[cmeisenzahl]

I've heard this several times but didn't know if it was true. The PB certainly seems more aesthetically pleasing to many.

But is the iBook a little tougher physically than the PB? Case and frame?

Thanks,

Chris

[theTechyDork]

Well, I'm not sure if one is stronger than the other. The iBook can take a beating. I am a 12" 1.33Ghz iBook owner. The case has a nice, strong feel to it unlike other Dell's I've used and such. I think the iBook's case's only flaw is that the white plastic can get scratched as the white face of the iPod can.

[cleanup]

I'm just guessing here, that the PB would be easier to dent (aluminum is rather soft), but the iBook would be easier to crack (acrylic is hard and brittle.) The iBook is also relatively easy to scratch, like iMacs and iPods.

Ultimately, though, the iBook is the better deal, dollar-for-dollar. You save oodles of money. For a Powerbook, you're basically paying for the shiny silver exterior and a keyboard backlight. And perhaps widescreen if you're going for the 15 or 17-inchers.

[gametime10]

I don't know if it's actually tougher, but coming from a 15" Al Powerbook, I know that I feel like I can be much more "careless" (not the right word) with the iBook. The Powerbook was so expensive that I felt that I had to be really careful with it so as not to damage it. With the iBook, I can just throw it in my bag or on my bed, and it's no big deal. Maybe it's only psychological difference, but it's there nonetheless.

[theTechyDork]

I see what you mean, gametime. It is smaller, and just has that thing about it that makes you feel comfortable enough to drop it onto your bed or lug it in your bag with your books..

[tooki]

The polycarbonate (I do not believe it's acrylic) is very durable. It can absorb shocks that will dent aluminum. Both the aluminum and plastic scratch relatively easily.

tooki

[theTechyDork]

yes, they can both scratch. the aluminum will dent more easily though than the iBook plastic

[ghporter]

The polycarbonate used in iBook cases is related to Lexan, which was used in such diverse applications as bullet-proof transparent panels and space suit helmet visors. It is TOUGH stuff.

The real question should be, how well do these computers' FRAMES hold up. The answer seems to be "surprisingly well." While I don't think anyone has done a straight-up comparison between an iBook and a ThinkPad (which has a well deserved rep as being very tough), from having handled both (and taken a ThinkPad on the road in a less-than-cushy assignment) I think the iBook is at least in the same league.

[Flip500]

Another thing I am sure of is that (even though it sounds cheaper) the rock hard plastic around the screen, keyboard area, and most of the sides is MUCH, MUCH more derable! My friend has a PB he treats just about the same as I treat my iB but somehow the metal around the sides (right above the disc slot got pulled out and now there is a cm wide hump on the side of his compy. If you don't need the capabilities of a PB than I would get a iB. and now is the best time to get one. there was just a new iB released meaning that there won't be another for a while, so your compy will be on top of the iB line for a long time... which makes you feel goooooood.

[brettcamp]

Apple sez that the iBook is made to be tossed in a backpack. The polycarb casing won't dent the way aluminum will. The iBook also has a rubber-mounted hard drive that's said to protect it from shock; I'm not sure if the PB has that feature, but I bet someone here will rush to inform us all. That said, my 12" PB somehow feels more solid than my old 12" iBook, but if durability is an issue, I'd certainly choose the iBook over the PB.

[gametime10]

New iBooks also come with Sudden Motion Sensor which protects the hard drives.