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Should I buy a powerbook?

S

ssnmx

macrumors member
Original poster
It's for my sister, she wants a 15inch PowerBook... but I don't know if Apple will introduce new products any time soon. If that is the case, I would advice her to wait a little while... what do you think?
 
no one knows when the products will be released
but the longer u wait the more likel it becomes

does your sister need it for college or the next school year?

if so wait for a while. if she needs it urgently then get it.
 
Nah, actually I'm the one in college (with a 12in PB, 😀) and I'm getting my sister to switch. She's a techie but fashion-oriented, too, so she wants a mac.

I guess she's pretty desperate, but it would suck if they introduced, dunno, PB G5s in April !!
I think she would hate me.......
 
G5 Powerbooks aren't expected until the end of summer (I believe). However, I bought a G4 in September/October because I needed a new computer ASAP. The thing with Apple is that they have such a great resale value. If your sister needs one right away and doesn't necissarily need a Powerbook, but can settle for an older version of the iBook, many places are selling unused (new) iBooks, but their older version. Then she can upgrade when the G5 PB come out.
 
GregUofMN said:
G5 Powerbooks aren't expected until the end of summer (I believe).
Click to expand...

i don't know where you got this from... G5 PBs aren't expected any time at all...

anyway, what difference does it make from usage point of view if G5 PB comes out? were you (or your sister) planning on rushing out to get G5 optimized software all of the sudden if G5 PB came out? if you think semi-rationally, the only reason an updated computer would bother you is because you lose the ever-so-elusive "owning the top of the line" computer feeling. regardless of when you buy a computer, you lose that in about half a year. so the wise thing is, in general**, get the computer when you want to start using it. then once you start using one, don't look back - what difference does it make? computers are getting faster and faster all the time anyway.

** i said in general because with macs, it's probably not a good idea to buy a computer right before MWSF, for example. but since there's no big apple conference until the summer, it's anyone's guess when the updates will next occur...
 
There is usually an update to the Powerbook line sometime between Feb and April. My guess is that they will be updated at the beginning of April or End of March. There is currently a Powerbook Trade-in Pilot going on at apple that allows Powerbook users to upgrade from an older book to the newest ones When it ends, Apple will most likely release a G4 update for the Powerbook.

I would wait until the next revision unless it is absolutely crucial that the computer arrives ASAP.

-Hasta
 
to buy or not to buy...

What kind of things would your sister be doing on this new machine? Although I desperately want the PB architecture to be updated (167mhz bus!!), the current machines are fast enough, and from a design perspective untouchable...that the current models should suffice...unless the next update has a G5(w/new architecture)(unlikely) or a new G4 (with a new bus/memory controller)(extremely unlikely) then buy now or wait at least 6-8 months for yet another revision...that simple. I wish I had a sibling like you...
 
jxyama said:
i don't know where you got this from... G5 PBs aren't expected any time at all...

anyway, what difference does it make from usage point of view if G5 PB comes out? were you (or your sister) planning on rushing out to get G5 optimized software all of the sudden if G5 PB came out? if you think semi-rationally, the only reason an updated computer would bother you is because you lose the ever-so-elusive "owning the top of the line" computer feeling. regardless of when you buy a computer, you lose that in about half a year. so the wise thing is, in general**, get the computer when you want to start using it. then once you start using one, don't look back - what difference does it make? computers are getting faster and faster all the time anyway.

** i said in general because with macs, it's probably not a good idea to buy a computer right before MWSF, for example. but since there's no big apple conference until the summer, it's anyone's guess when the updates will next occur...
Click to expand...


Agree with that one. The G5 is draing far too much power at the moment. And after just coming out of the woods for the iPod battery lasting problems, it would be a shame for Apple to go back in them for releasing a laptop that needed charging every 30 minutes.

Buy now. She'll love it.
 
here are the last 6 updates to the PB line since the introduction of Ti.

jan. '01 - Ti PB introduced
nov. '01 - gigabit ethernet
april '02 - dvi
nov. '02 - 1 ghz
jan. '03 - 12/17" Al
sept. '03 - 15" Al

as you can see, it's "any day now" stage right about now...
 
ssnmx said:
Nah, actually I'm the one in college (with a 12in PB, 😀) and I'm getting my sister to switch. She's a techie but fashion-oriented, too, so she wants a mac.

I guess she's pretty desperate, but it would suck if they introduced, dunno, PB G5s in April !!
I think she would hate me.......
Click to expand...

First off, your a very generous brother. Why not give here your powerbook and then you can wait until the new models are released😉
 
I just bought a 15"- I couldn't be happier. I wouldn't be too worried about buyers remorse, these machines are soooo HOT!! and if the update comes out in 10 days from when your machine ships, you get a refund of the price difference. That said, any improvements they make to the line will not be that crazy. I waited for 3 months for an update and finally said screw it and just whipped out the plastic. There is nothing more satisfying than buying one of these badboys....it'll be a great machine, and if she wants a G5 pb she can sell the alu later.
 
ssnmx said:
Nah, actually I'm the one in college (with a 12in PB, 😀) and I'm getting my sister to switch. She's a techie but fashion-oriented, too, so she wants a mac.

I guess she's pretty desperate, but it would suck if they introduced, dunno, PB G5s in April !!
I think she would hate me.......
Click to expand...

Well it might happen - I am one of the one's waiting - but it could be July, it could be October, it could be MacWorld 2005...

If she needs it now then get her the machine so she can switch. If it gets an upgrade then wait for the rev b G5PB mid next year (I guess) and switch again to that then.
 
thanks to all for your comments...

I believe everybody agrees that I should buy now regardless.
It's funny, because I went with my sister and her boyfriend to a coffee shop and of course I took my PB and then I showed it to my sister's boyfriend (PC lover 🙁 ) and he absolutely fell in love with it, he thought we were still in Mac OS 9!! So he started asking about configuration, prices, etc. And surprisignly he didn't complain about the typical "too expensive" because he saw mine and he said it is perfect (the price for what it has) and he is now planning to get one!

That's so funny... Everyone says I should work with Apple, because I get all excited when I talk about my mac. I agree, I should get a commission from Apple, LOL 😀... I just love converting long-time PC users in a matter of minutes!!

Bottomline: my sister's PB should arrive any time soon.
 
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