[TerryJ]

Hey everyone,

Trying to settle on something here so I thought I'd see if anyone has enough experience with both machines to offer some good insight.

I currently have a 12" AlBook 1GHz/40/512/SD/AE that I enjoy very much, but I could definitely use the larger screen of 15" I have an opportunity to upgrade(?) to a very nice TiBook 800MHz/1GB/60/SD/Airport. The cost to buy the Ti is about the same as I see similar Albooks selling for online, so financially it looks like it would be pretty close to an even swap. The Ti does have double the RAM as my Al, and it also has 1MB level 3 cache. The video card in the Ti is a Mobility Radeon 7500 with 32MB while the Al has the NVIDIA GeForceFX Go 5200 which I see is a supported card for Core Image in Tiger coming up. I'm a little leery of how the Ti will perform compared to what I am used to with the faster Al even though the Ti has more RAM and level 3 cache. I basically just work online, run my business on AppleWorks, e-mail and use iPhoto and some iMovie, Final Cut Express, iDVD and a little GarageBand and Keynote.

Anyway, sorry for the rambling but I was just wondering if anyone is using a similar Ti 800 and what you think of it compared to my Rev. B Al.

Thanks!

[Voch]

I hate dissing the TiBook as I still use and like my TiBook/667 (the slower sibling of the TiBook/800 you're looking at). But if I was buying now I'd go for the AlBook.

* AlBook's better video is worth it, I think, especially if it's "future-proofed" a little more for CoreVideo (whatever that will mean to users like you and me)
* AlBook's processor speed is better...even though the TiBook has 1MB DDR L3 cache ("DDR" means 266Mhz, right?) its L2 cache is only 256K@667 while the AlBook's L2 cache is 512K@1Ghz (the extra 256K supposedly makes up for the lack of L3 cache)
* AlBook won't necessarily have the possible "problems" of the TiBook (paint peeling and such...I have had none of these problems with my TiBook but after hearing about it so much in these forums it's something to think about...not that the AlBook reports have been perfect, either...)
* AlBook's "better" AirPort reception

But the TiBook's screen is very, very nice and I haven't upgraded mine since I got a good deal on it (it was a refurb from Apple) and it's been fast enough for what I do with it.

Voch

[crouchingtiger]

I think the speed is a wash. I have both machines sitting right here and the performance is very, very close. It sounds like you are a moderate/casual user so I wouldn't worry about the "future-proofed" AlBook video chip (which in all other respects is considered to be a dog).
So, if you need the (very substantial) boost in screen real estate, I would go for the TiBook! (as long as it's in good condition)

[TerryJ]

Hi Voch and thanks for the reply,

Core Image was one thing I was concerned about...maybe a little too much but I'm still not really sure what kind of impact that would have anyway. Looking at it on Apple's website, it says that it will still scale approrpiately for older video cards so wonder what that all means? I just don't want to be in one of those positions we had a couple years ago with machines that would not support QE but I'm still trying to get the full scoop on exactly what Core Image does. Any beta testers have any input?

[TerryJ]

Thanks crouchingtiger. That's exactly what I was looking for, a side by side comparison. I used to have a Ti 667 and moved through a couple computers before getting the 12" I have now and I have always missed the screen quality and size since then. I was just afraid of taking a performance hit by going back to 800MHz but I am hoping the bigger RAM and L3 will help offset that some. I mostly do the usual stuff...Safari, Mail, iTunes and all the iApps occasionally work with iMovie or FCE and burn to iDVD and play a few games like MoH. The Ti should be good for all that, right? Plus it is in excellent condition, almost brand new in appearance, lightly used and has the upgrades.

Thanks again for your reply!

[Voch]

Originally posted by TerryJ:
I used to have a Ti 667 and moved through a couple computers before getting the 12" I have now and I have always missed the screen quality and size since then.

Gah! Don't say that! I'm considering a 12" for my next upgrade. (plugs ears) I can't heeeeeeeeear you.

Maybe I'll do the refurb 15" thing again when the time comes. I love my TiBook's screen...

crouchingtiger is right for the same reason I'm holding off on upgrading myself (and what I've been telling myself to resist the urge to purchase another iBook/PowerBook): the speed is likely a wash for what you and I use PowerBooks for.

Are you considering or can you get AppleCare for the TiBook? When I considered getting mine (upgrade from my iBook/500) I purchased AppleCare to ease my worries and have been very happy with the machine.

EDIT: Here's another TiBook plus besides the screen real estate: you can actually work on the insides of it yourself without voiding the warranty. I've been debating a hard drive upgrade for mine and it's simply a matter of removing a few screws...

Voch

[TerryJ]

Hey Voch!

LOL! Sorry, I didn't mean to alarm you with what I experienced with my move. I really do love everything about the 12" but once you get used to that 15" Ti Screen, well.......I even have mine spanned with a 15" Sony LCD here at the office which is a major plus, but does me no good when I'm out at a clients site, plus when I'm in the office those two 15" screens would be awesome I believe. I do use USB 2.0 devices sometimes and I have a BlueTooth mouse that are both nice things with the Al, but with the Ti I can always get pcmcia cards for expansion and custom tailor the Ti to my needs. I might even sell the BT mouse too since I really never had any gripe with a USB plug since again, I only use a mouse at the desk.

Decisions, decisions...and I really do appreciate your guys' input!