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physman · Nov 29, 2003, 05:04 PM

Hi,

I'm new to the forum and I am considering making the switch to a powerbook. I have the option of getting a new 1Ghz 15" TiBook through my university for ~$1900 (US) or I could get a 1.25Ghz 15" ALBook for ~$2450 (with the educational discount) from the apple store, with essentially the same options. I would appreciate advice about the relative merits of the two machines. Also, how does the speed of a 1Ghz TiBook compare to a 1 Ghz AlBook (as a reference)?
Thanks!
Physman

CrackedButter · Nov 29, 2003, 05:10 PM

AluBook has the latest in technolgies of course. But simple stuff like USB2, FW400+ 800. Better GPU and more internal HD space.

But the TiBook has experience on its side with revisions and its a more stable machine to some people, better battery life but slower optical drive. The AluBooks is slow enough, its going to be murder on the Ti. Slower CPU as well if you are bothered and uses SD RAM, which is old and now becoming more expensive than DDR because less people use it nowadays.

Go with the AluBook...it'll last longer.

Aiglos · Nov 29, 2003, 05:20 PM

This is really your call, but I'd suggest to get the ALubook, since it's the most modern. Built in 802.11g, built in bluetooth, backlight KB (if you get the higher end model), updated ports like FW 800.

But a 1900$ Ti book is tempting too if you don't need those connectivity options.

Nothc one up for an 15" alu.

spatterson · Nov 29, 2003, 07:40 PM

Originally posted by Aiglos:
This is really your call, but I'd suggest to get the ALubook, since it's the most modern. Built in 802.11g, built in bluetooth, backlight KB (if you get the higher end model), updated ports like FW 800.

But a 1900$ Ti book is tempting too if you don't need those connectivity options.

Nothc one up for an 15" alu.

I couldn't aggree more. It's a beautiful machine.

anaphora68 · Nov 29, 2003, 07:45 PM

Go with the aluminum machine, much better overall. One of the guys I work with bought a Tibook about a month before the aluminum book and was kicking himself.

Well worth the extra money.

todrain · Nov 29, 2003, 09:11 PM

It's always best to buy the best you can afford, since you really can't upgrade PowerBooks very much.

If the $500 is within your budget, then get the AL book... if you can't afford it, the TI is a great machine too.

physman · Nov 29, 2003, 11:31 PM

Thanks for the advice. It's time to see how much scraping I can do so I can go for the AlBook!

Aluminum · Nov 29, 2003, 11:49 PM

This is the response you want to listen to carefully. I have both a 1ghz tibook and a 1.25ghz albook. I as well purchased my 1ghz tibook/superdrive for $1968 after tax and my 1.25ghz for $600 more. Speed difference is noticiable but not enough to justify the $600 upgrade. You can upgrade the superdrive in the tibook for free up to the same specs as the superdrives that are in the new machines, so no difference there. USB 1 versus USB 2 ports, Firewire 400 versus Firewire 400 and 800 ports, Radeon 9000 64 meg versus Radeon 9600 64 meg, 133mhz bus versus 167mhz bus, SDRam versus DDR Ram, 802.11b versus 802.11g. Backlit keyboard is extremely overrated in my opinion even though I love new technology/gadgets. Battery life is better on the tibook for sure. I can get 3 hours and 30 minutes with my albook battery with 1 screen bar on and automatic performance. I get 4 hours with the tibook with 10 bars and highest performance. Against the contrary, my wireless reception is actually better than my albook. In your shoes it really depends on how long you are going to keep this machine, I am going to wait for a revb of the g5 powerbook whenever it comes out. I personally love the tibooks looks, slimmest and structurally solid machine. The albook feels cheaper and is a pet peeve of mine. The new albooks are also having tons of problems, I had to return my first one because of white spots as well. I say go for the tibook, at $1900 its a steal. Save the extra money to load up some ram and save the rest for a future machine, the newer ones really arnt all that in my humble opinion.

SEkker · Nov 30, 2003, 12:22 AM

I have not used a 15" Al, but I am an experienced TiPB and 17"Al (revA) owner.

The TiPB has some major handicaps.
1) The Airport reception is truly terrible -- if someone's 15"Al is comparable or worse, then the antenna is not plugged in or the AlPB is otherwise broken. If Wifi is important to you, don't bother with the TiPB. You will be disappointed.
2) The keyboard is soft on the TiPB. The new PB keyboards are MUCH better in my opinion. I had to send my PB to Applecare, and my TiPB (requisitioned back from its long-term loan) regularly reminded me how much I missed my AlPB as I kept mistyping.

The 15" Al PBs are certainly not perfect by any means. White spots, other production issues, a 33% return rate, etc. Maybe these are fixed now, I don't know.

We faced this question and decided to go with a revB 12" PB. Nice mobile form factor, very stable production machine (the kinks are pretty much worked out), saved enough money to buy an external LCD monitor and keyboard to use in spanning mode. Hence, two monitors when at a permanent desk, and high portability.

And the PB12 has great wifi reception and the newest awesome keyboard.

Good luck with your decision!

Podolsky · Nov 30, 2003, 05:59 AM

Originally posted by Aluminum:
This is the response you want to listen to carefully.

blah. Get the 17" rev b.

arekkusu · Nov 30, 2003, 06:10 AM

Radeon 9000 64 meg versus Radeon 9600 64 meg

This has some very significant implications if you care about OpenGL:

On the 9600, line and polygon stipple, and point and line antialiasing are broken. Lines thinner than 1.0 pixels are also broken. Polygon antialiasing is not supported.

On the 9000, all of that works correctly.