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Back To School: iBook G4 or iMac G5 ?

I've been using a 1st generation iMac G5 at school for the past year. It suits all my needs, and more. Everyone says portability is great, but it's really not imperative. I had a 15" Powerbook for the year before that. While it was convenient to be able to pick it up and move it easily, it wasn't necessary in the least. It's really a decision you have to make. If you go with an iBook, wait for the update. You can get by the first week at school using lab computers, and you'll be glad you did.
 
get the ibook. you can doo all that you just mentioned with an ibook. upgrade rtam to 768 megs and then eat some pumpkin pie.


laptops are worth it in college. think about it. where else in the entire world can you watch porn on the go (fast!). All seriousness aside, the ibook is portable. When you go back home and you're ont aht road driving your car, or on the train, or on an airplane going to Tahiti, you'll thank me for telling you to get that ibook because when that flight attendant comes over and asks you what time it is - you've got the ibook for that and then she'll be like DAMMMMMN give me some WATERMELONS NOW HA HA HA HA HA HAAA











I just saved a bundle on my car insurance by switching to Geico.
 
well-

i love portability. I plan on getting a powerbook once i get some extra cash- i have a mini at the moment and i love it as well as my dell laptop which i'm going to ditch for the powerbook when the money rolls around. So, for you, no matter what you get make sure you get at least 512mb of ram. if you want to multitask it's imperative. If you ever take road trips and the urge hits you that you need to jam and get something recorded, the ibook with garage band would be amazing for that. but in the end it depends on what you want to do really. If you want to be portable, go with the ibook. If you don't care about the portability issue then the imac would work out just fine. No matter which way you go you can't lose imo.

just my .02
Michael
 
The iMac G5 is clearly the better machine, but portability to and from class is hard to ignore.

I would think that the iBook's built in microphone would also come in very handy for recording those 3 hour long lectures.
 
My friend I was in the same boat as you were... well sort of. I have a 15" Powerbook and I was contemplating getting the suped up G5 iMac with 1.5 (heck why not say 2) GB's of RAM with the 400 GB HD. What tore me away was that (1) My Powerbook is only a year old and (2) I don't need that iMac. Sure the iMac would be great to have with the thought of all the specs but I figured why would I spend 2000+ on a computer so I could surf the web, check email, chat online, manage photos, listen to music and watch DVD's. I could get all of that and more with staying with the Powerbook. So if you haven't guessed it already I'm suggesting you stick with the iBook. If you want to wait then that's fine but if you need it now then just by it now. It's a fact that the iBook will run Tiger it just won't have the ripple effect and a couple of other things.
 
I personally doubt that you are going to impress girls by having an iMac G5 on your desk. The problem is, you have to get the girls INTO your room to see the computer. If you have an iBook, then you work other places on campus, where girls can see not only your computer but also you. Therefore it's a more sociable device in that it doesn't force you to do your computer work in the same spot (usually in seclusion) all the time.

As far as taking notes goes, no laptop battery can last a whole day at school. I take a lotta notes. So I use a digital camera to photograph them and store 'em in iTunes. It's a heckofalot faster than scanning the notes.
 
Portability is a must in college. get the ibook with max RAM, if you have money left over you can get a cheap flat display for working at home and not being constrained by a 12in screen.
 
I suggest that you should get a low-end PowerBook. It has much better keyboard for typing that doesnt get yellow after some time and PB has a much better design.

I think that PB will attract girls even more than iBook, because the Apple logo on the top is backlit :D I think its very cool (my dad has a 15-inch PB)
 
eXan said:
I suggest that you should get a low-end PowerBook. It has much better keyboard for typing that doesnt get yellow after some time and PB has a much better design.

I think that PB will attract girls even more than iBook, because the Apple logo on the top is backlit :D I think its very cool (my dad has a 15-inch PB)
Click to expand...


ummm...the ibook logos are lit too. and, yes, the pb keyboards are nicer IMO.
 
dswoodley said:
if you have money left over you can get a cheap flat display for working at home and not being constrained by a 12in screen.
Click to expand...

To use external monitor normally (not mirroring) on the iBook, you will need a screen-spanning hack. You can do it without this hack on a PowerBook
 
eXan said:
To use external monitor normally (not mirroring) on the iBook, you will need a screen-spanning hack. You can do it without this hack on a PowerBook
Click to expand...

good point, thanks eXan
 
dswoodley said:
ummm...the ibook logos are lit too. and, yes, the pb keyboards are nicer IMO.
Click to expand...

Really? Hmm didnt notice that... Maybe because I didnt see any iBook in real life, outside of Apple Store :D
 
eXan said:
Really? Hmm didnt notice that... Maybe because I didnt see any iBook in real life, outside of Apple Store :D
Click to expand...

Yeah, beacuse of the white plastic casing it is harder to see as well compared to the aluminum of the PBs. However, my wife is using hers right now in a dark room and then you can clearly see it
 
I guess there really are different versions of " image quality" to consider
when taking your Mac to school.

The iBook is great for general use, but kinda says "klutzy impoverished
student", while the PowerBook exudes it's technological pheromones to attract
the opposite sex.
 
FFTT said:
I guess there really are different versions of " image quality" to consider
when taking your Mac to school.

The iBook is great for general use, but kinda says "klutzy impoverished
student", while the PowerBook exudes it's technological pheromones to attract
the opposite sex.
Click to expand...

I can say from experience the women say about the ibook "it's sooooo cute" - you decide if that is good or bad
 
FFTT said:
The iBook is great for general use, but kinda says "klutzy impoverished student", while the PowerBook exudes it's technological pheromones to attract the opposite sex.
Click to expand...

