[tavilach]

I am buying a PowerBook in the coming weeks, and I've narrowed my choices down to the following options:

15" PowerBook G4 (near-maximal features), lasts for my next four years as an undergraduate (this strategy costs a reasonable price)

12" PowerBook G4 (near-maximal features), lasts for my next four years as an undergraduate (this strategy costs a reasonable price)

15" PowerBook G4 (near-minimal features), give to mother or sister after two years, and upgrade to a PowerBook G5 (this strategy is feasible, but a major price strain)

12" PowerBook G4 (near-minimal features), give to mother or sister after two years, and upgrade to a PowerBook G5 (this strategy is feasible, but a major price strain)

14" iBook G4 (near-maximal features), give to mother or sister after two years, and upgrade to a PowerBook G5 (this strategy is a minimal price strain)

12" iBook G4 (near-maximal features), give to mother or sister after two years, and upgrade to a PowerBook G5 (this strategy costs a reasonable price)

I'm worried about using an iBook for two years, simply because it's cheap, so that I can upgrade to a PowerBook G5. Two years is a very long time to be using a "transition" laptop. 1024x768 is really, really not optimal for me. That's why the 14" iBook seems quite stupid, as it's the same resolution as the 12", minus the portability. The 15" PowerBook seems ideal, but is oh-so-expensive, if I want to uprgade to a G5! I might be able to, but I'll surely need to buy this one with minimal features. My mom feels that I should buy a very nice PowerBook G4 to use for my four years, but I'm worried that it'll be so trumped by the new PowerBook G5's in 1-2 years, and I'll really regret it. The 12" PowerBook is more reasonable, pricewise, but it's really the same thing as the 12" iBook, and a lot more expensive. True, I can use an external monitor with a PowerBook, and I want to, but I'll be using it in the library a lot. It is easier to study in the library than in my dorm room, so I hear (it'll be my first year at college)...so I'm counting on not using anything external very often. Of course, this makes me worry about the size of the 12". My eyes are not that great (horrible, horrible vision), and I don't want to strain them.

Oh, the dillema! Oh, the confusion! Oh, my fellow MacNN'ers, help me!

[psk-ele]

If your eyesight is as bad as you say it is,stay away from the 12" options. The 14" iBook is more portable than the 15" PB, and if you are really really set on getting a PB G5 (could be 1-2 yrs at least!!) Then I say go with the 14" iBook. The resolution may not be that great, but at least you will be able to read the screen.

And if you are going to college, I don't think you'll have much money after a year or so. I'm there now, and you'll soon learn how to get by on $20 a week or less!!!

I would recommend getting the 15" PB with the combo drive maxed out. Seriously, if you need the DVD burner capabilities, you can find some killer dvd burners for the price of the $200 premium Apple charges, and they will be compatible with more dvd formats.

I think the last thing you want to worry about in college is whether your'll computer will last you 4 years. Unless you're loaded, you won't have much of a choice!!! (well, unless you intern or co-op, then that's a whole other issue altogether!!)

I have had 8 apple computers, and I have to say my all-time favorite was my trusty 15" Ti PB 1GHz. My next favorite will be my new one that is coming in the mail this week: a 12" PB 1.33GHz w/Superdrive!!!


Anyway, if you can afford it, go 15" decked out. Save the money you do have in college for more important stuff (like acc. or, lets be honest...beer and pizza!!)

I hope this helps a bit, and good luck to you in college!!!!

p.s.-wait till you graduate, then buy a 15" G5 PB, they will have all the kinks worked out by then, and you'll be able to afford a hell of a lot more than you would while in college...

[tavilach]

Originally posted by psk-ele:
If your eyesight is as bad as you say it is,stay away from the 12" options. The 14" iBook is more portable than the 15" PB, and if you are really really set on getting a PB G5 (could be 1-2 yrs at least!!) Then I say go with the 14" iBook. The resolution may not be that great, but at least you will be able to read the screen.

And if you are going to college, I don't think you'll have much money after a year or so. I'm there now, and you'll soon learn how to get by on $20 a week or less!!!

I would recommend getting the 15" PB with the combo drive maxed out. Seriously, if you need the DVD burner capabilities, you can find some killer dvd burners for the price of the $200 premium Apple charges, and they will be compatible with more dvd formats.

