[kdixey]

Recently I posted some questions here in the ibook forum and got some terrific feedback from several people about 14" ibooks. I had pretty much decided to go with the 933 14" ibook. Well, as it turned out the revisions hit while I was waiting to get the money together and I have to say the new 12" powerbook is a terrific machine so I've decided to jump ship and pick one up for my birthday (which just so happens to coincide with when my student aid check arrives).

After looking at the new 12" powerbook (with student pricing) the powerbook ends up being only about $150 more than a similarly equipped ibook. The fact that the powerbook comes with Airport Extreme, Bluetooth, 64mb VRAM, a better keyboard and video out (at least officially supported) made the $150 seem like a bargain.

Anyway, I don't mean this as a slight to the ibook in any way. I think the ibooks are a terrific computer, but the latest updates make the 12" powerbook a very attractive alternative on the low end (even to the budget minded like myself).

Anyway, if you think I'm missing something let me know.

Thanks for all the help.

[ccsccs7]

Well, the Powerbooks don't come with AppleWorks, so if you need that, you'll have to purchase it seperately.

(I too am looking at the 12" Powerbook.)

[kdixey]

LOL...funny

[Mallrat]

Originally posted by kdixey:
LOL...funny

I personally feel that the ibooks look cooler. The seem more fun, espically the blue, tangerine, or original silver two usb ibooks.

But even the current color seems cool to me.

It's going to sound stupid, but I like the iBook name better than Powerbook and sadly just looking at the name on my computer inspires me sometimes.

So I give the iBook the edge in cool factor.

The powerbooks a great machine, but the ibook is more hip.

[tekno_geek911]

Originally posted by Mallrat:
I personally feel that the ibooks look cooler. The seem more fun, espically the blue, tangerine, or original silver two usb ibooks.

But even the current color seems cool to me.

It's going to sound stupid, but I like the iBook name better than Powerbook and sadly just looking at the name on my computer inspires me sometimes.

So I give the iBook the edge in cool factor.

The powerbooks a great machine, but the ibook is more hip.

I agree...The iBook is definately fun+stylish

[kdixey]

I'll give you that, the ibook has the hip and fun quotient pretty well sewn up. I also happen to like the looks of the ibook better than the powerbook. I find the powerbook a bit conservative for my tastes. Pretty (even elegant) but kinda blah. Boy howdt...toss in Appleworks and I'm starting to crumble.

The decision came down to two main things.

- For the money the powerbook offers more bang for the buck since a 60gb HD, Bluetooth and Airport Extreme come standard (plus the 64mb VRAM and the faster processor). Good looks and charm not withstanding, I want this computer to get me through the next few years of school so I am looking to maximize what I can squeeze into my meager budget.

- I prefer to buy my computers from a dealer or store directly (I don't like to order online or mail order) I want a face connected to the purchase that I can go back to if somethng is wrong. I can get the powerbook loaded up the way I want it from the local Apple Store and go pick it up in person. I know it sounds kind of crazy, but I just prefer to do it that way.

[webb3201]

You will love the machine. The only thing you need to add to your price is some sort of sleeve for your machine. One of the areaa that the Powerbook falls in comparison to the iBook is durability. The Aluminum finish is very soft and will scratch easily.

[kdixey]

Thanks, I was looking at a few sleeves. Do you have any suggestions?

[ginoledesma]

Radtech PowerSleevz -- the priciest blanket for your 'Book

InCase Sleeve Bag -- fits your 'Book oh-so-snugly. With decent padding. Doesn't hold much, save for your 'Book and power adapter.

[ixus_123]

Originally posted by ccsccs7:
Well, the Powerbooks don't come with AppleWorks, so if you need that, you'll have to purchase it seperately.

(I too am looking at the 12" Powerbook.)

Open Office is a free download if you need an office suit

http://www.openoffice.org

[sniffer]

Originally posted by Mallrat:
I personally feel that the ibooks look cooler.

Not only that. They are very cool! My iBook sits in direct sunlight on my desk a couple of hours a day with the sun passing. The white casing helps dramaticaly keeping it cool.

Thought I am leaning towarths the PB 12" for my next purchase. The ekstra 333 Mhz will make it usable a year longer for me.

[kdixey]

I have an office suite (Office X) and as much as I find it cumbersome, it is the standard for my classes. My professors often ask for first a nd second drafts to be subitted in Word format and they return it to me using the commenst feature for feedback. Basically, I'm stuck with it. At least it wasn't too expensive, educaional pricig is pretty reasonable.

You know, emotionally the ibook is my favorite but the powerbook is really a better fit for what I need.

