[yongfook]

Hello all. I have been a member of these forums for quite a while but usually only lurk. I have used these forums for many things over the last year and have found a lot of helpful advice - so thank you to everyone for that.

I have been a mac user for over a year. I was an avid user of Windows during university but in my final year I decided I needed to buy a laptop for portable study. I purchased a 600mhz iBook and have been using it as my main computer ever since. I instantly fell in love with OS X, ease of connectivity and the general stylish nature, great useability and high quality of all mac products (I have since then bought an iPod and Airport card/terminal).

However I have reached a fork in the road. My 600mhz iBook is no longer sufficient for my needs and I am looking to upgrade.

I have waited for the 15" Powerbook for a long time and now it has arrived - I have the money waiting, but something is making me hesitant...what is it?

I can tell you that it isn't all the bugs and problems associated with the first batch of models that people are complaining about. Those kind of problems I can fully understand and accept as part and parcel of an entirely new product being released onto the market.

My main qualms are to do with the divergence in evolution of technology used with the different platforms, mac and windows.

When I bought my iBook, Apple was really heading in a positive direction. OS X was a fresh new operating system and in my opinion overshadowed XP (for me, as an amatuer computer user) in terms of useability and functionality. Also, at that time many competing wintel laptops to the powerbook/iBook line had similar specs and performance levels, so really the only thing left to distinguish them was visual appeal and the actual software - in which Apple won hands down.

But since then, whilst Apple has used pretty much exactly the same technology in their laptops as before, the wintel laptops have evolved considerably. We are seeing new processors, faster and more energy efficient. Better screens. Even some designs which (almost) rival Apple's. I read that soon, we can expect a few new generation laptops to run for 5-6 hours on one charge, and with processor power that is far in advance of a powerbook.

So my question is quite simply this:

At a time when I have the money to buy a new powerbook or a new wintel laptop - why should I buy a powerbook?

On the one hand I WANT to buy a powerbook. I love OS X. I am optimistic about the progress that Panther is going to make. I love the design. I love the connectivity.

But on the other hand I want battery life. I want speed. I would even like to be able to use all that lovely software and games that we can't get on a mac.

So if there are any other people like me out there - what would you say swayed you to the decision to buy a powerbook?

Honestly speaking, I know I am going to buy a powerbook - but I guess I just need to be reassured that it is the right decision...

thanks
yongfook

[jpmunson]

There will always be "the next best thing". In fact, even if you bought the latest laptop today, a month from now there will be something better, regardless of manufacturer.

Computers are tools, like anything else. Buy what you need now, try to get the most for your money. And expect that you will never have the best for very long.

Mac OS X has been extremely stable and functional for me. I have not wasted countless hours tracking down software patches, resolving DLL files, or updating virus definitions. This alone has made my Powerbook worthwile. It has saved me time, which equals much more value to me.

[James L]

Great post,

Kudos to you for being the educated consumer.

While I have, and always will, been an Apple supporter, I see some goof and bad things occuring with Apples current direction. First off, the bad. I think that in the very recent months Apple has made moves to break down some of the relationships they had with other companies. They have released software which has caused the discontinuation of software from companies such as M$ and Adobe. I don't necessarily see this as a good thing for a couple of reasons. First off, Apple can have most incredible hardware out there... it is useless without the software to run it. Keeping the big name companies (such as adobe or the big game designers) is of utmost importance. Secondly is the "switchers".

While I KNOW Safari to be a superior browser to IE (though it still has some bugs), it was good business for the "switchers" to see familiar territory in the Mac platform (such as IE). Maybe Apple made Safari not to outdo IE, but because they knew M$ would be discontinuing IE... who knows.

I think Apple is also designing their own Office suite. Again, it will probably be superior to MS Office, but if it causes M$ to discontinue the Mac version of Office I think it will cause more harm than good. Switchers like to be able to see familiar territory.

with regards to the hardware, if the G5 wasn't in existance, and with the long term development plan it has, then I would agree with you. Much of the PC hardware is vastly superior to the Mac line, even the new Powerbooks are getting beat by the Centrino's in many studies.

BUT, the new G5 is only going to get faster, and smaller. I truly believe that the days of inferior Apple hardware are drawing to a close. Yes, it will still be a year (at least) before we see the G5 prominant across the Apple lineup, but it IS coming. Then, you will be able to get great hardware, with the best OS out there.

With regards to software, you are seeing a lot of companies bring software/port software to the Mac OSX environment that never would have to OS 9. Apple has devised an OS that is more developer friendly.

I say stick with Apple. You are Happy with it, and it is only going to get better. IBM is on track to crush Intel...let's enjoy the ride!

[CobraNT]

I recently switched from PC's to Apple. Although I see the same wintel PC's getting faster & faster one thing remains the same, Windows as an OS. You can have the fastest PC on the planet but what use is it when you spend half your time rebooting, fighting viruses, and loading security patches. My Powerbook is a tool, a tool that helps me make a living. If my laptop is constantly causing issues because of its OS, I am not making money. I switched to Apple because I was sick & tired of the constant Windows issues, keep that in mind when trying to make up your mind on PC vs Mac.

[fisherKing]

in all the things that we care about, speed, battery life, the apps...the os is the place we always start, and come back to.

for me, that means osx, just a better choice.
hopefully, powerbooks in the next year will improve where they really need to, but in the meantime, the Albooks are pretty amazing.

go for it!

[Loopydude]

I'd say grit your teeth and wait a few extra months...The Al Powerbook looks to be a step backward in some respects, especially battery life.

However, they gotta update the iBook soon, it's way past due for a speed bump. Expect a 1.1GHz model with 3-4 real hours of battery life soon. If you're not using many apps. that are AltiVec-optimized, the iBook might be a nice way to go.

[Nessie]

Originally posted by CobraNT:
I recently switched from PC's to Apple. Although I see the same wintel PC's getting faster & faster one thing remains the same, Windows as an OS. You can have the fastest PC on the planet but what use is it when you spend half your time rebooting, fighting viruses, and loading security patches. My Powerbook is a tool, a tool that helps me make a living. If my laptop is constantly causing issues because of its OS, I am not making money. I switched to Apple because I was sick & tired of the constant Windows issues, keep that in mind when trying to make up your mind on PC vs Mac.

I agree. I want something I can use, and use for a long time. That's why I'm getting my first Apple, a new 12" PB (due on Monday!).

The one thing I would add to CobraNT's point is that along with making a buggy, vulnerable OS, Microsoft is also a convicted monopolist. They don't play fair and they don't innovate. Apple's one of the most creative companies around and I don't mind supporting them.

[SEkker]

I have to say, I really like my new PB17. It's one of the best notebook computer packages assembled in a long time, and the new 15 Al PBs share all of the things I like about my big Al -- keyboard, sturdiness, etc. I think you would be truly surprised how much nicer these machines are than the iBook you are using from just a couple years ago.

I've had a chance to play with a few PC laptops, even one from Sony. I prefer the PB.

If you truly can find a notebook computer that is comparable to a 2003 mac PB, then I think you have a real dilemna. But the Apple clone attmpts I've seen in the windows world are still poor copies IMHO.