[Londo]

Hey all,
I've been a Mac user for a while now, but only for word processing, internet use, business etc. I'm a developer and am now looking at switching to the Mac for development use too (I'm currently using a Linux machine for this). I develop primarily in Java. My question is whether the G4 iBook 12" 800mhz (640mb ram) is suitable. At first glance, it obviously is, but it will need to remain in service for at least another 2 years. I don't know enough about the macintosh specs to know how viable the 800mhz g4 will be in that time. (The PC is 3ghz and I'm pretty sure that'll be fine in 3 years.) I'd much prefer to work on the mac though.

Thanks.

[pat++]

Well, the iBook G4 800 should handle it, but it might be a bit slower than your 3ghz PC. I would advise to get at least the iBook G4 1ghz which has a faster CPU with 512k L2 cache instead of 256k on the 800. The harddisk controller is also faster on the the new 1ghz iBook. Depending on the size of the project you are working on it might be a good idea to max the the RAM and get a 1gb stick...

[Ji Eun]

Originally posted by pat++:
[B]Well, the iBook G4 800 should handle it, but it might be a bit slower than your 3ghz PC...

a bit? i run the 12"G4800 / 640mb RAM and let me tell you, having switched from a P4 1.7ghz / 512mb RAM, there is no comparison in terms of speed (in a general sense), the PC wins. However.... i don't see why this iBook couldn't handle the kind of tasks you describe in your post. If you have the cash though, go for the 1ghz model or better yet the powerbook. OS X is one processor and memory hungry beast... and beauty, of course

[Mr Heliums]

I'd imagine the original poster can get a deal on the 800MHz machine, so that's why he's asking about that model.

With 640Mb it should be fine as a development machine; I have the same model, and was pleasantly surprised at its responsiveness. Trouble is, you'll be hooked on the likes of GarageBand and *that* will be what taxes the processor...

[Dr.Michael]

Originally posted by Londo:
Hey all,
I've been a Mac user for a while now, but only for word processing, internet use, business etc. I'm a developer and am now looking at switching to the Mac for development use too (I'm currently using a Linux machine for this). I develop primarily in Java. My question is whether the G4 iBook 12" 800mhz (640mb ram) is suitable. At first glance, it obviously is, but it will need to remain in service for at least another 2 years. I don't know enough about the macintosh specs to know how viable the 800mhz g4 will be in that time. (The PC is 3ghz and I'm pretty sure that'll be fine in 3 years.) I'd much prefer to work on the mac though.

Thanks.

I develop java on a 1Ghz Powerbook and used a 500MHz Pismo and a 500 MHz TiBook before. All three machines worked well. Powerbooks are an advantage compared to an iBook because you can increase screen size with an external screen. The 12 inch screen is not the thing to use every day.

The processing speed is alright although apples java implementation is slow and your linux pc will be noticably faster.

But you will love the choice of editors that you get in comparison to linux. And you will love the combination of great gui and comandline that works exactly like it does under linux.

So don't hesitate. I prefer my powerbook over my 1.6 GHz Thinkpad t40 (Suse linux).

[makrell]

Originally posted by Dr.Michael:
Powerbooks are an advantage compared to an iBook because you can increase screen size with an external screen. The 12 inch screen is not the thing to use every day.

I'm sure you are aware of this, you can put external screens to the ibook in dual screen mode with a simple hack. I did this, and it works fine. Just don't confuse the Os and 0s, (letter and digit).
The graphics card certainly is up to it.

I like the value of the 12" iBook.

[Dr.Michael]

Originally posted by makrell:
I'm sure you are aware of this, you can put external screens to the ibook in dual screen mode with a simple hack. I did this, and it works fine. Just don't confuse the Os and 0s, (letter and digit).
The graphics card certainly is up to it.

I like the value of the 12" iBook.

Well, I know about the hack. I have no experience with this myself but for the G3 iBooks I have read in a review that the quality of the external signal with the hack is significantly lower compared to the powerbooks. Especially with 1280X1024 or more resolution.

Is that true?

[pat++]

Originally posted by Dr.Michael:
Well, I know about the hack. I have no experience with this myself but for the G3 iBooks I have read in a review that the quality of the external signal with the hack is significantly lower compared to the powerbooks. Especially with 1280X1024 or more resolution.

Is that true?

No. The quality is the same.

[Stinkysteve]

I've been using the monitor spanning hack for almost a year. The image is perfect. No harm to the machine.
I can't live without this now.