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alista@comcast.net · May 21, 2006, 02:47 AM

I'm stuck as to which laptop to get. This will be my first Apple machine. I guess my question is, which is a better deal for a switcher? I'd mostly be doing college work, heavy internet, recording on it. I'm trying to get one before the next semester. I love the look and the feel of the powerbook and the MBP. I'm not so hot on the new macbook, they just look cheap to me (sorry guys). For allmost the same amount of money (or less) as a refurb MBP I can get a 15" or 17" 1.67 G4 powerbook. With all the problems with the MBP (heat-issues, whine,etc) would I be better off getting a last revision G4, and upgrading later? Any help would be great. Thanks in advance.

icruise · May 21, 2006, 02:58 AM

Unless you absolutely need to play games or have a big screen (or work in some pro applications, obviously) I would recommend the MacBook. They're a great value. Have you seen one in person?

paul_edmo · May 21, 2006, 06:49 AM

I would go for a refurb powerbook. I own one of the very last powerbooks made and I prefer it to the MBP. Yes the MBP has faster processor ect but its programs run quite slowly. The g4 will run anything mac oriented with speed compared to the mbp which will only run universal applications with speed. If you were to get the g4 i would reccomend the following specs.
100gb 7200rpm hard drive
1gb or higher ram
1.64ghz processor

The hard drive and ram cost etra but they are vita if you need speed and storage.

icruise · May 21, 2006, 07:07 AM

Personally, I'd avoid the G4 like the plague, especially if you're a switcher with few legacy programs to worry about. The MacBook will have a G4 PowerBook for breakfast in most cases. Of course if you have to run pro applications that aren't universal binaries, you might run into some performance issues, but for the most part applications run pretty well in Rosetta (in most cases the extra processor speed of the Intel machines makes up for the emulation). And don't forget that new Universal Binaries are coming all the time.

BTW Paul, your signature is WAY too big for this board.

amazing · May 21, 2006, 07:22 AM

check out the refurb 15" MBP in the Apple Store--use that as a price reference. You qualify for EDU pricing, so you may actually find that to be a better deal. Depends on where you go to school, since some unis seem to have a sweetheart deal with Apple.

Yes, none of the first generation problems of the MBP are fixed yet--but buying a powerbook at this point is not advisable. Just wait as long as you can before buying so that Apple will have the longest time possible for maybe fixing things.

Main thing is not to get anything that doesn't have Applecare, because of the problems.

The MacBook is best for what you say you're doing. The HD is easily user expandable, for when your music and project needs outgrow the factory HD. Given how many times I've cursed the unserviceable HD in my 12" PB, that's very important. Plus, sticking less money into the MB now, will mean that you'll be able to upgrade one last time at edu pricing before leaving the hallowed halls (or not.)

Big Mac · May 21, 2006, 07:27 AM

LOL, that's one of the biggest signatures I have ever seen in my life.

Maflynn · May 21, 2006, 07:41 AM

I second the sig size and to be honest, the mods are going tell you to shrink it down. That is it doesn't follow the rules on sig sizes.

alista@comcast.net · May 21, 2006, 11:09 AM

Thanks everybody. I'm still mulling over the ideas. I'm going to go to the Apple store and check out the MBP again. I just wanted some thoughts on what I should do, before I jump into the Apple pool.