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Apple Releases PowerBooks and iBooks

I did the big switch today. I was running a POS Compaq loaded with Fedora. Now I am the pround owner of
PowerPC G4 128MB VR
512MB DDR333 SDRAM-2X256MB (I know...we just didnt have the $$ to get the 1 512)
80GB Ultra ATA Drive@4200rpm
Combo Drive (DVD-ROM/CD-RW)
AirPort Extreme
BkLit Keyboard/Mac OS
AppleCare

2,511.20 with Educational Discount
 
Idle Curiosity

Since in the past four months I've bought an iBook G4, two 40 GB iPods, and a Dual PowerMac G5, I'm not exactly in the market for a new machine. I am curious about one thing, however. The 12" PB seems to be missing a couple of features, most notably the whizzo light-up keyboard. In the considered opinion of the PB pros around here, is that because of heat, space limitations, or cost?

Enquiring minds want to know.
 
Kinda pissed,

I got my iBook three weeks ago and now its bumped up by 200mhz and its cache doubled??? grrr...

At least I paid $849+tax for mine; I wonder who bought an iBook yesterday.
 
Why so heavy

I'd like to switch my personal laptop and/or desktop to a mac, but why oh why are the iBooks / PowerBooks so damn heavy? I know it's cool to have a gigabit ethernet, but shouldn't Apple prioritize the size and weight of their laptops also? I'm currently using ThinkPad X30, which weights 3.7 lbs, and the new X41 is a mere 2.7 lbs.

Antti
 
So...in a nutshell on the whole tax situation. If you order BTO from the Apple Store online with your educational discount there is NO WAY around NOT paying taxes. Even though I am in Alabama **yes I can hear you laughing** and the only Mac store is 3 hours away in Georgia **cause why the hell would they put a mac store in Alabama**
 
nightcap965 said:
Since in the past four months I've bought an iBook G4, two 40 GB iPods, and a Dual PowerMac G5, I'm not exactly in the market for a new machine. I am curious about one thing, however. The 12" PB seems to be missing a couple of features, most notably the whizzo light-up keyboard. In the considered opinion of the PB pros around here, is that because of heat, space limitations, or cost?

Enquiring minds want to know.
Click to expand...

I've heard its because of space. It is interesting to see how many people are clamoring for a lighted keyboard in the 12". I dont think i've seen any other laptops with lighted keyboards - i would think it would catch on.
 
AKR said:
I'd like to switch my personal laptop and/or desktop to a mac, but why oh why are the iBooks / PowerBooks so damn heavy? I know it's cool to have a gigabit ethernet, but shouldn't Apple prioritize the size and weight of their laptops also? I'm currently using ThinkPad X30, which weights 3.7 lbs, and the new X41 is a mere 2.7 lbs.

Antti
Click to expand...

Do these have optical drives built in? I'm pretty sure they don't. That's probably why.
 
I bought a Dell desktop last summer, and ever since I've desperately wanted a Mac. But I'm not crazy about the iBook's procelain design, and the Powerbook's are so damn expensive. When those iMac updates come out, I hope it's soon, I'll probably get me a 15 incher. But I'm sitting tight with Dell for now, until Apple gives me something I can afford to throw money at.



Look, the two symbols of the Republican Party: an elephant, and a big, fat white guy who's afraid of change!
 
skinEman23 said:
Do these have optical drives built in? I'm pretty sure they don't. That's probably why.
Click to expand...

No they don't and that's the way I like 'em. I only need cd-rom when I install something, and most of the time I can install my sw off the internet or a fileserver. I wish Apple had a model w/o the drive. I'd find a bundled Compact Flash and a SD card slot much more useful. Also, an IBM style thumb mouse would be a nice addition.
 
Well, the 12in ibook is still the deal for me. With that 167 bus in the powerbook, I just feel the $$ is not well spent.

So, come August, I will spring for a new iBook. Gotta wait till I pay for my summer migration to Yellowstone National Park.

