[powerule]

Hello to all,
This will be my first ever mac that i will own. At this moment iam stuck in a decision. I very familiar with mac because i provide tech support for a networking company and work with both. I love apple products but i own a PC because I never swapped. My wife gets 20% discount at the apple store from her airline job. I decided I need a Notebook for my logo and web design that is starting to do well plus I do free lance photography.

1 - Right now I can afford a Titanium Powerbook cash and save over 600.oo on a new Aluminum. How are Tibooks? Is there anything wrong with them?
2 - SHould i spend the extra 600.00 when i have it and wait for the aluminum?
3 - should i just wait for the intel books? being that maybe everything out will be instantly obsolete as far as new software is concerned. I cant imagine when photoshop cs3/4 comes out that they will make a Win , Intel-Mac and OSX version. NO WAY!!!! Photoshop doesnt even support their older PS for gods sakes.

[goMac]

Originally Posted by powerule

Hello to all,
This will be my first ever mac that i will own. At this moment iam stuck in a decision. I very familiar with mac because i provide tech support for a networking company and work with both. I love apple products but i own a PC because I never swapped. My wife gets 20% discount at the apple store from her airline job. I decided I need a Notebook for my logo and web design that is starting to do well plus I do free lance photography.

1 - Right now I can afford a Titanium Powerbook cash and save over 600.oo on a new Aluminum. How are Tibooks? Is there anything wrong with them?
2 - SHould i spend the extra 600.00 when i have it and wait for the aluminum?
3 - should i just wait for the intel books? being that maybe everything out will be instantly obsolete as far as new software is concerned. I cant imagine when photoshop cs3/4 comes out that they will make a Win , Intel-Mac and OSX version. NO WAY!!!! Photoshop doesnt even support their older PS for gods sakes.

1) TiBooks are know to have paint that flakes off the case. Lot of cosmetic problems.
2) The Aluminums are much much faster than the Titaniums.
3) Adobe has already pledged support for the Intel Macs. I would say you should wait for an AlBook, and in that case, by the time you have the money the Intel Powerbooks may be out.

[powerule]

- I alot of cosmetic problems? I di hear about the flakes but nothing more on issues with them.
- Oh i dont doubt adobe will support Intel Macs, I sure they are...My concern is will they continue to support adobe products that are for osx etc. Let alone will they develop future software for the soon to be absolete OSX.....My guess is not, and my question to you is WHY SHOULD THEY?

- Make no mistake, these Macs of today will be obsolete real soon and its as simple as that.
right now they are sugar coating the intel Mac conversion, this sugar coat is for the transition period once the smoke clears and a customer like me who is on a budget remains with a albook i wont matter to mac....

- Iam actually all for the intel chip, if anything its about time....

[paul w]

Mian problems include the screen touching the keypad when closed, the heat and fan noise and the airport reception.

I'd look into an iBook, at this point. They're an excellent value, much more rugged and the reception, built in airport, bluetooth, Tiger and iLife installed, etc. And up to 3 years warranty (with AppleCare). If your TiBook dies on you, it'll likely not be under warranty (for very long).

<TiBook user.

[ericssonboi]

Don't forget those hinge problems!

[kmarketing]

I'll tell you though, I really don't care for the look of the ibook. Don't know what it is, but they look kind of cheap to me, and maybe its just me, but the palmrest squeaks when you press on it or pick it up. That's the one thing I feel different with powerbooks, even with the titanium line, they just don't look cheap. Unfortunately, you pay a price for that.

My airport reception on my titanium 400 is amazing, but you can always get a pc card. But overall, my battery life twice as much as the 15" 1.25 that I used to have. I should add though that I have a g5 for my serious needs, and recently sold my 17" 1.33 just to keep a couple (ti400 and pismo 500) of cheaper machines for my portable needs.

Cosmetically, I think it's how you handle them. My ti400 doesn't have any major scratches or dents anywhere. I was always worried with the aluminum ones of scratching, denting and case warping. And not sure why, but I actually like the classic look of the titaniums, with the black keyboard and all.

You also still get some upgradeability (with ease) with the powerbook. While I did swap hard drives when I had my 17" and it wasn't very difficult, swaping hard drives, and even the optical drive is much easier with a titanium.

