Which to buy, New or Old?

[jdogg707]

Here's my dilemna...I reallly want a new Powerbook 15.2" and see the following two possibilities:

1. New 15.2" from Apple Store w/Edu Discount

- 1.5GHZ G4 w/128MB 9700 Mobility
- 512MB RAM
- 80GB 5400RPM Hard Drive
- Combo Drive (Already have a DVD Burner, no need for another)

Price: 2209.00 + Tax = 2363.63

2. Old 15.2" from Amazon w/$100 MIR

- 1.25GHZ G4 w/64MB 9600 Mobility
- 512MB RAM
- 80GB 4200RPM Hard Drive
- SuperDrive
- Airport Extreme

Price: 2299.00 - $100 MIR (No Tax) = 2199.00

Is the difference in price worth the extra speed on the new Powerbook? I will mainly be using this for Microsoft Office 2004, Virtual PC, DVD's, Light iPhoto work, Web Surfing, Programming, etc. I do not plan on doing much gaming or anything like that, but also don't want to be left in the dark if the new Powerbooks are going to be a lot faster, have better battery life, etc. So in this position which would you guys get? This is going to be my second Mac, my first was a 15.2" 1GHZ G4, 512MB PC133, 64MB Radeon 9000, Airport. Thanks for the opinions!

[thirteen1031]

Dude, get the NEW pb. Given your caculations, you're saving less than $100. I'd say the little extra you're paying is well worth the extra speed and superior graphics.

Oh, and a new 15 pb will come with Airport Extreme.

Also, are you sure its 1.5 ghz? On-line, the 1.5 ghz is the one with Superdrive. The combo drive is 1.33 ghz.

[jdogg707]

You can take the SuperDrive off of the 1.5GHZ model and knock $180 off the price.

[adamjay]

Virtual PC is a processor pig, so definitely option A would be the better buy.

thirteen1031: you can option down to a combo drive and save $180 on the 15" powerbook. hence the $2209 before tax pricetag.


definitely get the newer powerbook man.