Powerbook or Dell XPS?

[Lunja]

Personally, I'd look at an iMac G5 and 2nd hand iBook combo until the Mactels come out. Then you can have a dual-boot laptop, and can run all flavours of editing package on one laptop.

If you're using Avid for editing, you'd want a desktop with two monitors anyway- editing on one screen can be a nightmare, whereas FCP works just fine on my iBook's 14in screen...

Personally, unless you are a professional, broadcast-standard producing video editor, you don't need the extra performance. Any pro editor I've worked with has been quite happy to use FCP on a PB for editing in the field, and PowerPC-based Avid suites in the studio. I've made numerous project on my 1.33ghz, 768mb iBook, and havn't had a problem with rendering. IMO, if you havn't used cutting edge technology, you won't notice much of a difference.

 

[jaduffy108]

Utter Nonsense

Funny how Longhorn (ie: Vista) vs Leopard is a factor for you, because chances are........your Dell XPS laptop will barely be able to run Windows Vista, even with its great specs. And expect it to get more bogged down as time passes.

Major OSX updates rarely slow down a system, and in fact, it usually speeds things up a bit.

>>100% utter bullsh*t.

 

[zap2]

>>100% utter bullsh*t.

how? Vista needs are going to be HIGH! if things stay as they are said to be

 

[jaduffy108]

so what you're really saying is...

Personally, I'd look at an iMac G5 and 2nd hand iBook combo until the Mactels come out. Then you can have a dual-boot laptop, and can run all flavours of editing package on one laptop.

If you're using Avid for editing, you'd want a desktop with two monitors anyway- editing on one screen can be a nightmare, whereas FCP works just fine on my iBook's 14in screen...

Personally, unless you are a professional, broadcast-standard producing video editor, you don't need the extra performance.

>>It seems to me...if iQuit wants to become, as you say, a "professional broadcast-standard producing video editor"...it would be in his best interest to learn the tools of those professionals...Avid. I'm not saying FCP isn't capable of doing top-notch work...it can....in certain arenas. There are a few things about FCP i like better than Avid, but until FCP gets a top notch media management system like Avid...it will remain a "prosumer" product. I worked on Fear Factor...unfortunately!...and if we had used FCP, it would have been literally impossible. ...18-22 cameras per stunt to sync and group, for example.

Any pro editor I've worked with has been quite happy to use FCP on a PB for editing in the field, and PowerPC-based Avid suites in the studio. I've made numerous project on my 1.33ghz, 768mb iBook, and havn't had a problem with rendering.

>>I agree, especially if you are doing documentary style stuff with cross dissolves... but regardless, wouldn't YOU want to buy the best product for your $?...sorry... pound?. Plus, i don't think iQuit has a $25,000 (and up) Avid in his garage (studio).

IMO, if you haven't used cutting edge technology, you won't notice much of a difference.

>>so what you're really saying is...ignorance is bliss. No thanks, I'll pass.

 

[zap2]

>>so what you're really saying is...ignorance is bliss. No thanks.

no what he is saying is that HardWare is an important feature but the SoftWare is more important and since teh PB hardware is NOT that bad its a good computers. I'll break it down


Ok HardWare+ Great OS= PB

Good HardWare+ Crap OS=Dell XPS

and as i write this i see i'm saying Dell HardWare is good, i think i may have gone crazy.

 

[Subliving]

To be honest, the PowerBook is in a separate class to other laptops.

It's thin, light, reasonably powerful (it does what it needs to do efficiently enough), runs OSX, is well designed and robust.

So, it's your decision whether you want to go for the numbers, or Apple.

Good luck in your decision. I'm sure you will be happy with whatever you pick.

Subliving

 

[swindmill]

Well dude, there's something you should know. Spyware does not come from banking sites. Nor does it come from word processors. It doesn't come from email programs either. It usually comes from downloading and installing ad-enabled software (eg, Kazaa) or clicking on random popups in Internet Explorer. But those popups don't appear on just 'any' sort of website.

You need to understand what I'm getting at. Maintenance is not repair. If you were to become infected with a virus or malware, to fix that is not maintenance. That is repair. Maintenance is the everyday sort of upkeep. Like checking for bad sectors on a hard drive, or optimising the boot loader, etc.

Can you please explain why you think the built in firewall in Windows is useless? I'd love to hear some concrete evidence from you regarding this.

I know what spyware is, and I know where it comes from. The fact is, the everyday Windows user will get spyware, adware, and viruses from regular internet browsing. I wouldn't call running AdAware or Spybot, or a virus protection program repair. That is something average Windows users should be doing at least every couple of weeks.

As for the Windows firewall, it doesn't block any outbound traffic at all, which means applications can send data to the internet, authorized or not. Additionally, the Windows firewall can be turned off by installed applications, such as third party firewalls. Malicious code can also turn off the firewall. The point is, anyone serious about security in Windows won't be using the Windows firewall, they will be using a third party firewall.

