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Mallrat · Sep 3, 2004, 01:30 AM

I've written 10 or so post related to this topic (if you search) so don't hold that against me. I'm just a person that loves to discuss topics over and over.

But I'm ready to act.

I'm going to buy a G5 desktop (most likely a imac G5) and I'm going to get a G3 laptop to write screenplays, novels, and e-mails when I'm not at home.

Here are my 5 choices

� 500 G3 dual usb ibook (which I own). I need a new battery that I found cost about $130 at the apple store.

I love my computer, but still kind of want to make a change after using it for 3 years and sometimes I think I'll miss it terribly.

Pros: Good Size (12 inch screen), Not afraid to take it in public, already know I like it and don't have to worry about selling it/usb/firewire/plenty of harddrive space.

Cons: Need New Battery

� PowerBook G3 (Firewire) or Powerbook G3 (Lombard/Bronze Keyboard)

These seem like good choices, but I think I remember not liking the placement of the keyboard. However, I remember only testing them out years ago at compusa and they had the worst setup. Metal bars over the keyboard, which made it hard to gauge. Also this was during the 1st months when I converted to apple, so I wasn't as apple savvy then.

I might love the feel of the keyboard today, but is it better than the ibook for writing?

Pros: Bigger screen, nice black look

Cons: New battery most likely, maybe a bit too big to travel with, don't know if I like keyboard, if screen is like 14inch ibook might not like the fuzzy screen

� ibook 300 (blueberry or tangerine) clamshell

I've always loved the 1st ibook, better than the 366 to 466 models where they made them less well. that's the 1st time I say the apple let's make the nice silver look white to save money. I hate the all faded white look.

My friend will sell me her's for $250 for the blueberry with like 280 ram. Everything is great, except I need a new battery.

I love typing on this machine. I think even more than I do on my ibook 500. I actually played with one we had at work today and I still loved it. Using Mac OS 9 and playing with it, reminded me of happier times. 1999 -2000 was very optimistic for me. So maybe it's just all about nostaglia.

Pros: Cheap. Love writing on it. Unique.

Cons: Maybe embarrassing to take into public. New need battery for as all the ones I've seen online and my friend's are dead. 800 x 600 screen hard to web surf and write love paragraphs. Will the 3GB harddrive be enough. No Firewire.

� 1400 c/133

Yes, that's right. I used to have the 166 model, but sold it 5 years ago to get an iMac Snow.

the reason I got into apple was my girlfriend who got the 1400c/133 which "we" still have. She doesn't use it and said I could have it. the 1400c was my frist computer and i loved it. I love typing on it, maybe even more than either ibook. I love the click sound and even the colorful apple.

But it lacks USB and I don't know a good way to get my scripts from it to my desktop G5. Also, the battery probably doesn't last that long as it's a Nickel one. I'm not sure.

Pros: Loved typing on it. already own it. good size.

Cons: I think it's limited to 64mb of ram. Small screen. Need New Battery which may not last that long. How can I get my files to and from it to the desktop. How much will it cost to upgrade it to fit all the programs I need and other things. No USB or FIREWIRE. Harddrive 1.3 GB. Hard to get to internet.

-------

So that's my internal monolgue. Maybe You can read it and tell me, look you've decided this or that, you just didn't realize it.

What I want is a computer than can hold Final Draft 6.0, Microsoft Word, Appleworks, and maybe Entourage. Some web surfing would be nice and holding a few more programs would be great. I love using Mac OS 9.2 for fun, but most 10.2.8 is great too.

I wish there was a way to combine the things I like about each one and put them together.

Any please help a compulsive shopper (who loves to return things) make a decision once and for all. At least that's the goal.

thanks in advance.

-matt

wataru · Sep 3, 2004, 01:38 AM

None of the laptops you listed are better than what you already have. You'd be nuts to downgrade.

techtrucker · Sep 3, 2004, 07:27 AM

I would second staying with the iBook 500. I do have to admit that it was hard to give up my old iBook 466 Graphite, loved that machine except for the 800x600 screen.

iREZ · Sep 3, 2004, 10:38 AM

There's a thread here about someguy who installed a G4 iBook battery in his G3 and it gave his iBook longer than average life. If I were you, I'd give this a shot and see what happens, you have a great iBook for what you want to do with it, and it'll compliment your G5 iMac really well, even the color will too.

Here's the info on the iBook G4 battery in a G3.

Mallrat · Sep 4, 2004, 07:14 AM

Originally posted by iREZ:
There's a thread here about someguy who installed a G4 iBook battery in his G3 and it gave his iBook longer than average life. If I were you, I'd give this a shot and see what happens, you have a great iBook for what you want to do with it, and it'll compliment your G5 iMac really well, even the color will too.

Here's the info on the iBook G4 battery in a G3.

Thansk guys. Well I've at least eliminated the powerbooks G3 as I have hisotry with them, and I think they are too big for me.

that's interesting about the battery life, as that's one of the biggest concerns I have with the 1400c. I doubt a new battery can get much more than what 2 hours? and I don't think I could get the programs I need on it (1.6 GB of ram) or get my scripts from that to my new G5 desktop. I still love the keyboard, but it is a little heavy to take around.

