Welcome to the MacNN Forums.

Parrot · Mar 28, 2006, 04:33 AM

Be interesting to hear any comments from owners of 12” iBooks who have recently upgraded to the new MacBook. I’m thinking of doing the same after using 12” iBooks for the past 2-3 years. In particular a comparison of build quality, durability, ease of scratching, form factor, screen quality, keyboard, and general overall speed difference etc.

dndog · Mar 28, 2006, 01:14 PM

At one point I did own a 12" g4 powerbook (the latest release), and I have to tell you the MacBook Pro is far superior. The first thing you will notice is the build quality, as the aluminum shell feels much more durable than the plastic used on the iBook.

The touch pad is also much better, as the mouse clicker is finally a reasonable size (its way too big on the iBooks). Of course, you will also be amazed by how much larger the screen is, as the 12" iBook can only show one window at a time.

I can't forget the power, either. This thing is so fast, you won't believe you are on a laptop.

jamil5454 · Mar 28, 2006, 01:19 PM

Originally Posted by dndog

At one point I did own a 12" g4 powerbook (the latest release), and I have to tell you the MacBook Pro is far superior. The first thing you will notice is the build quality, as the aluminum shell feels much more durable than the plastic used on the iBook.

Hmm interesting. I use a 12" iBook for school and I don't think twice about zipping it up in my sleeve and putting it in my backpack. I certainly wouldn't do that with a PowerBook/MacBook Pro. You never hear of iBooks getting dents, only cracks from extreme drops and pressure. So I would have to disagree and say the iBooks are more durable.

idyll · Mar 28, 2006, 01:53 PM

I suppose that depends on whether you prefer cracks to dents.. a friend of mine dropped his aluminum powerbook and it got dented, so he simply took the enclosure off and pushed it out from the inside so the dent was not visible at all. Can't really do that with a crack. It was a pretty good 5 foot or so drop too.

zombie67 · Mar 28, 2006, 01:57 PM

Originally Posted by jamil5454

Hmm interesting. I use a 12" iBook for school and I don't think twice about zipping it up in my sleeve and putting it in my backpack. I certainly wouldn't do that with a PowerBook/MacBook Pro. You never hear of iBooks getting dents, only cracks from extreme drops and pressure. So I would have to disagree and say the iBooks are more durable.

Agree! I have a 12" iBook for 3 years. I still use it for web browsing, sending email kind of simple task after I got my MBP.

nJm · Mar 28, 2006, 04:21 PM

Once I start my new job I'm going to get a MBP, and still haven't decided whether I should keep my 12" iBook. It has been a solid work horse, but I don't know that I have a use for 2 laptops.

Homer1946 · Mar 28, 2006, 11:16 PM

As somebody who currently uses both a 12 inch Powerbook and an iBook G4 I can say that, without a doubt, the iBook is far more durable. It is not just dents, and many dents cannot be easily pushed out as this metal is stressed and you then have a bulge. A simple fall of two feet from a bed to a carpet floor can warp the monitor, or dent or warp the body. I have seen it many times. Generally it takes a significant blow (usually much larger that a 5 foot drop) to cause any external damage to an iBook.

That new MagSafe connector has a lot more resonance for those who own the PowerBooks and understand how easily the aluminum warps. The AluBooks are just plain delicate.

None of this applies to the actual components, like the drive, screen, etc. In that regard they are about the same IMHO.

SLam · Mar 28, 2006, 11:49 PM

I upgraded from a PowerBook 12". I'm amazed about how fast it is. The screen is so bright and big! The pb12 is so small that I lug it everywhere. I was surprised by how wide the MacBook is. It's a good 2" wider than my pb. There's something odd with the macbook's superdrive. I have to push the cd/dvd almost 90% of the way in before it would grab it. The pb would grab them at 60% or less.

Homer1946 · Mar 29, 2006, 01:36 PM

Originally Posted by SLam

I upgraded from a PowerBook 12". I'm amazed about how fast it is. The screen is so bright and big! The pb12 is so small that I lug it everywhere. I was surprised by how wide the MacBook is. It's a good 2" wider than my pb. There's something odd with the macbook's superdrive. I have to push the cd/dvd almost 90% of the way in before it would grab it. The pb would grab them at 60% or less.

So my question is...

If you had a choice of a MBP in the 12 inch form factor, but assuming the improvements of the 15 inch (faster, brighter screen) would you prefer it or the 15 inch.

I still think I would go with the 12 inch. (I do not own the new 15 inch).

fisherKing · Mar 29, 2006, 04:53 PM

Originally Posted by Homer1946

So my question is...

If you had a choice of a MBP in the 12 inch form factor, but assuming the improvements of the 15 inch (faster, brighter screen) would you prefer it or the 15 inch.

I still think I would go with the 12 inch. (I do not own the new 15 inch).

i'm waiting for the next revision of the macbook; i waited a long time (coming from a pismo) for the 12" alubook; i like small & lite (my first 'book was the amazing 2400c...amazing mac!)

hoping this summer will bring the rumored 13" (or something like that).
my main app (reason) is going to go intel soon, so all will be well (assuming there IS a 12"/13"...)

wilsonng · Mar 29, 2006, 07:40 PM

I tried going on the road with a 15" PB after years of using my trusty little 12" PB and I would definitely prefer the smaller form factor while on the road.

When I bought my first TiBook, my friend walked in the door and said "wow! That's huge!"

When I need the screen real estate while I'm on the road and I think I probably won't have access to an external monitor for dual monitor capabilities, I take my 15" PB.

When I don't need the screen real estate while I'm on the road, I take my 12" PB because I know I'll find a place to borrow an external monitor for dual monitor support when I need more screen real estate.

I'm waiting for that rumored 13.3" form factor. I would prefer that over the 15" MBP. The rumored 1280x800 resolution will be such a great boost from my 12" PB's 1024x768 resolution that I won't miss the MBP's higher resolution.

Originally Posted by Homer1946

So my question is...

If you had a choice of a MBP in the 12 inch form factor, but assuming the improvements of the 15 inch (faster, brighter screen) would you prefer it or the 15 inch.

I still think I would go with the 12 inch. (I do not own the new 15 inch).

MrK · Mar 29, 2006, 10:18 PM

The real difference in build quality is internal. I have had more problems with my iMac and iBook than my last 5 PowerBooks and PowerMacs combined. Logicboards, keyboards, monitor cables getting pinched in the hinge. On the other hand, the plastic case and wider screen bezel means you can just take the iBook anywhere and not worry about the really bad scratches and problems with the metalic finish Pro models. I am looking for a nice combination of processor power and portability with the next one, I don't really care if it is a MacBook or MacBook Pro so long as it is dual core and weighs 5 lbs or less. Preferably less.