. . . . sorry to be a bit off topic

 

[tronixx]

Opinion continues

People’s opinion will always lead to conflicts… go through the entire thread / forum, if you want… measure the pros and cons and make your decision…
Powerbook users will always support powerbooks and windows will support windows...
It’s not often that you find users using both platforms. If they do, they’re probably doing it for some good reason.
Let’s talk in the present (who knows about the future).

Hardware:
XPS is faster than the powerbook “at the moment”, I don’t think anyone would disagree. (just a matter of time though)

OS:
OSX is better than windows XP (Look under the hood, OSX is based on UNIX and u can’t imagine how much u can do with that)
OSX is a beauty to work with; it’s fast, smooth, stable, simple and excellent to look at.

From my last post… talking of XP (when I say, “depending on how it’s configured”, I mean, if you tune it up well and know how to fix things…) it works OK.
That calls in for a little extra effort, doesn’t it? I would strongly disagree if anybody said a basic installation of XP could prove stable… I’ve been using windows as well, I have to use it at work, but if given an option I’d choose LINUX to windows on a PC (it’s the best).
OSX like Linux and other nix strands is a part of the same family of powerful OS’s. There is a lot in common between them… but you know why OSX is a better choice.

Looks:
 Ask anyone which of the two look better… Even ‘Homer Simpson’ would go for the powerbook.

Dude, no matter what the hundreds of posts say, it all comes down to what you want…
If you are such a big Apple fan, may be you should go with the powerbook. Make some adjustments and trust me, it won’t prove that bad.
If you are really worried about the next 3 years and if you are thinking in context to present available technology (go for the XPS ).

Think fast or else you are going to be stuck in this thread for the next three years or may be forever… lol .

 

[jaduffy108]

exactly...

Dude, no matter what the hundreds of posts say, it all comes down to what you want…
If you are such a big Apple fan, may be you should go with the powerbook. Make some adjustments and trust me, it won’t prove that bad.


If you are really worried about the next 3 years and if you are thinking in context to present available technology (go for the XPS ).
/end

>>>>exactly.
Did iQuit ask which looked better? No
Did iQuit ask which was lighter? No

Did iQuit ask which is higher performance? yes
... tech spec up to date? yes
...best for video editing? yes

Like you said...go for the XPS.

 

[jaduffy108]

this is the "best" so far...

how? Vista needs are going to be HIGH! if things stay as they are said to be

So let me get this straight. You want to warn iQuit regarding a "bump in the road" regarding a future Windows OS platform change....as a determining factor in choosing the Apple PB over a pc laptop...BUT...ignore that Apple is changing to x86...which equates to slamming into a virtual BRICK WALL. Apple's "switch" will mean new software AND new hardware....AND "bumps" galore to boot during the transition! Apple's PPC is a dead end platform...and you bring up the shift to Vista from XP as a big deal???

This is precisely the "utter nonsense" i'm referring to on Apple forums...

UNCLE! i give....

 

[Lunja]

>>so what you're really saying is...ignorance is bliss. No thanks, I'll pass.

Well to an extent, yes. If you are editing your own videos, for personal rather than professional audiences, why do you need something that will render slightly quicker? It isn't the case that older/less powerful hardware won't be able to cope; it just might be slightly slower. And unless you've experienced the faster equipment, you'll be perfectly happy with what you've got. For example, I was more than happy using dial-up for years, but as soon as I used broadband, dial-up seemed slow.

Such is the Mac condition- we'd be perfectly happy with what we've got if we didn't know the updates were coming on Tuesday...

 

[JohnEZ]

But it's not a dead-end anything, if the PPC will still be supported. If they can support both (which the guys at apple claim they will do) then it shouldn't be a problem.

But it's not the platform change re: Windows making it difficult, it's the actual company behind the platform change. I severely distrust them. If I was to think that anyone could pull off a platform change smoothly, it would be Apple. NOT Microsoft. They've been working with the Intel Pentium line forever, which is apparantly at a dead end. What'll they do when they stop making that? They'll be faced with the same thing Apple is.

Will Apple change? You betcha. But Microsoft has such a wide array of products scattered throughout so many different companies that I don't know whether they could pull off the processor switch that Apple will.

I think that I'd shoot myself before I'd get another Windows PC. The one I'm working on is problematic enough.

 

[yoak]

Also, if portabillity is a deciding factor: Get the Powerbook, have you tried to lift the beast that the Dell is. It´s closer to a desktop than a laptop.
So if you plan to carry it around with you. Powerbook.
I leave out the OS debate, it´s quite obvious what we think here

 

[slooksterPSV]

I gave my two cents, but this is turning into a Windows / Mac Debate.

