[kdixey]

I am in the process of getting a new laptop. I am leaning toward an ibook 933 (mostly due to budget) but I am reasonably sure I could stretch to the 12" powerbook. I know that the powerbook is more powerful and capable than the ibook but my budget is very very tight and since my current laptop is an aging tibook 400 ANY of the current laptop offerings from Apple will be a HUGE improvement over what I have now.

I have seen the comment in a number forums (some gaming forums and some Mac forums) about how terrible the graphics card in the 12" powerbook is. I went out on the web and tried to see if there was any hard data and I couldn't find much (and to honest I couldn't make heads or tails of the stuff I DID find). Do any of you here have an opinion on that?

The only opinion I have is that in my limited experience I have noticed that DVD playback (on some mahines I have access to with either nVidia and ATI video cards) seems to look a bit better on the ATI cards. Now, I realize that what I am seeing could be the result of a variety of factors but its a place to start.

BTW, I'm not a gamer. I do mostly video and photography so I am guessing that the video card in the powerbook might not actaully make any difference in the things I do.

Thanks.

[tooki]

I think your final guess is right on the money.

Especially in the past, nVidia's video playback has been inferior to ATI's, but they've caught up and I really don't think it's an appreciable difference.

With gaming out of the picture, it's really a moot point.

tooki

[Kenstee]

Originally posted by kdixey:
I am in the process of getting a new laptop.

FWIW, looks like Apple is getting ready to speed-bump the 12s and iBooks within a few weeks. Maybe best to wait it out OR get a good deal on the discontinued models.

[bighead]

Your best bet would have been to participate in the PowerBook trade-in program and get a 15" for $1300 after trading in your TiBook. But that is no longer an option.

I would say that if it requires waiting a few more weeks/months you would be better off with the PowerBook (going by the current generations that are available.) While the video card itself may not be the primary concern, the DVI out on the PowerBook would be the most compelling reason, in case you wanted more screen room to work with when doing your editing at a desk. The iBook won't do spanning (officially) and firmware hacks are not something you really want to mess with on a production machine.

Also, the processors in the current generation of PowerBooks are faster, even without L3 cache, than the previous generation G4 that was in the 867/1 GHz TiBooks and is currently in the iBook G4. It's not a vast difference, but it might be noticeable when you're doing some heavy duty video editing.

Also, there is more RAM built into the 12" PowerBook. There's 256 MB on the logic board, as opposed to the 128 on an iBook logic board. You can add a 1 GB SODIMM to both units (officially, only to the PowerBook) but if you want to have as much RAM as possible, the 12" is again the way to go. It may not seem like much, but every little bit helps.

And then there are the rumors of new units coming out. Basically, set your sights on a price (decide now if you want to save up for the higher priced unit) and don't look at the models available until you have the money you want to spend. If there are new units available when you're ready to buy, score. If not, decide if you can wait a little longer and see. It never hurts to wait, unless you're sacrificing possible income from the work you'd be doing on the new unit.

(Sorry for the long rant, I hope it helps.)

[iomatic]

I think tooki's right to some extent -- with gaming out of the picture -- it may be a moot point. But if it's your profession, then cost shouldn't be too much of an issue, if you can get a better return (more productivity). I would lease anyway to write off the depreciation, and not have to have such an outlay of capital up front, but that's another topic entirely.

Apparently, the ATi card is a better performer, to the detriment of the PowerBook:
http://www.gamers-depot.com/hardware...orcefx/001.htm

http://www.hardwareaccelerated.com/f...&view=next

Personally, I'm also a graphics professional, but I can afford to wait a few weeks for another bump, which hopefully, will improve the graphics card to at least beat or be on par with, the G4 iBook.

Originally posted by kdixey:


BTW, I'm not a gamer. I do mostly video and photography so I am guessing that the video card in the powerbook might not actaully make any difference in the things I do.

Thanks.

[Spheric Harlot]

Originally posted by iomatic:
I think tooki's right to some extent -- with gaming out of the picture -- it may be a moot point. But if it's your profession, then cost shouldn't be too much of an issue, if you can get a better return (more productivity).

Of course, if it's his profession, he has all the more incentive not to spend money on things that DON'T increase his productivity (and the graphics card probably won't).

-s*

[iomatic]

Hmm...I disagree with your assessment; I think the 1GHz PowerBook will be faster with L2 cache, higher RAM capacity, and increased speed bus, as well as (perhaps) a faster overall system.

Comparison here:
http://macspeedzone.com/html/hardwar...ok/index.shtml

Originally posted by Spheric Harlot:
Of course, if it's his profession, he has all the more incentive not to spend money on things that DON'T increase his productivity (and the graphics card probably won't).

-s*

[Spheric Harlot]

Originally posted by iomatic:
Hmm...I disagree with your assessment; I think the 1GHz PowerBook will be faster with L2 cache, higher RAM capacity, and increased speed bus, as well as (perhaps) a faster overall system.

Comparison here:
http://macspeedzone.com/html/hardwar...ok/index.shtml

I note that your list did not include the graphics card, which I took to be the subject of the thread.

