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Phiber · Jan 19, 2005, 04:09 PM

I was directed here by a friend who informed me that this community could possibly help me make a difficult choice.

Which Mac to buy?

Here are my needs:

1. It must be either of the 12" notebooks (Powerbook or iBook.)
2. Must be able to run Adobe CS and work with large pictures.
3. Must contain Bluetooth and 802.11G
4. Must be rugged enough to be a 'real' portable computer. (Not like a compaq presario. I've been through two of those and both have failed for the exact same reason. Near the hinges the casing has cracked and subsequently destroyed the display panel.)
5. Must be able to connect to wireless internet (Cell Network. Like pair with a bluetooth phone yadda yadda.)
6. Decent battery life is a must.

Here is what I will be doing with it:

Traveling allot. This will be my companion.

I rarely use a 'wired' internet service. This will be my everything computer. I do not intend to get a 'base' computer unless perhaps it is a Mac Mini. It will be my fullsized mobile (getting a Treo 650 to compliment it for a small mobile.)

Here's what I was thinking: My budget allows me to either get a fairly loaded iBook or a plain vanilla Powerbook. I love the look and feel of the iBook (never messed with a Powerbook) and I have heard they are pretty durable. I would get a 12" iBook with 768 megs of ram, a 60 GB Hard-drive, the internal Bluetooth adapter, and a wireless trackball or mouse.

A larger external USB 2.0 Hard-drive would live in the case to hold movies, music and pictures.

What do ya'll think?

Thanks in advance!

-David

barang · Jan 19, 2005, 07:51 PM

I'd say that the iBooks are a little more durable than the powerbooks. The mag backbone of the iBook is awesome when it comes to hard knocks.

That being said, the powerbook would be snappier when performing certain tasks. Also, the max ram of a 12" is (i think) more than the max of an iBook.

If you only occasionally do heavy duty graphics, I'd probably go with the iBook, because of the lower pricepoint.

There is something about the aluminum powerbook case that tugs at my heartstrings, though.

Just some thoughts.

Phiber · Jan 21, 2005, 08:04 AM

Well, the my main objective is to be portable, be confident that it won't break if I look at it wrong, and be at least decently capable in the performance department.

Yes, I fully realise this is the least powerful processor that is currently in an Apple. I feel confident that I will not have a big issue on the power and performance side of things. I doubt I will ever need more than a gig of ram. White is my favorite colour. ^_^ Also, the iBook seems to be a bit more customizable in the way of painting the external shell and the like. I am pretty confident that I will lean towards the iBook as opposed to the Powerbook. Mainly because the 130 mhz jump, the more powerful video card and an aluminum shell does not warrent nearly five hundred dollars more. Especially when two of the afformentioned are rather trivial.

I would like a bit more info from users, though.

my biggest concern is durability. Also, here's a bit more specific question: how does the iBook flex when opening the clamshell?

Thanks!

-David

iREZ · Jan 21, 2005, 10:38 AM

The max RAM on both machines is the same.

Right now getting a 12" PB over an iBook is more a personal choice rather than performance choice. The two are almost identical and unless your going to be using Core Image in the next year or two all the stuff you menioned will be fine with an iBook. Heck I have a 1Ghz 12" PB and I work on large PS and IL files all the time so certainly a 1.2 iBook that is almost identical spec wise could handle them as well. Realize as well that when adding Bluetooth, Airport Extreme and upgrading your drive to a 60G or 80G the price of ssaid iBook kinda gets closer to the PB seeing how the PB has built in Bluetooth, built in Airport Extreme, and a stock 60g drive not to mention double the VRAM, faster BUS speeds and mini DVI incase your going to be using an Apple cinema display (VGA to DVI adapters are pains to buy and use), and all of that without adding more $$$$ to the pricetag. Food for thought.

Luca Rescigno · Jan 21, 2005, 10:47 AM

The PowerBook dents. The iBook just gets scratched. The iBook is also just slightly thicker and made of heavy-duty plastic rather than thin, weak aluminum. Go for the iBook, it's a tough little machine.

In fact, I owned a similar iBook a couple years ago. It was a G3 but used the same case as the current ones. I put it in my backpack, bungee corded my backpack to the rack on my bike, and rode 25 miles one time. It was fine

.

jamil5454 · Jan 21, 2005, 03:38 PM

Originally posted by Luca Rescigno:
The PowerBook dents. The iBook just gets scratched. The iBook is also just slightly thicker and made of heavy-duty plastic rather than thin, weak aluminum. Go for the iBook, it's a tough little machine.

In fact, I owned a similar iBook a couple years ago. It was a G3 but used the same case as the current ones. I put it in my backpack, bungee corded my backpack to the rack on my bike, and rode 25 miles one time. It was fine .

That's extreme.

MARINEOSX · Jan 21, 2005, 03:45 PM

The iBook is great. Don't know if anyone said this but if you are wanting to connect to the internet through your cell you will have to have an adapter to place the sim card from your phone into it. This is hard to find for Mac from what I have heard because of placement of the wirless card. I think this would be easier on the PB. But if you are trying to just do blue tooth Then never mind. The ibook will more than sufficiently fit your needs especialy if you are getting the 12'' resolution is the same and the iBooks are very strong.

brettcamp · Jan 22, 2005, 02:40 AM

I had the 1 gig iBook till this summer, when I replaced it with a 12" Powerbook. I prefer the Powerbook, but right now, the iBook is a much better value than the PB, and since you travel a lot, its greater durability makes it the best choice. All Apple laptops come with the wireless card, and you can also include an optional Bluetooth module.

the big drawbacks to the iBook for me were the smaller hard disk (but you're getting the optional bigger one anyway), the mediocre keyboard (but it's still OK; it's just that the Powerbook's is terrific), and its inability to drive an external DVI display. Even with those slight flaws, if I were buying now, I'd go for the iBook on value alone.

