[mitchell_pgh]

I’ve gone back and forth about the12” PowerBook vs. 12” iBook (aka holding out until they release the new one). I’ve got around a 1,600 to spend on a computer. For the most part, I give presentations, email, word, excel, and a bit of Quark/Photoshop/Illustrator from time to time.

I’m eligible for an education discount.

$1,499.00 – 12” PB – Superdrive
$899.00 – 12” iBook - Combo

or keep waiting for the iBook…

MY QUESTION: In your opinion, what are the major reasons for bumping up to a PowerBook?
- Do you use your Superdrive much?
- What pro features do I get out of the PB that I don’t get out of the iBook?

Ugh, I hate buying computer!

[mitchell_pgh]

After reading the other PB post "Loaded 12" or stock 15"?" I'm considering the iBook 12" Save the money and wait. I really don't need the raw speed, but I don't like all the reports about bad motherboards, etc.

[DeathToWindows]

I have a rev.c 12" and i've been rather happy with it... the real difference between the iBook and the Powerbook seems to be feel rather than anything else... I've always found the PBs to be much nicer to work on. However, unless you have a serious need for mobile DVD burning, I'd go for the combo drive version...

[Randman]

Is this your only Mac? If so, the SuperDrive is a nice option but I'd get at least a 15 if it were my only Mac. If not, and you just want something portable and to go on the road, consider the iBook 12.

[mitchell_pgh]

Originally Posted by Randman

Is this your only Mac? If so, the SuperDrive is a nice option but I'd get at least a 15 if it were my only Mac. If not, and you just want something portable and to go on the road, consider the iBook 12.

Good question.

No, it's not my only mac. I'll still have my 733 G4 tower at home. To be honest, I don't really tax it all that much.

I think I'm more interested in being portable.

[euphras]

MY QUESTION: In your opinion, what are the major reasons for bumping up to a PowerBook?

-the bigger screen estate
- native dual head (no firmware hacks needed like for the iBook)
- more RAM capacity than the iBooks
-better keyboard (it was the case when i bought mine)
-raw speed
-expansion bay (you never know what externals you need in two or three years)

My machine: 667 MHz G4 rev. 3 (the DVI debutant), couldn´t afford the 800 MHz top notch one)

[Randman]

The PB12 is nice but it does lack many features of the 15 and 17, backlit keyboard, hot-swappable battery, video card, no 2GB of ram, etc.

If you already have a good Mac at home and don't need SuperDrive (or a super large HD on the portable), get the iBook. The iBook is durable, has good battery life and it's performance is good. Can also get more ram that way. Or look at getting a refurb PB, even a 15 rev c or rev d.

[giggs11]

I was looking at a similar decision back in July, and ended up getting the 12" Powerbook. I've been happy, though I do stuff on mine like audio editing, video editing, DVD watching/burning, and occasional web development in addition to web browing and instant messaging. Aesthetically you can't beat the Powerbook either. I don't have a lot of experience using the iBook, other than when I was deciding and used both at the Apple Store.

[Randman]

If the PB12 had hot swopping and a backlit keyboard, I'd get one.

[amazing]

From watching edu discounts for many years, it seems to me the strategy is to either wait until you see some back-to-school discounts (such as the past discount that essentially gave a free iPod) or you inquire with your school whether there's any super discounts on liquidation of the previous generation models. There've been some deep discounts quoted lately on rev C 12" 1.33 Ghz PBs. Even outside the edu channels, I got my rev C 12" for $999 after discount from Microcenter. Deals like this emerge from time to time, you just have to keep watching the forums or the dealmac.com and dealsontheweb.com websites.

In other words, patience is good to have in computer purchases. If you need the laptop immediately, get the ibook, but if you can wait, there may be some great deals to be had in edu promotions later this summer.

[I was David B.]

There are rumors about widescreen iBooks.
I don't give much about rumors, but, looking at some sony widescreen notebooks, a widescreen iBook would be very, very cool.

[vprp]

I just purchased a 12" PowerBook yesterday. Next, I'm getting one of those 20" Dell LCD displays to hook it up.

It was really a choice between a 15" PowerBook or the 12"/20" display combo. The latter would cost about $100 more but I figured it gave me the best option in terms of portability/screen real estate at home.

The mini DVI was a big reason for purchasing a PowerBook.

[SierraDragon]

With iBooks you cannot use an external display except to mirror; a huge disadvantage.

No PC card slot is an iBook disadvantage for digicam image loading.

Now that Photoshop will access 4 GB of RAM, RAM slot limitations are even more significant.

iBooks lack FW800, which limits external drives to USB2 or FW400, a disadvantage.

[brettcamp]

I have the 12" Powerbook Rev. C and use it for similar things as you. It's been the best computer I've ever had (including two iBooks). However, when I bought mine, it was only $200 more than an iBook, thanks to a sale. For that price, the larger hard drive, superior keyboard and, most important, DVI out, were worth it to me, since I use mine with a 17" external LCD display. Like vprp said, for about the same price as a 15", I get a bigger screen at home and greater portability when I travel. I prefer the crisper image of a DVI connection when staring at text all day.

However, much as I love my little al, it'd be hard to pay the $500 difference between it and the current iBook, which is a great value. It probably wouldn't be worth it to me, especially given the iBook's superior durability, airport reception, and battery life. But it might be to you. For that $1600, you could get apple care, extra RAM, and other goodies with an iBook.

[Randman]

Originally Posted by SierraDragon

Now that Photoshop will access 4 GB of RAM, RAM slot limitations are even more significant.

So? Only the 15s and 17s can hold 2GB of ram. The PB12 can hold as much ram as an iBook12 though the processor is slightly better.

[wuzup101]

I would probably go for the iBook quite honestly. You could go for that, get a gig stick of ram, applecare, etc... and still not be up to the cost of the powerbook. I would deck an iBook out... bluetooth and such... maybe spend the extra money on a nice 20" dell wide screan LCD, nice set of speakers, etc... You'll certainly have more money to play with if you go the iBook rout.

This is, of course, from the owner of a 15" powerbook <-- desktop replacement and daily travel buddy

[jdiddy]

Originally Posted by vprp

I just purchased a 12" PowerBook yesterday. Next, I'm getting one of those 20" Dell LCD displays to hook it up.

It was really a choice between a 15" PowerBook or the 12"/20" display combo. The latter would cost about $100 more but I figured it gave me the best option in terms of portability/screen real estate at home.

The mini DVI was a big reason for purchasing a PowerBook.

I have the exact same setup its beauuutiful. I just wish the 2005fpw was had dual dvi inputs and it would be the perfect monitor. Vga really does suck.

[molala]

I got the RevC 12 in powerbook last Feb. I used to have an iBook 12in as my main computer, which made me wish I had a Superdrive for backups. It was the only reason I moved to a PB, now i'm enjoying the better keyboard too. i would wait for the upcoming iBooks anyway before deciding if i were you.

[mitchell_pgh]

Originally Posted by molala

I got the RevC 12 in powerbook last Feb. I used to have an iBook 12in as my main computer, which made me wish I had a Superdrive for backups. It was the only reason I moved to a PB, now i'm enjoying the better keyboard too. i would wait for the upcoming iBooks anyway before deciding if i were you.

That's not a bad idea. With the edu. discount, I should just buy and not look back.

[mitchell_pgh]

Also, in 2-3 years, DVD burners are going to be in most laptops.