PB G4 as desktop

Re: PB G4 as desktop

Yes the Powerbooks work the same way, though might need to make the Powerbook a slight bit ajar, since sometimes it likes to fall asleep if it is completely closed.

12" Powerbook 867 with 640 MB of RAM matches up even nicely to the 1 Ghz iMac only because of the Level 2 cache which the iMac doesn't have.

 

Powerbooks can work the same way. They have them set up like that at the Michigan Avenue Apple Store.

 

There have been no revisions to the 12" PB since it was released, heat-related or otherwise. However, the aluminium should conduct heat better, giving you a slightly cooler, more uniform warmth. This is theoretical, as i have not had one on my lap yet...

pnw

 

Keep in mind that a powerbook unlike a ibook can span, not just mirror. So you could hook up a 2nd display and use it along with the built in one as dual diplays. And i'm pretty sure you can make the external one the primary display.

 

i don't see why it wouldn't work. i would love to have a dual moniter display like that. but first i need a powerbook (annyone wanna buy me one?) and a moniter (anyone wanna buy me one)

 

http://www.rutemoeller.com/mp/ibook/ibook_e.html

 

Note the writer of the above website can't even spell Desktop on the subject line of his page. At least he says he can't be held accountable for any damage done by his utility. Any damage you cause by it will basically void your iBook's warranty. So unless you have whatever dollar amount you buy the iBook at as throw away, I strongly recommend you hold off on the procedure until after your warranty expires. Unbeknownst to some people, you can extend the warranty on your iBook to three years, and you have 1 year of hardware support free in which to do the extension of the warranty in. After that one year, you can't extend the warranty any more. Only the software is 90 day support free. Thus if you think you may eventually run into problems with the power management unit, battery, keyboard, or any part except the display, buying AppleCare is definitely worth it. If you want extended desktop and want to keep it under warranty get the 15" or 17" Powerbooks. I do not believe the 12" has the capability.

 

The 12 inch powerbook will span as well as mirror. It comes that way from apple, no firmware hacks.

 

Geez, English isn't this guy's first language, give him a break.

The iBook (starting with the Radeon chips) do have this capability, its just disabled in firmware, it does work if you do it right, check www.xlr8yourmac.com for more info.

 

I've done the hack on my ibook, all you need to undo it is reset the pram so you really can't void your warranty doing it unless you don't enter the correct values.
people get all uptight about the hack but its no big deal, it shouldn't be a selling point on the powerbooks but apple makes it one like when cars can top out at a certain speed but the computer chip limits its for safety purposes.

 

Re: Re: PB G4 as desktop

I would have to disagree with this statement. I think performance wise the iMac 1Ghz would clearly be faster then the 12" Powerbook. They both have the same L2 cache, 256K. The iMac has more Mhz, not to mention the fact that I am pretty sure the iMac has a faster HD. They both lack L3 cache like the pro models have. Also the iMac can accept more RAM then the limited 640MB of the 12" Powerbook. Performance wise I just don't see the match up IMHO.

 

Re: Re: Re: PB G4 as desktop

I don't see the L2 cache mentioned on Apple's spec page for the 1 Ghz Flat Panel iMac.

 

That's correct. I've done away with my tower for now and hook up my Powerbook to a Sony 21" when I get to the office, at which time the Sony becomes the primary monitor.

Not only does it work well, the CRT color is also more accurate.

 

Re: Re: Re: Re: PB G4 as desktop

abercrombieboy is correct.

http://www.apple.com/imac/specs.html

the 12" PB will NOT match the 1 Ghz imac in performance because of the processor difference, the superior video card on the imac, and a 7200 rpm HD on the imac and a 4200 rpm HD on the powerbook.
see here for detailed benchmarks:
http://macspeedzone.com/html/hardware/machine/comparison/all/index.html
the imac wins out over the powerbook on nearly every test, often by rather large amounts.