Here's my other penny in the pile: Go with whatever you feel is best and will last you as far as you need it too. Decide based on which apps will do what you want it to do.

Also, don't decide that since you'll be around others who'll use Windows you should have to too. It's not like that. I've seen tons and tons of Windows users come over and is like, that's a macintosh? Wow, I wish I had one.

 

[yoak]

Sorry, off topic; slooksterPSV, just wonder, has anyone found your avatar offensive?
Just wonder why you would think anyone would..

 

[PCMacUser]

. . . . sorry to be a bit off topic

Haha yeah I think in fairness to the thread we should probably leave it at that. Interesting to hear your opinions though, although I do disagree with your take on Windows and malware, etc.

 

[PCMacUser]

how? Vista needs are going to be HIGH! if things stay as they are said to be

I've used the Vista Beta 1 release quite extensively and found it to run fine on my 2.5 year old Pentium 4 2.4ghz PC. No problems there.

 

[strydr]

The thing is that I want my notebook to last me and to be ready for whatever I can throw at it. I have had my eyes on the PowerBook, It is just a big investment you know?

I bought my PB in '02, and it still amazes me. I have reloaded it twice, but that was my fault. I paid close to $4,000 for it, and it was worth every penny. I hope to retire it when the mactel PB's come out. I say PowerBook all the way.

 

[jaduffy108]

John....

But it's not a dead-end anything, if the PPC will still be supported. If they can support both (which the guys at apple claim they will do) then it shouldn't be a problem.

>>>I guess we have different ideas about "support". And maybe what apps one uses colors perception too. Is OS 9 still "supported" in your opinion? Is it possible to run it?...yes...is it "supported"?..no. There isn't any innovation or investment in OS 9 software, etc..and there will probably be even less in this x86 scenario. Adobe, Alias and others are THRILLED about this x86 switch...why? Because they don't have to invest in innovating and compile in two platforms. Funny, you'd think i was a pc person!...and I'm really pro Apple for the most part, but these posts just don't "add up" for *me*. It's been hard to get optimized drivers for graphics cards, etc, etc before the announcement of the "switch" to x86. Now...forget about it. Why would any software or hardware company invest or be inspired to innovate(!) in a serious way for a platform that they KNOW is ending...soon. The switch is starting in six months folks. Yes, there will be some "support" for probably a few years after the "switch"...but it won't be anything to be excited about! Apple is ALREADY dismantling their PPC teams in Cupertino. I didn't say they're eliminating them, but...c'mon...it's low on the priorities list...L-O-W.

But it's not the platform change re: Windows making it difficult, it's the minimum requirements necessary to facilitate such a change. On the average computer today, Vista will not run if the specs are as high as I heard they are.

>>>Well...it makes ZERO sense to *me*...to think Microsoft...MICROSOFT!...is going to release an OS that very few can actually use. Microsoft..."that niche marketing company". ahem.
They only have 95% of the OS market. I think BillyG and StevieB are just a little smarter than that.

Will Apple change? You betcha. But But OS X.5 should run on both PPC and Intel. Vista won't run on anything less than 3 GHz. The average PC just ain't there yet.

>>I think it's a very safe guess to assume 10.5 will run on PPC....yet...care to wager about 10.6? Maybe... "run". Also, I will bet the house, 10.5 will run much better on the x86 MacTel platform than PPC...."inspiring" people to get new boxes. I don't hold that against Apple. It's business... and I wholeheartedly support Apple's move to x86.

peace

 

[jaduffy108]

Thank you....

I've used the Vista Beta 1 release quite extensively and found it to run fine on my 2.5 year old Pentium 4 2.4ghz PC. No problems there.

Thank you for sharing that...

 

[PCMacUser]

Will Apple change? You betcha. But But OS X.5 should run on both PPC and Intel. Vista won't run on anything less than 3 GHz. The average PC just ain't there yet.

You obviously read my post where I pointed out that Vista runs fine on my 2.5yr old 2.4ghz computer

 

[JohnEZ]

Yes I did. I just didn't have the opportunity to update my post. It did come after mine afterall... and I've read that it requires 3 GHz (deletes source sites from bookmarks.... )

 

[jaduffy108]

Didn't write that!

You obviously read my post where I pointed out that Vista runs fine on my 2.5yr old 2.4ghz computer

Actually...i didn't write that about Vista needing 3ghz...JohnEZ did...i believe. The Apple koolaid is flowing....

 

[wako]

Vista won't run on anything less than 3 GHz. The average PC just ain't there yet.

ROFL what?!



You probably shouldnt speak when you havent tried the OS.


The OS runs FINE as long as it has a DX7 generation graphics card. In fact I ran it on my really old system that had a GeForce 2 and ran pretty well.


Even if you dont, you just need to disable all the eye candy.

 

[JohnEZ]

Yup, that's right. Sorry for my confusion