Is Powerbook worth for design ?

[CrackedButter]

I recently bought a used G4 17", 1.5 Ghz. Thankfully the thing had problems because I wanted to return it when I got it home. Leave the G4 behind, get the MB like I did instead, it's brilliant compared to the G4 PowerBook.

 

[crees!]

The comments made here about Aluminium G4 PowerBooks is just wrong. Well, most of them. CS3 runs as good, if not better than CS2 on my PowerBook G4 1.33Ghz, with 1.5GB Ram. I also own the latest C2D iMac and MacBook and for everyday work there is not much difference. The G4 takes a couple more bounces before apps open, sure, but thats really not the best indicator of performance.

If you can find a relatively recent PowerBook at a good price, don't hesitate. Go for it. Ignore the recently converted Mac fanboys that have no idea of the real power of a G4.

Agreed. I have a 1.25Ghz G4 PowerBook. Almost 4 years after purchasing it and it's still running strong. I have 1.5GB RAM installed in my machine. I would recommend no less. If you can get 2 GB RAM in there, more power to you. If I had the choice between faster processor or more RAM - I'd go with more RAM. That's unless you're planning on upgrading (more RAM) the computer soon after you get it, then I'd go with the faster processor.

 

[ktbubster]

from someone who up until a few months ago was running CS suite on a 867mhz tibook with 1 gig of ram in it... I have to say, the powerbook g4s can be pretty impressive machines as that thing still held it's own pretty darn well most of the time. I only finally upgraded to a CD macbook pro because I'm in design and need to do 3d modeling via windows a lot so the intel and parallels etc drew me in so I could have the ability to use windows when i HAD to (ugh) ... and ofcourse my new comp is about 2039483024823048 times faster then the old one, but .... that's not saying that that thing didn't chug along and I can only assume the latest versions were darn impressive (I have a friend who still uses his 1.5 in class everyday for the whole CS2 suite and it flies)

However..... they are right in saying that you can probably get a refurb macbook c2d for the same if not less then people are still selling their powerbooks for, and that would be a much wiser investment... spend another 150 for a 19 or 20 inch external and you will be set.

If you can find a good deal though, and you'd prefer just a laptop and the sexier (IMHO) encloser of the powerbook... try looking around for a CD 1.83 or 2.0 ghz Macbook Pro like in my sig. It's not the newest but it'll be more updated, go faster then the powerbooks on a lot of apps (mine does.. hehe) and probably be a better investment. I'd be willing to bet you could find one for about 1000... maybe someone here in marketplace is even selling one. I just got a CD 2.16 for my bf with 256 vram etc for 1200 ish... last month.. so I could assume mine is going for less.

The newer processors and chipsets would be a wise investment.

 

[Royale w/cheese]

I am NOT a fanboy. I just understand the true value of a G4, and it doesn't compare favourably to a modern budget priced core 2 duo.
Sure the G4 systems still have some 'Go' in them, but if you can get something faster for the same price, why wouldn't you?

I have had almost every revision of the G4, from 400mhz sawtooth (which still gets usage because its O.G.), to the last revision powerbooks in both 12" and 17". Yes, more than capable machines, but for universal apps, and the price of current machines, macintels are a better value and investment in my opinion.

When working with large files in Indesign CS3, I can definitely see a great improvement, even from my old G5.

But, yes there are no doubts in the G4 PB power, but they are quickly becoming outdated, not obsolete, but a G4 is definitely getting long in the tooth.

As for fanboy, yes, I am not afraid to admit that. Recently converted? No. User of Windows, Linux, proudly of Macs for well over a decade. But will tell it like it is.

 

[zap2]

I have a G4 iBook...similar specs to what you have looking at...I love it, but its slow. I only have 512Mbs RAM in it, but I find it slow running NeoOffice, iTunes and Safari

Get a MacBook if you can...even a used one