I think the last thing you want to worry about in college is whether your'll computer will last you 4 years. Unless you're loaded, you won't have much of a choice!!! (well, unless you intern or co-op, then that's a whole other issue altogether!!)

I have had 8 apple computers, and I have to say my all-time favorite was my trusty 15" Ti PB 1GHz. My next favorite will be my new one that is coming in the mail this week: a 12" PB 1.33GHz w/Superdrive!!!


Anyway, if you can afford it, go 15" decked out. Save the money you do have in college for more important stuff (like acc. or, lets be honest...beer and pizza!!)

I hope this helps a bit, and good luck to you in college!!!!

p.s.-wait till you graduate, then buy a 15" G5 PB, they will have all the kinks worked out by then, and you'll be able to afford a hell of a lot more than you would while in college...

The G5 will just...be so much better...agh...

I sort of want to just...not buy anything until the G5 comes out. That's just stupid, though. That's half of my undergraduate experience wasted on waiting!

I can afford getting a decked out PowerBook now, or a cheap iBook and then a PowerBook G5. I'm worried, though, that using a cheap iBookf or two years might really suck...



P.S. Pizza, yes. Beer, no.

[psk-ele]

Well, one thing you should consider is that resell value of the notebook you are buying.

The PBs have a much higher resell value than the iBooks. And even if you have a decked out iBook, a lower rung PB is gonna maintain its value longer.

If you really are die-hard set on buying a PB that is still on the drawing board, then I say buy a lower-tier refurbished (or new) PB off of SmallDog.com or Apple.com and just use that till you read some good rumors about release of the PB G5, then sell your PB and use the money towards the new G5.

If you decide the route of iBook G4, get the 14.1" and deck it out with every option you can (including a 1GB stick of Ram, but not off of Apple's website, too expensive). This ensures that you will get the most you can from it when it comes time to resell in two years.


Just remember that the last of the Ti PB, the 15.2" 1GHz, 1MB L3 cache, 60 GB HD, Superdrive and AP are going for $1699 still (this is off of SmallDog.com). So, as you can see, even though its older, there is still value.


The bounus to going the iBook route, is that you can use Apple's Cram and Jam promotion to save $200 off the purchase of an iBook or PB and an iPod. Which I suppose is something else to consider.

Well, I guess its lots to think about, but the last thing I wanna worry about in college is whether or not my notebook is gonna hold up for four more years.

[tavilach]

Originally posted by psk-ele:
Well, one thing you should consider is that resell value of the notebook you are buying.

The PBs have a much higher resell value than the iBooks. And even if you have a decked out iBook, a lower rung PB is gonna maintain its value longer.

If you really are die-hard set on buying a PB that is still on the drawing board, then I say buy a lower-tier refurbished (or new) PB off of SmallDog.com or Apple.com and just use that till you read some good rumors about release of the PB G5, then sell your PB and use the money towards the new G5.

If you decide the route of iBook G4, get the 14.1" and deck it out with every option you can (including a 1GB stick of Ram, but not off of Apple's website, too expensive). This ensures that you will get the most you can from it when it comes time to resell in two years.


Just remember that the last of the Ti PB, the 15.2" 1GHz, 1MB L3 cache, 60 GB HD, Superdrive and AP are going for $1699 still (this is off of SmallDog.com). So, as you can see, even though its older, there is still value.


The bounus to going the iBook route, is that you can use Apple's Cram and Jam promotion to save $200 off the purchase of an iBook or PB and an iPod. Which I suppose is something else to consider.

Well, I guess its lots to think about, but the last thing I wanna worry about in college is whether or not my notebook is gonna hold up for four more years.


p.s.-I know you don't like beer now, but just wait....especially if you join a fraternity!!! (I should know, I'm the founding father of one at my university and I never drank beer before then either!!! )

If I buy a 15" for around $2300, how much do you think it would resell for after the release of the G5's? If it would resell for anything above, say, $1300, it seems worth it...really worth it. I would have the option of either selling it after 2 years, or just keeping it...

Also, if I check ThinkSecret or what not, I can probably find out when the PowerBook G5's are set to come out, before idiots on eBay know! Wouldn't that let me sell it for around its current price? Hmm...

The 14" iBook scares me...1024x768 on a decent-sized screen is so...blech!

Also, I want to be able to hook it up to my 18.1"...is there a program to hack through to that feature?

Oh, and about the beer...I'm sort of anti-alcohol-except-for-shabbat .

