I'll be using photoshop and other multimedia stuff on it, but I'd probably plug it in when I'm going to do that. Typing notes in class will be using battery, but I'm sure that can manage me through a few classes a day. I'd probably upgrade to the 5400rpm from the Apple website, though it's 114 dollar upgrade I think. So I'll probably wait until MacWorld to get one, thinking maybe updates or price drop a tad. I'm thinking about just holding on until I can get the PowerBook.
Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
Student laptop help
- Thread starter dwd3885
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
I'm a sophomore in college, I'd like this laptop I get to last me at least three years, hopefully more. Does that change the thought process?
Either book should last you three years. It seems as though the PB update is right around the corner, but some have been saying this since september. If you are even considering a PB I would wait as long as you can for the update. The current PB lineup are very fine machines, we just hope the next will be better.
Wait untill January to see if there are any updates with the powerbook. My suggestion would be to get either the 12" Powerbook if you there is a significant update that makes it much better than the 12" iBook, otherwise go for the iBook. In either case, sticking with the 12" size will give you more portability than the 15" Powerbook, but with the money that you would save by not getting the 15", you could load the 12"book up and also get a external monitor to run the multimedia apps on, this way you get the best of both worlds, IMO.
I had the 17" Powerbook when it was first released in 2003. Although it was a great machine, it was too much to have with me at all times. I then sold it and got my powermac and apple display, and in September I added a 12" Powerbook to my collection and it's amazing! I would like the 15" at times, but seriously, thinking back at 17", I am glad with my decision.
I had the 17" Powerbook when it was first released in 2003. Although it was a great machine, it was too much to have with me at all times. I then sold it and got my powermac and apple display, and in September I added a 12" Powerbook to my collection and it's amazing! I would like the 15" at times, but seriously, thinking back at 17", I am glad with my decision.
Something someone told me when I was going back and forth between 12" and 15":
If you'll mostly be working at your desk, get a 12" with a nice big LCD monitor. If you'll mostly be working mobile, get the 15". Having recently upgraded from a 12" ibook, I don't find the extra size to be that big of a deal at all, though I haven't used one on a plane. The 17" is really pushing it though!
In my opinion, the 15" is big enough to be your only computer, and the 12" (though very doable) is pushing it without an external monitor (if you're doing lots of graphics and multimedia).
Maybe it's just my opinion, but I also think the 15" just feels better-made and more luxurious than the 12".
If you'll mostly be working at your desk, get a 12" with a nice big LCD monitor. If you'll mostly be working mobile, get the 15". Having recently upgraded from a 12" ibook, I don't find the extra size to be that big of a deal at all, though I haven't used one on a plane. The 17" is really pushing it though!
In my opinion, the 15" is big enough to be your only computer, and the 12" (though very doable) is pushing it without an external monitor (if you're doing lots of graphics and multimedia).
Maybe it's just my opinion, but I also think the 15" just feels better-made and more luxurious than the 12".
Well it looks like my budget has shrunk a little. Got a gift card to Best Buy, but it's only for in-store purchases, so can't use it on anything online, which is the only place they have Macs. So it looks like it's either the iBook 12-inch or the PB 12-inch. What's the recommendation now? I appreciate the help
I figure on getting 1GB stick of memory from NewEgg. It's around $187. I assume I'm going to be using iLife a lot with my multimedia class and photoshop. But all that should run fine on the iBook right?
one more thing, can i use the iBook and hook it up to an external display? I read about a hack you could do?
jxyama said:
Thanks for that. So will the iBook be fine for my purposes? I also like the durability factor as well.
Chip NoVaMac
macrumors G3
brap said:
I'll second that the 12" PB are a great size. And if you need more screen space, get an external monitor. Just added a 20" LCD to my home workstation. The 12" works well when I travel to my office.
I tote my PB 12" in a leather note taker portfolio. So I can do hand written notes, and have the PB ready for more graphical stuff.
Brap - That was your old iBook, but the new ones suck. Honestly, for people who hunt and peck, it doesn't matter, but for people who type fast, it does.
