Originally posted by HasanDaddy
I'm really tempted to buy a 12" for its weight and portability
anyone wanna convince me?
it's really light and portable. and totally sweet. you convinced yet?
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New Powerbook 12" (Anyone Have One?)
- Thread starter Abraxsis
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it's really light and portable. and totally sweet. you convinced yet?
I've been a PC user for the last 10 years and havnt been a big fan of mac till i saw OS X and the new opwerbooks imacs and ibooks.
This might not be the right thread but i was wondering why the changed the case friom titanium to aluminium?Wouldnt titanium be more durable?
Also is it cheaper to buy a mac outside the US?Cause i think i read someone say that powerbooks were imported.Would it be cheaper han the educational discount fromm apple?
Also what is the best way to fond out how to get the most out of your mac.I know how to use one but taht would be only using th eintermet ,playing movies and such.I can prettty much fix anything on my pc but if somehting went wrong with my mac i would be helpless.Thatsone of the reasons I;m not bying amac.I'm trying them out in my unicersity labs ttrying to get a hang of the OS.Very impressed with the OS but hate that thers only one mouse button.
This might not be the right thread but i was wondering why the changed the case friom titanium to aluminium?Wouldnt titanium be more durable?
Also is it cheaper to buy a mac outside the US?Cause i think i read someone say that powerbooks were imported.Would it be cheaper han the educational discount fromm apple?
Also what is the best way to fond out how to get the most out of your mac.I know how to use one but taht would be only using th eintermet ,playing movies and such.I can prettty much fix anything on my pc but if somehting went wrong with my mac i would be helpless.Thatsone of the reasons I;m not bying amac.I'm trying them out in my unicersity labs ttrying to get a hang of the OS.Very impressed with the OS but hate that thers only one mouse button.
Powerbook pricing
I don't know all of the prices around the world, but comparing prices with the Euro and the Yen, the US prices are cheaper. Significantly enough, though not worth the trouble to convert, buy in America and ship across the Atlantic. However it was worth the trouble for me at least to buy in America (education store) and ship to Japan (the keyboard layout also factored into that decision).
I think the Education site is the best deal in town. It is even cheaper than it was a few weeks ago.
I haven't read any books about using OS X because I have been around Macs and computers so long, I find those books usually too basic and outdated. A great site is www.macosxhints.com. The forums are very helpful. I read the hints almost everday, though most of it doesn't apply to me at the moment. But then something will go wrong or I will want to do something weird with my Mac, and I will remember having seen it on macosxhints. Also, when my friends' machines go down, I will have often seen the cause and fix on hints and can seem like a computer guru when I fix it on the machine on the spot. Also, macfixit.com has good forums and topics.
If you are comfortable with computers then I think the internet is the best. Quite honestly though there is very little tinkering necessary to keep your system running great. No .ini files or registries. Most of the hints are for tweaks because Mac users can be nuts, or the fact that we jump on beta software and use it full time (e.g. Safari, iChat A/V) because we are fanatical. Just stay away from software updates for a week to make sure they don't destroy your system (ala 10.2.8 - which is very rare for Apple) and you shouldn't have any problems.
I think the mac does 95% of what I do on computers so much better than Windows, it is worth putting up with 5% of hassle, but that is me and each user is different.
I don't know all of the prices around the world, but comparing prices with the Euro and the Yen, the US prices are cheaper. Significantly enough, though not worth the trouble to convert, buy in America and ship across the Atlantic. However it was worth the trouble for me at least to buy in America (education store) and ship to Japan (the keyboard layout also factored into that decision).
I think the Education site is the best deal in town. It is even cheaper than it was a few weeks ago.
I haven't read any books about using OS X because I have been around Macs and computers so long, I find those books usually too basic and outdated. A great site is www.macosxhints.com. The forums are very helpful. I read the hints almost everday, though most of it doesn't apply to me at the moment. But then something will go wrong or I will want to do something weird with my Mac, and I will remember having seen it on macosxhints. Also, when my friends' machines go down, I will have often seen the cause and fix on hints and can seem like a computer guru when I fix it on the machine on the spot. Also, macfixit.com has good forums and topics.
