[axlepin]

the gf is about to not only switch from the dark side, but buy a Mac.

I've advised her to go the iBook route bcs I'm not convinced the extra money spent on a Powerbook will actually result in correspondingly better performance. I base this on experience, benchmarks and my knowledge of what she'll be doing.

Photoshop will be her most demanding chore, but she'll want to be online, have photoshop stuff going and scads of other apps running; in short, all I currently do with my own trusty Snow 600mhz G3 iBook.

before she whips out the plastic, any advice? Can someone refute my idea that an iBook will give better bang for the buck than a PowerBook?

She's looking at the 1.33Ghz, 14" model, will max out the RAM, of course. I just don't want her dropping significantly more coin on a machine that's marginally faster, or offers things she might not need or use.

thanks,

axle
(BTW, I'm going to post this in the PB forum, too, to gather the widest set of viewpoints)

[Randman]

No need to post twice.

[f1000]

I think you've got the right idea, axlepin. Tell her to get the iBook.

[axlepin]

Originally posted by Randman:
No need to post twice. A simple search would have answered most of your questions.

actually, a simple search *didn't* answer my question. Previous posts mostly discuss G3 iBook vs. G4 Powerbook; not the comparison I'm trying to make.
The poll discussing iBook G4 and PB don't really do it, either.

Lots of folks are fond of their iBook or PB for intangibles, such as that they either like the titanium or the plastic of their personal machine.

I'm an experienced Mac pro looking to gather some data for a first-time buyer. While it's true that searching *could* provide answers to my question, the same is true about every single question posted on this website...and I have seen some beauts here.. respectfully answered by helpful friendly fellow Mac users who have the answers and a few moments to type them out.

The advantage of this site is that you can ask other people about their experience, and save some time googling to and fro.

Thank you.

axle

[Randman]

iBook and max ram. And an iPod Mini if she doesn't already have one.

[mhuie]

there might not negligible performance difference, but I bought a powerbook for my gf because of build quality. she initially liked the looks of the ibook better.

main reasons
1. keyboard seems so cheap, you press on it and the whole thing moves. plus the powerbook seems to have better tactile feel.

2. looking a several ibooks, the lcd on the powerbooks seems to be more vibrant in color, maybe its just our opinion

[brettcamp]

I had the G4 iBook and now have the G4 Powerbook, both 12".
I haven't noticed that much difference in performance between my iBook and Powerbook. The screens were the same, so the big diff was hard disk size, the better keyboard, and the ability to connect to a DVI monitor. If she's using an external digital monitor, she might want to go the PB route.

I didn't use photoshop that much on the iBook, but even so, I think the iBook is a much better value at the moment than the Powerbook. (it wasn't when I bought.) The 14" may not be quite as good a deal as the 12", but both should have plenty of power, especially if you max the RAM as planned. So, I'd probably go with the iBook over the 12" Powerbook in this case.

I think the tougher question would be between a 14" iBook and a 15" Powerbook, since the PB has a sharper resolution screen than the iBook, and it's larger and widescreen. That plus the higher performing chip etc might be worth the cost to her if she's a big photoshop or other graphics user. So, in sum, I don't think the performance difference alone is worth the big price difference if you're on a budget, but the screen and the performance combined might be.

is there any way you can have her try out both with photoshop in a store? With screens, it really helps to see it in person. Also, there's a good deal on refurb 15" PBs now in the apple store. But I think the iBook is a much better value if she can live with it -- more bang for the buck, as you say. good luck!

[Mojo]

If either of you qualify for the Apple educational discount you might want to check out iBook and Powerbook deals currently available at college bookstores.. I just picked up a 1GHZ iBook for $649; another post noted the same iBook is going for $600 at UCLA. The University of Oregon bookstore may ship a Mac to you; that's how I got mine, except I did order it in person.

Some Powerbook models are also available at prices well below the normal educational discount. Go to http://www.uobookstore.com/electronics/index.cfm and click on the iBook image to download a PDF file of the sale prices. A 14" iBook is included, but it isn't as good a deal as the 12" iBook.

The iBook with the keyboard that "moves" is either a lemon or the keyboard isn't properly seated. The keyboard on my iBook stays put and feels just fine to me.

[HoOn]

I was stuck trying to decide what I wanted, either a 12" iBook or a PB. Well, after careful thought I decided on the iBook because of the value and performance. I just could not justify buying a 12" 1.33 G4 Powerbook that was a little better than the iBook.

IF they bumped the Powerbook processor and went down in pricing like they did with the iBooks theen I would be owning a Powerbook now. Money wasn't the issue when I picked the iBook. Some people are complaining about the keyboard (including me at first) but after a quick call to APPLECARE they sent a new keyboard to me via Overnight delivery. It seems that the keyboard is built aa littlee differently with a different part number. I guess Apple had somenew batchees after some complaints.

If your GF wants a new laptop with form before function then she should get the PB. If not the iBook is sufficient. Just MAX the ram and replace the hardrive.

Good luck!

- John