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kmarketing · Jul 13, 2004, 11:21 PM

Hi,

I have been reading the forums and see so many of you speaking about Tiger, and how only certain video cards will work with some of the major features of Tiger. Our video card doesn't seem to be compatible.

My question is how many of you rev a. 17" 1ghz owners are nervous about how your powerbook will perform with the new os?

My timeframe to buy applecare is about up, and I just don't know if I should spend extra money on a machine that may be quickly obsolete.

Will the 17" 1ghz still be a decent machine, in say a year?

Any advice will be appreciated.

Thanks!

tekno_geek911 · Jul 13, 2004, 11:32 PM

It'll still be a great machine but it wont support Core Image/Video.

kmarketing · Jul 13, 2004, 11:48 PM

Hi,

Yeah, that's what I'm kind of sad about. So I don't know if I should put my rev. a for sale, and go for another newer powerbook, or just hold onto this one and pick up applecare.

As I mentioned before, I picked up this one for $1400 (I later added another 512mb). With applecare It would total to about $1650 (with ed discount). I'm thinking without applecare, I can probably sell it for about $1800-$1900. So I don't know if I should just suck it up and sell this one for another. It really is a beautiful machine though.

So please help me out, because my deadline for applecare is coming up.

Thanks!!

Macpilot · Jul 13, 2004, 11:49 PM

The Rev A will still be an awesome machine in a year, just like it is now. Look at what the PC 17" laptops look like today, a year and a half AFTER Apple came out with the 17". Still big, clunky, heavy, shitty designs.

I could not care less about Core Image or whatever it is. The only reason I want a Rev C 17" is for the 128 vid card to play games better. 64 is OK, but Command and Conquer is my fav new game and it does just OK on my Powerbook.

I don't see how the average user is going to take advantage of that aspect of Tiger. My excitement over Tiger is exclusive to Spotlight and the iChat upgrade, even though neither of them will really justify the upgrade for me.

Panther is just so damned great on my Powerbook and I don't see any huge deal with Tiger, but I realise that there are some people that will find it an awesome upgrade for their computer needs.

kmarketing · Jul 14, 2004, 12:03 AM

Hi,

Thanks so much for validating the rev a. I guess that's what I'm looking for - reassurance. I'm hoping others can chime in what they think about keeping the 17" 1ghz for the new os, that seems to be around the corner.

What exactly is this core imaging thing. Is that the primary/only advantage for the new powerbooks over the older revisions?
Just to let you know, gaming is really not a concern for me. The 1ghz has been great for me, not only because of the screen, but because it seems cooler than other powerbooks that I have had. And since the 15" battery is generally not cutting it, I haven't gone that route.

But if some of you think this may be a good time to step away from this gem, then I really want to consider selling it before the deadline for applecare comes up.

Thanks!!

kafoochy · Jul 14, 2004, 01:52 AM

Originally posted by kmarketing:
Hi,

Thanks so much for validating the rev a. I guess that's what I'm looking for - reassurance. I'm hoping others can chime in what they think about keeping the 17" 1ghz for the new os, that seems to be around the corner.

What exactly is this core imaging thing. Is that the primary/only advantage for the new powerbooks over the older revisions?
Just to let you know, gaming is really not a concern for me. The 1ghz has been great for me, not only because of the screen, but because it seems cooler than other powerbooks that I have had. And since the 15" battery is generally not cutting it, I haven't gone that route.

But if some of you think this may be a good time to step away from this gem, then I really want to consider selling it before the deadline for applecare comes up.

Thanks!!

I'd definitely keep your computer, unless you have to run the latest and greatest. It sounds like you're worrying over technology that you wouldn't even use. Also, unlike Windows where each sucessive OS upgrade slows down most computers, most Tiger users have been reporting a much snappier interface, better Safari, etc. By the time Tiger comes out, you'll probably want it for what is under the hood more than anything. I quickly tried to find some of the posts that talk about CoreImage but wasn't able to find anything. As I remember in a discussion, it doesn't completely take over all video rendering from the CPU. It allows the GPU to take over in certain instances, but not all. The other thing to think about is that I have read and is stated on Apple's site (http://www.apple.com/macosx/tiger/core.html) that Core Image/Video is "scalable" based on the hardware. Basically this means that unlike QuartzExtreme where you had to have a certain card or else, with Core Image, if your video chipset isn't "supported" there still may be some features that it can take advantage of. I'm assuming that your NVidia 4400 or whatever the 1Ghz 17" has would scale well.
If you want to sell it, then sell it, but I'd keep it at least until any G5s come out. a 1Ghz G4 should easily last until then. I would suggest the AppleCare but that is up to you. Also remember that it is transferable if you try to sell the computer.