I am sure the Powerbook will be a fine machine for many pros. But I just prefer to put my big money in a desktop, and travel cheap with an iBook. :)
 
To lower power consumption and heat generation, the 12-inch PowerBook G4
incorporates an automatic power management technique called dynamic frequency
switching (DFS). DFS is designed to run at high processor speed and voltage when
the demand on the processor is high, and to run at low processor speed and voltage
when the demand on the processor is low. Switching between different processor
speeds and voltages is achieved by a transition that operates seamlessly to the user
and should not impact system or application performance.
The 12-inch PowerBook G4 allows the user to control DFS mode. The options for
specifying either high, reduced, or automatic processor and bus speeds are located
at System Preferences>Energy Saver>Show Details>Options>Processor
Performance; then select Highest, Automatic, or Reduced. DFS is enabled with the
automatic setting.

Does this mean that it has the new processor for longer battery life or is this just usual?
 
AKR said:
No they don't and that's the way I like 'em. I only need cd-rom when I install something, and most of the time I can install my sw off the internet or a fileserver. I wish Apple had a model w/o the drive. I'd find a bundled Compact Flash and a SD card slot much more useful. Also, an IBM style thumb mouse would be a nice addition.
Click to expand...

I like having the drive... it's nice for watching dvd's and burning cd's. I could see how you could dislike the extra weight if you didnt use it, though.
 
What should I get?

Ok.. now that the new G4 PBs are out, I will be getting my first Apple computer!

However, I need help knowing what to get. The computer will be primarily used for Graphics and Web Design. Which means the entire Studio MX 2004 suite and also the Adobe creative suite. I also want to be able to do some light Final Cut stuff too. So what should I get? This is what I am thinking. Please make suggestions.

Computer - 15" PB - 1.5ghz

HD - 4200 or 5400? Is there much of a difference?

Graphics - thinking 128 - doesn't cost much more.. but will I notice?

Ram 256x2

Combo Drive - I was debating about this. However, I think I will buy the "LaCie FireWire DVD±RW Drive - Designed by F.A. Porsche" - It has +/- and burns at 8x.

So what suggestions do you guys have? I appreciate any help.
 
I ordered my 15" Superdrive PB on Saturday. Have been watching the rumor sites for awhile now. I got an email saying they upgraded me, but I had to call and upgrade the graphics and hard drive too! So I am really grateful I didn't order earlier and miss the upgrade...that would have sucked major. SO happy about the 4x dvd-r, the 2x was the only spec I was hesitant on when I ordered my first model. I'm happy with the G4 this is my first apple and first laptop so I guess I have no idea what I'd be missing with the G5. Either way I know I'll love this thing.

REALLY HAPPY GUY HERE!
 
what's with everyone trashing the new 12" powerbook? i'm thinking about getting either the 12"pb or the ibook with similar specs and it is 1898 for the pb and 1586 for the ibook with similar specs (60gb, airport extreme)*. i think the $312 difference for an extra 333mhz, double the vram for a very similar graphics card, bluetooth and a few extra smaller features are very well worth it, or am i missing something here?

*quoting canadian prices with edu discount
 
digerati said:
Ok.. now that the new G4 PBs are out, I will be getting my first Apple computer!

However, I need help knowing what to get. The computer will be primarily used for Graphics and Web Design. Which means the entire Studio MX 2004 suite and also the Adobe creative suite. I also want to be able to do some light Final Cut stuff too. So what should I get? This is what I am thinking. Please make suggestions.
Click to expand...

digerati, that would be a good computer for you, but upgrade the ram to 1 512 at least, would make it easier to upgrade ram later to more instead of having both slots full right when you order it
 
Ramblings

Is the 12" screen the exact same as the older models? Didn't Rev A&B have a TFT XTA type screen... or some name like that? Also, would the new graphics card improve the sharpness of the screen... or is it purely a problem with the backlight for the screen? The older ones did seem faded when compared with the 15" & 17".

