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Arrggh!! 1.67GHz PB vs 2GHz Black MacBook!

Buy neither and watch as Tuesday passes.. Come Wednesday you may learn why he pressured you to buy on Tuesday.. Two things are likely to happen.. you'll find your options are broader, or you'll see your salesman coming back to you to see if you changed your mind... Remember.. a good salesman knows selling is 50% emotion.. don't fall prey to it.. there is ALWAYS another deal just as good as the once in a lifetime deal of today... especially in technology where prices never go up, but always fall.... Teach him a lesson either way and tell him you have been a good customer of 7 years and don't appreciate his pressure tactics.. offer him 50 less than what he was asking.. if he balks.. find another johnny apple man..
 
dmw007 said:
Although I prefer the aluminum case, larger screen, and backlight keyboard on the PowerBook G4, I think that I would go with the 2GHz MacBook instead. The performance advantage of the Core Duo vs the PowerPC G4 is enough to cause me to lean in the direction of recommending the MacBook.
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The drawback of the CD machines is not the small loss in performance cf. C2D/RevB. It's the general reliability and Rev.A-ness of the machines.
 
emotion said:
The drawback of the CD machines is not the small loss in performance cf. C2D/RevB. It's the general reliability and Rev.A-ness of the machines.
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Yay for the Rev A bulls*** again. If I'm not mistaken, the final revision of the Powerbooks had a bit of a screen problem. I'll repeat...the FINAL revision of the Powerbooks had a problem. That being said, even if your MacBook does experience a "Rev A issue", it's not like Apple is going to tell you "Too bad, you took the risk and bought a Rev A product."

Get the MacBook for pure futureproofing. You'll find the graphics card is really only necessary if you run Apple's Motion or games. Other than that, you'll find that the graphics in the MacBook is more than adequate for Photoshop. And as has been mentioned before, once Adobe goes universal, the Powerbook will be eating the MacBook's dust.
 
No bull, I have three friends with all sorts of issues with Intel Macbook/MBPs. I'm not knocking all rev a machines. I'm typing this on a still-going-strong rev a 12" powerbook.

At all costs avoid the CD machines if you can. There I've said it.

Your point about any machine having trouble is a valid one though. The last of the 15" powerbooks were far from trouble free.

That being said, even if your MacBook does experience a "Rev A issue", it's not like Apple is going to tell you "Too bad, you took the risk and bought a Rev A product."
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Nope, they'll sort it. Your machine will also be away most of the time getting fixed. Not something you want.
 
emotion said:
No bull, I have three friends with all sorts of issues with Intel Macbook/MBPs. I'm not knocking all rev a machines. I'm typing this on a still-going-strong rev a 12" powerbook.

At all costs avoid the CD machines if you can. There I've said it.

Your point about any machine having trouble is a valid one though. The last of the 15" powerbooks were far from trouble free.



Nope, they'll sort it. Your machine will also be away most of the time getting fixed. Not something you want.
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That's funny, because I've bought every "Rev A" Powerbook, MacBook Pro, and MacBook since Titanium and I've only ever had one issue. And that was with the first gen Aluminum Powerbooks and the spotted screen issue. Sent it in on a Tuesday, was returned to me on a Thursday and was problem free from there on in.
 
MovieCutter said:
That's funny, because I've bought every "Rev A" Powerbook, MacBook Pro, and MacBook since Titanium and I've only ever had one issue. And that was with the first gen Aluminum Powerbooks and the spotted screen issue. Sent it in on a Tuesday, was returned to me on a Thursday and was problem free from there on in.
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To deny the problems faced by a lot of the CD mb/mbp owners is rediculous. Fine, if you want to take the risk on these machines that's ok by me.

Your experience of Apple service is also a lot better than many of my colleagues sat around me now (not people off forums, you know *real* people) have experienced.
 
emotion said:
To deny the problems faced by a lot of the CD mb/mbp owners is rediculous. Fine, if you want to take the risk on these machines that's ok by me.

Your experience of Apple service is also a lot better than many of my colleagues sat around me now (not people off forums, you know *real* people) have experienced.
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I'll counter by saying the opposite. My experience with Apple service is the same of the few of my many colleagues that have had problems. Remember, you don't hear people with perfect machines clamoring..."MY MACHINE WORKS PERFECTLY!!! THERE ARE NO PROBLEMS!!! Just wanted to let you all know." Any problems faced by MB and MBP owners HARDLY constitutes anywhere close to a majority...it's barely a minority at that. I'd venture to say less than 5% of all sold machines exhibit the problems you describe. This FUD of Rev A madness needs to stop.
 