So if you can get a cheap titanium, I say go for it. The widescreen even on the oldest model like mine, is still preferable to me than any of the ibook screen. And they are so light.

Just be careful on how much you have to spend to upgrade them. The memory chips and airport cards are quite expensive for them.

good Luck!

[Wiskedjak]

Buy a new iBook. It'll probably out perform any TiBook (with the exception of widescreen) and will be around the same price as any Ti.

[powerule]

No offence, but ibooks are like toys to me...no way would i ever get a ibook.
I do serious designing using photoshop/illustrator/dreamweaver and flash. plus i do music
on the macs at our recording studio using dp4 and peak. I books are notebooks for school, homework and trendy flight attendants with their ipods.....I will wait and get a PB.

[Randman]

Originally Posted by powerule

No offence, but ibooks are like toys to me...no way would i ever get a ibook.

You're not very smart then. The current iBooks trump the Alu PB 12s in many areas. A new iBook kicks the hell out of an TiBook.

I do serious designing using photoshop/illustrator/dreamweaver and flash. plus i do music
on the macs at our recording studio using dp4 and peak.

If you are that serious, you'd get a desktop such as a PowerMac. Or, a the very least, a top-of-the-line PowerBook15 or 17 with maxed ram.

[powerule]

- Maybe so, about a ibook i just dont like anything about them. The lack of a bright screen on all ibooks is damn near a insult. I mean talk about dropping the ball!!! Anytime i go to compusa or micro tech in NY the ibook stands out because it has the weakest screen on anything on display, so just because of the screen i wouldnt drop my little stash on such a feminine/trendy looking thing that cant produce a screen like other notebooks in that price range let alone cheaper ones.

- I bet a 2005 fully blown Ibook will run circles on a tibook that is 3 years old....if not, then Apple would be going backwards. How about compare a 2005 Ibook with a 2005 Albook?? to keep things fair.

- The Notebook for me will be for my graphic/web design to meet my clients instead of having them come to my home or our recording studio to avoid distractions with recording customers...I am partner with a friend and we both put our saving together 4 years ago and started a pro recording studio, my mac expirience comes from there. My friend is the mac wiz, We do have serious gear for our recording. 2 Dual G5's and 4 20' cinema displays for dual screens. 1 for our sequencers and the other for the virtual mixers with DP4.

[iREZ]

just so you know....a 2005 ibook is just as capable as a 2005 powerbook in almost all regards. its only a few mhz slower and has a slower hard drive, but will probably handle everything a powerbook can albeit a few seconds slower. the ibook will run circles around any tibook out, except for the 1ghz tibook which is still a very capable machine (but the ibook is still faster than it). and whats with all the iBooks look 'feminine/trendy' talk...beggers (ie..people wanting to save cash and are wanting to get the most bang for their buck) shouldnt be choosers. the tibook is still very capable machine and has some benefits, but there's no way this design student would choose an old tibook over a new 12" iBook...heck i'd even take the new iBook over the new powerbooks cuz the iBook could now handle more RAM than the 12"powebooks and i dont care much for larger notebooks.

[powerule]

Ibooks have the poorest looking screens...Iam totally seriosu when i say this, Ibooks stand out at compusa and microtech (nyc) only because out of the dozens of notebooks on display they have the screens with the lowest brightness. This is a kown issue do a search. Ibooks have weak looking screens and that is just sorry for notebook of that price...So iwould never consider such a thing.

[SpaceMonkey]

Originally Posted by powerule

Ibooks have the poorest looking screens...Iam totally seriosu when i say this, Ibooks stand out at compusa and microtech (nyc) only because out of the dozens of notebooks on display they have the screens with the lowest brightness. This is a kown issue do a search. Ibooks have weak looking screens and that is just sorry for notebook of that price...So iwould never consider such a thing.

Sounds like you didn't really want anyone's advice, then.

[paul w]

Originally Posted by powerule

Ibooks have the poorest looking screens...I am totally seriosu when i say this, Ibooks stand out at compusa and microtech (nyc) only because out of the dozens of notebooks on display they have the screens with the lowest brightness. This is a kown issue do a search. Ibooks have weak looking screens and that is just sorry for notebook of that price...So iwould never consider such a thing.