sworthy · Jul 14, 2004, 02:51 AM

Let me start off by saying that you should definitely keep your computer...

Now, the core image/video stuff will matter, more than most people think. Apps like iphoto, imovie and others will most likely gain lots of new features and a large performance boost (try converting a photo to black and white in iphoto, it shouldn't take nearly that long).

Anywho, the thing to remember is that the core* technologies probably won't really be taken advantage of for another year and a half at the least, and by that time you'll only have 6 months left on your applecare. My recommendation is to hold on to this machine until at least then. Remember, this is not going to affect your computing experience directly, I'm ok with black and white transitions taking a few seconds instead of being instantaneous, but the future is everything in realtime.

Don't get suckered in by newer technology, because you'll always (well, me at least), want what's next. Things changes are substantial, and a sign of things to come, but you won't feel behind for at least another 2 years.

kmarketing · Jul 14, 2004, 11:38 AM

Hi,

Thank you for such good opinions. It looks like you have reassured me again to keep my 17". I guess as some of you said, it is working for me now, so it probably will be good to me even in the future.

I always am concerned with the value of these computers. Resale value is important, simply because I know these things depreciate. But it seems that you are all saying that the value of the 17" should hold up in the future.

Any of you disagree?

Thanks again!

olePigeon · Jul 14, 2004, 11:47 AM

I'm really happy that Apple decided to make CoreImage scalable to the computer. While you won't get the blazing speeds as you would with a top of the line laptop, you can be assured it'll be a faster than if you didn't use it at all. You'd see improvements in filter performance using pretty much any video card versus not utilizing the video card in the first place.

I'm drooling over this, and I can't wait for "Photoshop 2005" (or whatever it's going to be called.) with all those enhanced filters. Insert drool smiley.

kmarketing · Jul 14, 2004, 11:53 AM

Hi,

Are you saying that even though my graphic card would be able to fully utilize the core imaging as the latest powerbooks, I will be able to gain some benefits and advantages? In other words, it wouldn't be obsolete?

If that is the case, then insert a drooling smiley face for me also!!

Thanks!

olePigeon · Jul 14, 2004, 12:21 PM

Even without CoreImage, the developer preview of Tiger is already seeing speed advantages just form under-the-hood enhancements and optimizations. And that's the developer preview! I'd imagine a little more optimization as they work the bugs and stuff out by the tim eit's released. So if you're happy with Panther's performance on your 17" PowerBook, Tiger should be awesome.

I've been using a 300MHz Beige G3 overclocked to 400MHz, but with a stock 6MB ATI onboard video. Panther has been a great experience on my little G3. Photoshop CS is as fast as 7 was in Classic (Photoshop was painfully slow in Jaguar). From my perspective, your Laptop is perfectly fit for Tiger.

olePigeon · Jul 14, 2004, 12:26 PM

Oh yeah, right from their Core Image page:

But Core Image automatically scales as appropriate for systems with older graphics cards, for compatibility with any Tiger-compatible Mac.

So if your computer supports Tiger, you get Core Image. A 64MB 440 card should be plenty.

kmarketing · Jul 14, 2004, 04:45 PM

Hi,

WooHoo!!! Thanks for making me feel better about the powerbook. It's looking better and better now.

Now, time to get applecare!!

Thanks again!!

klinux · Apr 27, 2005, 08:41 PM

Want to sell me yours?

But yes, I agree with the posters above. Tiger has give my 700Mhz iBook new life (even though I am still selling it on eBay for fund toward next *book) and I'd imagine it would do the same for your PB.

amazing · Apr 28, 2005, 11:22 AM

How much does applecare run at edu pricing? I'd say to hang onto your 17", get applecare and Tiger at edu pricing, and wait until the bugs are worked out of the eventual G5 PB, sometime a year and a half down the road. Given how often Apple is mentioning G5 as "the mother of all heat challenges" you definitely don't want to pay big bucks to beta-test the first revision.

