Powerbook G4... Worth it?

[thebeesknees]

So.... I need a laptop. I like Mac's, but they're so expensive... I know they're better, but I can't afford one. So I was thinking about a Powerbook G4. 1.67 GHz, 1.25 GB of RAM, 80 GB HDD, Leopard. $650. Will this perform better, than, say, a 1.6 GHz Atom? I would just sync my iPod, browse the web, et cetera.

 

[GoCubsGo]

For your needs, I would say yes. I used a PowerBook for similar things (and more Photoshop CS and Aperture -- though painfully on that note), up until 2 weeks ago.

I still have the PB myself, can't seem to let go of that SOB. Just packed it all up in it's original packaging and such as well.

 

[thebeesknees]

For your needs, I would say yes. I used a PowerBook for similar things (and more Photoshop CS and Aperture -- though painfully on that note), up until 2 weeks ago.

I still have the PB myself, can't seem to let go of that SOB. Just packed it all up in it's original packaging and such as well.

Thanks. How much did those sell for when they were new?

 

[GoCubsGo]

New? I have the second to last rev, so Rev D I believe. I paid $2200 IIRC. It was top of the line 15" @ the time.

Today, I suspect I can get $500 +/-.
Mine is in amazing condition as well, if you find a scratch I would be semi surprised. Someone saw it recently and thought it was in amazing condition as well.

 

[tcphoto]

The Powerbook is still a strong machine for what you have in mind. However, I had read that 10.6 will only run on Intel machines. If that is true, I would try to make your budget stretch on a Macbook at least to utilize the next operating system.

 

[coledog]

So.... I need a laptop. I like Mac's, but they're so expensive... I know they're better, but I can't afford one. So I was thinking about a Powerbook G4. 1.67 GHz, 1.25 GB of RAM, 80 GB HDD, Leopard. $650. Will this perform better, than, say, a 1.6 GHz Atom? I would just sync my iPod, browse the web, et cetera.

Are you able to find out if this is the high-resolution (last) revision? It would be worth $650 or so then, otherwise it's overpriced.

Thanks. How much did those sell for when they were new?

The Powerbook series is the old version of the Macbook Pro series. So about the same prices.

The Powerbook is still a strong machine for what you have in mind. However, I had read that 10.6 will only run on Intel machines. If that is true, I would try to make your budget stretch on a Macbook at least to utilize the next operating system.

Definitely a smart idea. Look around on Ebay and possibly Craigslist for a Macbook. (Preferably with a Core 2 Duo processor.)

 

[GoCubsGo]

The Powerbook is still a strong machine for what you have in mind. However, I had read that 10.6 will only run on Intel machines. If that is true, I would try to make your budget stretch on a Macbook at least to utilize the next operating system.

That is another good point. Snow Leopard won't run on the PB. You need the intel processor. However, I would say if you have a suitable desktop for the heavy lifting and the PB runs Leopard ok (I would up that ram to 2gb), I think you're ok.

Sounds like it is the rev D. For $650 I would expect the high res Rev E model.

 

[thebeesknees]

Thanks... Oh, one more question. Assuming performance is the only issue, which is better: the PowerPC processor in the G4 or a 1.6 GHz Atom, like those in a typical netbook?

 

[thebeesknees]

Thanks... Oh, one more question. Assuming performance is the only issue, which is better: the PowerPC processor in the G4 or a 1.6 GHz Atom, like those in a typical netbook?

 

[coledog]

The G4 is better at handling heavy processing. It's a professional laptop and a lot of audio engineers and video producers still use the Powerbook line.

The Atom is mainly used in netbooks and personal internet devices. AKA not heavy loads...

 

[dmw007]

Thanks... Oh, one more question. Assuming performance is the only issue, which is better: the PowerPC processor in the G4 or a 1.6 GHz Atom, like those in a typical netbook?

Not sure of any benchmarks that compare the two processors, but I would rather have a PowerBook G4 than a netbook with an Atom processor in it.

For your stated uses, a 1.67 GHz PowerBook G4 would be plenty fast. 🙂