[paully dub]

The 1ghz TiBook I'm writing this on is going to be 2 years old soon. I'll have AppleCare for another couple years, but realistically how long can one expect to be productive on one's powerbook? Obviously software and OS is a factor, but on the average.

[cenutrio]

My TiPB 400 upgraded (1 GB RAM, 40 GB 5,400) still holds and works fine. I use it to write my PhD thesis in microbiology.

I expect to use it at least for another year.

[macintologist]

3 years before you even consider thinking about buying a new one.

[Phat Bastard]

I don't understand what you're getting at with this question. Do you mean how long do you think a Powerbook will last, from a hardware-not-malfunctioning point-of-view? Or do you mean how long will a Powerbook last and not be slow as hell with updated software?

My answer to the first question is 5 years, at least, but my answer to the second is about 3. After 2 years, there will be such a cooler new PB out that you'll want to buy the new one, but after 3 it will probably be necessary for you to buy a new one.

I voted 2 years, since my first PB lasted me a little over 2, and my current PB will be 2 years old at my next upgrade. Especially if there's a G5 on the horizon..

[MrForgetable]

at least 3 years to get me out of high school. i sure hope the hardware lasts.

[Voch]

My refurb 667/DVI is going to be 2 years old in early February.

[MilkmanDan]

3 years due to my lack of money. Getting out of college and finding a job... I think I'll just spend $200 and buy a GameCube or something if I ever get the urge to play games. Maybe mod an xbox.

[benwhanlee]

my 667 dvi is two years old. i'm hoping to get at least a couple more years out of it. applecare was key to me getting to this point...i've had my hard drive, my cd-rw drive, the top case/trackpad and power harness assembly (where you plug your power cord in) all replaced. i think what will happen is at some point, something will need replacing after my applecare expires, and instead of paying to fix it i'll just put it into retirement. luckily, i've got a 1.25 to fall back on...

[iREZ]

I got a year under my belt with my 12" PB, I'm hoping it doesn't slow down too much by the end of next year where I find myself upgrading to a (hopefully) G5 PB. So chalk me up for 2 years.

[JHromadka]

I waited until the most recent PB revision before replacing my TiBook 400, which I sold to a friend who now uses it every day.

[sodamnregistered2]

I'd say the smart play, would be to buy a Powerbook and 3 year Applecare. Use it for 2, maybe 2 1/2 years. Sell it while it's still under warranty.

Machine will last longer, just depends how you want to play the upgrade train.

[Voch]

My plan is to hand-me-down my TiBook 667/DVI to my Dad whenever there's an iBook or PowerBook that's compelling enought for an upgrade. He's currently running a Windows 2000 box that I built for him a few years ago.

Voch

[Master Yoda]

My 4 year old TiBook 500 w/ upgraded 5800 RPM hard drive an 768 MB RAM is still perfect machine for almost all situations. Naturally, it can't play games much anymore (not that it really could in the first place), or do extensive PhotoShop work or compiling.

I'm thinking of giving it up soon to my parents to replace their original iBook. The iBook is just a little too slow these days. But the TiBook still covers all my needs, such as doing remote work, web surfing, checking email, AIM.

I'm thinking of upgrading for the larger bandwidth of Airport Express, better battery life, and those sweet backlit keyboards. Its hard to replace the best laptop ever created.

[RMXO]

Originally posted by sodamnregistered2:
I'd say the smart play, would be to buy a Powerbook and 3 year Applecare. Use it for 2, maybe 2 1/2 years. Sell it while it's still under warranty.

Machine will last longer, just depends how you want to play the upgrade train.

very good advice. i noticed a lot of ppl selling their laptops before the AppleCare warranty is over.

[Goldfinger]

My Ti867 is 2 years old now and it will have to hold out for another 2 years minimum I'm afraid. As a poor university student I can't afford a newer one. And I'll never buy a 12" or an iBook (display is waaay too small, even the 1280x854 is a not enough). I just hope it holds out until the G5 PowerBook, I don't want a G4 anymore. But, i'm confident that it will since I never had a problem with it and I never had a single problem with my Apple hardware before... As for holding out software wise: as long as things don't get slower it's ok for me.

[GuyWithACamera]

My TiBook 400 would have been 4 years if I held onto it until April. I hope my new one lasts that long, but I am skepticle on that. The Al PB is quieter, faster and much nicer but doesn't seem as durable as the TiBook. When I bought it, it was abut $3,000, which is about $750/year. My new PB, with same RAM, with the deal I got, it will have to last 2 1/2 years to get the same value. We'll see.

[Jack-iMac]

Whats a powerook by the way?

[Wiskedjak]

Are you asking how long one expects the powerbook to survive, or how long before one wishes to upgrade?

If it just survival, I would expect a powerbook to survive at least as long as my 8yr old Tecra. If it's upgrade, 3-4 years.

[sworthy]

I think you're also asking a group of people who will upgrade far more often than the general public.

For me personally, purchased a powerbook for the mobility and power. Over time, my 1Ghz processor feels a little slow now and then, but it will be able to handle everything I currently do except for some audio projects. Currently it's my only computer, and will probably be for another 2 years at least (bringing the total to 4 years). Afterwards I'll probably get an iMac or PowerMac and use the 'old' powerbook as a portable machine for as long as it lasts, probably at least few years after that.

[djohnson]

I will keep mine for many years. Now I might by a new tower once they hit 4Ghz or have 4 cores

[TailsToo]

2 Years so far with my TI... a couple of dents, and the battery is starting to flake out, but otherwise, it's fine!

[wilsonng]

I've had my TiBook 400 Mhz since it first came out.I believe it was 2001? So it would be about 3+ years now. It's functional for internet and Office as well as my 4th Dimension database for my dad's shop. It's been 3 years and still ticking....

I got the AlBook 12" 867 Mhz in March 2003 and it's a solid workhorse. Of course I'm lusting for a new PB but it's still functional.

I usually only upgrade when I encounter a program that I will be using consistently that I can definitely feel the speed hit. At this moment, I have been using InDesign CS and I think it's testing my patience but I think it's still worlds better than my TiBook 400 Mhz. Can't wait to see what MWSF brings in January 2005.

Generally I usually wait at least 4 revisions (if not more) before upgrading. That way, I'll always feel a major speed bump. I jumped from my 15" TiBook 400 Mhz to a 12.1" AlBook 867 Mhz. I've seen the 12" bumped up to 1.0 Ghz and then 1.33 Ghz. So that's 3 revisions to the 12". Now I'll see if the next revision will be worth it.

Of course I am also thinking of keeping my 12" AlBook and using it for portability while I may get an iMac G5....

I've never really cared for using a $2000 laptop to play video games when a $150 video game console (like the Xbox, PlayStation, or GameCube) can play games without ridiculous system requirements. Have you seen what you need to run Doom 3? Sheez!!!!

In general, I usually upgrade only when my daily work flow needs a performance increase. The lust for the new PBs is very hard to resist but I've been pretty successful (at least until MWSF January 2005).