12" 1.33GHZ iBook vs 12" 1.33 GHZ Powerbook

[devilot]

Hardware-wise, it doesn't matter. At all. Seriously.

And almost none of that matters.

The only reason to get the PB is if the keyboard of the iBook bothers you THAT much, whether you need audio-in, and which one looks better. And remember that the iBook has useful features that the older 12" PB doesn't have.

But we are talking about preferences so you shouldn't say "it doesn't matter" because that's a straight up insult... "It doesn't matter that you like something because it's different from what I like." Also, oingoboingo went through and listed examples that supported his/her view you list taht the iBook has useful features that the 12"PB doesn't have, could you list some examples?

And to some people... that list does matter. Weight, appearances, and feel doesn't matter or isn't worth more money? In that case, most everybody would be driving Geo Metros instead of Civics or BMWs. Not to mention, take a good long look at wardrobes; if weight, appearances, and feel didn't matter, I'm sure there would be a considerate change to most people's wardrobes.

 

[gekko513]

btw, how hard is it to swap out the hard drive on the 12" PB? I would like to put in a 7200RPM 120G drive. Also, does it have speakers? where are they?

To replace the hard drive you need to remove two keyboard buttons, approximately 34 screws, 2 (or 3) cables that are hard to get at and 2 seals that will make your warranty void.

I would also not recommend a 7200RPM drive unless you can confirm that it doesn't produce more heat than the built in drive, because when I opened up and replaced my hard drive, I discovered that the one and only cause of the sometimes painfully warm left hand palm rest area was the hard drive, which is located underneath and has no cooling at all except heat conduction through the metal that surrounds it.

 

[iWillard]

Hardware-wise, it doesn't matter. At all. Seriously.



And almost none of that matters.

The only reason to get the PB is if the keyboard of the iBook bothers you THAT much, whether you need audio-in, and which one looks better. And remember that the iBook has useful features that the older 12" PB doesn't have. And even if we were comparing a new 12" iBook and a NEW 12" Powerbook, it would still almost be a toss-up.

an audio-in is worth the $100 if you do recording w/mics or guitars... you'd spend $35 on a Griffin iMic to be able to have a line in on an iBook... and that's the cheapest solution...

 

[TheSisko]

The iBook GPU is NOT better. It runs on a 64-bit bus. The PowerBook GPU runs on a 128-bit bus.

 

[devilot]

The iBook GPU is NOT better. It runs on a 64-bit bus. The PowerBook GPU runs on a 128-bit bus.

That sounds really technical, anyway you could simplify what that means for me?

 

[Cfly]

the ibook also has better battery life and wifi reception.
the new ibooks have alot of the features of the powerbook now like bluetooth and drop protection and trackpad scrolling.

and if you are a student you can get a free ipod mini to go along with the computer.

 

[Chrispy]

I know I stated this one before but I can't stress it enough. If you feel that you may want to hook your powerbook up to and external monitor someday then go with the powerbook. This is one of those things you will kick yourself in the butt for not getting at the time of purchase. Most anything else you can live with but, in my opinion, the monitor out option is the largest thing setting the iBook and powerbook apart.

 

[vgoklani]

32 screws to remove to take keyboard off and remove the harddrive??? that sounds really annoying! I have seen people take apart the 15" powerbook, and it is really annoying....I will also attach a 22" CRT to the PB, and use it as a second display (12" and 1024x7688 resolution really isn't enough), so I guess that rules out the iBook. Thanks for all the responses!

although I wish there were an easier way of changing the hard drive.

 

[Chrispy]

Look here for performance comparison in WoW
https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/144416/

 

[lopresmb]

I say it comes doen to personal preference, but:

iBook +:
-allows more ram (1.5)
-newer video processor (but less RAM)
-less expensive
-blutetooth 2.0 (if you need it)
-scrolling trackpad

PBook:
-a little thinner / lighter??
-more video RAM (with DVI out and spanning)
-metal (Al) case instead of plastic (but "nice" palstic)
-bit faster Front side bus and hard drive

 

[zflauaus]

although I wish there were an easier way of changing the hard drive.

For that, I would recommend an external drive. Don't know any to recommend because I don't have any. But from what everybody else says, get a LaCie.

 

[vgoklani]

I would prefer to replace it with a 7200RPM 120G drive; I don't want to carry an external drive everywhere.