By the way, although the backlight for the keyboard is cool looking, I have the 17" and I never use it. Maybe I'm alone on this, but I don't like working in the dark nor do I ever really need to. I don't really look at the keys much though... maybe the function keys. It's basically something to impress you friends with. "Turn out the lights! I'll show you something I never use!"

While I'm on the subject, is it better for your eyes to work in the dark? Perhaps, because of glare? I find the screen is too bright compared to the surroundings... and it seems to hurt my eyes even more than when a light is on.
 
miltontong said:
what's with everyone trashing the new 12" powerbook? i'm thinking about getting either the 12"pb or the ibook with similar specs and it is 1898 for the pb and 1586 for the ibook with similar specs (60gb, airport extreme)*. i think the $312 difference for an extra 333mhz, double the vram for a very similar graphics card, bluetooth and a few extra smaller features are very well worth it, or am i missing something here?

*quoting canadian prices with edu discount
Click to expand...

You aren't missing a thing unless you decide not to buy. I just bought my new powerbook after months and months of research. It's a great value when you add the edu discount, and a rev. C will last awhile. Plus, it was the most upgraded of the bunch. It just gets trashings because it isn't as fast (or expensive) as its bigger brothers, and people always expect it to be.
 
hellocody said:
Is the 12" screen the exact same as the older models? Didn't Rev A&B have a TFT XTA type screen... or some name like that? Also, would the new graphics card improve the sharpness of the screen... or is it purely a problem with the backlight for the screen? The older ones did seem faded when compared with the 15" & 17".

By the way, although the backlight for the keyboard is cool looking, I have the 17" and I never use it. Maybe I'm alone on this, but I don't like working in the dark nor do I ever really need to. I don't really look at the keys much though... maybe the function keys. It's basically something to impress you friends with. "Turn out the lights! I'll show you something I never use!"

While I'm on the subject, is it better for your eyes to work in the dark? Perhaps, because of glare? I find the screen is too bright compared to the surroundings... and it seems to hurt my eyes even more than when a light is on.
Click to expand...

You are thinking of TFT XGA. All 1024x768 laptops screens are this. I believe that it is the same screen. I'm no eyedoctor but I'd say if it hurts your eyes its probably bad.
 
miltontong said:
what's with everyone trashing the new 12" powerbook? i'm thinking about getting either the 12"pb or the ibook with similar specs and it is 1898 for the pb and 1586 for the ibook with similar specs (60gb, airport extreme)*. i think the $312 difference for an extra 333mhz, double the vram for a very similar graphics card, bluetooth and a few extra smaller features are very well worth it, or am i missing something here?

*quoting canadian prices with edu discount
Click to expand...

Yeah, quite a few people seem to be ignoring the 33% faster CPU speed when making the comparison. 1/3rd higher clock speed isn't exactly a small update. A 1.33GHz G4 in a 12" form factor is a really punchy little system. I'd sure like the magic Apple fairy to appear and make my 1GHz 12" PowerBook transform into a 1.33GHz 12" PowerBook :)

In addition to those things you mentioned, the PowerBook also has DVI out instead of VGA out, video spanning (although you can hack that on the iBook), an audio-in port, and a better keyboard (IMHO). As you mention, for a CDN $312 difference to get all those little bits and pieces, plus a whole 333MHz increase in CPU speed, I don't understand what the complaining is about either.
 
digerati said:
Ram 256x2

Combo Drive - I was debating about this. However, I think I will buy the "LaCie FireWire DVD±RW Drive - Designed by F.A. Porsche" - It has +/- and burns at 8x.
Click to expand...
I would go for the Superdrive myself, if you're planning on being mobile a lot. The real kicker is the RAM. First, you'll want way more than 512mb for that product suite. Second, don't get it from Apple. Order it with a single 512mb chip and pick up an additional 1GB online. You'll never regret it.
 
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