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Macbook or Powerbook: Resolved

R

RojoLeo

macrumors 6502
Original poster
Mar 11, 2007
380
26
Austin, TX
ok, so I've posted in Marketplace, WTB: Macbook or Powerbook.

I'm looking for a Mac for my girlfriend, who's a pretty light user. I can pick up a Powerbook for around $600, and a Macbook for $800 refurb from Apple, with an option to add Applecare.

I'm leaning towards the Macbook because:
  1. It's newer
  2. Brighter Screen
  3. Direct from Apple
  4. Option to add Applecare
She'll be mainly surfing the web, using iPhoto, a very small amount of Photoshop work (none professionally, and very very lightly), email, etc. Definitely not a power user.

What do you guys think?
 
I think you answered your own question. I would definitely say go with the macbook. It is more future proof and you have the ability to get applecare which is pretty much essential if you have a laptop. Cheers.
 
I should add, I've just lined up a deal from Craigslist for a 15" Powerbook, 1GHZ, 1GB Ram for $500. The $800 Macbook with Applecare and tax comes out to $1,134. So we're talking a pretty big price difference.
 
DigitalAx said:
I should add, I've just lined up a deal from Craigslist for a 15" Powerbook, 1GHZ, 1GB Ram for $500. The $800 Macbook with Applecare and tax comes out to $1,134. So we're talking a pretty big price difference.
Click to expand...

I'd take the PB at that price for her needs. No doubt here at all.
Try talk the deal down a bit further - $475, but it is still reasonable as it is as long as it is in good condition.
 
davidjearly said:
I'd take the PB at that price for her needs. No doubt here at all.
Try talk the deal down a bit further - $475, but it is still reasonable as it is as long as it is in good condition.
Click to expand...

Yeah, almost TOO good of a deal. I think I'm going to walk away from the PB because it sounds fishy. It takes some time to find a 12" PB for $600-650, let alone a 15" for $500. I'd think I'd rather have the peace of mind knowing it's not stolen.
 
DigitalAx said:
Yeah, almost TOO good of a deal. I think I'm going to walk away from the PB because it sounds fishy. It takes some time to find a 12" PB for $600-650, let alone a 15" for $500. I'd think I'd rather have the peace of mind knowing it's not stolen.
Click to expand...

Its not that fishy at all going solely by price. I got my PB 15" (see signature) for $400.
 
Don't forget you can buy Applecare within the first year for no additional cost, so you can save some money in the short run. And I bought my applecare off eBay for $50 (same as you need; macbook/ibook), which was a huge savings over what the apple store charges. just a thought.
 
as an almost victim, i have to say be careful on those "too good to be true" Craigslist deals. Whatever you do, don't transfer money in advance. I almost got scammed while looking for an apartment.
 
SPinc33 said:
as an almost victim, i have to say be careful on those "too good to be true" Craigslist deals. Whatever you do, don't transfer money in advance. I almost got scammed while looking for an apartment.
Click to expand...

Nah, I'm super careful. There's no reason not to deal exclusively in cash on Craigslist.
 
DigitalAx said:
ok, so I've posted in Marketplace, WTB: Macbook or Powerbook.

I'm looking for a Mac for my girlfriend, who's a pretty light user. I can pick up a Powerbook for around $600, and a Macbook for $800 refurb from Apple, with an option to add Applecare.

I'm leaning towards the Macbook because:
  1. It's newer
  2. Brighter Screen
  3. Direct from Apple
  4. Option to add Applecare
She'll be mainly surfing the web, using iPhoto, a very small amount of Photoshop work (none professionally, and very very lightly), email, etc. Definitely not a power user.

What do you guys think?
Click to expand...

the $799 macbook comes to be around $867 after tax (7.75%). applecare can always be added later. so even though it'll be used lightly, i'd still opt for a macbook, because (1) it's intel, (2) it's much faster, (3) you have the option to run windows, (4) it'll be covered under warranty, and (5) it's an all-around good computer. it'll do more for you for longer as well. go with the macbook.
 
siurpeeman said:
the $799 macbook comes to be around $867 after tax (7.75%). applecare can always be added later. so even though it'll be used lightly, i'd still opt for a macbook, because (1) it's intel, (2) it's much faster, (3) you have the option to run windows, (4) it'll be covered under warranty, and (5) it's an all-around good computer. it'll do more for you for longer as well. go with the macbook.
Click to expand...


Probably better resale in a couple of years too, right?
 
BenHoleton said:
Don't forget you can buy Applecare within the first year for no additional cost, so you can save some money in the short run. And I bought my applecare off eBay for $50 (same as you need; macbook/ibook), which was a huge savings over what the apple store charges. just a thought.
Click to expand...

Is this within a year of the manufacture date, or a year from when you buy it? Does this only apply if you buy it from Apple? And, does it apply to refurbs?
 
DigitalAx said:
Is this within a year of the manufacture date, or a year from when you buy it? Does this only apply if you buy it from Apple? And, does it apply to refurbs?
Click to expand...

you can buy applecare up to a year after the purchase date. i don't know about the second question, but yes, you can buy applecare on refurbished models.

BenHoleton said:
Don't forget you can buy Applecare within the first year for no additional cost, so you can save some money in the short run. And I bought my applecare off eBay for $50 (same as you need; macbook/ibook), which was a huge savings over what the apple store charges. just a thought.
Click to expand...

hmm, i never knew you could buy applecare off ebay. go figure.
 
siurpeeman said:
you can buy applecare up to a year after the purchase date. i don't know about the second question, but yes, you can buy applecare on refurbished models.
Click to expand...

I know you can buy Applecare on refurbished models, my question is do you still have the year window on a refurb?
 
DigitalAx said:
I know you can buy Applecare on refurbished models, my question is do you still have the year window on a refurb?
Click to expand...

i was answering yes to that question in particular. so yes, you can buy applecare up to a year after purchase on refurbished models.
 
At this point in the game, it really does not make sense to buy a PowerPC based Mac unless it is a PowerMac G5 Quad Core.

For just the extra couple hundred dollars, you get a truly modern Mac that will last much longer than the PowerPC.
 
siurpeeman said:
i was answering yes to that question in particular. so yes, you can buy applecare up to a year after purchase on refurbished models.
Click to expand...


Great, thanks.

--
Thank you everyone for your opinions and suggestions on this.

As of right now, I'm leaning towards a $800 refurb Macbook from Apple (I'll have to keep checking as the one from this morning is gone).

If you have any reason why I shouldn't, I'd love to hear it.

Thanks again! :D
 
OK, consider this done.

Got a great deal off of Craigslist today. 13" Macbook, 1.83CD, 1.25GB Ram, 60Gb HD for $750. Plus, I should still be able to get AppleCare on it because of its purchase date.
 
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