[volcano]

I'm in a bit of a mess right now.

I've been on the prowl for a good used 12" Powerbook G4 just in case I couldn't afford or didn't want a new 12" iBook - and I found one. Here are the specs of both the new iBook and used Powerbook I'm looking at.

12.1" Powerbook G4

1 GHz Processor
40 GB 4200rpm Hard-drive (Ultra ATA/100)
133 MHz bus speed
1024 x 768 resolution
256 SDRAM (upgradeable to 1.25GB)
512MB L2 cache
Combo Drive (CD-RW/DVD-ROM)
NVIDIA GeForce FX Go5200 (4x AGP) Video Card/Chipset
32 MB DDR video memory
Airport Extreme Card installed
Bluetooth internal (1.1)


---

12.1" iBook G4

1.33GHz PowerPC G4
512K L2 cache @1.33GHz
512MB memory (DDR333 SDRAM)
12.1-inch TFT Display
1024x768 resolution
ATI Mobility Radeon 9550
32MB DDR video memory
40GB Ultra ATA hard drive
Combo Drive (DVD-ROM/CD-RW)
Built-in AirPort Extreme
Built-in Bluetooth 2.0+EDR
Scrolling Trackpad
Sudden Motion Sensor



The price difference is rather marginal and slim - unless you consider the current Mac promotions (free 4GB iPod mini & $100 off coupon for select printers, along with my student discount..)

Oh, and the Powerbook is not covered by Applecare. I wasn't going to purchase it right away with my new iBook anyway - I was going to wait a week or two.

Which one would you choose?
Which video card is better? I know nothing about the two. I currently have an iMac G5 20" Rev. B that has an ATI Radeon 9600 graphics acceleration with 128 MB of DDR SDRAM (AGP 8X).

Also, the processor speed difference is slim as well - would I really notice that much of a difference between a 1 GHz & a 1.33 GHz processor?

I do graphic design and web design work on my iMac - and it would be convenient for me to work on my designs when I have a break at work and/or school every now and then. I don't play games much (although I do intend to buy Sims2 eventually), and my main purpose for the laptop is for all my term papers, essays, class notes, and the like. Which one do you think would do the job the best?

[pat++]

No, the difference wouldn't be that noticable between 1ghz and 1.33ghz but I don't really understand your issue. If the difference in price is slim, why not go for the fastest computer (and newest), ie the iBook + you will have a one year waranty and better battery life, scrolling trackpad and bluetooth 2.0 ?

[alimunnik]

An easy choice. Buy the new iBook. The used PB is almost three years old and you don't really know what it's been through. With the iBook, you get one year free warranty if things go wrong.
With VRAM being equal, the Radeon is better than the nVidia, especially since the latter can run Core in Tiger.
The Processor speed is significant.
On the whole, the brand new iBook outperforms a 3 year old PB in most categories and is equal to in others.
You'd be far, far better off with the new iBook.

[volcano]

Thanks for the help. I guess I've always been drawn to Powerbooks due to their sleek, aluminum casing. I can't help myself sometimes. iBook it is!

[OogaBooga]

Originally Posted by alimunnik

An easy choice. Buy the new iBook. The used PB is almost three years old and you don't really know what it's been through. With the iBook, you get one year free warranty if things go wrong.
With VRAM being equal, the Radeon is better than the nVidia, especially since the latter can run Core in Tiger.
The Processor speed is significant.
On the whole, the brand new iBook outperforms a 3 year old PB in most categories and is equal to in others.
You'd be far, far better off with the new iBook.

Well... the PB isn't exactly three years old... more like 1 and a half. And the video card in that PB is CI supported as well.

[Captain Obvious]

Originally Posted by volcano

-the Powerbook is not covered by Applecare.

-Which one would you choose?

-my main purpose for the laptop is for all my term papers, essays, class notes, and the like.

The iBook. It shouldn't have even been a question since there was no warranty on the Powerbook.
If you are really in ghraphic design the school will provide computers in a lab somewhere if the work becomes too demanding for the iBook.

[I was David B.]

Originally Posted by volcano

Thanks for the help. I guess I've always been drawn to Powerbooks due to their sleek, aluminum casing. I can't help myself sometimes. iBook it is!

I do understand your problem. Yesterday I had a look at the new iBooks and thought "no way that this plastic box replaces my powerbook".

But the warranty, the sudden motion sensor, the new backlight (that is dim in the 12 inch displays), the new battery (that loses capacity quickly, my powerbook has already lost 25%) and the new hd shouldn't make you think a lot.

Apple sells shiny surfaces. Be smart and buy the iBook if you don't have money to waste. Its a much better value.

[iREZ]

i agree...unless youre looking at running an external display with all 32mb of VRAM dedicated to the external or want mini DVI...go with the iBook.

[sworthy]

plus, go for the free ipod and printer - sell them on ebay if you don't need them and save a couple hundred bucks.

[JMan09]

Would the 12" be better than the 14" since the 14 has the same resolution as the 12". Doesn't that mean that the 14" screen just "blows" up the 12 in screen. Thanks

[Captain Obvious]

Originally Posted by JMan09

Would the 12" be better than the 14" since the 14 has the same resolution as the 12". Doesn't that mean that the 14" screen just "blows" up the 12 in screen. Thanks

Unless you have poor eye sight I see no reason for anyone to get the 14"
At that price you may as well jump to the powerbook