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pete · Oct 20, 2005, 10:52 AM

So, I'm going to see my mom in Europe next week and she wants a new computer. She's currently using a great pismo but she needs something with more punch for her photos and a larger/brighter screen for online article reading. She's not in any way a poweruser, but she feels her machine is slow. She uses it mainly on her desk and doesn't really need to travel with it, BUT she says she's used to her laptop and would prefer to have a laptop. These are the options:

1. New Powerbook 15" - seem like great machines and mature, stable and not likely to have any fuge problems. $2000

2. Last generation of 17" - always thought these were strange machines, but they have a larger screeen so it would give her some extra space to work in, but of course not that much. $2100 after rebate on Amazon

3. New imac G5 17" - I love the imacs and think that it's the best value in Apple's line right now. Because of the G5 it might last a little longer?

She's more inclined toward a powerbook but I could probably convince her that the imac is better for her. Got to decide today since I'm leaving on Wednesday next week.

Any spontaneous comments and suggestions much appreciated! I'd like her to get something that will last for maybe 4 years or so and something that is reliable and stable.

Thanks

madmanXwater · Oct 20, 2005, 12:12 PM

Unless she want's a laptop, the iMac is a far better value! G5, bigger faster HD, built in iSight camera, Front Row with remote, less expensive (both to purchase and to upgrade) and just an all around much better cumputer! But like I said, if she needs a laptop, the PowerBook is a nice machine. I however would buy an iMac and an iBook for the price of the 17" PowerBook!

Hope that helps,

Mike

P.S. You can only point out the advantages of the iMac over the PowerBook, you should let her make the choice!

mrmister · Oct 20, 2005, 12:37 PM

iMac, by far.

pete · Oct 20, 2005, 12:44 PM

Aaah, that is what I was inclined to say too. Now I just need to try to explain to her that having a bigger computer doesn't necessarily make it more difficult to use...and maybe instead of adapting her computer to her small desk she might want to adapt her desk to her computer!

we'll see how it goes. If I'm not able to convince her, I think I will recommend the 15" - it seems like the most balanced laptop. Having been forced to use windows and a thinkpad for several months now, I am green with envy whenever I see a powerbook. It's hard here in New York where there tons of powerbooks everywhere.

Anyway...

Kyros · Oct 20, 2005, 04:36 PM

Powerbook 15 inch. She's more used to it already, the speed boost will be more than enough, and the screen has as good (better?) resolution than the old 17 inch. If she needs the text to be a bit larger then go with the old 17 inch. Personally, I would consider the 14 inch iBook. In fact, that's the one I would suggest the most. It's almost identical to the Pismo (screen size and resolution) but a lot faster.

pat++ · Oct 20, 2005, 05:03 PM

One thing to consider as well is noise. The G5 produces a constant noise because of the fans which are always running. It's not the case of the PowerBook which is a big advantage for me, particularly if she doesn't need the extra power of the G5.

Randman · Oct 20, 2005, 05:03 PM

iBook 12. Durable, good battery, solid specs and very portable.

rjt1000 · Oct 20, 2005, 05:42 PM

Hi,

Have you considered the 14 inch iBook?

Thats what I bought for my Mom and she loves it. The screen is roomy and bright (easy on middle aged eyes) and the 14 inch ibook is the same size and footprint as the Pismo your Mom is already accustomed too. (its been called son of Pismo). Its got plenty of features for the average home user--including a superdrive.

I know the 15 and 17 inch Powerbooks would be overkill for my Mom, maybe yours too? And I would defintely go with a portable over a desktop--todays portables can do just about anything the average Mom would want a desktop to do, and then, you can take it all with you.

Best wishes,

Rich

(12 inch Powerbook rev C and still got my Pinkeyed Pismo)

pete · Oct 21, 2005, 08:38 AM

I failed to convince her to get an imac so it's going to be a powerbook G5. I agree that the new powerbooks would be overkill for my mother, but I think after using a pismo she won't be happy with the ibook 14" and the 12" would be too small. Screen quality is very important to her and the powerbook has a brighter screeen than the ibooks.

Unfortunately, Amazon doesn't have them yet and I hate to buy from anybody who doesn't have a good return policy. Macmall and Clubmac are running good deals now with a mail-in rebate for a free nano, but they don't accept any returns. Does anybody have any experience with them? Or does anybody know where I can get one of the older 1.5ghz powerbooks new at a good price?

Thanks!

Randman · Oct 21, 2005, 08:45 AM

Originally Posted by pete

I failed to convince her to get an imac so it's going to be a powerbook G5.

G4. There never was and never will be a G5 PowerBook.

Look at refurbs from Apple for a discount.

pete · Oct 21, 2005, 09:08 AM

Typo. I know, I know. Never a G5

I'd get from Apple refurbished but they charge tax and then I might as well get a new one....

jmgriff · Oct 21, 2005, 10:11 AM

Keep in mind that the new 15" powerbook has a 1440x960 display similar to the last-gen 17" you are also considering, and some aspects of the UI don't scale (e.g. menubar) ... so how good are her eyes? The older 17" powerbook might be more comfortable in this regard ... and there is very little difference in the specs otherwise

pete · Oct 22, 2005, 06:34 AM

The decision was made. I got the 1.5ghz 15" from Tekserve as a close-out unit for $300 less than the new 15". There's no point in getting the new one if the only real difference is the screen resolution - something my mother wouldn't probably like anyway. It's amazing how exciting it is to open a new powerbook box! I'm like a little kid - such a beautifully designed thing.

Also, it's been a long time since I purchased a technological item locally. I have to say that the experience was great walking into Tekserve, sitting down with a competent and REAL sales person, talking about which one best serves my/my mother's needs, handing over the credit card, actually signing and walking out with the new powerbook. Such a great feeling and one which, I think, is worth the extra tax.