[hyperlucid]

Hi all --

I was hoping for a little advice from those of you who are more knowledgable than I am --

Three months after AppleCare runs out, the logic board to my iBook G3 decides it's time to sleep the Big Sleep. I mainly use my iBook for word processing (mainly Final Draft), web surfing and storyboarding (Frame Forge). Very light, occasional use of Photoshop Elements, and iTunes. In addition, I use it as a travel DVD player.

My question is -- if you were in my shoes -- would you

A. spend $200-$300 to replace the logic board, hoping to squeeze another year or so of use out of it. (I've heard horror stories about people having to repeatedly replace their logic boards)

B. Buy a new MacBook when they are released next Tuesday (I'm always leery of first generation anything, especially with the negativity I've heard about the first run of MacBook Pros)

C. Try to snap up an iBook G4 when the new MacBooks are released next Tuesday, at a possible discount

or D. Pick up a 12" PowerBook while they're still available (this is what I'm leaning toward, but I'm nervous about being left behind software wise -- although as I've said, I could probably get my with the software I'm using for the next three or so years).

Thanks in advance for your thoughts.

Todd

[Eug Wanker]

Buy a MacBook, assuming your software is compatible with Intel/Rosetta. If not, then get a G4 iBook, preferably with Radeon 9550 (which is a better GPU than what's in the 12" PowerBook).

The G3 sucks.

[seanc]

Is your G3 your only computer?
An iBook G4 would be a significant speed bump from the G3 but as my main machine i find it too slow and will pick up a MacBook when I have the money.

Originally Posted by hyperlucid

Buy a new MacBook when they are released next Tuesday

Off topic, but what leads you to believe that the MacBooks are being released on Tuesday? (I haven't been following the rumour threads) Do you have a link to the site or post on Macnn which says they are rumoured to be released on Tuesday?

[hyperlucid]

The ibook is the computer I've been using the most often lately, but I also have an old G4 tower (dual 800) that I still use mainly for video editing. Still running smoothly (knock virtual wood) but I have no doubt I'll need to upgrade that one before too long.

Todd

[hyperlucid]

Sorry, I missed that last part.

ThinkSecret and MacRumors are reporting that Tuesday is the day they're releasing the MacBooks. Still rumor, but they seem pretty convinced. Apparently many Apple stores have been receiving shipments that are suspected to be the new entry level laptops. Supposedly the staff have also been given instructions to push the iBooks this weekend to clear out inventory.

[Eug Wanker]

Originally Posted by seanc

Off topic, but what leads you to believe that the MacBooks are being released on Tuesday? (I haven't been following the rumour threads) Do you have a link to the site or post on Macnn which says they are rumoured to be released on Tuesday?

Today's flood of rumours begins here.

[victorwu]

I think this depends a lot on your budget, also durability needs.
My favorite thing about my ibook is its durability. The thick plastic case (including compounds they use in bullet proof glass), is immeasurably more durable than the aluminum cases of the powerbooks and the macbook pros. If the new Macbook has a durable case like the ibook, and you have the loot to throw down, I'd say grab one. If, however, it's aluminum, I'd reconsider. You drop an aluminum case, and it's going to dent on you. And many times, Apple will refuse to make unrelated repairs if you have dents (even with AppleCare).
I see no reason to buy a 12" powerbook, considering you don't use Virtual PC. Plus, Parallels is making big headway, and the core duos support real virtual hosting, as opposed to emulation. Plus, the 167mhz bus speed on the powerbook is tiny. If the macbook is cheaper than the 12" powerbook, why buy the powerbook?
I'd wait and see what the new macbook is made out of, and if apple addresses issues with the Macbook Pro. Unless you don't want to spend more than a grand to do your day to day tasks such as word processing. But keep in mind the value of the ibook's durability.

Cheers,

[Mojo]

The G3 is nearing the end of its useful life as the CPU speed and video RAM are showing their age when doing some things such as using Google Earth. And iBook drives tend to have a life of around 3 years, give or take, so you can expect having to replace that component sometime in the near future. The introduction of Intel Macs is only speeding-up the G3 demise. I have a 600 MHz G3 iBook and while it has served me for over four years I am selling it to a friend. (It has a relatively new, larger drive and a new high-capacity battery.) We'll either stick with the G4 1.2 GHz iBook or sell that too if the MacBooks meet our expectations.

If $$$ isn't an issue I would wait for the MacBooks to be introduced. If you want to try and get a great deal and you are a student I would suggest buying a G4 iBook from your college bookstore after the MacBooks are available. I bought our G4 iBook at the U of O Bookstore for $650 right after the new iBook model was introduced around a year ago.

[NeilCharter]

If you can wait then I would get the Macbook. A lot of things will be enhanced with that machine. Better screen at higher resolution, faster processor, faster bus, bigger HD and larger base memory.

Everything you do now will fly on the Macbook, especially when the apps you use are universal.