I understand what you're syaing about the screen, but honestly as someone who worked on a 12" iBook while my TiBook was on the fritz, I can honestly say it didn't bother me a bit. Sure it was an adjustment (more the resolution), but then again I know a couple people in the graphic design field who are very happy with their iBooks.


If I wanted my machine to last I'd buy an iBook. If I wanted a TiBook, I'd buy a TiBook.

[kmarketing]

Hi,

I am definitely a supporter of powerbooks, but to be honest, I think the ibooks today will give better performance than most of the powerbooks out there. In terms of airport reception, ruggedness, and battery life, I don't think the powerbooks can beat the ibooks. And to be honest when I had my 12" 1.33, the screen of the ibooks were much better and brighter. So I will even admit that ibooks are definitely the best value out there, and the performance unfortunately much more resemble that of the powerbook line than they used to.

I just personally prefer the look and feel of the powerbooks over the ibooks. And if you want widescreen there is no choice on that right now.

I've had them all from a 12" ibook g4 to a 17" powerbook. I didn't like the feel of the ibooks plastic casing and with the aluminums I actually thought they were fragile against dents and things like that. I sold them all and kept a titanium 400 and pismo 500. Honestly I can't be happier. I saved a ton after selling my 17" and picking up these older laptops. And again, i have a g5 dual 2.0 for my serious needs. All in all this was the best way in my opinion to spend my money.

Good luck!

[waxcrash]

I currently have two TiBooks in my collection. An 800MHz DVI and a 1GHz DVI. Both are very good machines and run great. Both have 512MB RAM, run OS X 10.3.9 and the usual graphic apps - Quark 6.5, Photoshop CS, Illustrator CS, etc.

IMHO, the TiBooks are the coolest looking laptops Apple has made, however, as others have mentioned, the paint scratches easily, when they get hot the fan can be loud, some have had hinge problems, and the wireless range isn't that great.

I've experienced the paint flaking and loud fan only on my 800MHz. My 1GHz is perfect. I get about 2.5 hours of battery life on both.

If you are considering a TiBook, make sure you get one of the "DVI" models.

Also, you should consider one of the new iBooks. My girlfriend picked up the 14" 1.4GHz/SuperDrive model a month ago. The thing spanks both of my TiBooks in speed and performance. The battery life on the iBook is amazing. Of course, the TiBook screen is a lot better.

[Wiskedjak]

Originally Posted by powerule

- I bet a 2005 fully blown Ibook will run circles on a tibook that is 3 years old....if not, then Apple would be going backwards. How about compare a 2005 Ibook with a 2005 Albook?? to keep things fair.

Yes, new PB will out perform a new iBook. But, you're not looking at buying a new PB; you can only afford something in the price range of a 3yr old PB. A new iBook will cost the same as, if not less than, a 3yr old PB, will out perform it, will have a brighter display than it (simply because the 3yr old TiBook display will be 3 yrs old), will have a longer battery life, will be cheaper to accessorize and will come with a one year warranty.

The only thing the a new iBook won't apparently do better than a TiBook is boost your masculinity

[powerule]

^^^
Riiiiiiiiiiiight. My masculinity, uh huh right yeah ummmm ok.




BTW

Religion is the biggest HOAX ever.

[goMac]

Originally Posted by powerule

- Oh i dont doubt adobe will support Intel Macs, I sure they are...My concern is will they continue to support adobe products that are for osx etc. Let alone will they develop future software for the soon to be absolete OSX.....My guess is not, and my question to you is WHY SHOULD THEY?.

Apple isn't getting rid of OS X, the Intel Macs will come with, and will be running OS X.

