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irockdabari · Oct 31, 2004, 08:58 PM

Now, I know many of you are at first just going to tell me to go search the forums on here before starting another topic like this. However, i have already done that. All I've found is just info. The decision making will ultamately be up to me.

Now, iBook. It's cheap, it's ready for "on the go" work. It can get the job done, for now. Really, all I need is a mac laptop that I can type up papers for and right down notes for club meetings and what not, along with browsing the internet and checking e-mail, etc.

However, I plan on going into engineering, and would like to have Mathematica run on my newer machine. My iMac 800 G4 at home wont be able to handle this I think. Would an iBook G4 be able to? Also, I would also be getting AutoCADD and Logic Express 7 someday, now how would those run on an iBook? The two things I strongly dislike about the iBook is the fact that they don't have DVI out and have the same resolution on both the 12" an 14" models. Does my future look bright if I go with the iBook 12"?

I have $2,000 of financial aide money (which by the way is a parent loan!) so I would like to spend as frugally as possible. This laptop should last me 4+ years ( engineering takes a while). Should I just get a cheaper iBook now, and then take out another loan (considering I probably wont be able to get a powerbook just by working and saving) later on to get a powerbook once I start engineering college?

I know this sounds like a very stupid question that is not very well thought out at all. However, it IS an option (mom even suggested). It's just i've become very concious of purchases that I make an investment in, and so I want to make the right decision for now and the future.

Can anyone help me?

A Ghost Is Born · Oct 31, 2004, 09:28 PM

an ibook could run those programs but it there is a big difference between the powerbook and the ibook. I am sure you are aware of the the PowerBook's faster bus speed, faster RAM, faster processors, and built in bluetooth and airport express. I would consider getting a 12" powerbook w/ your student discount ($1400) and load up on some extras that you may want (RAM, HDD storage, etc.). I wouldn't buy it immediately though. The PowerBook is due for an upgrade some time next year. Very likely spring. If you need it now, then get it now but if you wait, I suspect that you will get a slight processor boost (1.33GHz to probably 1.5 on the 12") (OR the rumored G5 PowerBook). If you want a larger screen size, a 15" PowerBook will likely set you back some serious dough but gives you some nicer options (such as upgrading your video card, backlight keyboard, etc.)

irockdabari · 10:57 PM

Thanks for your input, it is very appreciated!

Yes, I am very aware of the differences. BUt i noticed that the BUS speeds aren't that different (about 30 Mhz difference) Excuse my ingornace, but is that a lot or a little? i don't know much about how BUS speeds affects overall preformance. RAM Speeds... is that in reference to the max amount of RAM, or does RAM have a speed (i've never heard...).

I plan on buying my 'Book from CompUSA, so they still have the last version of the iBook in stock (1.0Ghz, etc) Now i would like bluetooth with my purchase, since I am thinking about the future and all. hmm...

One more thing.... can you close iBook and hook it up to an ext. display and use that as the main display, instead of diong a dual display?

Whatever my choice, I'll remember to post pics of the addition to my family.

A Ghost Is Born · Oct 31, 2004, 11:13 PM

Originally posted by irockdabari:
Thanks for your input, it is very appreciated!

Yes, I am very aware of the differences. BUt i noticed that the BUS speeds aren't that different (about 30 Mhz difference) Excuse my ingornace, but is that a lot or a little? i don't know much about how BUS speeds affects overall preformance. RAM Speeds... is that in reference to the max amount of RAM, or does RAM have a speed (i've never heard...).

I plan on buying my 'Book from CompUSA, so they still have the last version of the iBook in stock (1.0Ghz, etc) Now i would like bluetooth with my purchase, since I am thinking about the future and all. hmm...

One more thing.... can you close iBook and hook it up to an ext. display and use that as the main display, instead of diong a dual display?

Whatever my choice, I'll remember to post pics of the addition to my family.

Well, 30MHz isn't that big of a difference but it's still a tad faster, faster RAM speeds (ibook using PC2100 or an effective 266MHz vs. Powerbook using PC2700 or an effective 333MHz) allows a more seamless experience when running multiple applications as well as loading those applications. If you want to get the most out of your notebook, I would push for a powerbook. I know guys who still use older ibooks and do professional audio recording on them but it's a bit slow and kind of clunky compared to the newer notebooks.

The current iBook model has a walk-in 1.2GHz processor on the 12" model. I have this unit

. I would order from Apple, you will get a discount as a student as well as get customized options such as hard drive space, bluetooth is an option with the ibook. Both the ibook and powerbook have firewire on them. i assume that you will be recording through a device that will go into firewire? the ibook doesn't have a microphone input like the powerbook does.

the ibook has a mini-dvi to vga adapter in the box. it will mirror what's on the ibook display to the monitor. i haven't used it closed though.

irockdabari · Oct 31, 2004, 11:39 PM

Well I guess I just have to realize what I need as to what I want. Right now, education is more important than Logic (but if I were a music comp major it would be different). It's looking like the 12" iBook will suit my needs very well.

Um.... isn't the mini DVI to VGA on the 12" PowerBook...not the iBook?

Thanks so much for your help man! Greatly appreciated. I think I'll load up on some RAM and get a nice case for it with the leftover money.

