Gaming Setup

[dudeami]

There are differences in the powerbook line itself. But if you are comparing the 15" powerbook to the ibook, then there are several differences, Any time I refer to powerbook it will be the 15" models here.

The motherboard on the powerbook is 167 MHz vs 133 MHz in iBook. The memory in the Powerbook is DDR 333 vs DDR 266 in the iBook. The powerbook can support up to 2 GB af RAM the iBook supports up to 640 MB.
You can get the Powerbook with a Superdrive installed for burning DVDs, this is not a built to order option for the iBook. The powerbook can have a faster processor if you order the higher-end model up to 1.25 GHz the iBook line is up to 1 GHz. The powerbook has 512 KB of level 2 cahce, the iBook has 256 KB of level 2 cache. The powerbook has a PCMCIA slot for expansion, the iBook does not. The powerbook has the ATI 9600 with 64 MB of DDR RAM, the iBook has the ATI 9200 with 32 MB DDR RAM. The powerbook has a built to order option for a 5400 RPM harddrive, the iBook does not. The powerbook supports higher resolution than the iBook.If you go with the higher-end 15" powerbook the harddrive is larger than the iBook and the powerbook will have the backlite keyboard which not available with the iBook and the Airport Extreme card will be included. The powerbook has a ultra ATA 100 hard drive, the iBook has ultra ATA I beleive only 66, but am not sure. Obviously the powerbook has a larger screen, and as mentioned before has firewire 800 which is not available on the iBook. Powerbook has DVI and s-video out, iBook is VGA and s-video out with adaptors. The powerbook has audio line in, I do not think the iBook does. I think that is about it as far as hardware. A bunch of differences.

 

[dudeami]

So what can we get from those facts?

This is a combination of fact and opinion.

If you went with the higher-end 15" model with built-to-order 5400 RPM hard drive. Obviously more expensinve.

It should have a longer usefull life performance wise. And better performance out of the box.

Faster processor, faster and larger level 2 cache, faster graphics card with more RAM, faster RAM with larger capacity for expansion of RAM, faster motherboard, 800 MB firewire. Faster and larger hard drive config that will be under waranty. The faster hard drive will increase performance when accessing data and will also increase performance when swapping memory pages.

Out of the box wireless, because the Airport Extreme is included.

Coolness factor - back light on keyboard

Gaming will be better.

Better resolution support internal and external and larger screen. All the performance factors previously mentioned.

More expansion.

400 and 800 MB firewire, RAM capacity, and PCMCIA slot. Audio in built-in.

Built-in full use of iLife - burning DVD's using the Superdrive.

 

[crowdaddy]

Yeah, an iBook will not do, I am a fairly aggressive user and i demand a lot out of my computers. Well look at this plan and tell me what you think:

PC Desktop (what i already have and the desired upgrade) FOR GAMING:
800mhz to 2.8 or 3GHZ
512 RAM to new 512 RAM
New motherboard required
New power supply
128 MB Video Card
Airport Extreme Station

AND THEN

a 17Inch Powerbook fully decked out (1gb ram [512 from 3rd party plus apples 512]

I think that would be fine wouldn't it? That is within my budget as i am going to university next year so I can come up with the money in time