[iREZ]

Originally Posted by powerule

i wouldnt drop my little stash on such a feminine/trendy looking thing

powerule...i was gonna mention something along the line of why you would think the ibook is feminine as well. its basically the same look as a powerbook...just white. so tell me.... when did white became feminine?

i think you realize that the iBook is a better computer but can't come to terms with using a white plastic notebook vs using a silver titanium notebook. no biggie...if you prefer the titanium go ahead and prefer it, but dont tell us that the tibook is a better machine in any regard other than its widescreen, because it simply isn't. with that said...go with the dvi models if you can...they're the most recent of the tibooks and correct me if i'm wrong but the 1ghz has 64mb of VRAM, which is a big deal seeing how much work the VRAM is going to do in the later versions of OS X.








i'd still get an ibook though.

[MarkJ61]

Not really sure if you still want advice or a just a soapbox, but RE your initial ?s
"How are Tibooks? Is there anything wrong with them?"....

I own an old Ti that/s been thru the paces.

Seized hinge, also resulting in slighly cracked display case.
VERY chipped "ti" paint all round, esp along front edge.
Ran very hot, with loud cycling fan. not a good lap-top unless you like a really hot lap.
The screen was dim and not as sharp compared to AlBook.
Was not fast by any standard, even for web surfing, esp. compared to any 1Ghz+ G4.
Just died a month ago.

It did have lots of hours and some rough road-miles (but no abuse).
But many of the issues mentioned above are not rare, they are real for alot of Ti's, mine included.

[MarkJ61]

...oh yeah, also Airport was slow and bat. life was crap, dont ever remember getting a full 2hrs.
An in-flight DVD movie would bury it.

[powerule]

Ok so its settled!!! The tiBooks sucks therefore I will wait and buy the Intel Book.....Thanks for all the wonderful advice I will avoid the pitfall.......


ps.

I dont mind dropping 2k for a notebook when they come out either....When i said i was on a budget i meant i was on a hobby money budget, not a personal budget....

[templetalker]

Originally Posted by powerule

Ok so its settled!!! The tiBooks sucks therefore I will wait and buy the Intel Book.....Thanks for all the wonderful advice I will avoid the pitfall.......


ps.

I dont mind dropping 2k for a notebook when they come out either....When i said i was on a budget i meant i was on a hobby money budget, not a personal budget....

Woah! I didn't think this was a personal sales pitch forum? People, people, gather around!

I cannot speak for anyone else, my computer is a Ti Laptop, 800mhz w/1 gig of ram and honestly I have never owned a better computer yet.

It's unstoppable! As an archaeologist working in the field 24/7 it's not the prettiest sight, but all of that chipped paint and all those dents, come on, big time character! I've taken it on wild airplane crashes through Colombia & Peru, its mated with a blue temple viper snake in the Jungles of Java, and through the oceans of Kamchatka it was found floating inside my pelican case after a very harry storm still in sleep mode, purring like a baby.

Still it keeps on ticking! That's my personal experience, no comparisons, purchased in September of 2001.

[MarkJ61]

Still it keeps on ticking! That's my personal experience, no comparisons, purchased in September of 2001.

Mine got me through some adventures too, till it croaked.

But would you buy it off yourself if you had less than a grand for a new laptop?

[himself]

Originally Posted by powerule

should i just wait for the intel books? being that maybe everything out will be instantly obsolete as far as new software is concerned. I cant imagine when photoshop cs3/4 comes out that they will make a Win , Intel-Mac and OSX version. NO WAY!!!! Photoshop doesnt even support their older PS for gods sakes.

It is false to assume that the Macs with PPC processors will be "instantly obsolete" when the Intel Macs come out. The vast majority of Macintoshes in use will be PPC-based for years after the entire Macintosh line has transitioned to Intel processors. This means software developers will essentially have no choice but to support both processors, which is why Apple is pushing the Universal Binary solution to software developers. So, if you bought a Mac right now, you don't need to worry about a future version of Photoshop not running on it... your Mac is likely to die from old age before it is unable to run the latest software.

That said, I would advise you to get the best machine you can afford right now. If it is a TiBook, so be it. If you think you can swing an Aluminum PB, go for that instead.

P.S.: by the way, I think you're making a mistake by altogether ruling out the iBooks. You would probably be pleasantly surprised by the performance and the screen quality of a brand new one.

[cenutrio]

"Those who would sacrifice freedom for the illusion of security deserve neither."
-Benjamin Franklin


what a nice quote

I agree with the iBook statement, very capable machines.