If you are comfortable with computers then I think the internet is the best. Quite honestly though there is very little tinkering necessary to keep your system running great. No .ini files or registries. Most of the hints are for tweaks because Mac users can be nuts, or the fact that we jump on beta software and use it full time (e.g. Safari, iChat A/V) because we are fanatical. Just stay away from software updates for a week to make sure they don't destroy your system (ala 10.2.8 - which is very rare for Apple) and you shouldn't have any problems.
I think the mac does 95% of what I do on computers so much better than Windows, it is worth putting up with 5% of hassle, but that is me and each user is different.
my 12" combo shipped today!! Yay!!!!
I don't know what "bestway" means. Mine said various things (as they kept changing my shipping method... but it was upgrades, so who can complain). It said things like "overnight" or "priority 2 day." "bestway?" weird.
I don't know what "bestway" means. Mine said various things (as they kept changing my shipping method... but it was upgrades, so who can complain). It said things like "overnight" or "priority 2 day." "bestway?" weird.
I feel like I'm jynxing myself somehow by saying this.... but, my powerbook shipped yesterday(yay). Due to arrive on thursday at 12.. although I'm quite doubtful about that estimate...
Just FYI, it was ordered on the 22nd, is being shipped to Canada and is BTO w/ an AE card.
Just FYI, it was ordered on the 22nd, is being shipped to Canada and is BTO w/ an AE card.
I can't decide between a 12" and a 15". As nice as the backlit keyboard would be, it isn't at all necessary for me. My only concern is the difference in graphics chips - I play The Sims and SimCity 4 quite a bit - they are both a bit stodgy at times, even with a full 1 GB of RAM and an ATI Radeon Mobility 9000 64MB chip. Any thoughts?
Well my Powerbook 12" FINALLY shipped yesterday. Currently sitting in the Taiwan International Airport going through customs I imagine. The estimated delivery says Oct. 3rd but I dont know how acurate that is, I might call FedEx and see. I was starting to get pretty mad seeing I ordered my Powerbook on the 4th of Sept. making it near a month since I ordered. I imagine that lots of BTO machine are going to get delayed again.
I have heard though that the heat problem has been solved and now the laptops only get marginally hot. Ive heard also that the LCD has been upgraded from the crappy one that was in it. My friend has a 867 12" PB and Ive always felt that the screen just did not meet Apple's standards.
OK then have a great day guys.
I have heard though that the heat problem has been solved and now the laptops only get marginally hot. Ive heard also that the LCD has been upgraded from the crappy one that was in it. My friend has a 867 12" PB and Ive always felt that the screen just did not meet Apple's standards.
OK then have a great day guys.
Dear Abraxsis,
as I am not sure which one to buy please let us know about the display and the heat issue as soon as you get yours!
That would be great!
as I am not sure which one to buy please let us know about the display and the heat issue as soon as you get yours!
That would be great!
yay, my 12"PB Superdrive shipped today !
Still in Taiwan, but at least there is hope...should arrive within 2-5 business days. Would be nice to have it for the week-end, but I am not holding my breath.
Still in Taiwan, but at least there is hope...should arrive within 2-5 business days. Would be nice to have it for the week-end, but I am not holding my breath.
That's what I'm interested in too--a side by side comparison of the two screens. If the screen is improved I'm all over it.
fraeone
hehe, we must be in the same shipment; mine is sitting in the Taiwan airport too! Supposedly it will be delivered by 10:30am on Friday (10/3).
I'd have to say that if you're not satisfied with game performance on a 64 MB Radeon 9000 the card in the 12" will not do it for you. Better go for the 15" with that totally sweet 9600. But for me, since I only play war3, the 5200go will be just fine.