P.S. I hope no one tells me that the iBooks are less prone to damage. I was at the Apple Store today, and the guy essentially said to not decide anything based on that. Yes, the PowerBook dents...but the iBook cracks. Either one is screwed after a drop, and I don't see myself banging large objects against the PowerBook .

Edit: A guy at the Apple Store told me that the iBooks have approximately 3 hours of battery life, whereas the PowerBooks only have two. I'm worried about this! I'll be bringing it from class to class. How do people even deal with just 3 hours, let alone 2? Extra battery? Ahh! 4 isn't even that much .

[wuzup101]

Just wanted to add that you can get an additional discount by purchasing a memebership to the apple student developers program (ADC). You'll get a once in a lifetime discount off of any 1 purchase. The standard 15" Superdrive 1.5ghz will cost you 1999 instead of 2299. The initial price of the ADC membership for students is 99/year but it comes with some good dev software and even if you dont do dev work it will come with a copy of tiger when it's released (assuming it's in under a year)... It's a good deal if you think about it. Also wanted to point out that cram and jam is not valid with this... so if you want the iPod you're better off saving your ADC buy for your next purchase...

I got my PB in my sig for about 1950 w/o taxes or apple care. Apple care will be purchased as a gift for xmas

[tavilach]

Originally posted by wuzup101:
Just wanted to add that you can get an additional discount by purchasing a memebership to the apple student developers program (ADC). You'll get a once in a lifetime discount off of any 1 purchase. The standard 15" Superdrive 1.5ghz will cost you 1999 instead of 2299. The initial price of the ADC membership for students is 99/year but it comes with some good dev software and even if you dont do dev work it will come with a copy of tiger when it's released (assuming it's in under a year)... It's a good deal if you think about it. Also wanted to point out that cram and jam is not valid with this... so if you want the iPod you're better off saving your ADC buy for your next purchase...

I got my PB in my sig for about 1950 w/o taxes or apple care. Apple care will be purchased as a gift for xmas

I forgot about the ADC! I don't know that much about it, so it didn't really cross my mind.

Anyway, I don't really want the iPod, but I can make $181 by getting the iPod for $69, and then selling it for $250! I guess that means that I should use ADC for the next time, when there's no Cram and Jam? Do I have to be an undergraduate, or can I be a graduate student?

...do you think that something like Cram and Jam will happen again? Ahh, now I'm confused. Talk to me!

Edit: Heh, I'm still 17. I guess I'll be saving that ADC, right? You have to be 18, it seems...

[shatten22]

a somewhat similar program to cram and jam happened last year around this time. so i think there will always be some type of back-to-school special....

i'd use the offer now and save the adc for later. it works out to be about the same now.
-g

[tavilach]

Originally posted by shatten22:
a somewhat similar program to cram and jam happened last year around this time. so i think there will always be some type of back-to-school special....

i'd use the offer now and save the adc for later. it works out to be about the same now.
-g

Good idea.

Still, I don't know what laptop to get .

Help!

[wuzup101]

Sorry about the age thing. For some reason I always assume that everyone going to school is already 18. Anyway, used cram and jam and sell that iPod... or heck just keep it!

As for which book to buy, I personally just purchased a 15" machine because I wanted the larger screan with higher resolution. I noticed you consider a 14" iBook to be a minimal price strain; however, you consider the 12" PB with near minimal features to be a larger price strain. Both machines (assuming the 14" is loaded as you said) are around the same price. I would always recomend getting the PB b/c they are around the same price. However, since you said your eyes aren't so great, you might have a very valid reason for getting the 14". Anyway, another thing you might consider is getting a 12" iBook w/ airport and whatever other options you want, and get a nice external LCD to go with it...

The apple site is addictive... they know what they're doing. I origionally was planning on getting a 12" iBook ... we see where that went. Let me tell you that I don't regret it for a second... this is an awesome machine!

[tavilach]

Originally posted by wuzup101:
Sorry about the age thing. For some reason I always assume that everyone going to school is already 18. Anyway, used cram and jam and sell that iPod... or heck just keep it!

As for which book to buy, I personally just purchased a 15" machine because I wanted the larger screan with higher resolution. I noticed you consider a 14" iBook to be a minimal price strain; however, you consider the 12" PB with near minimal features to be a larger price strain. Both machines (assuming the 14" is loaded as you said) are around the same price. I would always recomend getting the PB b/c they are around the same price. However, since you said your eyes aren't so great, you might have a very valid reason for getting the 14". Anyway, another thing you might consider is getting a 12" iBook w/ airport and whatever other options you want, and get a nice external LCD to go with it...