There's obviously reasons for choosing different products.

[kdixey]

Just a little background (I seem to have given the wrong impression somewhere). Let me be a little more clear about a few things.

I am currently a student. I'm working on getting into a Natural History/Filmmaking Masters program at the end of next year. I HAVE been a professional designer and multimedia producer for several years but a fight with cancer got me to re-evaluate my life and what I wanted to do with whatever time...you get the idea. The only design work I'm doing now is for a bit of freelance income on the side to support my school effort.

I have cut and edited video on an iMac DV with 128mb RAM (it was a painful process), but it CAN be done, so I know that at any of the machines I am considering can do what I want them to do. I am simply trying to figure out what the best use of my limited funds is. If I was using this mainly as a production machine I would get whatever was the most powerful and stretch my budget as far as I could, it ALWAYS paid back in productivity to buy the best machine possible.

I suppose what I am looking for is a durable notebook computer that will get me through school and can be pressed into the occasional freelance job or a bit of spot video editing in a pinch. My experience with the tibook has been mixed. I love the screen and the performance has held up fairly well considering how outdated it is. I also used a clamshell ibook, that to be honest was a decent machine for school work because of its durability, excellent WiFi reception and terrific keyboard (I don't care for the keyboard on the tibook at all) I didn't care for the 800x600 screen though.

Th reason I asked this question in the first place is that I am seriously considering the 12" powerbook, but I'm a little iffy about the video quality (including the small size of the screen).

Waiting to see what Apple has in store is a fine idea, but I need a new computer more than having the latest and greatest (the tibook is going away soon). I'll have my funds together in about a week or two. If there are new machines available - so much the better, if not I'll make a decision with what I have available to me.

Thanks for the input.

[iomatic]

In answer to the graphics card issue, I figure, it's fine, but wait a week, and if there's nothing else available, the current 12" should meet your needs just fine, it appears.

I think you're on the money here. And well wishes.

Originally posted by kdixey:
I'll have my funds together in about a week or two. If there are new machines available - so much the better, if not I'll make a decision with what I have available to me.

Thanks for the input.

[power142]

If the 12" really worries you, why not save cash for a couple of more weeks and spring for the 15" - there's only $200 in it with or without superdrive. (I don't mean to sound mean, but these are luxury computers after all!)

[kdixey]

Well, that's a good point I could just keep waiting until I have the money for a 15" but the 15"powerbook is really a bit larger than what I need right now. Also it ends up being more like a $500 difference once the machine is configured the way I want it. Additionbally, I have a few software upgrades that I need to do as well so I don't think the 15" is really in the cards this time.

Good thought though. I think if I end up bagging the idea of the 12"powerbook my fall back position is a 14" ibook.

You're exactly right about these being luxury computers. In fcat, when it gets right down to it, I don't NEED a new computer. It 's a conveneince that will alloow me to manage some aspects of my life more effectively. But I gotta be honest, it's not food, water, air or shelter. It's just a computer.

Thanks

[power142]

Cool... I feel the same about a G5 - I don't _need_ one, but it doesn't stop me wanting one

Given that you don't want the size of the 15, then it's a tough choice between the pb 12 and the ibook 14. They have the same screen resolution, only of different sizes, and as other posters have mentioned, for what you plan to do, I can't see the GeForce vs Radeon making a difference.

As I see it, aside from money, the main difference is the architecture and expandability. The Powerbook has twice the amount of processor cache on the 1GHz, which will undoubtedly make a difference to almost everything you do. The other thing is the hard disk size.... good luck!

[cenutrio]

I have the same PBti with a very nice HD and 384 MB RAM. I know quite obsolete and short of RAM, but still super happy when running Panther. It gets the job done (Ph.D candidate in microbiology).

I have two suggestions based in our similar hardware. Just my opinion:

1. You're going to miss the 15.1" screen
2. Wait for the G5 PB


However, I like the 12" a lot and it is fast, very speedy, light, etc. I would love to have it since I have a 17" apple display at home. A pitty I'm running very short of cash.

[SEkker]

I was going to suggest you consider upgrading your TiPB with a 7200 rpm HD and 1 GB RAM. You'll be very surprised at how much snappier the machine would be, and this would be only 1/3 the price of a new machine. Save the rest of the money towards a major upgrade in a year or so.

But I have to say that after using one of the latest 900MHz G4iBooks for a week, I was disappointed in its performance ( I found it about the speed of a 667G4 TiPB I used to have). I don't think you'll find it to be THAT much faster than your current TiPB. And as it was mentioned earlier, you'll miss the better screen.

The iBook will give you one thing none of the PBs offer -- real life 4+ hours of battery time.

[kdixey]

The tibook's not mine. Its gotta go back soon. I could however look at purchasing a used tibook, bit after looking at pices I'm not sure it would be cost effective.

As ar as the ibook performance not being much better than your tibook 667, well I bet that's a lot better than the tibook 400, so no matter what I end up wih it'll be faster than what I'm using.

...and yeah, the 15" screen will be hard to give up.