[newcomer]

Here's the deal.

I've had my G3 800Mhz for a little over a year. Max RAM. Love it. Speed wise I've been happy - even working with music and photos it seems snappy enough.

Since my folks got an iMac, my younger bro is left out and is keen to get an iBook himself.

I'd be happy to pass mine down to him with a view to upgrading. Ideally I'd jump to a 15inch PB, but no way can I afford that.

In fact even the jump to the 1Ghz 14inch iBook is a bit too much on the purse right now. Realistically I can only afford to move to the 933MHz iBook. Is it worth jumping to that machine now? In a couple of years I could probably get the cash together for a PB.

If I didn't pass my G3 down to my bro, he would probably get a G4 iBook himself, but I probably need a G4 more than him, since I do quite a lot of photography, whereas he'd just use his for study notes/surfing e-mail.

So is it worth moving from 800 to 933 or should I just wait until I can afford a PB?

[Eug Wanker]

Originally posted by newcomer:
So is it worth moving from 800 to 933 or should I just wait until I can afford a PB?

Not really, unless you need Airport Extreme or you run that Killer App that requires a G4. I'd just wait, unless you have money burning a hole in your pocket.

Actually, if you and your brother can wait a couple of months, you could probably get a 1.167 GHz 14" iBook for the cost of the 933 MHz 14" now. A 1.167 GHz might give you a more noticeable boost. And if Apple goes with the 7447A for it, you'll get lower power usage as well as twice the L2 cache. The 1.167 GHz G4 7447A is about 1/3rd faster than a 933 MHz G4 7445. And that's not even counting any potential video card upgrade.

[Dr.Michael]

Hi newcomer,

don't spend your last cent for apple hardware. Some people do, but in terms of usefullness the step from 800 to 933 will be negligible.

I switched from a 500 MHz TiBook to a 1GHz AlBook. That was worth the money.

Its more that you don't want your brother to have a faster machine, isn't it? :0))))))))))

[adamjh]

I wouldn't spend the money on the 933 unless you absolutely need the extra speed and power for a specific app. The difference is likely not as big as you might imagine. Save the money, resist the urge to have the latest and greatest!

[James L]

800 to 933 will not be that noticeable, but the addition of Altivec with the G4 will be a big improvement in the apps that use it, such as PhotoShop.

I noticed a BIG difference between PS on a G3 and on a G4.

...just food for thought.

[newcomer]

Originally posted by Dr.Michael:
Hi newcomer,

don't spend your last cent for apple hardware. Some people do, but in terms of usefullness the step from 800 to 933 will be negligible.

I switched from a 500 MHz TiBook to a 1GHz AlBook. That was worth the money.

Its more that you don't want your brother to have a faster machine, isn't it? :0))))))))))

OK. I admit it. It is because I don't want my bro to get a faster machine!!!

[ccsccs7]

Originally posted by newcomer:
OK. I admit it. It is because I don't want my bro to get a faster machine!!!

I feel the same toward my sister.

[selowitch]

Originally posted by James L:
800 to 933 will not be that noticeable, but the addition of Altivec with the G4 will be a big improvement in the apps that use it, such as PhotoShop.

But doesn't the iBook G4 800MHz already comply with the Altivec engine?

[discotronic]

Originally posted by selowitch:
But doesn't the iBook G4 800MHz already comply with the Altivec engine?

newcomer's iBook is a G3 800.

[typoon]

You would notice a difference going from G3 to G4. Even going from G3 800 to G4 800. You also would see a much more significant speed difference between a G3 800 and a G4 933.

[selowitch]

Originally posted by discotronic:
newcomer's iBook is a G3 800.

OIC.

[andreas_g4]

Originally posted by selowitch:
But doesn't the iBook G4 800MHz already comply with the Altivec engine?

He has a G3 iBook.

Newcomer:
I would not upgrade at this time. The 800 G3 iBook is a sweet machine. The 933 MHz G4 is obviously, too. But 1st it's a 14" machine (could matter to you) and 2nd it's not that faster (except AltiVec accelerated apps etc.).

Stay with your G3 iBook as long as you can and maybe you can get a Powerbook in a year or so.

[nagromme]

FYI, new iBooks are due: historically, they come out about every 5 months.

buyersguide.macrumors.com/

[Luca Rescigno]

I'd wait until you can afford a 12" PowerBook. Despite the small MHz difference, there is apparently quite a noticeable difference in actual real-world performance between the iBooks and the PowerBooks. If you keep saving up money, then maybe you could afford a 12" 1.25 GHz PowerBook when they come out!