The apple site is addictive... they know what they're doing. I origionally was planning on getting a 12" iBook ... we see where that went. Let me tell you that I don't regret it for a second... this is an awesome machine!

I have an external LCD, but the maximum resolution for iBook mirroring is 1024x768! Ahh!

You're right about the iBook vs. PowerBook prices, hehe.

I really want a 15" PowerBook, I think. I also want a G5, though.

[iREZ]

Actually if you go with the iBook spanning hack, your iBook can support resolutions alot higher than 1024 x 768. If you want a notebook right now and a G5 PB when they come out, I would go with a loaded 12" PB or loaded 14"iBook (w/superdrive), and wait for the Rev B G5 Powerbooks come out before you go G5. Who knows what problems can come along with the G5's.

[wuzup101]

Originally posted by iREZ:
Actually if you go with the iBook spanning hack, your iBook can support resolutions alot higher than 1024 x 768. If you want a notebook right now and a G5 PB when they come out, I would go with a loaded 12" PB or loaded 14"iBook (w/superdrive), and wait for the Rev B G5 Powerbooks come out before you go G5. Who knows what problems can come along with the G5's.

I agree with this statement... I think it would probably give you your best choice esp if you do the hack w/ the iBook. If you really want a G5 it's probably a good idea to wait until rev B as iREZ said. I personally wouldn't ever buy a rev A unless it was really late in the rev and there wern't any problems.

[tavilach]

Originally posted by iREZ:
Actually if you go with the iBook spanning hack, your iBook can support resolutions alot higher than 1024 x 768. If you want a notebook right now and a G5 PB when they come out, I would go with a loaded 12" PB or loaded 14"iBook (w/superdrive), and wait for the Rev B G5 Powerbooks come out before you go G5. Who knows what problems can come along with the G5's.

So it does exist?

I had asked:

Originall posted by tavilach:
Also, I want to be able to hook it up to my 18.1"...is there a program to hack through to that feature?

I never got an answer, though. I was talking about spanning.

I asked someone about that at the Apple Store, and they said it would mess up warrantees and stuff.

I'm also worried that the spanning quality might not be as good...err...I don't know anything about the hack.

Wait, so are you now saying I should probably get an iBook? I had started to lean very much towards the PowerBook, after seeing differences in RAM and video cards and everything. It's just a better computer...faster, even at the same speed, and dramatically (well, not that much) faster at a higher speed.

Could I buy a PowerBook for, say, $2300, and resell it for $1500 after two years? Would it be worth that much? I know that after 4 years, good Pismo's are reselling for $400 to $600, and we're only talking about 2 years. If so, it's perfect. If not...I don't know. No one has been talking about resell value except for psk-ele. Would iBooks have a much lower resell value?

I really think the 15" PowerBook is for me...but I'm just worried about the G5!

[gbhgbh]

Go with the 15" PB, you'll be happy with it and you'll have options at the end of 2 years. 2 years is a long way off and the truth is, you don't don't know what your situation will be, or where Apple will be with their products. If you buy the 15" PB now, then you'll have what you want now. At the end of 2 years you can decide to keep it if you need to save money, you can sell it if you have enough to upgrade, or you can give it to your mother or sister if you've run into good fortune along the way and can afford the upgrade without selling. But for most people who enter college, a lot of change takes place in their lives, so don't count on being able to predict where you'll be. Choose a course that keeps your options open.

As for battery life, many classrooms have electrical outlets at every desk so that you can plug in an AC adapter. Also, many teachers don't let students open their laptops because they want them concentrating on the class. And as a last resort, you can purchase a spare battery to carry with you.

[tavilach]

Originally posted by gbhgbh:
Go with the 15" PB, you'll be happy with it and you'll have options at the end of 2 years. 2 years is a long way off and the truth is, you don't don't know what your situation will be, or where Apple will be with their products. If you buy the 15" PB now, then you'll have what you want now. At the end of 2 years you can decide to keep it if you need to save money, you can sell it if you have enough to upgrade, or you can give it to your mother or sister if you've run into good fortune along the way and can afford the upgrade without selling. But for most people who enter college, a lot of change takes place in their lives, so don't count on being able to predict where you'll be. Choose a course that keeps your options open.

