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Timothy Maxwell · Jul 23, 2002, 12:02 AM

I have a PowerBook G3 400 Lombard and I just picked up a G4 Ti 800. I think that they are both great looking laptops. But I have been using my Lombard so long that I think that I'm stuck on the cool black case and modular design.

I bought the G4 from the Wiz and have not taken it out of the box since I'm thinking about taking it back and waiting to see if a PB upgrade appears in August or Sept.

The other thing is that my 400 MHZ Lombard is not blazing fast but it's not bad. Plus, I think it has a better feel than the G4.

It's hard for me to justify spending $3,094 on a new Powerbook that I WANT but don't really need. Sometimes I do feel the need for speed though.

Does anyone have an opinion on this?

Chris Grande · Jul 23, 2002, 12:17 AM

I would have taken out of the box. But thats just me. (I would love to have one, lol!

)

Timo · Jul 23, 2002, 12:49 AM

I like my Pismo form-factor better, but of course the TiBook's a better machine and not bad looking. To my mind the iBook looks the best.

seanyepez · Jul 23, 2002, 01:10 AM

I think the Pismo looks better than the TiBook. It's classier, and a lot more notebooks are beginning to follow the color and design aspects of the TiBook.

yield2apple · Jul 23, 2002, 02:41 AM

I have a G3 333 powerbook, and I love it. I think the TiBooks look nicer tho. They're slimmer, nicer to the touch, and more solid feeling. Plus a bigger screen and slot loading dvd-rom.. *drool*.. but I am content with my powerbook. I feel like getting 256 more megs ram to add to my 128 and then a powermac g4 with jaguar on both. then I will rule the world

Art <img border="0" alt="[Skeptical]" title="" src="graemlins/bugeye.gif" />

Stogieman · Jul 23, 2002, 03:35 AM

<blockquote>quote:<hr />Originally posted by seanyepez:
I think the Pismo looks better than the TiBook. It's classier, and a lot more notebooks are beginning to follow the color and design aspects of the TiBook.<hr /></blockquote>Pismo maybe classier but Steve Jobs thinks the TiBooks are sexier.

PeteWK · Jul 23, 2002, 03:44 AM

I've had a Pismo since 9.00 and have had many positive comments about it. It really is a great looking laptop. But the DVI 667 I've had for the last couple of months gets different comments. It's more along the techno "wows". They love the looks but are more impressed by the size, shape and features.

PeteWK

seanyepez · Jul 23, 2002, 05:25 AM

I shook Steve Jobs's hand at the SoHo Apple Store opening in NYC. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="wink.gif" />

BigMark · Jul 23, 2002, 07:07 AM

I've a Pismo (G3/500) and often get comments on how cool it looks. They are even more amazed when they hear it's almost 2 years old and can do all this cool stuff- (e.g. I had the PB hooked up to a TV to play QT movies etc.)

I always love it when PC users who consider themselves pretty savvy ask me about a problem they've been having with their PCs USB connections etc.. I don't play it up, but it gives me the feeling that they realise we Mac users have fewer problems. Does that make sense?

I prefer my Pismo's design to the G4 PowerBooks- especially at certain angles, where the curves are accentuated by the light.
I haven't had much time on the G4 PowerBooks but do remember being rather taken by the wide screen which I think is a great idea as it better suits how the eye works. Slot load DVD-R is also pretty nifty I have to admit, but I would be hesitant to buy one due to the reports of case flexing. I always have my Pismo on a podium pad but still know that if I had to tote it around town, I wouldn't have to worry too much about it being jostled.

euphras · Jul 23, 2002, 12:35 PM

Sure, Pismo�s look great but if you�ve once played around with a Ti you never want to quit this stunning form factor. Screen is unbelievable....not to mention the other cool spec�s..

Pat

PeteWK · Jul 23, 2002, 02:26 PM

<blockquote>quote:<hr />Originally posted by euphras:
Sure, Pismo�s look great but if you�ve once played around with a Ti you never want to quit this stunning form factor. Screen is unbelievable....not to mention the other cool spec�s..

Pat<hr /></blockquote>I agree. Now that I have the DVI, I just don't want to use the Pismo 500. The new screen is what does it for me. (ok, the speed and video muscle help, too.)