MovieCutter said:
I'll counter by saying the opposite. My experience with Apple service is the same of the few of my many colleagues that have had problems. Remember, you don't hear people with perfect machines clamoring..."MY MACHINE WORKS PERFECTLY!!! THERE ARE NO PROBLEMS!!! Just wanted to let you all know." Any problems faced by MB and MBP owners HARDLY constitutes anywhere close to a majority...it's barely a minority at that. I'd venture to say less than 5% of all sold machines exhibit the problems you describe. This FUD of Rev A madness needs to stop.
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40% of macbooks had to be returned. That figure speaks for itself.

Anyway, you have your view I have mine. It's all good, I'm sure the OP is now equipped with the facts.
 
Wait till wednesday.

But, which machine will last you longer? That is the criteria I have to use - for me, if i bought the G4 i'd be facing in a year the same ting i am now - needing to upgrade (I have an 800mhx G4 iBook btw). But at least with going with Intel i'm assured it lasting longer.

For me, i need to run Aperture. And I can't right now. Which stinks.

But, i'd wait till wednesday to see what might appear this week.... LOL, it is a RUMORS site :D
 
MovieCutter said:
Where in the hell did you get that statistic from? A horse's ass? I'd love to know.
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You sure do get ruffled by all this. Are you an Apple share holder?

I was trying to find my source for that figure but can't, unfortunately. That figure is high (which might mean it isn't true). Accepted industry figures for returns apparently hover around 10%.

There are people on here that went through 3 machines and even then didn't get sorted out (post week 35 builds of the CD machines had less probs though).
Have you forgot the whine, moo, wristpad discolouration issues, random shutdown issues (a big big problem), screen flicker, case misalignment problems? The USB port issues?

The MBP had such problems with heat that they had to redesign all the venting.

Anyway, as I say I have no problem with Rev A machines myself. Just when all the evidence (from friends, on forums, even in the news) point to this batch of hardware (CD) being flakey I'm inclined to believe it.
 
MovieCutter said:
Yay for the Rev A bulls*** again. If I'm not mistaken, the final revision of the Powerbooks had a bit of a screen problem. I'll repeat...the FINAL revision of the Powerbooks had a problem. That being said, even if your MacBook does experience a "Rev A issue", it's not like Apple is going to tell you "Too bad, you took the risk and bought a Rev A product."
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Revision D had a display issue, I haven't seen a single problem on any of the late Rev. E PowerBooks.
 
twoodcc said:
i vote for the macbook....others have already given plently of reasons....:apple:
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Yeah go for the macbook. I love mine (just to temper what I say above, I'm not knocking Apple). It's way cheaper than equivalent PCs as well and the performance is very good.

After the powerbook the display is a lot nicer too.
 
MovieCutter said:
Oh ok, so they worked out all the kinks by the 5th revision...that makes me feel better.
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It makes sense, they were making the move to HD displays. In any case, It wasn't a design flaw on Apple's end, the display manufacturer was to blame.

I could understand the relevance of your comment had it been say, poor system cooling...which led to display burns, swelling batteries, and a host of other problems related to overheating.
 
Mb 2.0 C2d

I do not need a mac to play games on so that is not an issue. I find myself comparing Mac Book 2.0 13" C2D to the Power Book G4 1.67ghz and although mac book is faster its video card is mediocre according to Mac World. I need a graphic design and print production machine. I can buy either machine refurbished for 1000. - 11230. The screen size and graphic out put are very important for production to me and mac book pro 15 is out of reach. Guess I will go with older but proven graphic production of Power Book G4 1.67ghz 15"
I am not interested in windows programs since I do not plan to ever buy Windows XP or Vista unless I am forced to for working. My windows98se home built pc is going strong since 2000, 2001 :) And no I am not an Apple fan either this will be my first mac.
Onthat, thanks to all the objective info on mac really helped me decide, combined w/ mac worlds' reviews and bench marks. Where did you buy your G4?
 
nightsky said:
I do not need a mac to play games on so that is not an issue. I find myself comparing Mac Book 2.0 13" C2D to the Power Book G4 1.67ghz and although mac book is faster its video card is mediocre according to Mac World. I need a graphic design and print production machine. I can buy either machine refurbished for 1000. - 11230. The screen size and graphic out put are very important for production to me and mac book pro 15 is out of reach. Guess I will go with older but proven graphic production of Power Book G4 1.67ghz 15"
I am not interested in windows programs since I do not plan to ever buy Windows XP or Vista unless I am forced to for working. My windows98se home built pc is going strong since 2000, 2001 :) And no I am not an Apple fan either
this will be my first mac. Thanks to all the objective info on mac really helped me decided in combined w/ mac worlds' reviews and bench marks.
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Sounds like you made a great choice. You will happy with your PowerBook...
 
onthat said:
wrong on that one, the intel line runs software which is literally "universal" the PowerBook will run them as readily as the MacBook.