As for battery life, many classrooms have electrical outlets at every desk so that you can plug in an AC adapter. Also, many teachers don't let students open their laptops because they want them concentrating on the class. And as a last resort, you can purchase a spare battery to carry with you.

Electrical outlets at all 500 or 1000 desks in a lecture hall? That seems like a mighty large number!

As for professors not letting students open their laptops...that's not the case at Berkeley, or most larger universities. Laptops are used by many a student as note-taking tools. The professors could give a rat's ass about whether the students use laptops...or whether they even attend the lecture! That's not their concern.

[gbhgbh]

Visit the classrooms you'll be attending if you get the chance, to see what the situation is. But where I went to school, the larger lecture halls, in particular, had outlets (even microphones) at every seat.

In any case, I wouldn't worry about it. Every other student will be in the same boat. You'll figure out the best solution once you're there.

[wuzup101]

LOL... hey man definitely get what you want to get. I only suggested getting the iBook b/c you said it would be easier for you to pay for and you seemed to really want the G5. The 15" is a great machine. I just bought one myself and it's my first mac and I'm in love with it. All my friends love it too... oldy enough. It should easily last you atleast 3 years without a problem, then you can sell it and upgrade... or keep it if you have the cash. It's definitely worth the price though!

Also, most of our bigger lecture halls (yes the ones that seat 700+ kids) have an electrical port and an ethernet port at every seat. However, if you're just using office apps and such the PB will have decent enough batt life to get you through a few classes on the battery alone (just incase some of your rooms don't have power sources). You can always get the extra batt also... that would be a nice thing to have!

[SplijinX]

Originally posted by tavilach:
Electrical outlets at all 500 or 1000 desks in a lecture hall? That seems like a mighty large number!

As for professors not letting students open their laptops...that's not the case at Berkeley, or most larger universities. Laptops are used by many a student as note-taking tools. The professors could give a rat's ass about whether the students use laptops...or whether they even attend the lecture! That's not their concern.

Just based on experience and talking with other interns that attend various other universities, notebooks are NOT commonly used for note-taking. It's tedious and obnoxious. Making sketches of plots, jotting down equations, or drawing free body diagrams isn’t very practical on a laptop. Perhaps with a Tablet PC, otherwise pen and paper are still king. Even when professors post PowerPoint notes online, those who take additional notes in class will print the slides out and write in the margins and white spaces.

It’s true professors won’t care if you bring a laptop to class or not, but when you start clickaty-tappaty away, the people around you are going to be seriously peeved when they are trying to pay attention.

That said, having a laptop is definitely nice in that you can take your work to the library or over to a friend’s place to work on projects, but in many cases it will be more of a distraction – websurfing, AIM, etc.

I would suggest buying a machine that you think will last the long haul. I could be wrong since I don’t know what you will be studying, but I highly doubt any professor will assign anything that will require tremendous processing power. Being able to render graphics faster or do DV stuff is one thing, being able to compile code 10 seconds faster than the next guy isn’t gona help you squat if you procrastinate – most cases user will be the weakest link.

Don’t get so stuck on PBG5, it doesn’t exist right here, right now. If you end up needing something more powerful, it’s not too difficult to sell off your old machine and get another using the ADC student discount (when you can use it).

College is supposed to be the time of your life – don’t spend it all playing on a computer, go out and meet new people and have some fun. And if you think money will be an issue for future upgrades, you’re better off spending your time looking for an internship/coop/job. If you save and spend wisely you could easily afford a new machine each year, if so desired.

[tavilach]

Originally posted by SplijinX:
Just based on experience and talking with other interns that attend various other universities, notebooks are NOT commonly used for note-taking. It's tedious and obnoxious. Making sketches of plots, jotting down equations, or drawing free body diagrams isn’t very practical on a laptop. Perhaps with a Tablet PC, otherwise pen and paper are still king. Even when professors post PowerPoint notes online, those who take additional notes in class will print the slides out and write in the margins and white spaces.

It’s true professors won’t care if you bring a laptop to class or not, but when you start clickaty-tappaty away, the people around you are going to be seriously peeved when they are trying to pay attention.

That said, having a laptop is definitely nice in that you can take your work to the library or over to a friend’s place to work on projects, but in many cases it will be more of a distraction – websurfing, AIM, etc.

