iMac vs. new PB?

[kangaroo]

Aside from the PB's portability, is there an argument to be made for the iMac over the new PB or vice versa? Thanks.

 

[Stelliform]

It should be pretty evident.

I find the G4 Powerbook doesn't have any significant speed drawbacks over the desktop. (like PC laptops do)

So pick portable and pricey or on a desk with more bells and whistles.

 

[Manimac]

I'm debating the same thing right now between iMac and new Powerbook. In particular, I'm looking at the 17" iMac vs. 15" PB superdrive models since I want to be able to make and burn DVD with iMovie/iDVD.

Here is what I see as the pros for each side:

iMac:
- cheaper (for computer and for Applecare)
- bigger screen (than 15" PB)
- larger available hard drive (up to 160GB)
- faster DVD burner (4x vs. 2x)
- desktop keyboard (with numeric pad - nice for spreadsheets)
- speakers (better than laptop built in)
- coolness factor - the screen mechanism is nice & design matches iPods

Powerbook:
- smaller / portable
- more expandable memory (2Gb vs 1GB) and more accessible (iMac has one slot that is not user accessible)
- AE & BT built-in (vs. BTO options on iMac)
- connections - FW800/Gigabit Ethernet/PC card - may be useful, not sure yet
- coolness factor - those backlit keys and apple logo are nice and it is the "year of the notebook"

I hope that helps some. I'm not sure which way I'll go either. I would be interested what others think.

 

[QCassidy352]

throw this in there: the powerbook uses the 7457 processor with 512k L2 cache while the imac uses the 7455 processor with 256k cache.

I'd go powerbook, but that's just me.

 

[applemacdude]

I would get the imac if you dont have enough money. Powerbooks are expensive especially the nicer ones

 

[kangaroo]

Thanks for the posts, especially Manimac for breaking out the key distinctions--that's just what I was looking for.

I had an 800 MHz iMac back in January for about a week and returned it because of its apparent slowness and its <IMHO> relatively poor screen.

I've been using a 400 MHz Dell and I've been looking to switch for awhile now. I expected the iMac to be ~twice as fast, but to my surprise, although adequate, seemed slower in many instances. Also, although some are very happy with their iMac displays, I found it wreaked havoc with my eyes. After returning it to the Apple store, I discovered that the stand-alone displays were superior in all aspects from viewing angle to color, clarity, etc. (I assumed all Apple displays were equivalent ).

I, like many on this forum, find myself w a i t i n g for the next best release--looking for that magic bullet. I think a G5 iMac with a higher quality 19" display would've done it for me. But...

In terms of space/cost I'd prefer staying in the PB/iMac zone but my logic tells me that a G5 PM w/large display will keep me ahead of the Mac power curve and give my eyes a break.

 

[applemacdude]

Remember the Panther will speed things up too...

 

[plasticparadox]

I don't know.. I'm in the buying stage at the moment -- waiting for my bonus from work so I can get the 12" PB. I didn't find it difficult at all to select this model over the iMac, which I also briefly considered.

It all comes down to what you need. Do you need portability? Or do you not?