T. Diddy · Jan 22, 2005, 11:39 AM

i have both. for your needs i think an ibook would suit you better. airport reception also better.

far200 · Jan 22, 2005, 01:22 PM

I have to agree with all the post here. Right now the two 'books are close, the powerbook has a faster bus speed and better graphics card but that's the only realy big differance. I think you'll find a ibook with all the options and lots of ram to be more than enough for your needs at this time. Once a G5 or better cpu gets put into a powerbook with of course "tiger OS" you may want to upgrade. but for now you'll save some money and have a great little 'book.

brettcamp · Jan 23, 2005, 01:59 AM

Along with better airport reception, the iBook may give you slightly longer battery life than the Powerbook.

selowitch · Jan 25, 2005, 08:45 AM

Originally posted by brettcamp:
Along with better airport reception, the iBook may give you slightly longer battery life than the Powerbook.

Battery life, durability, and wireless reception tend to be more important for everyday users; therefore, the iBook is usually a better buy.

Phiber · Jan 25, 2005, 10:21 AM

Except that now I am reading about the iBooks coming apart because of glue!? This is really disheartening. I was looking forward to the iBook a whole lot. I cannot justify buying one just so it can come apart at the seams four weeks after I take possession of it!

It will be used heavily and more than likely, in some wya or another, abused as well. Not saying I will be dropping it, but it will definatly be a mobile computer. The fact that they come apart is a bunch of BS! Now I am nearly forced to look for the lesser of the two evils. The Powerbook dents, the iBook falls apart. -_-; Maybe I should stick with a PC laptop.

brettcamp · Jan 26, 2005, 12:15 AM

Chill. When you read stuff like this, it's almost always an extremely rare anomaly. Of course, any computer can have problems -- it's all about which kind has the lowest probability of problems. And Apple laptops consistently rate among the best made and least troublesome. Check out Consumer Reports and other studies that show Macs have the highest consumer satisfaction and quality.
In the rare cases when there has been a systemic problem, like the white spots and logic boards, Apple has extended its warranties to protect affected owners. For the record, my wife and I have had two iBooks and two Powerbooks over the past four years, and none of them dented, or fell apart, or had any other hardware problems. Same with the pre-G3 and pre-G4 Powerbooks we've had going back to the old 160 and Duo.

As has been noted here many times, forums are mostly for people who have problems with their computers. People who are happily using them without problems don't tend to post messages saying, "Wow, another day when my computer didn't break." The chances of your particular new iBook exploding or falling apart or having other hardware problems are minuscule. If something does happen, you have a year warranty, and two more beyond that if you get AppleCare. Chances are, the new iBook you buy will have fewer problems than a PC laptop.

Phiber · Jan 26, 2005, 10:41 AM

Brettcamp,

Thanks for the words of encouragement. My biggest fear is to be out in the field and have a hardware failure. I have heard over and over again that the iBooks were the toughest of the Apple laptops. The only thing that is holding me back is a fear of my screen warping. Evidently it is caused by opening the clam. Apparently because it is rather stiff, the bottom edge flexes. I wish there were a fix for this.

If it makes any difference in opinions, I will be carrying this unit around allot via bicycle.

Thus is the life of a bicycle photographer.

selowitch · Jan 26, 2005, 11:35 AM

Originally posted by Phiber:
Brettcamp,

Thanks for the words of encouragement. My biggest fear is to be out in the field and have a hardware failure. I have heard over and over again that the iBooks were the toughest of the Apple laptops. The only thing that is holding me back is a fear of my screen warping. Evidently it is caused by opening the clam. Apparently because it is rather stiff, the bottom edge flexes. I wish there were a fix for this.

If it makes any difference in opinions, I will be carrying this unit around allot via bicycle. Thus is the life of a bicycle photographer.

Perhaps you should consider using WildEepz from Radtech. They might reduce the strain on your case and reduce the likelihood of warpage.

Phiber · Jan 26, 2005, 01:37 PM

interesting. Thanks for the link.

Have you used the product?

brettcamp · Jan 27, 2005, 03:01 AM

Apple expects users to toss the iBooks in a backpack, so it included the rubber mounted hard drive, magnesium frame, tough plastic shell, etc. Still, when I carried my iBook (now Powerbook) when I biked, I always put it in a padded sleeve, and that sleeve was inside my backpack/briefcase. I always use the sleeve when I travel with my laptop, whether it's on a plane or whatever, and have not encountered any problems so far. Then again, I was lucky enough never to have had any bike crashes, spills, or jolts.

Another tip is to slide the little screen protector sheet that ships with apple laptops between the keyboard and screen when you travel, to prevent the keys from contacting the screen if there's a jolt. You can also buy various inserts to do the same thing, including some made of leather.

selowitch · Jan 27, 2005, 06:36 AM

Originally posted by Phiber:
interesting. Thanks for the link. Have you used the product?

Well, today's my birthday and I got a 12" iBook with a set of WildEepz, and I have to say that they're very easy to position with the downloadable template and you can adjust the amount of pressure required to close the lid by moving certain specific cushions. They're pretty cool.

I'm amazed that a product like this is even necessary, but it is. Apparently Apple has steadfastly refused to make their laptop lids close perfectly flat. That's a headscratcher, isn't it? They are supposed to be known for their design.