[HemoAggelos]

Hello all. Please bear with the long post, may I thank you in advance for your patience and advice.

I am a new convert, just liberating himself from the frustrating horror that was using PCs for the last six years. This summer, I began eyeing the Powerbooks with a healthy lust that has since built to a height I could not ignore. I finally made the decision to buy one from someone who is looking to sell one he bought in December. I checked his listed specs against the Apple site (thanks to the sage advice posted in other threads by members) and talked to him on the phone and arranged to meet face to face to buy (again, thanks due to my posting brethren).

However, after the 'I'm getting a sweet deal on a Powerbook' euphoria lifted, a couple of questions popped into my head, which left me wondering whether or not I would be buying exactly what my nit-picky little heart wanted. So, I have a couple of questions for those who can give me a good schoolin'.

1) How is this 17 inch Powerbook- c. December 2003 different from one I might buy from Apple store, for only 1500 dollars more? I've read a ton of stuff in the forums about Rev A-D computers, which I surmise has to do with later model units that are less prone to the vagaries (fan, screen, and logic board problems) its predecessors 'enjoy'.

2) With regard to the programs- can I still get the programs I saw and were interested in getting to know a little better- for instance iLife '04- with a computer that did not ship with it? Or will it simply be a case of downloading the programs from Apple (I'm assuming there was some earlier version of iLife last year that I should be able to essentially 'add' to the existing programs on the hard drive. Right? *Yikes* Can I update the computer to OS 10.3.5?


3) Follow up to question 1: Is there a significant difference in burn speed on the SuperDrive (for DVDs) between my Powerbook to be and one shipping out of Apple now?

4) If John buys a Powerbook in December '03, then sells it to Billy in October of 2004, what should Billy do about the Apple Care?

I understand to some these may be niggling concerns, but after watching, reading and, well, frankly fantasizing about being able to get real work done with a computer I am proud to own (fancy that), I just want to be as well informed (and happy) with my future lovely as I can be.



Again, many thanks for your replies

[iREZ]

1. First of all you don't have a Rev C you have a Rev B 1.33ghz, ATI 9600, etc........ The only difference in the two machines is .17mhz, ATI 9600 instead of 9700, 2x DVD burning instead of 4x, and BTO options that might not have been chosen when he bought the computer like 5400RPM hard drive.

2. No you have to buy iLife '04 since your computer did not come with this software at the time of purchase. You should have a previous version of iLife which has everything that '04 has except for GarageBand. As for your OS, you could upgrade to the newest versions of Panther 10.3.5 as long as you have Panther installed on your computer (which should be there) and you have a decent broadband connection. Tiger 10.4 will have to be bought.

3. The one your looking at has 2x and the ones out now have 4x

4. Save up for Applecare quick, especially since your buying a used computer. Make sure you get it by the end of Nov. so as to not risk anything. Time to start checking the Marketplace and ebay, Applecare can sell for alot less from someone who doesn't really need it.

Have fun!!

[icruise]

Why didn't iLife come with the computer? My rev. A 12" powerbook came with it.

[olePigeon]

Originally posted by Icruise:
Why didn't iLife come with the computer? My rev. A 12" powerbook came with it.

I think he just mistyped. He meant that you'll get iLife 2003, but it won't have GarageBand like iLife 2004. You'd have to buy iLife 2004 if you want the latest iLife apps including GarageBand.

[iREZ]

Originally posted by iREZ:
You should have a previous version of iLife which has everything that '04 has except for GarageBand.

I did say that you get a previous version of iLife.

[ibook_steve]

And gosh darn it, people like it!



Sorry, I could not resist.

Steve

[HemoAggelos]

[QUOTE]Originally posted by iREZ:
1. First of all you don't have a Rev C you have a Rev B 1.33ghz, ATI 9600, etc........ The only difference in the two machines is .17mhz, ATI 9600 instead of 9700, 2x DVD burning instead of 4x, and BTO options that might not have been chosen when he bought the computer like 5400RPM hard drive.

2. Tiger 10.4 will have to be bought.

Tiger being the next step up from Panther 3.5.?



And, say, what's the difference then, in burning speed from 4x to 2x?

Overall, kinda sucks to take such a hit in programs and such for a 9 month older model. Would I be better off spending more and gettting a current 15 inch?

[anamexis]

Tiger being the next step up from Panther 3.5.?

Tiger is the yet-to-be-released next version of Mac OS X, 10.4. It definitely isn't a required thing (you don't have to upgrade), but it will have some nice features. Major (point) versions of OS X cost $130 or $70 with educational discount.

And, say, what's the difference then, in burning speed from 4x to 2x?

Burning a DVD at 2X will take about 29 minutes if you fill the whole DVD, whereas burning at 4X will take about 14 minutes full.

Overall, kinda sucks to take such a hit in programs and such for a 9 month older model. Would I be better off spending more and gettting a current 15 inch?

I think the used machine really is a better deal. The upgrade costs are neglible compared to just buying a fresh Powerbook from Apple.

[Scooterboy]

It all depends on what you'll be doing with the PowerBook. If you'll be burning lotsa DVD's often, it might make sense to buy a new 'book. If you'll be playing games often, then the new PowerBook's ATi Mobility Radeon 9700/128 MB and 5400 RPM HD make sense. $1500 more is a lot of money, 'though, and for just about any other work (including Pro stuff), your friend's used PowerBook won't be lagging much behind the current offerings.
Most of iLife 2004 (iTunes 4.6, iChat, iPhoto, if I'm not mistaken) can be downloaded for free from Apple. Unless you need Garage Band you won't have to buy iLife 2004. I've yet to try Garage Band and I used to play in one. So a used Dec 2003 PowerBook G4 should be a good value against a new March 2004 PowerBook.

That said, an update could be right around the corner with better and faster doohickeys without which our lives will seem empty and incomplete.

[SSharon]

I also think you should get the used powerbook. If you really want faster dvd burning go to newegg.com and buy a much faster burner (16x) and a case to put it in. This is an especially good deal since its less than a year old and you can buy apple care (which I strongly recommend for you). Don't worry about tiger yet since its not out and even when it is its not a bad idea to wait before installing it to hear about any problems. ilife is great and you can buy it separately if you really want garageband.

Enjoy your new mac.

[HemoAggelos]

Okay, at only $50, buying iLife sounds totally doable. And I get now it's a program not bound to the OS. Thanx for the help. Wish me luck !!

[balls]

Originally posted by HemoAggelos:
Wish me luck !!

Not necessary, this isn't Windows