I would suggest buying a machine that you think will last the long haul. I could be wrong since I don’t know what you will be studying, but I highly doubt any professor will assign anything that will require tremendous processing power. Being able to render graphics faster or do DV stuff is one thing, being able to compile code 10 seconds faster than the next guy isn’t gona help you squat if you procrastinate – most cases user will be the weakest link.

Don’t get so stuck on PBG5, it doesn’t exist right here, right now. If you end up needing something more powerful, it’s not too difficult to sell off your old machine and get another using the ADC student discount (when you can use it).

College is supposed to be the time of your life – don’t spend it all playing on a computer, go out and meet new people and have some fun. And if you think money will be an issue for future upgrades, you’re better off spending your time looking for an internship/coop/job. If you save and spend wisely you could easily afford a new machine each year, if so desired.

Well, I'll definitely bring a pad of paper along in my laptop case . Still, a lot of the notes I'll be taking are going to be text, so you know...

As for the clickety clacketing...the PB keyboard makes no noise .

Thanks for the tips, though.

Edit: Also, if I learn how to use Latex, wouldn't that be valuable in note taking?

[SplijinX]

Depends on how proficient you are with Latex I suppose (and how fast you can conjure up symbols and characters), though students generally use it for reports and papers, while teachers may use it to create handouts and tests.

Having bits and pieces of notes here and there (on the computer and on a notepad) can be very dangerous if you are not organized - you may end up spending a lot of time trying to find where they are and piecing them back together. But you will learn very quickly what works for you and what doesn’t. In the end, it’s all about the learning process.

If you are also going to have a PC with you at school you may want to take a look at the Logitech IO pen, though the battery life and price leaves a little something to be desired.

[Randman]

If your folks are paying, get whatever they'll buy. If it's your own money, get a G4 iBook 14 and 1GB of ram. The G4 is still a very solid machine and performance (right now) isn't that much slower than a PB.

[tavilach]

Originally posted by Randman:
If your folks are paying, get whatever they'll buy. If it's your own money, get a G4 iBook 14 and 1GB of ram. The G4 is still a very solid machine and performance (right now) isn't that much slower than a PB.

They'll buy what I need. I'm not going to get the most expensive system that "they'll buy." They can't afford this, but they're doing it anyway. I'm trying to act as if it's my own money.

The PB is a little faster than the iBook, at the same speeds. Then, if you compare a 1.5 GHz PB with the iBook, you see an even larger difference.

The main problem that I have with the iBook is the resolution, and simply the lower quality. I'm more along the lines of a "professional" user.

[Randman]

Originally posted by tavilach:
The main problem that I have with the iBook is the resolution, and simply the lower quality. I'm more along the lines of a "professional" user.

A "professional" user? And what professional usage do you do with your laptop?

"Professional" needs and wants are two very different things. The iBooks have good quality, and one could even make a very solid argument that the build quality is superior for a student.

And the resolution is a problem? Again, how so? I use my G4, 1Ghz 14 at home for freelance design work with InDesign, PhotoShop, Quark and other apps. And I edit my own videos as well.

Admit you're jonesing for a PB because you think it'll make you look cooler and be done with it. But if you sat down and wrote your needs (not wants), I'm still willing to bet that the iBook would fit your needs more than enough.

[tavilach]

Originally posted by Randman:
A "professional" user? And what professional usage do you do with your laptop?

"Professional" needs and wants are two very different things. The iBooks have good quality, and one could even make a very solid argument that the build quality is superior for a student.

And the resolution is a problem? Again, how so? I use my G4, 1Ghz 14 at home for freelance design work with InDesign, PhotoShop, Quark and other apps. And I edit my own videos as well.

Admit you're jonesing for a PB because you think it'll make you look cooler and be done with it. But if you sat down and wrote your needs (not wants), I'm still willing to bet that the iBook would fit your needs more than enough.

Look cooler? Excuse me?

No. The PowerBook is a more powerful machine. It feels better, it looks better, it works better...it is better.

I might be doing some video editing, but I'm not sure. I'll definitely be doing programming, and working with UNIX and what not...and it'd be nice to have a powerful machine.

