[PJ G4]

I currently own the Powerbook 17" 1.33 with 1GB RAM. Does it make any sense to sell my laptop and buy the new 1.5 model. My computer is only 6 months old. Will I be able to get much for my computer. The only reason I am considering the upgrade is that the price of the new Powerbook is $200 less than my model. Will there be any significant performance gains over my computer if I purchase the 128MB VRAM version. I mainly use my computer for audio, and Photoshop. Thanks

[KraziKid]

I have the same laptop as you, and don't see nearly enough incentive to upgrade. I personally am waiting for the Revision B G5 to upgrade, because then their will be much more than enough incentive. The only thing I am slightly jealous of is the 4x SuperDrive, and even to me, it's not enough to make me sell my current PowerBook for a new one. Unless you are a graphics artist working with huge files, or a 3D renderer working with large models, I don't think that the extra VRAM will help much. Hell, I've played UT2k4 on my Powerbook and it runs better than my Windows Desktop which has a 128 MB video card. The extra processor speed also isn't enough for me to upgrade because the bus is still 167 MHz.

[iDORK]

Can anyone confirm whether the new 17" 1.5GHz LCD screen is brighter than the previous models? I'm thinking about selling my 15" 1.25GHz AL for the 17" 1.5GHz.

I use to own the first 1GHz 17" model and the screen was dim compared to the 15".

Thanks!

[Tomster]

Do you NEED it? Probably not. 167 increase in Mhz, 64megs of additional vram, and a 4x dvd burner. Not too much of a dramatic change. Do you WANT it? That's a different story.

[Daniel Bayer]

Naaa...

Don't do it yet. These are minor revisions.

Spend the extra money on Ram if it is not maxed out yet, it's a better investment.

Now a G5, well that will be a differnt story.

Since my 1.33 screams with the 7200 rpm drive in it, I will wait for a rev-B G5.

[Nebagakid]

how could one get a 7200 RPMer in the new ones? It was not on the Apple Store option page, for the 15" at least.

[Jbroad572]

I agree. Wait. As bad as I have the upgrade bu, I actually don't see this new PB to be worth the effort of me selling my Rev B then adding more money to it for changes I will hardly noticed. The G5 PB, now that's a different story

[dwood]

You'll need two things

this
http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/Produc...uctCode=100519

and

this
http://www.xlr8yourmac.com/systems/P...ake-apart.html

Originally posted by Nebagakid:
how could one get a 7200 RPMer in the new ones? It was not on the Apple Store option page, for the 15" at least.

[iDORK]

Originally posted by dwood:
You'll need two things

this
http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/Produc...uctCode=100519

and

this
http://www.xlr8yourmac.com/systems/P...ake-apart.html

There is a new enhanced version "E7K60" that is beginning to surface at retailers. 7200RPM, 40GB or 60GB, 8MB cache. Anyone know what the difference between the enhanced E7K60 and the original 7K60?

[Shaddim]

Currently there's little reason to go with a 7200RPM drive over a 5400, the 5400 easily saturates the bus. When we get serial ATA, a G5, and a much wider data bus there'll be a reason for it. Currently though, it's a non-issue.

That said, I've been VERY happy with my recent change to the 60GB Toshiba MK6022GAX. IMO, it's massive 16MB buffer, is more important than a faster spindle speed.

[Conor Dearden]

The newer revs have a brighter screen. I have the original 17" 1.0MHz, and my girlfriend has the 1.33MHz. If she bring her computer over and I use it and switch to mine I feel the as if my screen brightness is on low. Unless you have both computers in front of you to compare, you will never notice. If you don't work outside on the park bench in mid sun, then the extra brightness should not matter to you.

[bcaslis]

Yes the 1.5 17" and at least newer 1.33 17" have brighter screens. If you have a 1.0 17" it is much brighter IMHO. On the two I've seen it is a little bit brigher than the 1.25 15". But the difference is not huge. If you want the 17" for other reasons, go for it, but I wouldn't upgrade just for the brightness from the 15".

Originally posted by iDORK:
Can anyone confirm whether the new 17" 1.5GHz LCD screen is brighter than the previous models? I'm thinking about selling my 15" 1.25GHz AL for the 17" 1.5GHz.

I use to own the first 1GHz 17" model and the screen was dim compared to the 15".

Thanks!

[acadian]

Have a 1.33 17" and there is no incentive to upgrade in this revision. Wait for the G5, best bet. I just want to know what model superdrive is in the new 17", if the 4x burning is hardware or firmware based. If it's firmware, cynical will probably come out with a hack to flash our superdrives to this speed.

[simonjames]

But when will the G5 PB get released? And how long after that for the rev b?

When I get back from my vacation an order is going in for my first 17" PB

[workerbee]

Originally posted by simonjames:
When I get back from my vacation an order is going in for my first 17" PB

Vacation from Bondi Beach?! You're far too spoiled anyway. Get yerself a Dell, dude (mate).

[vancenase]

Originally posted by iDORK:
There is a new enhanced version "E7K60" that is beginning to surface at retailers. 7200RPM, 40GB or 60GB, 8MB cache. Anyone know what the difference between the enhanced E7K60 and the original 7K60?

i'm sure this an over-posted question: but how 'easy' was it to do this? i've opened up and replaced parts in my old Dell Inspiron 8000 (video card, hard drive, memory, fooled around), but my PB is under AppleCare warranty at the moment and i don't want to hurt it. plus, i've got a few whitespots i need to have fixed, so i'd probably do that before opening 'er up.

i currently have a 4200 RPM drive (80GB). i'd like to upgrade to a 7200RPM drive, but would prefer to wait if an 80GB drive is going to come out. anyone know?