advice needed on notebook purchase

iBook every time. You don't need a PowerBook and the iBook is now very similar (as you say) plus if/when you upgrade the RAM, the PowerBook has 256MB built in (with another 256MB chip in the slot) whereas an iBook has 512MB built in and a free slot so whilst both will come with 512MB standard, the iBook is more easily/cheaply upgradeable.

 

Firstly, apple don't make notebooks. Except for that one Steve Jobs had with a "with complements" printed on the top

I would get a pb, but it IS personal preference. Can you justify the extra bread for a better keyboard, better display, lighter, nicer look, superdrive etc
I know I could!
But iBook might be right for you. If you are used to pcs, get a 5 year old mac and it will be 10 years ahead of your pc

 

Sure, the PowerBooks are great but I still don't think the 12 inch PowerBook offers all that much over the iBook considering your needs.

Also epepper9, aren't the 12 inch screens all the same across the range? I could be mistaken though.

 

The 12" iBook in my signature is still perfectly capable at 4years old, for Mail Safari etc. it's not that different from my iMac although I've never used PhotoShop so can't comment.
If it's a 12" you're after I'd go iBook/mouse/external HD/(external DL DVD burner, if required). I'd also go for a stand such as the iCurve.
If you can stretch the budget or don't need to stick to the 12" I'd go for the PB 15" but still get the mouse/HD/DL DVD/stand.

EDIT: Incidentally since bringing the iBook back to life (new HD/AP card wireless ADSL at home/Tiger/iLife'05) I've hardly used the iMac and am considering selling both to upgrade to a PB 15".

Also incidentally, and a little OT, I had a dream last night about a new laptop.......with a 42" LCD It looked a little odd with a tiny little keyboard lost in an enourmous case.

 

sounds like you don't need a powerbook... i'd go with an iBook also, seems to be the popular suggestion...

 

Get the iBook and max it out.
Looking at what you said you were going to use it for, the iBook will be more than enough to handle all your needs.

 

congrats on the good news about school!

 

Congratulations macOSX-tastic, nice work.

I doubt you'd even notice the difference between a top-end iBook and a PowerBook for the kind of stuff you'll be using it for. However, a PowerBook will last you longer in terms of not-need-to-upgrade albeit not necessarily in terms of physical durability.

 

Congrats, I still suggest an Ibook for your uses, maybe go for the 14' model now.

 

If money will no longer factor into your purchase (now that you have some "daddy" aid ) then maybe the PB. However, I bought a 12" PB last summer and by now, I wish I had an iBook (wish shall be granted w/in a month) because I really don't need the power of the PB.

Oh yeah, will this laptop be your primary computer? If so, than maybe the PB would be a better choice-- I depend on my desktop for power and ease of use, so that a consumer (vs "prosumer") laptop is fine for me (and judging from your stated uses, would be great for you as well).

The other thing to consider is all that the extra $ could be put toward if you got an iBook instead: RAM, a good sleeve, a nice backpack, AppleCare, software (MS office for/from school, maybe?), spare battery... etc. etc.

 

What is it then?

If a PB isn't a notebook, what is it? If you tell me it's a laptop, I'll tell you its a handy way to get dermatitis on your thighs. If you tell me to use a pillow also, I'll tell you that's a handy way to cut the cooling airflow to your PB- a sure way to cook it. It's a notebook, use it on a hard surface to protect yourself and allow it ventilation.

Back to the original topic, get the PB. It'll last you longer.

 

ive said it before and ill say it again. . . go for the PB for the extra VRAM, all it means is your computer will last longer in the future. which is good. also max out as much of it as you can that you cant upgrade later, like the HD. its just very expensive to upgrade stuff like that later. and imposible to upgrade something like vram.