Powerbook or iBook for college....

[CaptainCaveMann]

I heard elsewhere on this forum that the 14" iBook will look the same at 21.5" away as the 12" iBook will at 18" away. I measured and 21.5" is about my normal distance away, so the screen res really isn't a problem, I think. are there any other issues with the 14" iBook (or iBooks in general) that I should now about before I spring on it?

No. Its a great computer. You will love it honestly. Dont worry about the screen res. I have a 15 inch lcd that runs at a max of 1024x768 and it looks fantastic. The 14 inch ibook screen is just as good if not better. 😀

 

[mcgarry]

Rocky,
Yes, the 14" and 12" iBooks have the same resolution, but the 14" can offer at least the appareance of more usable screen size because of the ability to reduce the zoom level in an application and still maintain an acceptable text size. This doesn't apply to everything, but it can be a way to make it feel like a 14" gives you more space. I think this just comes down to taste, but if you have to get 14" you have to get 14".

As for driving a 2nd monitor, the iBooks can mirror natively, and with a relatively simple modification they can be made to span (different images on each screen). However, keep in mind that with the span enabled, your VRAM is cut in half (16MB per screen) and cannot be fully apportioned to one or the other-- you cannot ever turn one off all the way, it has been reported on these boards (I have not tried this myself). Additionally, it is strongly recommended that you not attempt to run your iBook in full clamshell mode (closed with attached kb and screen) as the kb area is necessary for proper ventilation.

lastly, as for iBook or PowerBook, the question really is simple: less money and more battery life vs. more power and more features. It has been discussed many times here, but the price differences are what they are, and they make sense to most people. It's hard to define value in absolute terms; the best value is the best computer you can afford that does what you want/need it to do. That could be anything, and that's up to you.

 

[YS2003]

iBook and image quality on the exteranl LCD

If you do mirroring iBook screen with the external screen (LCD or CRT), how is the quality of the images on the external? I think iBook does not have a DVI; but it has the old fashioned S-Video and Composite Video (with conjuction with Apple Video Adaptor sold separately) to connect to the external. It also has the previous generation's video card ATI Mobility Radeon 9200 with 32 MB memory. Combining them all together, I am a little concerned about the image quality it shows on the external. I am thinking about getting the durable notebook I can use away from home (I keep my both TBs at home on the desk in the mint condition). Anyone can shed some lights on this matter?

 

[Rocky3478]

If you do mirroring iBook screen with the external screen (LCD or CRT), how is the quality of the images on the external? I think iBook does not have a DVI; but it has the old fashioned S-Video and Composite Video (with conjuction with Apple Video Adaptor sold separately) to connect to the external. It also has the previous generation's video card ATI Mobility Radeon 9200 with 32 MB memory. Combining them all together, I am a little concerned about the image quality it shows on the external. I am thinking about getting the durable notebook I can use away from home (I keep my both TBs at home on the desk in the mint condition). Anyone can shed some lights on this matter?

I don't know about the quality, but the iBook uses a VGA port for the mirror display.

 

[ldburroughs]

I need to get a laptop for college in the first part of this year. My college requires this hardware at least for my major.

Processor Pentium 4 2.0 GHZ or Macintosh G4 867 MHz
512 MB RAM
Hard Disk 40 GB
CD-ROM CD-RW/DVD Combo
Ethernet Card 10/100 Network Card Built in
Ports: USB, Infrared, Firewire
Video Capabilities 1024x768
Display 14.1" Color Active
Wireless Card 802.11g (prefered) or 802.11b card
Windows XP Pro or OS X

I'm thinking now would be a great time to switch, since I have been looking for a chance to for some time. I came up with these two systems from the Apple website. Keep in mind that I need to add a case ($50), and Office 2004 Mac S&T Edition ($150) to this as well. Would I notice a big difference between these two? And what is the estimated battery life on the Powerbook, compared to the iBook, doing basic web surfing and iTunes, word processing , etc., after calibration? And is the Powerbook worth the extra money? Oh, and I'm not bothered by the 14" display on the iBook, I've seen it at Fry's.

15.2" Powerbook -
1.67 Ghz G4
64 Mb VRAM Radeon 9700
1 Gb RAM
Superdrive
80Gb HD
Applecare
- $2,423

14" iBook -
1.33 Ghz G4
32 Mb VRAM Radeon 9200
1.256 Gb RAM
Combo Drive
60 Gb HD
Applecare
- $1,384

Based on this I would go with the powerbook. Another thing which I may have missed is whether these quotes were after the student discounts. I don't care for the 14" display and if that is the minimum size your school recommends, go for the 15" display on the powerbook. It has a better video card and the screen is nicer. Of course it's about a thousand dollars more so that is a big factor to consider. Your major must be something that's pretty computer intensive. For most students, these requirements are a bit much for minimums. You don't need nearly that amount of power for basic word processing tasks. You must be doing some sort of graphics work or video editing. In that case, I'd still go with the powerbook.

