[wily]

Opinions -

Buy a 12" 1 GHz Powerbook for $1, 500

or

Buy a 12" 1.33 GHz Powerbook for $1,800.


Basicaly, is the 1.33 worth an extra $300?

If you have an opinion, I'd like to read it.

Thank you.

[iREZ]

Sure I got an opinion, why spend $1500 on a Rev B 12"? I would go with the new 1.33 model myself even though I have a Rev B 12" that I treat like it was my own offspring. The new 12" have really caught up to the other PB in performance for value, especially the HD upgrade and 64MB of VRAM.

Apple refurb price list

[jfinete]

Do you really need a Superdrive? Getting a Combodrive instead will take $200 off the price of the new PowerBook.

[azdude]

Originally posted by jfinete:
Do you really need a Superdrive? Getting a Combodrive instead will take $200 off the price of the new PowerBook.

I'm finding myself in the same dilemma as I prepare to order my 15"-er.

I really like the SD model, and I'm aware that I can downgrade just the drive, but I can't bring myself to do so.

I don't have a digital *video* camera, but I still would like the capability to do massive data backups easily, or perhaps burn DVD photo slideshows to send to family.

I'll probably order the stock 1.5GHz model... I get the education discount, so I could look at it as a "Free Superdrive!" deal. ;-)

[McFarmer]

I'd say $300 more is a no-brainer! Go for the 1.33GHz!

1.) Speed
It really is 33% faster. That's a speed increase which is noticable.

2.) 64MB Video RAM
32MB on the old PB is really lame IMHO. 64MB helps if you:
- Intend to use Quartz Extreme features (like e.g. Expose).
Even though the 1.33 GHz has the same video chip than its predecessor, graphics benchmarks are much better - due to Quartz Extreme's better performance with more VRAM.
- Intend to keep your PB for more than a year.
So far with every new iteration of OS X Quartz Extreme needed more VRAM.
- Want to attach a second display.
If you only have 32MB you likely drop below the free VRAM requirements for Quartz Extreme the moment a second display is attached.
- Intend to play games at one point.
The more VRAM the better the textures.

3.) Need AirPort or Bluetooth?
Both are included in the 1.33GHz variant, while only optional in the old one.
While AirPort can be added later, remember Bluetooth cannot be added later internally. You would have to use a USB dongle style Bluetooth adapter. Hence it would be more future-proof if you add it right away.

4.) Better screen
Although some claim that the screen is almost identical (if not identical) to the predecessor model, most seem to think that the 1.33GHz has a brighter screen with better colors.


All of this worth $300?
You bet!

[McFarmer]

And add to that:
[Sorry couldn't edit my previous post since there's some problem with the database...]

5.) 2x faster Superdrive
The 1.33GHz has a 4x DVD burner, while the predecessor only was 2x. If you intend to get the Superdrive model, this would make a huge difference. Most think that burning DVDs at 2x is still slow.
You might not want to burn DVDs today, but if you intend to keep the PB for 2-3 years, by that time you might miss that ability. And again, this is a feature which cannot be added later.

[azdude]

Originally posted by McFarmer:
3.) Need AirPort or Bluetooth?
Both are included in the 1.33GHz variant, while only optional in the old one.
While AirPort can be added later, remember Bluetooth cannot be added later internally. You would have to use a USB dongle style Bluetooth adapter. Hence it would be more future-proof if you add it right away.

Agree with everything except half of #3. All Aluminum Powerbooks come standard with Bluetooth, since their Rev. A debut.

You're thinking of the iBook when you discuss optional Bluetooth that can't be upgraded later.

[melman101]

I just want to add a little bit.

1. I attach a second display to my Rev. A 12" powerbook (32meg vram), and expose and all that still work for the quartz extreme. I'm not sure about game playing

2. A dvd burner can be added in the future for the price of one firewire port (but most drives compensate with another FIREWIRE port on its enclosure itself). And in 2 or 3 years, you can probably get a 20x+ dvd burner. LoL..
The option for it to be internal though, is removed. I feel thats a worthwhile feature to have because i hate carrying extra drives.

[Superchicken]

Spend the 300 and make SURE to get the 5400rpm option for the HD! You WON"T regret it.

[McFarmer]

Re Bluetooth:
Sorry about Bluetooth, got that wrong. I thought it was optional before...