[amazing]

Originally posted by kdixey:
t...toss in Appleworks and I'm starting to crumble.

You can get Appleworks 6 for $10 from megamacs.com, and then just use the free online updaters to bring it up to the current 6.2.9 version.

Frankly, with the edu discount, isn't the 12" PB just a few bucks more than the iBook, when similarly configured? I think you'll get more longevity out of the PB, because it comes standard with bluetooth and airport and monitor spanning...

[kdixey]

I actually have Appleworks 6, so in all honesty it will take a bit more to get me to cave in on the ibook...

Seriously...I tend to agree that the powerbook is going to give me a longer life given the additional goodies it has over the ibook. The eduction price of fully loaded ibook is $1380 (768mb RAM, 60gb HD, Bluetooth and Airport Extreme). The basic powerbook is indetically equipped (except for the RAM) for $1399 and I can pick up a 512mb stick of decent RAM from Crucial or Transintl for less than $150. The powerbook has a bigger educational discount than the ibook. That's what really puts it over the top.

[Dimitri]

Bigger discount, but higher priced applecare warranty, too. Did you include that in your figures?

[kdixey]

$239 vs $183

Add $56 to the price of the powerbook. I think $220 is still a pretty good deal for 64mb VRAM, faster processor, faster system bus and mini DV out. Granted if you don't need or care about those features then the ibook makes all kinds of sense. Now without the education discount you add another $100 to that. At $320 difference I might have made another choice (crossing the $300 barrier seems to be my threshold).

[rsgunther]

Amazing, thanks for the megamacs info. I just ordered a copy from them for $9.49-- what a deal!

Ohh - and by the way -- to the original poster -- go with the Powerbook 12". I have had them both (the ibook G4 800 12" and the powerbook 1GHZ Combo 12") and the powerbook is a MUCH more solid & better built machine. Also, much faster and a lot of extra features. There is just nothing better than a powerbook; you will LOVE it. Good luck!

[kdixey]

Thanks everyone, even though I'm switching camps I am still an ibook fan (I recommend them quite a bit).

Kevin

[MRTrauffer]

I too am switching to a 15 inch Powerbook. While I like my iBook G4, it just isn't cutting it for some projects that I'm doing. I need a bit more power. iBooks still rock!

eBay, here I come!

Still glad I made the switch!

[His Dudeness]

With all this talk about iBook vs Powerbook, I'm wondering... I currently have a G3 Powerbook Wallstreet. Yes, it's old and outdated, but still runs like new. I want a new laptop soon, but didn't want to spend the money on the 15" Powerbook. The 14" iBook G4 at 1.2Ghz is sooooo much more than what I'm using now. I like to use the basics, like iLife, web browsing, email, and loooove Photoshop Elements and Office X. The iBook would handle all that right, even with the current video card? The only thing holding me back is the screen, which is the same size as what's in my G3 Powerbook now... I want that 15" screen, but.........

Which one would satisfy my current useage?

[sniffer]

Originally posted by His Dudeness:

Which one would satisfy my current useage?

Take what fits your budget. That's what I am doing. (Thank god for student ADC discount, lol!)

[kdixey]

The 15" powerbooks have a lot of very nice features and really do outclass the ibooks. But, unlike the 12" powerbook/ibook the 15" powerbook and the 14" ibook are completely different beasts (and the price difference shows it).

From a power stand point ANY of the current ibooks or powerbooks would be a huge improvement over what you are currently using. Actually, any of the previous rev ibooks and powerbooks would also be fine. I know the 15" screen is awfully seductive, but the 14" ibook is no slouch.

I believe you should always buy the best computer that fits in your budget (even if you have to stretch it a bit). If you get the better machine you will never think back and say "darn it, I should have gotten the less capable machine", but if you get something that doesn't have the one or two features you REALLY want, you'll regret it. I did that buying a Mac Plus instead of a Mac SE many years back. I ended up spending more money trying to make the Mac Plus do everything the Mac SE could do than I would have if I had just bitten the bullet and bought the Mac SE in the first place.

BTW, I paid $3,000 for a Mac Plus with 8mb RAM, an 800K floppy drive and 40mb external drive abck in the day. By comparison, the ibook and powerbook seem cheap.

[His Dudeness]

Thanks for the suggestions... It's a bit away for me to buy a new one any time soon. I just bought a house, a $3000 washer/dryer set/new fridge/stove/oven... Just had a new deck built along the back of the house... and now a new pebblestone driveway is coming down the pipeline... I don't know where I'm going to get the money. If I have to take up prostitution for me, then darnit, I'm going to get a new Mac!!!

[normr]

You still need to pay for the card, only the top of the line ibook has the card included