By the way ... just so you know I'm not biased ... I own a 12 inch G4 1.07 iBook that, other than the screen size requirment, meets your schools expectations. It has 768 ram, 80 gb (5400rpm) harddrive, and a superdrive. I got all of this for less than a $1000 but without applecare. You can get better deals for what you are looking for. I'm assuming it will have to last the majority of college so I say go with the most you can truly afford.

 

[Ryan1524]

i have a 15" PB 1.5 Ghz, and i couldn''t be happier with it. screen space is abundant, althou i do end up bringing my monitor for second display. but when i'm on the go, the 15" is very much appreciated. aluminum is nice, and definitely stands out when it's on a table with a bunch of other craptops. but also keep in mind that it can dented easily. 6 months into school and i have one dent. i got it on the first week of school when i put my bag down too hard without any cushioning in it. but also notice that i don't get any other dents anymore...jsut be careful with it. be sensible, it's a notebook. speed is definitely great, althou i wish sometimes that i have the performance of a G5 in it. but ah well, can't win em all.

having a mac is a godsend. everything jsut works. i've seen my friends' computer crash, not be able to connect to wifi properly, or be over-ridden with spyware and virus to the point of being useless.


get a PB, it's a good investment - if you like bigger screen, alum casing, and want to work on more things at once. (whatever you do, get BT and an SE phone. there's nothing like using it as remote control when watching a movie in a 'borrowed' lecture hall. or when giving presentations with Keynote. 😎 )

 

[CaptainCaveMann]

Based on this I would go with the powerbook. Another thing which I may have missed is whether these quotes were after the student discounts. I don't care for the 14" display and if that is the minimum size your school recommends, go for the 15" display on the powerbook. It has a better video card and the screen is nicer. Of course it's about a thousand dollars more so that is a big factor to consider. Your major must be something that's pretty computer intensive. For most students, these requirements are a bit much for minimums. You don't need nearly that amount of power for basic word processing tasks. You must be doing some sort of graphics work or video editing. In that case, I'd still go with the powerbook.

By the way ... just so you know I'm not biased ... I own a 12 inch G4 1.07 iBook that, other than the screen size requirment, meets your schools expectations. It has 768 ram, 80 gb (5400rpm) harddrive, and a superdrive. I got all of this for less than a $1000 but without applecare. You can get better deals for what you are looking for. I'm assuming it will have to last the majority of college so I say go with the most you can truly afford.

Whats you opinion on what a person can "afford"? If you have a 2000 dollar credit limit and you buy a 1800 dollar powerbook on your card would you say thats something you can "afford"? 😀

 

[lasuther]

I heard elsewhere on this forum that the 14" iBook will look the same at 21.5" away as the 12" iBook will at 18" away. I measured and 21.5" is about my normal distance away, so the screen res really isn't a problem, I think. are there any other issues with the 14" iBook (or iBooks in general) that I should now about before I spring on it?

I would still recommend the 15” PowerBook. It offers:

A bigger screen with 1280x854 resolution
Faster processor, faster system bus, and a faster hard drive.
A PC card slot, great for digital camera media
A better graphics card with Tiger core imaging compatibility
And all the little stuff like Bluetooth, scrolling trackpad, DVI video, FW800, faster Ethernet, and backlight keyboard.

It’s a faster machine that will last you longer. If money is a big issue, go with a base 15” for $1799 (edu price). You can add another 512MB of RAM later. Also, the Applecare extension can be added to your computer any time during the first year. The few extra hundred dollars will buy you a lot more computer in my opinion when compared to the 14” iBook for $1384.

But I have an iBook and love it. I plan on getting another laptop after Tiger is released and I’m leaning towards the 15” base PowerBook. Of course, if the iBook line gets a good upgrade I might go with another 12”. Either way, enjoy your new mac. You’ll love it.

lasuther

 

[ldburroughs]

Whats you opinion on what a person can "afford"? If you have a 2000 dollar credit limit and you buy a 1800 dollar powerbook on your card would you say thats something you can "afford"? 😀

Quite honestly, if he is going to charge the whole thing anyway I don't think that is the best option. I am realistic and know credit makes the world go round. If he is going to charge $1,200 or 1,800 for a computer that will have to get him through three years I think he may be happier if he just spends the money now. That said, I love my iBook and have no desire for the PowerBook only because I'm tired of the metallic look. My last gateway had the metallic look going for it and I couldn't wait to get something a little more unique. I was one of a hundred in a class with a black or silver laptop. The good news is I was rarely singled out. I didn't have the apple beacon signalling the professor to look my way. The 15 inch PowerBook is an awesome little machine though and I think he will be happy in the long run ... especially if this is his only computer.

My 12 inch iBook is perfect for my needs in law school ... which ends in May. It's light, doesn't take up much desk space, has a great battery life, and can handle all of the applications I use. Who knows what will be out after I graduate, pass the bar, and can afford what I want? That brings me back to my originial thought ... he who lives like a lawyer in law school will live like a law student as an attorney. I'm sure the same applies to other degree seekers.