Speaking of cases, I'm looking for one that can carry my books for school and my laptop. Any suggestions?

D'Espice · Nov 1, 2004, 02:07 AM

Go with the iBook. In terms of performance, there may be a slight difference but it's not that huge. After all, the CPU is only 133 MHz faster in the 12" PowerBook than the 12" iBook and bus speed even though faster will note make a noticeable difference at all.

Since you're on a loan I would suggest to get the 12" iBook with your students discount and enjoy it. It will get the job done for now, save you a lot of money and will not be much slower when it comes to Logic or AutoCAD. And even if you you won't be satisfied with its performance, you can sell it by then, fork out some extra cash and get a much faster PowerBook (or iBook or iMac or whatever) than the one you would be able to afford today.
The iBook was designed to be carried around in school bags/backpacks and is in my opinion more suited for college/school. And yes, the Mini-VGA -> DVI is PowerBook only, the iBook has a regular Mini-VGA -> VGA.

iluvmymactoo · Nov 1, 2004, 02:29 AM

I had an iBook G3 800Mhz then went to the PowerBook 12" Rev C. The problem with the PowerBooks are they dent very easily and after spending close to $3000 on a computer a unrepairable dent to it ain't so good.

I travel alot and whilst the PowerBook is a fantastic computer it is (IMO) just too precious to knocks and bumps.

Three days ago I bought the latest G4 iBook 1.2 Ghz and I'm very happy with it. My old iBook still looks as good as the day I bought it two years ago and runs just as well, so I know my latest acquisition will do as well.

Add some more ram (I took the 1gig stick from the pBook and put it into my new iBook) and you'll be more than satisfied.

irockdabari · Nov 1, 2004, 09:18 AM

Yeah, I agree, A friend of mine suggested I trade in later as well. Sounds like I'm going to very happy with iBook! I can't wait! I"m getting it today! woo hoo! I still have those pre purchase jitters tho. I think i'll get some AppleCare action with extra money, maybe some .Mac action and some AirPort Express action too.

One mroe q: If you can display iBooks screen on external monitors at a fixed resolution, how would it look on a 17" display? I'm thinking it would look fine on a 15" display, since my 15" G4 Flat PaneliMac has the same resoluition as the iBooks too. Has anyone done this?

D'Espice · Nov 1, 2004, 09:31 AM

If you're talking 17" LCD here you basically have two options: Either you accept the fact that you'll only have 1024x768 on your 17" (which would look ugly) or you can use the reshack to enable additional features Apple disabled in the iBook's video card like higher resolution.
On a 17" CRT it will be just fine, same on a 15" LCD.

minton7 · Nov 2, 2004, 12:05 AM

If you want a portable machine to run Mathematica, I wouldn't recommend a mac. Look at the timings at http://smc.vnet.net/timings50.html - You'll see that the Athlon 64 chip is kicking serious butt, and, I'm sad to report, even a Thinkpad outperforms a dual 2ghz powermac g5. The high-end x86 chips shine in all the various calculations, but it's not completely fair since Wolfram hasn't provided a version of Mathematica optimized for the g5. I would recommend getting an amd 64 based laptop ($1200 is doable) and if you want unix / hate microsoft, install linux as your OS (Mathematica is linux-optimized).

iluvmymactoo · Nov 2, 2004, 12:12 AM

Originally posted by minton7:
If you want a portable machine to run Mathematica, I wouldn't recommend a mac. Look at the timings at http://smc.vnet.net/timings50.html - You'll see that the Athlon 64 chip is kicking serious butt, and, I'm sad to report, even a Thinkpad outperforms a dual 2ghz powermac g5. The high-end x86 chips shine in all the various calculations, but it's not completely fair since Wolfram hasn't provided a version of Mathematica optimized for the g5. I would recommend getting an amd 64 based laptop ($1200 is doable) and if you want unix / hate microsoft, install linux as your OS (Mathematica is linux-optimized).

OOPS! I thought this was a Mac forum ?

minton7 · Nov 2, 2004, 12:58 AM

Originally posted by iluvmymactoo:
OOPS! I thought this was a Mac forum ?

We're all mac fans here, but we're also informed consumers. I provided a link to data that supported my claim that Mathematica would be much faster on other platforms. I think we're all big enough boys and girls to look at things objectively.

iluvmymactoo · Nov 2, 2004, 01:01 AM

Originally posted by minton7:
We're all mac fans here, but we're also informed consumers. I provided a link to data that supported my claim that Mathematica would be much faster on other platforms. I think we're all big enough boys and girls to look at things objectively.

Um ok

irockdabari · Nov 2, 2004, 07:11 AM

I bought the 12" iBook. I love it. the 512 MB of RAM I installed on it makes things run very nicely. This should do me very well.

Remember.... I don't do PCs..... even if they have linux on them.

I switched for a reason.

and I'm glad i did.

Also, Mathematica is just a want, not really a need. This purchase was based around needs.

Besides... I wouldn't need Mathematica to calculate huge numbers and high level systems of equations, like the basically unsolvable equations of Quantum Mechanics.

I'm happy wiht my purchase, and that's all that matters.

Anyone remember that original iPhoto commercial with baby jack? I was reminded of that when I was driving my new iBook home.