there who would love to have 17" Powerbook...

Peace,

Marc

(P.S. welcome to the forums!)

veganpower88 · Aug 20, 2003, 03:44 PM

Thanks for the welcome to the forums. I actually found these while searching for info on the 17". You are probably correct on shiny kit syndrome. New electronics are my downfall. Anyhow there would be no price hit as i bought the powerbook as a developer and got a substantial savings. So I wouldn't be losing, it would however be a hassle selling the computer. Thanks for your imput. I am still on the fence though.
thanks

linusone · Aug 20, 2003, 03:48 PM

Depends if you can wait a week or so. If you can, I would see how this machine is doing in the "real world". You never know, it may catch on fire or something whacky like that. Revision A's are a gamble.... uuuhhh, except the 17" powerbook of course!

Really though, if your Big Al is just sitting around most of the time, I'd do it.

The Placid Casual · Aug 20, 2003, 04:05 PM

Originally posted by veganpower88:
Thanks for the welcome to the forums. I actually found these while searching for info on the 17". You are probably correct on shiny kit syndrome. New electronics are my downfall. Anyhow there would be no price hit as i bought the powerbook as a developer and got a substantial savings. So I wouldn't be losing, it would however be a hassle selling the computer. Thanks for your imput. I am still on the fence though.
thanks

If there is no price differential, and you don't need a mobile machine, it is a really tough choice!

I hate to say it, but I'd go with the G5!

Better performance, better residual sale value, more RAM expansion, PCIX, SATA... Mmmm. Thinking about it, if I didn't need a portable, I'd go that route too! (Note to self: Must resist G5...)

I wasn't being flippant about the 'new kit' thing, it is just that I do exactly the same thing, and your situation sounded eerily familiar!... I have changed Macs every 6 months or so for years, usually as soon as something new comes out! Only recently have I stopped myself doing it, but it is still a real effort!

Good luck with the decision!

Peace,

Marc

buddy1065 · Aug 20, 2003, 05:47 PM

I take my laptop to work every day. But I am wondering why you---oh, you already said you are a techno buff, much like myself. Well it's your life and you only go round once. With enough meditation and research I am sure the answer will hit you, because in the end it is your decision and not ours. As far as I am concerned you win either way. My 17" is the greatest piece of technology I have ever owned in my opinion. Strangely I am now bent on buying a brute 2003 Mustang GT, hardly a technological innovation in this day and age, but definitely the most horsepower bang for the buck. It's like the Matrix, words are insufficient to describe it; you have to crank up the motor and hear as well as drive it to appreciate it. My dreams of owning an Mazda RX-8 have vaporized after the Mustang test drive. Uh, sorry for the meandering.

Nelsun · Aug 20, 2003, 07:34 PM

If the powerbook was purchased via the developer program from Apple, you might not be able to sell it. I believe they ask you not to sell it for one year. Not sure how they check up on you though.

dannybarnes · Aug 22, 2003, 12:04 AM

They ask you not to sell it, just like they ask you to be a student to use the Edu discount... but require no proof.

I doubt Apple checks on it.

Are they offering G5s through the dev. program yet?