PeteWK

Typhy · Jul 23, 2002, 03:16 PM

Well, I've got a nice 800mhz TI G4, I find it perfect, there is nothing out there that it can't do, Runs RTCW, MOHAA, Photoshop etc, all perfectly, nice 15.2' monitor. It's the perfect travel computer, In terms of looks, I have a 233 g3, I find it the ugliest thing out there. Go with the TI for sure.

mrwalker · Jul 23, 2002, 03:52 PM

I love the shape of the Ti which it gets from the screen. There isn't another laptop out there that uses the same proportion screen that I can think of, although I can't think why.

This is my first mac, the more I think about it the more I realise I bought it based on looks. I'd never used a mac before.

In it's favor, it's a more convincing representation of it's cost than any of the high tech toys I own.

I got an airport for it today

MrK · Jul 23, 2002, 10:07 PM

Hmm. I finally ordered a Ti 800 today after seeing no improvements at MWNY. I just couldn't wait any longer for another computer. I still like the way the Pismo looks... and more importantly, its vastly superior Airport performance. Plus the IrDa port. I was at a library in NYC, printing to their HP LaserWriter and using an Airport network that was 10 floors away. You can't do that with a Ti.

But hey. I am tired of waiting forever and a day for Photoshop to complete complex operations. However, I do plan on trading up if when Apple releases something with better WiFi reception.

dn15 · Jul 23, 2002, 10:23 PM

IMO, the PowerBook G4 is "cooler" but the G3 seems more ... friendly.

glowingcactus · Jul 26, 2002, 11:03 AM

I owned a lombard 333 for 3 years then it was stolen.
(I must get over that). i hope the thief's legs have dropped off by now.

Insurance paid for a Rev c Ti 666. and thats my problem. I did not choose this design but thats all I can choose if i stick with Mac OS.

I am still getting to know the Ti. i still dont feel at home with it. it kind of feels delicate compared to lomby. The relationship is still in the early days. It does not feel like sex yet. every time I open it I think the screen will snap in half it is so thin for such stiff hinges.

I do love the dimensions, screen pixel count, slot loading and speed of the Ti but I prefer the colour and curvy lines of the lombard. The Ti is just too squarish. I dont like the border you see around keyboard area. I just dont like the silver look as it reminds me of naff hi-fi from the 70s. I know, I know, silver is now the new black, or should that now be 'WAS the new black"? Silver seems to be naff all over again to me. the speaker holes are just too visible. and the battery level indicator lights are on the bottom of the laptop.

I wish apple could make the next Powerbook a dark coloured, thin, curvy PowerBook. No paint jobs either. How about a dark, heavily smoked glass (almost black) kind of finish.

dark is the new black.

Timothy Maxwell · Jul 27, 2002, 01:59 PM

<blockquote>quote:<hr />Originally posted by glowingcactus:
I owned a lombard 333 for 3 years then it was stolen.
(I must get over that). i hope the thief's legs have dropped off by now.

Insurance paid for a Rev c Ti 666. and thats my problem. I did not choose this design but thats all I can choose if i stick with Mac OS.

I am still getting to know the Ti. i still dont feel at home with it. it kind of feels delicate compared to lomby. The relationship is still in the early days. It does not feel like sex yet. every time I open it I think the screen will snap in half it is so thin for such stiff hinges.

I do love the dimensions, screen pixel count, slot loading and speed of the Ti but I prefer the colour and curvy lines of the lombard. The Ti is just too squarish. I dont like the border you see around keyboard area. I just dont like the silver look as it reminds me of naff hi-fi from the 70s. I know, I know, silver is now the new black, or should that now be 'WAS the new black"? Silver seems to be naff all over again to me. the speaker holes are just too visible. and the battery level indicator lights are on the bottom of the laptop.

I wish apple could make the next Powerbook a dark coloured, thin, curvy PowerBook. No paint jobs either. How about a dark, heavily smoked glass (almost black) kind of finish.

dark is the new black.<hr /></blockquote>GC: I agree with you completely. I feel the same way. In fact, I have had the TI 800 for about three weeks now and have not taken it out of the box. I'm still thinking about the possibility of taking it back. But, I'm sure I won't. In fact, if I get a bag today, I'm probably going to take it out of the box and start transfering my files.

euphras · Jul 27, 2002, 02:19 PM

I DO NOT BELIEVE IT!!! This guy has a Ti 800 for three weeks and finally get�s it out the box after that timespan. The day i got the mail from my local retailer that the Ti had just arrived, i phoned my boss(" feeling ill, visit the Doc"), went into my car (together with one of my winblows-believing friends (always very convincing taking them to an Apple store