The resolution is a problem for me, because right now I'm using an 18.1" monitor at 1280x1024 resolution. 1024x768 simply doesn't give me enough screen real estate...it's that simple. I tend to run about 15 programs at the same time, and it'd be very annoying to have to switch to Expose every damn second. Macs are good for having a web browser, a chat program, the finder, and other stuff all displayed at once (whereas Windows always wants you to just maximize everything and navigate with the taskbar)...but the lack of screen real estate doesn't allow that.

Furthermore, I want to be able to hook up my laptop to my external monitor, and I'm uncomfortable using a hack, as I don't want to void my warranty.

No, I'm not trying to look cool. Please don't accuse others based on what you know you want. It's obvious that you'd feel "cooler" if you used a PowerBook. Good for you...

[Randman]

Originally posted by tavilach:
I might be doing some video editing, but I'm not sure. I'll definitely be doing programming, and working with UNIX and what not...and it'd be nice to have a powerful machine.

You'd need more ram then, not Mhz. Any of the machines are powerful machine. Heck, the new eMacs can be called powerful machines, if used properly.

Originally posted by tavilach:
IThe resolution is a problem for me, because right now I'm using an 18.1" monitor at 1280x1024 resolution. 1024x768 simply doesn't give me enough screen real estate...it's that simple. I tend to run about 15 programs at the same time, and it'd be very annoying to have to switch to Expose every damn second.
Furthermore, I want to be able to hook up my laptop to my external monitor, and I'm uncomfortable using a hack, as I don't want to void my warranty.

Then forget about a laptop right now and get a G5 iMac.

[tavilach]

Originally posted by Randman:
You'd need more ram then, not Mhz. Any of the machines are powerful machine. Heck, the new eMacs can be called powerful machines, if used properly.



Then forget about a laptop right now and get a G5 iMac.

I'll be using it to take notes in class...

Well, I guess the iMac isn't going to be that heavy. Do they make cases for it?

[azdude]

Originally posted by Randman:
Admit you're jonesing for a PB because you think it'll make you look cooler and be done with it. But if you sat down and wrote your needs (not wants), I'm still willing to bet that the iBook would fit your needs more than enough.

Who's to say wants aren't a factor? Sheesh.

Anyway tavilach -- Here's my opinion:

Buy. Just do it. Buy now... buy a Powerbook. That's generally the advice you've been getting from everyone in both of your threads. It's a great machine, and you're going to love it. It will continue to be a great machine, and you will continue to love it, even after the newer Powerbooks come out, whether they're G5s or not.

From what you've said of how you're going to use it, the current Powerbook will be a capable, long lasting workhorse. I understand you're a young student, and this must be an enormous purchase for you, but I'm in the same boat... I'm halfway through college, and the PB in my sig (1 month old) was a ton of cash (almost half of my summer internship money), but damn--- it was more than worth it. This thing will fulfill my needs (very similar to yours) for a LONG time... and it's fun, too. A little bit of need, a little bit of want --- which is nothing to be ashamed of. Go for it.

EDIT: Especially with the student discount (and cram & jam on top of it).

EDIT 2: I'm monitoring both of your threads, and there's discussion about the G5 iMac. In my opinion, stick with a laptop. Don't be so persuaded by the allure of a "G5" -- The G4 will more than suit the tasks you've mentioned. More importantly, don't underestimate the value of the ability to work at the library (especially if you live at home or in a dorm--- noisy!). I hardly use my laptop in class, but it's great for solitary library work (on my university's WiFi network!) and in-class proxima presentations (Keynote ).

[olePigeon]

I'd say splurge on a nice G4 PowerBook. Then after you graduate and land a sweet job, buy a G5 PowerBook after you snag your first real paycheck.

[azdude]

Originally posted by olePigeon:
I'd say splurge on a nice G4 PowerBook. Then after you graduate and land a sweet job, buy a G5 PowerBook after you snag your first real paycheck.

Exactly my plan. That and a new car... My old piece of junk takes a back seat to my technology addiction.

[beastie28]

Well I thought I'd chime in with my response since I graduated from school just a few months ago and I just bought a Powerbook. IMHO, get the most you can right now, because so much can change once you are in school and you might be stuck with whatever you bought at the begining. Things happen that you can't control and in two years you can't be sure that you can drop another $1500 on a new laptop and sell the one you have now. I had a 3 and a half year old desktop go out on me and I had to take out a loan from the bank of father to get a new one. It took me almost a year to pay it off. (that was just an example of what can happen) Also it sounds like you are going into some IT field (CompSci, Comp Information Sys, etc..) and if that's the case they have computer labs that you will become very friendly with. I never wanted to use the labs, but I ended up over there all the time.