Re external DVD burner:
Of course you can add things externally via FireWire. But IMHO that's quite a hassle on a PowerBook, and especially on a 12" PowerBook which is probably half the size than most external DVD burners.
This feature would effectively no longer be 'mobile' - unless you lug the burner around and have a power socket ready. (I think there are some which are powered by the FW port, but those are more expensive.)

Guess it depends what you want to use DVD-R for. I'd use it for backups. If I'm away from home for a few days (and hence away from my normal backup solution) I'd use DVD-RWs to save projects I'm working on (I'd store them separate from my PowerBook just in case the PB gets stolen or lost).
That way I can travel much lighter than with an external FW HD or DVD burner.

Re VRAM and Quartz Extreme:
It depends on the resolution on your external monitor and the applications you use. With an external 21" or 23" display my old PB with 32MB VRAM had quite some screen redraw errors in applications like Photoshop due to tight VRAM. Those are gone now on my new 12" PowerBook with 64MB VRAM.

[azdude]

Originally posted by McFarmer:
Re Bluetooth:
Sorry about Bluetooth, got that wrong. I thought it was optional before...

Re external DVD burner:
Of course you can add things externally via FireWire. But IMHO that's quite a hassle on a PowerBook, and especially on a 12" PowerBook which is probably half the size than most external DVD burners.
This feature would effectively no longer be 'mobile' - unless you lug the burner around and have a power socket ready. (I think there are some which are powered by the FW port, but those are more expensive.)

Guess it depends what you want to use DVD-R for. I'd use it for backups. If I'm away from home for a few days (and hence away from my normal backup solution) I'd use DVD-RWs to save projects I'm working on (I'd store them separate from my PowerBook just in case the PB gets stolen or lost).
That way I can travel much lighter than with an external FW HD or DVD burner.

Re VRAM and Quartz Extreme:
It depends on the resolution on your external monitor and the applications you use. With an external 21" or 23" display my old PB with 32MB VRAM had quite some screen redraw errors in applications like Photoshop due to tight VRAM. Those are gone now on my new 12" PowerBook with 64MB VRAM.

Re: External DVD-Rs

Agreed. If you want SuperDrive, go internal. Apple's software like iDVD, iTunes, etc. do not play nice with external DVD drives... you'd have to use Toast.

[Tenacious Dyl]

McFarmer: I have a 12" 1 ghz, 32 meg video card powerbook. I run an external monitor, on dual, not mirror. And the external monitor is at 1280/840 (or something close, its more than 1024 by 768). I play many games, use expose features, and have multiple programs and browsers open. It has been my expierence that my processor is my "low" mark and not the graphics card (unless im doing crazy gaming, then the video is rather slow).

So yes. a 12" 1ghz is fine, even on duals. unless you crank it up

However, if I were you, i would go for the newest model, especially because its newer, you know you won't miss *another* powerbook update, at least for a bit.

[tekno_geek911]

I have no problems at all running dual monitors or games on my Rev B,I play Unreal 2k4,Halo,Call Of Duty with no problems whatsoever. The new Rev C is a nice improvement but I would rather pay $1299 for a refurb Superdrive Rev B than $1800 for the Rev C with Superdrive...

[wily]

12" 1.33GHz, Combo drive.

That was the purchase - $1594, at MacMall with 512 extra RAM.

Thanks for all the advice!!

[hldan]

Also in case no one has mentioned I would like to add that the new 1.33Ghz 12"PB has the faster front side bus speed of 167Mhz vs. 133Mhz on the older 1Ghz.
Always go for the best if the money is fair.

[wily]

Got it! Now trying to figure out how to Bluetooth my PDA.

[tekno_geek911]

Originally posted by hldan:
Also in case no one has mentioned I would like to add that the new 1.33Ghz 12"PB has the faster front side bus speed of 167Mhz vs. 133Mhz on the older 1Ghz.
Always go for the best if the money is fair.

I dont think 34MHz will make a huge difference.

[robo74]

I have to jump in and comment with the others, having the 32mb is not that bad. I do all the PS stuff as well as some gaming with the external 19 sony monitor and dont have any issues. I guess to each their own. However, I have to comment on the price. I think $1500 is a bit too much at this point for that machine, and if thats what is on the tabel for you, i would personally spend the extra $300 and get the newer one. I walked in the apple store 2 weeks ago and picked up a 12in 1GHZ rev b with superdrive for $1199 as a open box/demo. No complaints on my end.


Rob

[hldan]

Originally posted by tekno_geek911:
I dont think 34MHz will make a huge difference.

True, possibly, however the orig poster was inquiring the differences between the 2 12" models for $300.00.