Also, it's sort of ridiculous that you have to put cardboard underneath your keyboard.
Calihafan
Also, it's sort of ridiculous that you have to put cardboard underneath your keyboard.
Calihafan
If what the rumors say is true, that the PowerBook 12-inch will go down to $1399, does that mean the education price drops too? Right now the reg. price is $1599, with edu. being $1399. It would be an easy pick if the PB 12-inch was $1199. Let's hope!
zagato27
macrumors 68000
Amazon rebate til 26 Dec
Maybe this will help you out. Found this in the Forums, Amazon has a rebate on iBooks and also PBs. $150 on an iBook think it's $100 on the PB. I Checked and it came out to be about $40-50 cheaper than buying throught the Apple edu store. Free shipping I believe and no tax (I think). Seriously thinking about getting 2x iBooks: one for wife in college and one for daughter who will be starting college next fall. I was kind of waiting for Tiger to come out and I also wanted to get BT (BTO only), but with this rebate I'd be saving $300 on 2 14" iBooks w/ combo drives and probably another $100 considering no tax. Looked at the buying guide and it says that now is the time to buy an iBook since it just received an upgrade. Think that it recommends waiting on the PBs. Yes, I'd love to get PBs but the 12" screen is a bit small and the price is a bit steep. The iBook is just right...... Cheers
https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/101698/
Rebate form: http://images.amazon.com/images/P/B0002IONG2.01.RB39.LZZZZZZZ.jpg
Maybe this will help you out. Found this in the Forums, Amazon has a rebate on iBooks and also PBs. $150 on an iBook think it's $100 on the PB. I Checked and it came out to be about $40-50 cheaper than buying throught the Apple edu store. Free shipping I believe and no tax (I think). Seriously thinking about getting 2x iBooks: one for wife in college and one for daughter who will be starting college next fall. I was kind of waiting for Tiger to come out and I also wanted to get BT (BTO only), but with this rebate I'd be saving $300 on 2 14" iBooks w/ combo drives and probably another $100 considering no tax. Looked at the buying guide and it says that now is the time to buy an iBook since it just received an upgrade. Think that it recommends waiting on the PBs. Yes, I'd love to get PBs but the 12" screen is a bit small and the price is a bit steep. The iBook is just right...... Cheers
https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/101698/
Rebate form: http://images.amazon.com/images/P/B0002IONG2.01.RB39.LZZZZZZZ.jpg
nichos
macrumors 6502
zagato27 said:
You just made my day! I was going to buy an ibook from the orlando store, with 6% tax, and my edu discount it would come to $950, this is $850, savings of $100! 😀 However, I was going to buy it tomorrow so I would have it for Christmas, and it looks as though amazon is shipping in 2 - 3 days, so I wont have it 🙁
zagato27
macrumors 68000
nichos said:
Glad I could help 😀 . $100 in your pocket is "real $" you know. Too bad it won't make it by Christmas but hey.
Think that the rebate goes purchases through Jan so I'm still mulling. Sent my wife and daughter to an Apple retailer today to look at the iBook 14". Haven't heard back from my daughter yet but think she'll like it...you know as long as it can run Office and hook up to the internet for email and IM she'll be happy. My wife is concerned that there won't be Mac programs that she can use. She's getting her teaching degree and wants to get some programs like Print Shop. Furthermore, she wanted some special fonts and was offered it free from a friend but it was for PC's. Found the font for sale for Mac but it was $50. She's also a bit concerned about interfacing with a school systems "net". I don't think it will be a problem but have to convince her. We're using a G5 now and she doesn't have any problems but she isn't "in" to all the neat little things you can do. R&D, R&D....research and delay that is 😱 . Cheers
zagato27
macrumors 68000
Darn! I downloaded the rebate form and read where "limit 1 rebate per address". Arrrrgh, was thinking of buying 2 iBooks. Now trying to think of a work around. Buy one and send it to my home address, buy another and send it to my daughter's address. Think it would work???? Cheers