Ibook + Imac vs. 17 inch powerbook

[seitobs]

new Ibook 14 inch now and Imac (later) vs. powerbook 17 inch sep/oct

Needs:
For PowerPoint presentations (teaching 1. and 2. year students) , music, film and average student activities.

2 problems:

Is the updated Ibook enough or should I wait for the update of the powerbooks?

I can get a Ibook and Imac for the same price of a 17 inch powerbook. What do you recommend me to do?

 

[zelmo]

I think I'd go for the iBook and iMac combo, unless you really need a powerful portable.

 

[wdlove]

Many find that the 17" PowerBook can be too large for portability. You might find the 15" a better choice if you choose to go that way. The iBook should fulfill your needs. An iMac would make for an awesome desktop. You should add 1 GB of RAM and AppleCare.

 

[Steven1621]

how about a 12 inch PB with a 17in external LCD?

 

[mad jew]

Since I have an iBook and iMac, I can safely say it's well worth it. Much better than an ultimately very compromised PowerBook.

 

[Vster]

Since I have an iBook and iMac, I can safely say it's well worth it. Much better than an ultimately very compromised PowerBook.

I totally agree. I too have an iMac & iBook, and it is very nice having a powerful desktop and a very portable / capable laptop.

 

[leekohler]

I have an iBook and a PowerMac. I find that's the best combo for me, but if I were you, I'd do the iMac and iBook.

 

[SRSound]

what's the ultimate combo? just look at my signature!

 

[zflauaus]

I'm a new Mac user, but I'd say go with the iBook/iMac combo. That way if something screws up on one computer, you can use the other computer. AppleCare is a must by the way.

 

[switchr92]

15" Powerbook?

One option would be iBook and iMac. The iBook is rugged, has great battery life, and will handle mostly anything you put it through. And you would have an iMac G5, which will handle any audio/photo/video editing you through at it.
Another consideration, the one I'd choose, would be a 12" or 15" powerbook and an external display. One big reason is because you always have your files and applications in one place. For example, if you wanted to get microsoft office for both iBook and iMac, you would have to either have to buy two version of the standard edition or buy student and teacher edition, which can't be upgraded. It tends to be easier not to have to sync comps all the time.
Definately stay away from the 17" powerbook. Don't get me wrong, it's is a beatiful laptop, and definately apples strongest leg up from the PC world (17" PC laptops tend to weight between 8 and 10 pounds, and be 1.4 and 2 inches thick; 17" powerbook weighs less then 7 pound and is 1" thick). It's just too bulky to travel around with regularly. If you want considerable power in a VERY portable package, the 12" is slightly better suited, but in my opinion, the 15" is perfect. Almost as much power as the 17" in a smaller frame (vs. 12" which lacks a lot of what the 15" does), and still a lot of screen real estate for your apps.
One last thought to point out. I don't think it's worth it, but if you choose the 12" powerbook, you will have enough for a 20" apple cinema display, and you might think it worth it.
Good luck with what ever you get.

The best,
Switchr

 

[Xeem]

One more vote for the iMac/iBook combo; the combination of great portability and moderate power is just plain better than having to compromise both aspects just to get them in one package.


Edit: I agree with Switchr; if you're going to get the Powerbook, get the 15". They always are the best value in the Powerbook line.

 

[switchr92]

Wait 4 the Update

Another tip I just remembered, wait for the powerbook update as long as you can. As long as you don't need it yet, you could wait a little while and get a more powerful computer for the same price, or maybe even less.

 

[seitobs]

Thank you very much everyone!

Its a great relief getting new thoughts into tricky problems

Will take a look in the apple store today, but I think I'll wait for the PB update!

seitobs

 

[leekohler]

One option would be iBook and iMac. The iBook is rugged, has great battery life, and will handle mostly anything you put it through. And you would have an iMac G5, which will handle any audio/photo/video editing you through at it.
Another consideration, the one I'd choose, would be a 12" or 15" powerbook and an external display. One big reason is because you always have your files and applications in one place. For example, if you wanted to get microsoft office for both iBook and iMac, you would have to either have to buy two version of the standard edition or buy student and teacher edition, which can't be upgraded. It tends to be easier not to have to sync comps all the time.
Definately stay away from the 17" powerbook. Don't get me wrong, it's is a beatiful laptop, and definately apples strongest leg up from the PC world (17" PC laptops tend to weight between 8 and 10 pounds, and be 1.4 and 2 inches thick; 17" powerbook weighs less then 7 pound and is 1" thick). It's just too bulky to travel around with regularly. If you want considerable power in a VERY portable package, the 12" is slightly better suited, but in my opinion, the 15" is perfect. Almost as much power as the 17" in a smaller frame (vs. 12" which lacks a lot of what the 15" does), and still a lot of screen real estate for your apps.
One last thought to point out. I don't think it's worth it, but if you choose the 12" powerbook, you will have enough for a 20" apple cinema display, and you might think it worth it.
Good luck with what ever you get.

The best,
Switchr

This makes no sense. Why in the world would you go with one G4 PowerBook, when you can have an Ibook G4 AND an iMac G5? I really think the money is better spent getting both- that way you have portability AND power.

 

[gwuMACaddict]

This makes no sense. Why in the world would you go with one G4 PowerBook, when you can have an Ibook G4 AND an iMac G5? I really think the money is better spent getting both- that way you have portability AND power.

couldn't agree more... why in the world spend all the money on one very limited g4 notebook... when you can get a g4 notebook that is a great deal, and a VERY fast and beautiful desktop- with a g5

 

[StylePower]

Go for the iBook + iMac. I've got an iMac and a iBook, and I really love that combination. Powerful iMac at home and a good enough iBook I mainly use at school.

 

[nospleen]

Definately go iBook and iMac!! You will not regret it at all. PB's are pretty overrated right now...

 

[lopresmb]

I say go iBook and iMac, seems to be the better deal, as opposed to the powerbook, that will actually compromise portability, and is probably the worst bargain at the present moment. Also, it will let you split up that cost, as opposed to having to drop it all on the powerbook now.

 

[Chrispy]

Another iBook and iMac vote here. I love my iBook and it runs great. You may get your iBook and find yourself not needing the iMac for awhile

 

[IEatApples]

The 17" PB isn't really an option. You don't get great portability and you don't get great power.
I say go with the iMac/iBook option, or iMac/12" PB.
But if you really feel that you only need one, and you need the portability, then go with the (updated) 15" PB.

Either way - wait for Paris Expo.