[tavilach]

Originally posted by azdude:
Who's to say wants aren't a factor? Sheesh.

Anyway tavilach -- Here's my opinion:

Buy. Just do it. Buy now... buy a Powerbook. That's generally the advice you've been getting from everyone in both of your threads. It's a great machine, and you're going to love it. It will continue to be a great machine, and you will continue to love it, even after the newer Powerbooks come out, whether they're G5s or not.

From what you've said of how you're going to use it, the current Powerbook will be a capable, long lasting workhorse. I understand you're a young student, and this must be an enormous purchase for you, but I'm in the same boat... I'm halfway through college, and the PB in my sig (1 month old) was a ton of cash (almost half of my summer internship money), but damn--- it was more than worth it. This thing will fulfill my needs (very similar to yours) for a LONG time... and it's fun, too. A little bit of need, a little bit of want --- which is nothing to be ashamed of. Go for it.

EDIT: Especially with the student discount (and cram & jam on top of it).

EDIT 2: I'm monitoring both of your threads, and there's discussion about the G5 iMac. In my opinion, stick with a laptop. Don't be so persuaded by the allure of a "G5" -- The G4 will more than suit the tasks you've mentioned. More importantly, don't underestimate the value of the ability to work at the library (especially if you live at home or in a dorm--- noisy!). I hardly use my laptop in class, but it's great for solitary library work (on my university's WiFi network!) and in-class proxima presentations (Keynote ).

In my case, my parents are going to be buying it...still, they can barely afford it, so there's a good chance I'll be stuck with it throughout college. If I buy a cheap iBook now, there will be enough money to buy a PowerBook G5 in two years...

...but still, two years is a long time for a computer that doesn't suit my needs/wants! I agree with you, and think that the PowerBook is the way to go.

Oh, and that talk about iMacs was just some guy saying that I don't need portability. I never considered it, and don't plan to.

Thanks for your advice! It's very helpful!

[wuzup101]

Definitely don't go with a desktop... I agree with most of the guys above. You aren't going to be taking a whole ton of notes with your powerbook (or iBook). Contrary to what you may think, the vast majority of undergrads don't use their laptops for taking notes. In theory it is easy, but when you're crammmed into a large lecture hall and there's barely enough room to fit a TI-89 on your tiny little desk, your not going to want to pull out your $2000+ computer when pen and paper are such a good alternative. I can type much faster than I can write by hand; however, it's still easier in almost all instances to hand write notes. Also, organization tends to be much better if you just stick to pen and paper (this was already said).

What you will use your laptop for is working in places where you can actually get stuff done. You'll find out that dorms aren't exactly the best place to get work done. Heck, I even live in honors housing where we have more quiet hours as opposed to the normal dorms at Penn State. You would think that living in a dorm full of kids that averaged 1430 on their SAT's would give you somewhat of a peaceful environment. Working at the library, your local diner on a slow night, or some little grassy area outside when it's nice out is what's going to give you the edge. And if you're like me you convince all your friends that they need wireless internet in their appartment and then offer to set it up for them for free... and then you have your own personal hotspots everywhere!

[Synotic]

Originally posted by tavilach:
I might be doing some video editing, but I'm not sure. I'll definitely be doing programming, and working with UNIX and what not...and it'd be nice to have a powerful machine.

I'd just like to chime and mention that programming doesn't require a fast processor or a good graphics card. You're working in a text editor. Compiling while working is fast enough as it is. I don't know exactly what you mean by "Unix stuff" but again most things do not require a powerful processor or graphics cards. Although of course it is your choice to allow your wants to drive a purchase, I wouldn't pass them off as needs. Sometimes people will blur the line between wants and needs. You don't want to end up getting something too powerful, too fragile etc... and decide you don't want it. That being said, do you have any other possible uses that would require a PowerBook? Perhaps you simply neglected to state something that indeed would require a PowerBook.

Also realize the difference between being a power user and being a professional user whose work requires top notch hardware. You could be a power use on a calculator if it serves your purpose. Messing around with UNIX and programming may be considered "power user" tasks, but they certainly aren't tasks in where a truly professional user would require high end hardware. Don't be fooled by the "Power" in the word "PowerBook"