Sexual chemistry rules again! Just be careful not to judge your overall college experience on whether your computer was on the receiving end of more action than you were.

If you truly want to distance yourself from the pack, find a way to have your laptop say, "Oh, baby, you do know what I like," whenever someone of the opposite sex touches the Apple logo. Either way, good luck with school and remember to study. :)
 
for me, the BIGGEST thing i consider when buying a new computer is portability. i will NEVER buy a desktop again. i hate being tied down to the desk, and even when i'm around the house, i love using airport and brinin my PB with me where i go, its great. i would definitely go with the iBook
 
53399 said:
I am returning to school in a few weeks and I need a new computer. I have been looking at the iBook for a while, but like many, I'm a little discouraged about the lack of an update.

Regardless of my choice, I have roughly $1300 to spend and would like something new to qualify for a free iPod Mini and a free printer.

I have been considering the iMac as an alternative to the iBook. Granted, it's not portable, but even when I owned a laptop, I maybe traveled with it five times a year, mostly to take my music with me. I rarely took it to class, that was actually looked down upon at the school I was attending by both students and professors. I am transferring to a large state university, maybe there is a different attitude there? What are your experiences with a laptop in class? I tend to take long, detailed, and scattered notes and that works for me. Can the iBook help me in this area?

If I get the iMac am I going to feel tied down to a desk? Is the greater performance of the iMac worth sacrificing the portability of the iBook?

And of course the most important questions: Am I going to have girls interested in my iBook in the library at make it easier to chat things up? Or will a G5 on my desk convince her to spend the night?

I am still leaning towards the iBook but each time I log into my cart at the Apple Store, I see those iMac specs and I just can't bring myself to delete it.

Please help!
Click to expand...

What is your major? It may change things a bit. I just graduated (again) and if I had to do it over again I would get a portable. Who wants to be the loser in his dorm/apartment working on his iMac? You want to be out socializing. When you travel to visit friends or your parents you can take your portable with you. Get the portable and maybe an external monitor and keyboard.
 
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Think Keynote

As someone who just went through the PB/iMac debate for himself (and chose the iMac), I think the low-end PB would be the best option for you.

Not only does it scream, "I'm a stud", but it also has all of the video-out capabilities you'll need. Forget about note-taking, my friend. It's all about getting those A's with Keynote presentations that knock the socks off of your PowerPoint- or Overhead Projector-handicapped classmates. And, assuming you'll be doing more paper-based projects than presentations, keep in mind that Pages (which will knock you up a letter grade) is a processor hog.

I know the PB is more, but think of it as an investment in your GPA.

Actually, now that I picture you with a PB and a 4.0 GPA, I almost want to ask you out. ;)

(OK, maybe not.) :)
 
53399 said:
I am returning to school in a few weeks and I need a new computer. I have been looking at the iBook for a while, but like many, I'm a little discouraged about the lack of an update.

Regardless of my choice, I have roughly $1300 to spend and would like something new to qualify for a free iPod Mini and a free printer.

I have been considering the iMac as an alternative to the iBook. Granted, it's not portable, but even when I owned a laptop, I maybe traveled with it five times a year, mostly to take my music with me. I rarely took it to class, that was actually looked down upon at the school I was attending by both students and professors. I am transferring to a large state university, maybe there is a different attitude there? What are your experiences with a laptop in class? I tend to take long, detailed, and scattered notes and that works for me. Can the iBook help me in this area?

If I get the iMac am I going to feel tied down to a desk? Is the greater performance of the iMac worth sacrificing the portability of the iBook?

And of course the most important questions: Am I going to have girls interested in my iBook in the library at make it easier to chat things up? Or will a G5 on my desk convince her to spend the night?

I am still leaning towards the iBook but each time I log into my cart at the Apple Store, I see those iMac specs and I just can't bring myself to delete it.

Please help!
Click to expand...
Wow, I was in exactly the same boat as you. I first wanted the iBook, but then I found the iMac and ran into some trouble. I also had/have about $1300 to spend. I thought it'd be great to have the portability of an iBook, but also great to have the performance of an iMac. I ended up deciding on the iBook, because it is actually very fast, and I don't need the extra speed of the iMac. I also couldn't resist having a portable machine. I do the same things on a computer that you do. I am still waiting for the updates, and I will buy an iBook the first day the new ones are released! Good luck! :)
 
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My daughter, after "clepping" out of several courses, will be a Junior at her University this fall, though it's her second year. She has an iBook G4 and has been very pleased with its performance and it has met her needs. I DO think portability is important, especially for a student. She has had no problems networking with the University's ethernet and wireless configurations, even though it's a Windows environment, so my 2¢ would be for the iBook.
X
 
jsalzer said:
As someone who just went through the PB/iMac debate for himself (and chose the iMac), I think the low-end PB would be the best option for you.

Not only does it scream, "I'm a stud", but it also has all of the video-out capabilities you'll need. Forget about note-taking, my friend. It's all about getting those A's with Keynote presentations that knock the socks off of your PowerPoint- or Overhead Projector-handicapped classmates. And, assuming you'll be doing more paper-based projects than presentations, keep in mind that Pages (which will knock you up a letter grade) is a processor hog.

I know the PB is more, but think of it as an investment in your GPA.

Actually, now that I picture you with a PB and a 4.0 GPA, I almost want to ask you out. ;)

(OK, maybe not.) :)
Click to expand...


What's so special about Keynote presentations compared to Powerpoint? Is Pages that much better than Office?
 
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