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Hakintosh · May 5, 2004, 04:04 PM

I just logged in to the MacNN forums for the first time in a LONG time...577 days according to my profile. Now that I've updated it, changed to my current address, etc., I wanted to query the MacNN faithful for some ideas to juice up my Powerbook.

On the software end everything is great - but is there anything I can do on the hardware end? CPU upgrade? Swap in a SuperDrive for the DVD? Airport Extreme?

I'm sure that a few hours of searching through the forum archives might provide the answers I'm looking for, but I also know that there are folks out there who are in the same position as myself that would appreciate a consolidated thread to these questions. Thanks!

siflippant · May 5, 2004, 04:27 PM

Originally posted by Hakintosh:
I just logged in to the MacNN forums for the first time in a LONG time...577 days according to my profile. Now that I've updated it, changed to my current address, etc., I wanted to query the MacNN faithful for some ideas to juice up my Powerbook.

On the software end everything is great - but is there anything I can do on the hardware end? CPU upgrade? Swap in a SuperDrive for the DVD? Airport Extreme?

I'm sure that a few hours of searching through the forum archives might provide the answers I'm looking for, but I also know that there are folks out there who are in the same position as myself that would appreciate a consolidated thread to these questions. Thanks!

Try maxing the RAM to 1gb, swap the hd for a 60gb 7200rpm... even using 10.3 [if you like os x] will be snappier� without quartz extreme, than 10.1...

Hakintosh · May 5, 2004, 07:31 PM

I'm actually running 10.3.3

and it has definetely been worth the $79 to upgrade (gotta love the student pricing).

Thanks for the suggestions tho, keep 'em coming!

mattyd · May 5, 2004, 07:34 PM

i have a three year old Ti400. i upgraded the ram to 640, swapped the dvd drive (which had died) for a combo drive and bought a new high-capacity battery from Newer Tech.

i'd love to get a new computer, but when i'm honest with myself, this little machine still does everything i need it to (an more).

bradoesch · May 5, 2004, 07:40 PM

Originally posted by siflippant:
Try maxing the RAM to 1gb, swap the hd for a 60gb 7200rpm... even using 10.3 [if you like os x] will be snappier� without quartz extreme, than 10.1...

He's been away so long, he might have missed the whole snappy thing...

teknopimp · May 5, 2004, 08:42 PM

another vote for new battery and maybe more ram (for video editing, gaming, burning dvd's, etc). superdrive is nice, cd burning will become faster as well. do some research on 7200rpm i heard they drain the battery while being only marginally faster. there are no options for cpu/video/video ram upgrades; AirPort Extreme not compatible with tibooks however you can get a wireless-g pci card.

Hakintosh · May 5, 2004, 09:02 PM

So it looks like a combo-drive/super-drive, more RAM and a bigger HD are the way to go. I'm guessing eBay is my best(cheapest) bet?

It was nice getting the additional 256MB RAM upgrade when I bought my TiBook - Outpost.com was running a special at the time so I've had 384MB of memory since day one. Its a shame AirPort extreme won't work tho, its nice not having something sticking out of the PCMCIA slot using my original AirPort card...

So a 20+GB HD (2.5"?), new CD-RW/DVD-R and more memory - I'll start hunting! Thanks and keep the suggestions coming!

mattyd · May 5, 2004, 09:55 PM

here's where i got my combo drive...

http://www.macresq.com/store/detail.php?prodID=P010109

and my battery...

http://www.newertech.com/newer_bats.html

and i've bought ram here...

http://www.18004memory.com/

Dr.Michael · May 6, 2004, 01:58 AM

Originally posted by Hakintosh:
I just logged in to the MacNN forums for the first time in a LONG time...577 days according to my profile. Now that I've updated it, changed to my current address, etc., I wanted to query the MacNN faithful for some ideas to juice up my Powerbook.

On the software end everything is great - but is there anything I can do on the hardware end? CPU upgrade? Swap in a SuperDrive for the DVD? Airport Extreme?

I'm sure that a few hours of searching through the forum archives might provide the answers I'm looking for, but I also know that there are folks out there who are in the same position as myself that would appreciate a consolidated thread to these questions. Thanks!

I support the other posters: more RAM and the fastest hd you can get is worth every penny you spend.

I sold my Ti500 for an 12 inch/1GHz. Although the 12 inch powerbook is a nice machine, the TiBook did everything it should except that my dvd drive died much too early.

Hackers who know what to do can beef up their powerbooks. Only the others have to spend tons of money for a new one everytime Apple releases a new micro update.

Macola · May 6, 2004, 02:24 PM

I had a Ti/400 for two years before the display started dying. I think the biggest problem you'll have is the puny graphics card and corresponding lack of support for Quartz Extreme.

In your position, I'd simply sell the TiBook on eBay (you can get about $800 for it) and then use that cash towards an iBook G4 or a refurb PowerBook.

mattyd · May 6, 2004, 02:55 PM

depends on what you use your computer for. not having quartz extreme has made absolutely zero difference in the way i use my computer - i can live without the spinning cube for FUS.

amazing · May 6, 2004, 03:11 PM

I've got a Ti-400, and the main upgrades that rejuvenated and prolonged its lifespan were a larger HD and a Cisco Aironet wireless PC-card. I put the 10 GB HD in an external firewire case and plan on putting it back into the Ti-400 when I sell it. In other words, the larger HD is an investment that I'll be able to eventually take with me to a new(ish) laptop.

The original Ti had absolutely lousy airport range, but the wireless PC-card gives it the same range as an iBook, and my satisfaction with the Ti increased dramatically when I couldn't grouse about the terrible wireless range. I'll also be able to take this with me, though the advantage is kinda dubious, given the good airport range of the internal card in the new models.

Mainly, my strategy right now is to put no more money into the old Ti, but rather to make do for another year until the G5 migrates to the laptops. Alternatively, I'll sell it on eBay, and take that money plus perhaps a little bit more and buy a refurb laptop, saving as much money as possible towards the eventual revamped G5 laptop. Basically, I know I'll be wanting that laptop, so it makes sense not to blow the wad at this point. If you don't have any money worries, then none of this applies to your decision, natch.

After all, even a G3 900 mhz iBook would be almost twice as fast as the Ti-400. Also, amazon.com has $100 off on the laptops from time to time, which brings the upgrade cost down even more.

EdipisReks · May 6, 2004, 04:45 PM

more ram and a faster hard drive would breathe some life into it. if you need to burn disks, combo and superdrives are available at relatively good prices.

Master Yoda · May 8, 2004, 07:24 PM

I moved off my TiBook as my primary games/music/compile box about 2 years ago, but with 10.3, 768 MBs of RAM and 40 GB of HD, its perfect for BBEdit-ing, ssh, and other kinds of low-throughput stuff.

The ram is the most important part. Without it, I'm sure this comp would be a little too slow.

I like the idea of those Newertech batteries.

Hakintosh · May 9, 2004, 10:33 AM

Running 10.3 with 384MB of RAM hasn't been too bad for what I use it for on a semi-daily basis: Taking notes in class with Office v.X, listening to iTunes radio, and doing some web layouts with Dreamweaver. It would be nice to burn CD's without having to lug around an external drive tho...I am definetely going to check out getting a combo or super drive.

I realize Apple has moved well past the 1GHz mark in processor clock speeds, but for what I need it to do, the lil G4/400 is chugging along nicely