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Powerbook G4 vs MacBook

C

cmm

macrumors 6502a
Original poster
Apr 30, 2006
841
35
NYC
Okay, I can get a stock macbook from the refurbed store for 1000 shipped or I can get a 1.25ghz 1.25gb ram 160gb hdd 1280x800ish res 15" powerbook g4 for 900 shipped.

If you were me, what would you do? 95% of the time I running adium, word, firefox, itunes, macirrsi, and textedit. The other 5% is to run mathematica or matlab.

Any advice would be appreciated. I'm not interested in the mbp because I am going to buy a 23" ACD.
 
Ugg

Ugg

macrumors 68000
Apr 7, 2003
1,992
16
Penryn
cmm said:
Okay, I can get a stock macbook from the refurbed store for 1000 shipped or I can get a 1.25ghz 1.25gb ram 160gb hdd 1280x800ish res 15" powerbook g4 for 900 shipped.

If you were me, what would you do? 95% of the time I running adium, word, firefox, itunes, macirrsi, and textedit. The other 5% is to run mathematica or matlab.

Any advice would be appreciated. I'm not interested in the mbp because I am going to buy a 23" ACD.
Click to expand...

The $100 difference is not enough to justify buying the PB. Get the MB, you'll be much happier. You'll also get a year's warranty with the MB and can also buy Applecare if you want it.

I have a 1.5 Ghz PB and I love it but it's not nearly as snappy as a Macbook.
 
C

cmm

macrumors 6502a
Original poster
Apr 30, 2006
841
35
NYC
Any other opinions please?

The MacBook just dropped to 849$ with a combo drive or 899 with the superdrive.

The main disadvantage I see is the ram. The extra HDD space of the powerbook would be nice as well.

Thanks.
 
clevin

clevin

macrumors G3
Aug 6, 2006
9,095
1
you can buy a 3rd party 1G memory for ~$100.
mb has better performance, and better future.
 
C

cmm

macrumors 6502a
Original poster
Apr 30, 2006
841
35
NYC
Where do you find good deals on RAM? Is it hard to install yourself?
 
M

macjay

macrumors 6502
Oct 3, 2003
366
0
If you want raw speed, get the MB.

If you enjoy a quality build, get the PB.

edit: That seems kind of expensive for a 1.25ghz PB.
 
failsafe1

failsafe1

macrumors 6502a
Jul 21, 2003
621
1
The only advantage the PB would have over the MB would be video ram. But that is it. You can juice up the HD and ram. I usually don't recommend Macooks but in this scenario the Macbook would be the better choice. I always say go with the pro version of the laptops but if you can't swing the pro don't go for old technology. Adding your own ram is always the best route and a HD upgrade should be considered.
 
clevin

clevin

macrumors G3
Aug 6, 2006
9,095
1
cmm said:
Where do you find good deals on RAM? Is it hard to install yourself?
Click to expand...

goto newegg.com, looking for them. last time i checked, cheapest decent one is around $98.
its extremely easy to install memory in MB, just make sure you push into the position really hard.
 
Xeem

Xeem

macrumors 6502a
Feb 2, 2005
908
15
Minnesota
Unless you need the PB's video card for gaming or heavy video apps, get the Macbook. It'll feel faster for what you are using it for, too.
 
xfiftyfour

xfiftyfour

macrumors 68030
Apr 14, 2006
2,573
0
Clemson, SC
MB for sure. The PB's price just doesn't justify it.. are you even saving money going that route anymore? The refurb MBs are just amazingly priced.. it's hard to beat.
 
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