The only reason to upgrade to a new model, is if you're leaving school and will lose your edu eligibility.

kmarketing · Apr 28, 2005, 11:31 AM

wow, this post was from last year. I even forgot that I started it!!

i actually ended up trading that 17" rev a. for a g5 1.8ghz and 20inch apple lcd a few weeks later. Since then I've had a few other powerbooks, but finally I've decided to downgrade to a nice pismo.

amazing · Apr 28, 2005, 11:39 AM

Originally Posted by kmarketing

wow, this post was from last year. I even forgot that I started it!!

i actually ended up trading that 17" rev a. for a g5 1.8ghz and 20inch apple lcd a few weeks later. Since then I've had a few other powerbooks, but finally I've decided to downgrade to a nice pismo.

Wow! what an Odyssey! Back to the simplicity and ruggedness and great screen of a pismo!

Time to go watch "O Brother, Where Art Thou?" again...

TerryJ · Apr 28, 2005, 01:05 PM

I was having the same quandry, deciding to keep my 17" 1GHz or sell it. I just happened across a deal on a 15" 1.25GHz a couple weeks ago and spontaneously bought it so I am selling my 17". I am anxious to see how Tiger runs on each though esp. with the Core Image issues. I absolutely love the larger screen but for my line of work a 15" is easier to carry around all day.

Anybody looking for an excellent 17"???

kmarketing · Apr 28, 2005, 01:17 PM

I'd say sell which ever gets you more money. I've come to the realization that it is best just to have a little extra in your pocket if you can get your work done and still have some left over so that you lose less on your resale. And of course, when newer machines come out, you'll have something saved up for it.

Good luck!

TerryJ · Apr 28, 2005, 01:21 PM

Yeah, I'm pretty much set on keepin the 15" for the size alone. If I didn't need to travel as much I'd no doubt keep the 17". There is NOTHING that compares with that screen!

kmarketing · Apr 28, 2005, 01:41 PM

I was thinking the same before I traded for the 20inch Cinema Display

amazing · Apr 28, 2005, 04:15 PM

Originally Posted by TerryJ

I was having the same quandry, deciding to keep my 17" 1GHz or sell it. I just happened across a deal on a 15" 1.25GHz a couple weeks ago and spontaneously bought it so I am selling my 17". I am anxious to see how Tiger runs on each though esp. with the Core Image issues. I absolutely love the larger screen but for my line of work a 15" is easier to carry around all day.

Anybody looking for an excellent 17"???

Hey Terry: If you get a chance, how's about running xbench before and after on your 2 PBs? You know, processor highest, fresh reboot, nothing running. It'd be so great to see the results! No pressure, natch.

TerryJ · Apr 28, 2005, 04:23 PM

Hey amazing...sounds like a good experiment! I'll do it and get back with the results. Man, this is really one of those grinding decisions too. I have to pay off one or the other of these two 'Books or else I'd gleefully keep them both but that's a bit indulgent, would't you say??? LOL! I still feel I'll stick with the 15" but if the numbers are surprising...well, you never know what might happen.

I won't be able to test this until Monday as I am scooting off to Key West for the weekend (FINALLY, a break from work!) but I'll be on it first thing when I get back.

Stay tuned!

iREZ · Apr 29, 2005, 11:02 AM

my cuz has been runnin tiger on his 17" rev a for a good week now and we have noticed nothing...no improvements (other than the new features of course) and now slow downs, go figure. unless core image is really valuable...i'd say keep that machine.

osxisfun · Apr 29, 2005, 11:32 AM

Originally Posted by iREZ

my cuz has been runnin tiger on his 17" rev a for a good week now and we have noticed nothing...no improvements (other than the new features of course) and now slow downs, go figure. unless core image is really valuable...i'd say keep that machine.

i think the jury is out until the flip the quartz 2d extreme bit on in 10.4.x

then _i think_ this is where we will see newer GPUs and xtra vram shine...