I was faced with a similar decision a while back, and decided to take the refurb PowerBook for 1349.99 over a CD MacBook.

Bear in mind that these are simply opinions based on my hands-on experience with these products. again, YOU ARE NOT REQUIRED TO READ ANY OF THIS!

Neither:
-support 64 bit architecture.
-offer impressive gaming capabilities.

PowerBook: (perfectly capable machine despite what anyone tells you)
-perfect display for watching DVD video and editing all forms of media.
-better case design and MUCH lower case temperature.
-speakers provide the best sound quality on the market.
-backlit keys are just sexy/keyboard is more comfortable to use.
-Firewire 800.
-wireless reception is ****.
-capable of running 7200rpm HDD.
-runs Adobe CS2 and Macromedia Studio 8 like a beast.

MacBook CD: (I stand by my decision not to purchase this system)
-worst modern display I've seen (not claiming to have seen them all) for that price range, though very bright.
-weak camera that you'll never use, unless you happen to be a webcam girl. (yes I realize it was developed for video conferencing:p )
-can only support 5400rpm HDD or lower, which is lame.
-keys are not backlit, keyboard could be described as "usable."
-capable of running windows xp. *gags*
-capable of running windows vista...kinda
-speakers are nothing to fuss about, placement is a bit strange as well.
-WILL run hotter than your average laptop.
-larger trackpad surface, which could be considered an improvement in some loose sense of the term.
-magsafe is a novel idea.
-no worthwhile Firewire ports.
-remote is useless for a laptop of this size, when will you ever watch a movie from more than arms length of this computer?
-wireless reception is above par.
-case feels flimsy and you could practically use the edges near your wrists to commit suicide.
-doesn't perform well in CS2 or Studio 8.
-performance in CS3 will rival that of the PowerBook in CS2.

MacBook C2D: (At a similar price, you'd be an idiot not to purchase one)
-supports 64 bit architecture:D
-disregard any negative comments (regarding performance) above.
-wireless reception is unreal.
-case seems sturdier.
-WILL run cooler than your average laptop.
-very capable of running windows vista.
-most other negative comments still stand.
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You provide a marvellous and thorough case for the PowerBook and MacBook Core2Duo. My hat goes off to you. Unfortunately, the only laptop this bloke offers are 2nd hand ones and the original MacBook CoreDuo is the only one he has. The clock is ticking and my brain is pounding! Still, it's not unpleasant dilemma! I can tell you for sure that if the G4 PowerBook was the last model that came out in Oct. 2005 with the 128MB graphics card, it would win hands down I'd say. But (sigh) it's the one before that, with the not-so-bright display. But you've done a brilliant job and I love your homework! You are a true asset to MacRumors forums!
 
Moo-Boo said:
:eek: My dear friends! I fear a major conundrum brewing like a fart in either Peter Griffin's or Homer Simpson's bowel!
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Well since you put it this way, I'd say go with the core duo if you don't need the graphics card.
 
if you'll take a closer look at the benchmarks at macworld...the last powerbook barely outperforms the macbook for graphic card related tasks...the macbook will also blow away the powerbook, even recent benchmarks prove the macbook is already outperforming in cs2 compared to the latest powerbook (while the macbook's are running in rosetta) i'd take the longer battery life, brighter screen, blazing speeds etc over the outdated powerbook
 
The time is nearly up, and, it looks like the majority of you believe that the black MacBook Core Duo is the winner. After reading your excellent posts and sage advice, then following a fairly sleepless night, the decision has been made. I would like to thank each and every one of you for your posts and for taking the time to write to me and counsel me. It made my decision far more informed and well grounded.

Thanks once again everybody, God bless and take care of yourselves out there, in this Window-centric world!

Matt & the Cat
 
Moo-Boo said:
The time is nearly up, and, it looks like the majority of you believe that the black MacBook Core Duo is the winner. After reading your excellent posts and sage advice, then following a fairly sleepless night, the decision has been made. I would like to thank each and every one of you for your posts and for taking the time to write to me and counsel me. It made my decision far more informed and well grounded.

Thanks once again everybody, God bless and take care of yourselves out there, in this Window-centric world!

Matt & the Cat
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i'm kinda curious now. what did you decide?
 
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