[RydDragyn]

I'm debating buying a new Mac. My current G4 desktop has lasted a good four years, and it will last a long while longer, but I simply need something else at this point. I'm looking for something that will last a long time, as well. So my question is - what is the average lifespan of a Powerbook? Or Apple portables in general. At what point do the normal computer "aging" signs appear (and I don't mean going obsolete, I mean the computer not performing as well as it used to)?

[madmacgames]

well I don't really know, but my 12" 1Ghz powerbook is getting close to 2 years old now, and it still runs like it was new (and looks like it too because I try to keep it clean). I plan on getting at least another 2 years out of it.

It is worthy to note, that if you sleep the powerbook at night, the OS X maintenance cron scripts will not run, as they are set for late night/early am time slots. If these do not run, the system will usually become noticeably sluggish, but this is an OS issue and not a hardware issue. I myself use cocktail to run these scripts and other maintenance tasks at a time when I know the powerbook will more than likely be awake. It keeps the system running in tip-top shape

[redheadfred]

I just inherited a 800MHz powerbook from 4 years ago and it still works. From that you could say that they last quite a while. Obviously it's a little slow at some things, but for the day to day it does the job just fine.

[teknopimp]

2 to 2.5 years. 3 yrs is stretching it. i like running the latest software and os and i need (want) to have fresh hardware every once in a while.

[JazzCatDRP]

I'm running on a 6 year old Lombard G3 powerbook. Runs panther just fine, it handles photoshop just fine (albeit a little slowly). I'd say a PB's lifespan is great.

[Kristoff]

I've got a 5 year old Pismo that looks brand new.
I use it every day for 8 hours of coding.
I take it to and from work.
Not a lick of problems. The lid clutches are a bit looser than when I bought it. But, it still stays wherever I position it.

[sadpandas]

I dont mean to hi jack this thread but Madmacgames, should i not be sleeping my pbook at night? how often do i need to keep her awake? what are the pros and cons of not sleeping my machine? thanks so much for the info ahead of time. i just want to keep my pbook as healthy and snappy as possible.

[SpaceMonkey]

Originally Posted by sadpandas

I dont mean to hi jack this thread but Madmacgames, should i not be sleeping my pbook at night? how often do i need to keep her awake? what are the pros and cons of not sleeping my machine? thanks so much for the info ahead of time. i just want to keep my pbook as healthy and snappy as possible.

Go ahead and put your Powerbook to sleep at night. It's really not a big deal. The maintenance scripts that everyone talks about running at night are basically Unix-leftovers, and don't do anything so dramatically important that you should stress out about it. Remember, Apple designed OS X to be user-friendly.

If you do want to make sure that your system gets to do all of its maintenance tasks, you can use the Terminal to force it to perform them at any time you want. I personally have the habit of running some maintenance tasks on my G4 tower (which I put to sleep every night) about once a month, just for my own peace of mind. You can find a detailed guide on OS X Panther system maintenance here: http://www.macdevcenter.com/pub/a/ma...intenance.html

[madmacgames]

I can only speak for myself, but it has been my experience that if the maintenance scripts do not run, the system will become sluggish.

I put my book to sleep and use different app to do the maintenance and other things at times when it will be awake.

[SEkker]

In answer to the initial posting, I have had at least 5 years of use out of all powerbooks I've purchased for my group since we bought a Lombard 6 years ago. The Pismo, iBooks, and G4 powerbooks are all clearly going to last 5 years each -- especially now that I know how to fix the hinges on our titaniums.

[wuzup101]

I'd say this question is one that can only really be answered by the user himself. It really does depend on what you use the machine for and you're personal habits/tastes. I myself like to have new hardware so I can run all the newest versions of software. That being said, this is my first mac, and it may be a bit different on this side of the fence. I used to build a new PC yearly, and/or do a major upgrade. However, I'm very attached to this laptop. I'll probably end up purchasing a new notebook at the beginning of my senior year here (currently finishing up soph year) depending on the current processor offerings and revisions (read: rev B G5 or better). Luckly my parents are very attached to this laptop too... and my dad always offers to take it off my hands. If it wasn't going to be in the family I probably would hold onto it until after I finished my undergrad degree (set to graduate in spring of 2007). Of course this always depends on how scholarships go and how the money holds out. I have a good shot at getting a full ride next year... which might mean dual G5 tower for me If that happens then I'll have no real need to get a new powerbook for quite a while and I can hang on to my baby.

Really you have to ask yourself what you want. The current powerbooks will easily last 2 years no matter how hard core you are. 4-5 years you'll probably start to feel the slowdown... but the notebook will still be plenty functional - and probably have a decent resale value to boot!

[uberden]

I've been using a Wallstreet without problems for seven years.