[Phrixus]

Hi all,

Having spent many hours browsing, this is my first post in these forums (Second actually but I changed the title!)! I could use some help and info.

Here is the situation:
I have a number of PC's running Linux, Win2K and WinXP. Most of the hardware is relatively up to date and they get used for web design, file storage and recording television when I am at work. I generally spend most of my time on the net working on personal projects, video editing and working in photoshop.

Here is the problem:
Now that I am getting old (23), I am getting really fed-up sitting next to a jet liner... I need my peace and quiet! I think I have fallen in love with the Powerbooks, just how gorgeous are they!?! And I would like to be able to do more writing, digital photography and web design on the road (my current laptop's battery is dead!)!

My idea:
I am going to move all of my PC hardware out of my room and buy a 15" Powerbook (1G RAM/128MB Graphics/ 5400 HD) and also a 23" HP monitor which I plan to mount on the wall. I am also considering one of those iCurve bases to help the styling and cooling!

My question:
Do I have a good idea?
Is there any performance difference between the 15" and 17" Powerbooks?
Will I be able to do everything I could on a PC and will it be vitually silent??
I play UT2004 a lot... will the Powerbook cope and how good can I expect the graphics to be on the 23" monitor?

Any other advice or suggestions will be welcome as I am only starting to learn about Apple computers. This is the final barrier before I take the plunge and switch platforms!!!

[peterwynne]

** Do I have a good idea?

Yes, a very good idea. I was in a very similar situation myself - using PCs for the same applications. I ran WinXP for a bit of web dev, photography - digi & regular, music playing & creating and DVD player. I wanted the PB to take over from big/noisey/space-hungry/ugly PCs.
I got a 12" PB and it does everything I had 2 PCs to do before. It's quiet [my room is 12' by 12' and I can't hear a thing when I'm at the otherside of the room]. Its quick - I really multi-task, Powerbook screen and a 18" Eizo LCD screen together to make a very usable multi-monitor desktop.

** Is there any performance difference between the 15" and 17" Powerbooks?

Look at the specs - there are diferences in processor speeds, graphics and other bits - you may want to go for a 15 or 17" if you really need the better ATI Mobility Radeon 9700. I use the NVIDIA GeForce FX Go5200 for Halo and it works perfectly well

** Will I be able to do everything I could on a PC and will it be vitually silent??

I sleep in the room that my Powerbook is in - I have to timed to come on before I get up - which means it can start up without waking me [which is quite a feat]. Its the streaming net radio that wakes me up I could never ever considered that with my PC.

** I play UT2004 a lot... will the Powerbook cope and how good can I expect the graphics to be on the 23" monitor?

In the PB information page on the Apple Site it boasts about UT2004 performance and says this : "Quake III Arena version 1.32, in millions of colours, at 1024-by-768 resolution, all PowerBook G4 models blaze away at over 100 frames per second ". Graphics are second to none on my Eizo 18" - I can't complain at all!

Go for it - the only thing I can see that would sway you would be the graphics card spec versus screensize and portability.

[Phrixus]

Thanks peterwynne,

I am getting more and more certain that that is the way I am going to go!

You have the laptop stream net radio to wake you up!?!? Is that easy to set up?? Sounds very cool!! It is something I am sure I could do with the PC but for the same reasons as you, I havent tried it!!

I have read the specs on Apple.com, I just wondered what the real world preformance was in games! Apple will undoubtedly turn down all the settings to make the frame rate higher and I would want to do the opposite!

[Maflynn]

Originally posted by Phrixus:
Hi all,

Here is the problem:
Now that I am getting old (23)I play UT2004 a lot... will the Powerbook cope and how good can I expect the graphics to be on the 23" monitor?

Dude, I wish I was 23 but by your reckoning of course I must be ancient (40) in your eyes.

I have a 1.25 15" PB and UT2004 plays very well. I cannot say if its slow compare to a pc but using normal detail settings I have no lags.

Mike

[Phrixus]

Thanks Mike,
Thats the important thing. Although it was suggested that I keep a PC hidden under the desk to play games (A good idea that I will probably do now!), my thoughts now are when everyone gathers in a lounge somewhere with their PC towers, monitors etc... I wondered if I could get away with pulling out my new PBAl 15" and not only look cool... but also make sure that the machine can handle it... can you imagine the stick I would get being the guy with the Mac that cant keep up with the PC's!?!?!

[peterwynne]

"You have the laptop stream net radio to wake you up!?!? Is that easy to set up?? Sounds very cool!! It is something I am sure I could do with the PC but for the same reasons as you, I havent tried it!!"

Alarm Clock Pro is what you need never even considered it with my PC - but am sure they are similar apps on Windows platform..