Supposedly it will be delivered by 10:30am on Friday (10/3).I'd have to say that if you're not satisfied with game performance on a 64 MB Radeon 9000 the card in the 12" will not do it for you. Better go for the 15" with that totally sweet 9600. But for me, since I only play war3, the 5200go will be just fine.
You know I find it strange that a 5200 Go doesnt seem to be enough for anyone. I had a old GeForce 2 MX 400 in my big desktop PC and I never had any problems with it. It would run games just fine, albeit at slightly reduced graphics but more than playable, games that's recommended graphic card was a GeForce 4. The new chip is a GeForce FX 5200 Go, the exact same chip that shipping in desktops. So which is it? Do people just have to have photorealistic gaming systems, or do these (e.g. anything newer than a GeForce 4) just completely suck?
I am used to playing on my desktop pc athlon xp2500 gf4 ti4600 1gb ram but thats not the prob. On my tibook667 with its radeon card you just cannot play any new games. Army ops sucks, even older games like deus ex suck in lowest resolution. Besides, its kind of an investment in the future. Why buying a 2000 bucks piece with a week grafik device if you get a good one for a few bucks more. It dont want to buy a new one soon so...
...its at least reasonable to ask for performance in advance...
...its at least reasonable to ask for performance in advance...
Well one gaming on a latop is never going to be great. Two, what video card did the 667 have in it? If its a Radeon 7500 no wonder it wont run new games, seeing its the equivalent of a GeForce 2. Laptop wise a new PB is going to be a huge jump on the graphics scale.
yes, the Tibook 667 DVI had a Radeon 7500. The earlier (non-DVI) 667 had a mobility Radeon (not sure exactly which one) with 16 VRAM.
I'm using an ibook with a Radeon 7500 right now and I must say, it's not that bad. As I posted before, I'm no hard core gamer, but the 7500 is still ok. And the 5200go will be a lot better than that.
But if you're in to games like UT2003 or Doom 3, a 12" PB is probably not the best choice. Spend the extra to get a 15" with the 9600, which is really a great portable chip. But I agree with Abraxis - unless you're a heavy gamer, there's nothing wrong with the 5200go.
I'm using an ibook with a Radeon 7500 right now and I must say, it's not that bad. As I posted before, I'm no hard core gamer, but the 7500 is still ok. And the 5200go will be a lot better than that.
But if you're in to games like UT2003 or Doom 3, a 12" PB is probably not the best choice. Spend the extra to get a 15" with the 9600, which is really a great portable chip. But I agree with Abraxis - unless you're a heavy gamer, there's nothing wrong with the 5200go.
Yes. I guess you are both right. But what I need is a benchmark comparison between the two: the pb 15 with 1ghz and the radeon 9600 and the pb 12 with the go5200 to see if its worth the extra money. That would be great!
Just read a review in the most important and serious german computer magazin. They tested a old and a new 17 pb and and an old 1000 ti book and a new 1000 alloy pb.
results are really disappointing. Batteries in the 15 alloy only last 2:15!!! due to smaller battery and 2:30 in the 17". This is really a bad joke. My old one lasts 4 hours.
benchmarks are bad as well. The only real advantage the new ones show in cinebench2003. all other benchmarks are close or equal especially for the 15 alloy!!! Game performance in quake was even better for the 1000 ti than for the alloy.
the lack of level 3 cache was somehave equaled by a bigger level2 cache so that didn't seam to be the problem.
I own a 15" 667 ti and ordered a 12" pb today. Hope I won't regret that decision.
results are really disappointing. Batteries in the 15 alloy only last 2:15!!! due to smaller battery and 2:30 in the 17". This is really a bad joke. My old one lasts 4 hours.
benchmarks are bad as well. The only real advantage the new ones show in cinebench2003. all other benchmarks are close or equal especially for the 15 alloy!!! Game performance in quake was even better for the 1000 ti than for the alloy.
the lack of level 3 cache was somehave equaled by a bigger level2 cache so that didn't seam to be the problem.