But at work, I was playing with the ibook bb clamshell with airport and it was a great machine. I really still like this machine. I like the handle and it ws great to type on. My wrists felt so snug.

And yes, I have a great machine. And a new battery would be nice. Truth is, I never used this computer enough as a laptop. But living in NYC for the past year or so, I realized I missing out by not taking my laptop out into the world more.

I think I need to forget the 1400c because that would cost $500 bucks I bet just to make it useable for me.....

I think I'm down to the 300 ibook blueberry vs. my 500 ibook icebook.

I think the reason I got the ibook 500 in the 1st place, was by the time I wanted to buy an ibook, I didn't like the new clamshell colors or the fact that it was all white.

What both original models share in common are the looks. the 1st ibooks (1st two editions) are silver not white.

that's why I can't get myself to like the new ibook G4. I really don't like the color scheme. I hope they add colors again or bring back the silver look.

Well I got it down to 2 choices. that's good for me.

Again, all 3 of you make perfect sense. But I know there must be others who are like me. They hold onto things or buy older macs just because it's fun to play around with older OS and stuff like that.

3 votes for keeping my ibook 500.

Anyone else can slap me in the face and say, stop being an idiot? Or anyone else think I should just get the clamshell if I want it and shut up?

Both are good opinions and I like to be yelled at.

andersbk · Sep 4, 2004, 12:56 PM

ok I'll yell at you

stop being an idiot and get a new battery for your 500 iBook!!!

that's 4 votes for the 500 iBook

happy now?

Powaqqatsi · Sep 4, 2004, 01:15 PM

Get rid of the iBook 500 with its 66Mhz bus and get a 600 or faster with a 100Mhz bus. Huge difference in speed. Or get the new battery for your 500.

Kissargi · Sep 4, 2004, 04:13 PM

stick with you ibook, spray it a different colour if you must, but ill personally have you sectioned if you sell it and buy a clamshell

EdipisReks · Sep 5, 2004, 01:11 AM

keep the current ibook and get a new battery.

Mallrat · Sep 5, 2004, 09:47 AM

Originally posted by EdipisReks:
keep the current ibook and get a new battery.

So what I'm hearing is that I should sell my ibook 500, buy a clamshell, use that for 5 months, sell it, then buy a ibook 600 due to it's faster system bus.

Maybe I should just go buy a PC laptop. But then I have 35 options to choose from.

So what is that, 8 to 0 telling me I'm an idiot. Sounds like my bar mitzvah when I threw up on the Rabbi.

Powaqqatsi · Sep 5, 2004, 10:53 AM

Originally posted by Mallrat:
So what I'm hearing is that I should sell my ibook 500, buy a clamshell, use that for 5 months, sell it, then buy a ibook 600 due to it's faster system bus.

Maybe I should just go buy a PC laptop. But then I have 35 options to choose from.

So what is that, 8 to 0 telling me I'm an idiot. Sounds like my bar mitzvah when I threw up on the Rabbi.

No that's not true, everybody says that you have to keep your iBook + new battery OR UPGRADE. But your other options are all serious downgrades. Buying a clamshell is utter madness.

Mallrat · Sep 5, 2004, 04:29 PM

Originally posted by Powaqqatsi:
No that's not true, everybody says that you have to keep your iBook + new battery OR UPGRADE. But your other options are all serious downgrades. Buying a clamshell is utter madness.

Madness you say? Well I just might do it then.

I can't believe I can't get one person to come to my defense. I mean it's pretty blue. It feels great to type on. It has a fun little handle. It was the first computer with wireless airport. It has personality as they say!

Maybe I should just buy the clamshell and keep my other ibook as well. Just for sh%t and giggles as they say.

I think you're almost getting through to me. A few more verbal beatings might be needed though. I do apprieciate all the feedback.

Luca Rescigno · Sep 5, 2004, 04:58 PM

At most you'd make a couple hundred bucks. Not worth it at all, given the amount of RELIABILITY and USABILITY you'd be giving up. For what you are going to use it for, it sounds like you just don't need a faster machine. But you certainly don't want a slower one. And older ones are not only slower, but more prone to hardware failures. I thought I would be a super-geinus and buy a cheap Wallstreet for making presentations, but it has now died before I even started my fall semester of classes. Looks like I'll just have to borrow laptops from people.

iREZ · Sep 7, 2004, 05:40 PM

Trust us on this one Mallrat, I have a 300MHz clamshell that I put in a 512MB chip of RAM and it's still pretty slow for Panther. I'm thinking about putting a faster and bigger HD in it and using it as a music server. I agree that just typing on that book is a dream, but using the 800 x 600 on Panther is terrible and just not worth the trouble. I understand your POV on how it's a joy to use, but trust me when I say that you don't want a clamshell as your only portable (I have a 12" PB too). If you wanna get it to just have one, then by all means go for it, but don't get rid of your iBook 500, if it were me I'd use the money that you'd buy the clamshell with and sell the iBook 500 and go with a newer iBook alltogether.

800 x 600 =