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powerbook 12-inch or thinkpad x61 ?

B

bkarabel

macrumors member
Original poster
Nov 20, 2007
72
0
I have a recent macbook pro 17-inch but i need something really portable. I dont really need vista or xp ( i dont wanna use it either ). I was looking at macbooks but they are kinda wide and heavy. What do you guys think about a 1ghz powerbook 12-inch 40gb with 1.25gb ram combo drive,airport with leopard. All for $ 600. Or i can get a thinkpad x61 with same screen size ( 12-inch ) vista business, wireless,120gb no optical drive.
what do you guys think?
 
I have a 12'' Powerbook, which I love, and I will probably love it until it dies. But compared to my iMac, it really stinks (except in terms of portability). It seems rather silly to sink that much money into such a dated computer at this point in time. I would go for the Thinkpad. Or you could try selling the MBP, and using the money plus the $600 toward getting an iMac for home use, and a MBA for portability.

Also, why do you need something that portable?
 
thanks for your reply,
i was thinking about the macbook air but 1) its $ 1800 plus tax 2) i use a sprint ev-do broadband card ( usb ) does not fit. I dont really need 13-inch glossy screen. I travel a lot ( sales ) my company uses a software ( powersales) which is powerpc/intel/xp or vista compatible. I fly or take the trains pretty much every other day so i really need something small so i can work fine ( without disturbing anyone sitting next to me ).
I want a powerbook g4 just because i know the os well and i think its more stable. Never used vista business so i should not say anything bad but its windows, if you know what i mean.
My wife she has a black macbook i tried using that couple of times but it felt kinda big and the glossy screen was really bad ( i had to tilt the screen many times to be able to read my notes and sales records in a meeting)...
 
I personally would opt for the 12" PowerBook G4. Vista is less than praiseworthy (I know, I have it installed on my Macs for gaming) and the 12" PowerBook G4s are fabulous computers. :) :apple:
 
The Thinkpad X61 has better value.
The 12" PB has dated components, and weighs 4.6 lbs. That's at least a pound heavier when compared to the 3 to 3.5lb. Thinkpad.
 
It's obviously your call, but just remember the limitations of the 12'' PB: it always lagged behind its bigger brothers in terms of RAM capability, graphics, and processor, and the screen is pretty crappy, in that it does not have a high pixel density. I find any non-finder window that is not fully enlarged to be basically non-usable. But if you really need portability, a long battery life, and not a tremendous amount of power, it's a great little machine. Now that the MBA is out, I imagine that more people are selling the things, so I would guess that they're a good deal cheaper than they were a few months ago.

Also, in terms of weight, it's not a whole lot lighter that a Macbook: less than half a pound. In terms of capability, the Macbook totally outclasses it. It just seems not entirely wise to invest in a PPC machine to me at this point in time.

I agree with you about staying with OS X, though! If only Apple were to make a 12'' MBP!
 
there is one more thing... :)

I dont know if you guys are familiar with a gadget called slingbox.
www.slingmedia.com
I am planing to use that too. It is pretty amazing to be able to watch your tv,apple tv content ( all my movies ) and pvr from thousand miles away.
I know it supports macosx and vista. While i was reading your replies i was think to myself that i forgot something to mention.
Powerbook is g4 with 1ghz and it is used. Am i taking a big chance ? There is a 30 day exchange or store credit option ( or if i pay additional $ 100 i can get a 1 year warranty ) i mean i dont want it to die on me.
Thinkpad is $ 1400 with tax ( also includes a bag and shipping )
Powebook g4 $ 724 with tax ( includes 1 year warranty )
so there is also like $ 700 difference...
 
My brother has a 12inch powerbook and its showing its age. It's so much slower compared to my macbook its annoying, and its so dated that the latest iPods won't even work with it. Get yourself a Thinkpad and see if you can custom order it to have XP, if you can't stand a macbook.
 
If you can find a cheap 1.5ghz PB 12" get it. It actually runs at 1.58ghz.

Max out the ram and get a faster hard drive and get the superdrive model.

I'm running my 23" Apple Aluminum Display off it right now on Leopard.

Love

It.
 
Get the thinkpad. The 12" powerbook is going to be obsolete pretty soon. If you really want a mac get a macbook, the difference is weight between the macbook and 12" powerbook is barely noticeable once you get used to it.
 
f1 said:
and its so dated that the latest iPods won't even work with it.
Click to expand...

Erm, I don’t think this is correct from my experience. I have a 3G iPod and 3G Ipod nano and both work fine on my 12" Powerbook.

My advice is it really depends on what you want to do. If you just want a compact laptop with OS X to do basic stuff at a cheap price, then I think the 12" Powerbook it the best option you have for now.
 
tony-in-japan said:
Erm, I don’t think this is correct from my experience. I have a 3G iPod and 3G Ipod nano and both work fine on my 12" Powerbook.

My advice is it really depends on what you want to do. If you just want a compact laptop with OS X to do basic stuff at a cheap price, then I think the 12" Powerbook it the best option you have for now.
Click to expand...

The latest iPods are only supported on computers with USB 2.0. It may work on 12" powerbooks but not guaranteed, it won't work properly on my brother's 12 inch all the time.
 
f1 said:
The latest iPods are only supported on computers with USB 2.0. It may work on 12" powerbooks but not guaranteed, it won't work properly on my brother's 12 inch all the time.
Click to expand...

The final revision of 12 inch Powerbooks came with everything that the Intel Mac lappies have...

USB 2.0 Bluetooth 2.0
Sudden Motion Sensor
Scrolling Trackpad
Superdrive UJ 845 I think it is DL

The cool factor cannot be ruled out on these Powerbooks. Great machines. Mine is under Applecare until August 2009.
 
bkarabel said:
I have a recent macbook pro 17-inch but i need something really portable. I dont really need vista or xp ( i dont wanna use it either ). I was looking at macbooks but they are kinda wide and heavy. What do you guys think about a 1ghz powerbook 12-inch 40gb with 1.25gb ram combo drive,airport with leopard. All for $ 600. Or i can get a thinkpad x61 with same screen size ( 12-inch ) vista business, wireless,120gb no optical drive.
what do you guys think?
Click to expand...

It seems you've already made up your mind... you get so much more machine with the PB and it'll last much longer and keep you happy!
 
California said:
The final revision of 12 inch Powerbooks came with everything that the Intel Mac lappies have...

USB 2.0 Bluetooth 2.0
Sudden Motion Sensor
Scrolling Trackpad
Superdrive UJ 845 I think it is DL

The cool factor cannot be ruled out on these Powerbooks. Great machines. Mine is under Applecare until August 2009.
Click to expand...

True, dat.

However, a Thinkpad X61 will SMOKE a 12" PB. Smoke it.

Also, if you're going to be doing any typing at all on it, the TP is the obvious choice. Best keyboards evar.

It's your call.
 
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