[shreddog]

With the new revision, has the 12" powerbook moved far enough ahead of the ibook to justify $500? Faster, higher capacity HD, different Graphics Card (not sure how much better the powerbook's is), faster CPU, BT, more RAM. Anything else I missed. I'm deciding between the 2 right now. I'm not really a power user, but I want to keep it for a long time without feeling the need to upgrade.

[gator]

Depends on your usage. If you do anything with heavy disk i/o or graphics (with respect to Tiger's upcoming Core Image) then you may see an advantage. The trackpad and motion sensing HD for falls is also not in the iBook.

The PB also has DVI-out, for those who want to connect to a DVI equipped LCD. It's also slightly smaller in dimensions, and a few tenths of a pound lighter. BT 2.0 as well, as opposed to BT 1.0 (whatever the extra speed is good for, not sure what devices support BT 2.0)

Basicaly, if you upgraded the iBook to get as close to the PB, you get $1199 for a 1.2 GHz 60GB/512/Bluetooth. So, it's a $300 difference for

- 300 MHz (25% speed difference, which is enough to see marginal performance improvements)
- Faster HD
- Better graphics (64MB vs 32MB, likely Core Image ready)
- DVI-Out
- Scrolling trackpad (though most of the functionality could be added by either SideTrack or uControl)
- Motion sensing HD for falls
- BT 2.0 vs. BT 1.0
- Marginally smaller/lighter

Your call on if that's worth it.

[Voch]

I really can't decide myself (I'm not in a purchasing mood anyway...this is hypothetical). If you ever want more than the PowerBook's base 512MB RAM you'll have to throw out the included 256MB module (it comes with 256MB on-board and a 256MB module), so I think the RAM is really a wash.

The faster hard drive and included Bluetooth are pluses (I think the Bluetooth is the new-fangled "improved" version, too).

I'm confused about the GPU myself. Is it the same as the previous 12" PowerBook (sounds like it's not)? LowEndMac.com describes it here as upgraded to a NVIDIA GeForce FX Go5200 whereas the old chip was a NVIDIA GeForce4 Go5200 (notice the "4" instead of the "FX"). Is there a difference? Is this the same GPU as in the low-end G5 towers ("NVIDIA GeForce FX 5200 Ultra")? They're all called 5200...

I think the CPU difference is on the edge of noticibility (is that a word?).


EDIT #2: Nevermind. gator set me straight below.

Voch

[Phiber]

Most definatly.

[gator]

Originally posted by Voch:

I'm confused about the GPU myself. Is it the same as the previous 12" PowerBook (sounds like it's not)? LowEndMac.com describes it here as upgraded to a NVIDIA GeForce FX Go5200 whereas the old chip was a NVIDIA GeForce4 Go5200 (notice the "4" instead of the "FX"). Is there a difference? Is this the same GPU as in the low-end G5 towers ("NVIDIA GeForce FX 5200 Ultra")? They're all called 5200...

Same GPU as last revision. It's a GeforceFX Go 5200, with 64MB VRAM. No changes in that area.

[Voch]

Originally posted by gator:
Same GPU as last revision. It's a GeforceFX Go 5200, with 64MB VRAM. No changes in that area.

Thanks. LowEndMac is wrong about the GPU in the 1.33Ghz model, then. I guess the GPU groaning will continue.

FWIW, I'm likely getting a 12"-whatever later this year or early next year. It's nice to see the speedbumps now for future potential.

Voch

[wuzup101]

I'm sure you'll see something better by late this year (probably a G5 or some very very fast G4). I would say Apple needs to do this to keep us interested... or they are going to get left behind. They build great machines... but like any group of people we demand more.