) and had a hellride through the town....
Arriving, UPS-van still in front of the building, and.....yeeeehaaaawww, there it goes

Pat

Phanguye · Jul 27, 2002, 05:41 PM

the tibook is much better looking in my opinion... the lines are cleaner and more elegant... the pismo looks much less profesional and more kidlike then the tibook

phang

icruise · Jul 27, 2002, 09:28 PM

The Pismo is definitely cooler in my humble estimation (especially mine...). The Tibook looks like some kind of generic laptop -- you can't really tell it from a lot of other designs, but the curves of the Pismo seemed really distinctive to me.

Chris Grande · Jul 27, 2002, 10:26 PM

<blockquote>quote:<hr /> I agree with you completely. I feel the same way. In fact, I have had the TI 800 for about three weeks now and have not taken it out of the box. I'm still thinking about the possibility of taking it back. But, I'm sure I won't. In fact, if I get a bag today, I'm probably going to take it out of the box and start transfering my files.<hr /></blockquote>If you still have that amazing machine in its box and have no plans to open it you could always send it to me, lol.

I would be happy to open it for you.

[ 07-27-2002, 10:27 PM: Message edited by: Chris Grande ]

webb3201 · Jul 27, 2002, 11:01 PM

for the past 9 months, I ran both a TI 400 and a Pismo 500. I used both (using the Pismo as a Desktop in effect) and loved both. With the economy hitting me, I had to part with one. The Ti was the one I let go on ebay. I really like the Pismo form factor. As performance was not significantly different in my case, I like the expandability, the durability and the better airport range on the Pismo. If I could get a Pismo with a G4 800 and better graphics sub system, I would choose one over a Ti

Timothy Maxwell · Jul 28, 2002, 01:03 AM

<blockquote>quote:<hr />Originally posted by Chris Grande:
 <blockquote>quote:<hr /> I agree with you completely. I feel the same way. In fact, I have had the TI 800 for about three weeks now and have not taken it out of the box. I'm still thinking about the possibility of taking it back. But, I'm sure I won't. In fact, if I get a bag today, I'm probably going to take it out of the box and start transfering my files.<hr /></blockquote>If you still have that amazing machine in its box and have no plans to open it you could always send it to me, lol.

I would be happy to open it for you.<hr /></blockquote>I'm getting ready to open it right now!!

angelmb · Jul 28, 2002, 04:32 AM

I think the rear back (where it has the ports, I mean) of the Pismo is amazing finished, I spent a lot fo time looking to my opened Pismo from its back. Sure (IMO of course) the Pismo looks better with few light, its black helps here. Unluckly for me I have not saw a Ti yet <img border="0" title="" alt="[Frown]" src="frown.gif" />

angelmb · Jul 28, 2002, 04:41 AM

I remember a X Files episode when Mulder has a Pismo in his desktop and you look it at its back, as the Mulder�s room has poorly iluminated the Pismo really looks great. I think in X Files site there is a photo about this, if some X Files fan can give me a link with that photo or video... sorry I don�t remember anymore about that particular episode. Thanks anyway

Maybe in the last seasons they have a Ti yet, don�t?

The Dude · Jul 28, 2002, 10:26 PM

<blockquote>quote:<hr />Originally posted by seanyepez:
I shook Steve Jobs's hand at the SoHo Apple Store opening in NYC. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="wink.gif" /> <hr /></blockquote>fap fap fap

(btw, what does that have to do with anything?)

Personally, each design has it's own distinct profile. The TiBook is an ultra modern, sexy piece of hardware with nice hardware and a great os to boot. The Pismo (when it was new) was still a very curvy and elegant computer. Downside to the G3 design was that it was getting tired (as the Ti design is now, but with some refinements, it could still last).

My opinion? Ti over G3 by a close margin.

Fillman · Jul 29, 2002, 06:18 PM

It sounds like we all like both styles. They are (were) both trend setters and the Wintel clones tag along slowly behind.

Question is really, what's next? Bigger and sleeker Ti Book or a daring A4 sized powerhouse that will make the Vaios and Lifebooks look pass�?

I vote for the ultra portable smaller one next.

In Titanium, with Pismo's curves....

(Pismo G3/500 640Mb, 60Gb since Dec 2000 and love it).

[ 07-29-2002, 06:20 PM: Message edited by: Fillman ]