I own a 15" 667 ti and ordered a 12" pb today. Hope I won't regret that decision.
COMING TO YOU LIVE FROM MY NEW POWERBOOK 12"
Well I got it a day early, and already love it. I have charged it yet so I dont know about the heat issue while charging but while running on battery the heat is nil. As for the LCD it doesnt seem to be as washed out as the old ones, but I havent done a side by side comparison as of yet. Ill keep everyone posted as cool new things develop. One thing though, I was under the impression that iDVD wouldnt even start up if there wasnt a Superdrive present??
Well I got it a day early, and already love it. I have charged it yet so I dont know about the heat issue while charging but while running on battery the heat is nil. As for the LCD it doesnt seem to be as washed out as the old ones, but I havent done a side by side comparison as of yet. Ill keep everyone posted as cool new things develop. One thing though, I was under the impression that iDVD wouldnt even start up if there wasnt a Superdrive present??
hooray, I just got mine as well!!! It's *amazing.* btw, I also got iDVD even though I have a combo drive...
Mine shipped Monday and I received it today (in Norfolk, VA).
I am now officially a switcher! Can't wait til I can go home and set it up!!!!!
I've had the new 12" PowerBook for about a week now (I got mine on September 26th). It's the combo drive with 40GB hard drive. I bought an Airport Extreme card and an additional 512MB of DDR RAM (1GB a bit too pricey for me) seperately and stuck it under the hood. Installing the Airport Extreme card was a cinch, although memory installation took a bit longer because I was somewhat unfamiliar with the proper placement in the slot. Overall, it wasn't that big of a deal and got it up and running.
After having it around for about a week, it truly exceeded all my expectation. Battery life is about 3 hours on average on a full charge (give or take half an hour, depending on what you're doing). As for the heat issue, it seems similar to the old 12" when I checked them out at the Apple store, in my opinion. However, the "heat issue" never bothered me on the old 12", and it sure didn't bothered me on the new 12". Yes, you can feel the warmth but I can live with it. The display is great, it seems to be really bright. I had mine turned all the way down for the most part (I prefer a slightly dim screen). If you're concerned about the brightness of the LCD, you shouldn't be, it's not even an issue. I haven't really spend too much time testing the video card as I was busy with work and projects. I haven't been playing too much games, Warcraft III was probably the last game I played extensively, and that was about a year ago. The build is very solid, and the hinge is very sturdy too. Opening and closing the LCD is really smooth (not a single creaking noise), even after using it for hours.
In conclusion, if you're happy with the old 12" and want something better along the line or you simply want something portable to carry around with you all the time without sacrificing on performance, this is as good as it gets for now. Then again, you probably don't need me to tell you that.
After having it around for about a week, it truly exceeded all my expectation. Battery life is about 3 hours on average on a full charge (give or take half an hour, depending on what you're doing). As for the heat issue, it seems similar to the old 12" when I checked them out at the Apple store, in my opinion. However, the "heat issue" never bothered me on the old 12", and it sure didn't bothered me on the new 12". Yes, you can feel the warmth but I can live with it. The display is great, it seems to be really bright. I had mine turned all the way down for the most part (I prefer a slightly dim screen). If you're concerned about the brightness of the LCD, you shouldn't be, it's not even an issue. I haven't really spend too much time testing the video card as I was busy with work and projects. I haven't been playing too much games, Warcraft III was probably the last game I played extensively, and that was about a year ago. The build is very solid, and the hinge is very sturdy too. Opening and closing the LCD is really smooth (not a single creaking noise), even after using it for hours.
In conclusion, if you're happy with the old 12" and want something better along the line or you simply want something portable to carry around with you all the time without sacrificing on performance, this is as good as it gets for now. Then again, you probably don't need me to tell you that.
my 12"superdrive was still in Taiwan last night, scheduled to arrive on monday, and this morning when I checked it said it was on the Fedex truck here in California !!!! I should get it today !!! WOHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO...
(yes, I am excited )
(yes, I am excited
)