Switching Maybe A few Questions plz!

[Makyz]

Hello, my name is Luis and I am planning to switch over to Macs. I was pretty much a hardcore PC user for 8 years and presently Im in my freshman year of college. I was originally going to go wtih a Sager Notebook (http://www.pctorque.com) because you get the most out of your money there.

Then I applied for an on campus job at my university, and they told me that at the interview I would have to show some Mac knowledge. Well I didnt have a clue on what to do, so I delved into websites and read up on troubleshoting, went to the library to practice on a Mac- the whole nine yards. But it wasnt enough and I was docked for a person with more mac experience. The side effect of my research was that I read up on what Mac had to offer me.

I mostly web design and graphic design, I love watching full screen DVDs and videos, and I am planning to take up a hobby of video editting in the near future. I barely play computer games anymore, maybe Warcraft and I beleive they comeout with Mac compatable games... All my friends tell me to go with PC because that is the most compatable platofrm and you cant go wrong with a PC. That is why I am here. I want to ask a few questions to see if its worth switching over.

Here are the spec on which I am planning to go for:

PowerBook 1.25GHz (15.2" TFT) $2,389.00
1.25GHz PowerPC G4
80GB Ultra ATA drive @ 4200 rpm
SuperDrive (DVD-R/CD-RW)
Backlit Keyboard/Mac OS - U.S. English
512MB DDR333 SDRAM - 1 SO-DIMM
AirPort Extreme Card

1) Do I have to change all the software I acquired (Dreamweaver, Photoshop, ACDSee, etc) for Macs?

2) Is there an equivalent file sharing program for Mac ( ie Kazaa) avaiable? Will I be able to download programs, music, and cracks etc etc?

3) What is a 1.25 GHz PowerBook comparable to ala Intel?

4) How much stable is the OSX platform?

5) Is the battery life decent? 3 hours maybe? Oone of the reasons Im not going to PC is because in order to get power i need to pack on weight and lose battery life.

6) Are there scroll and two button mouses compatable with Macs?

7) How long before it goes obsolete? Pc go so fast, but I heard Macs last longer. I need this for 4 years of my college life

8) I only bought one piece of ram 512, so i could buy another off the interent cheaper and install it myself? is the reccomenable, or should I go for the 1 gig immediately ?

9) I shouldnt have any trouble using my on capus wireless with ariport right?

Thanks for all the info and sorry for all the questions and if I asked any repeat questions!!!!

 

[crazzyeddie]

1. Yes, you do need software specifically for Mac for any real speed.

2. Yes, there are Mac file sharing programs made just for Mac and those like Bittorrent that you can download Mac programs over.

3. This is very hard to say... but at least a 2ghz P4 but faster for most tasks.

4. OS X is one of the most stable OS'es ever since it is based on the Unix core. In fact, you can access Unix from within OS X which most people find VERY useful since you can use alot of free Unix apps.

5. Battery life is 3-4 hours.

6. You can buy a 5 button scroll wheel mouse like I have and it works fine with no drivers. In fact, I have a Microsoft mouse.

7. Macs do stay useful longer than PCs. You can use 4 to 5 year old Macs with the newest Mac OS and they do fine for most things (except games, since those require the most recent hardware etc).

8. You should just get the 1 512MB stick and buy the rest online later. Apple charges twice what other companies do for RAM, and since RAM is standard, you can buy from your favorite PC RAM dealer.

9. Wireless should work better on the Mac than the PC since Apple was the first to use it

Feel free to ask any other questions you may have.

 

[Catfish_Man]

Originally posted by crazzyeddie
1. Yes, you do need software specifically for Mac for any real speed.

3. This is very hard to say... but at least a 2ghz P4 but faster for most tasks.

erm.... no.... Mac software doesn't make it faster on Macs, it makes it WORK on Macs. There are hybrid CDs (starcraft, for example) that will install on either. The major Adobe apps (and most other apps) have Mac versions, but I have no clue if they're sold seperately or as a hybrid. As for the speed: Ha. 1.6GHz, maybe. maybe a little better for things that use Altivec a lot. Don't underestimate the P4; It's not a nice design, but it gets the job done quite effectively.

 

[e-coli]

Re: Switching Maybe A few Questions plz!

Originally posted by Makyz
1) Do I have to change all the software I acquired (Dreamweaver, Photoshop, ACDSee, etc) for Macs?

Unfortunately, yes. But sometimes companies will let you "upgrade" to a newer version on a different platform.

2) Is there an equivalent file sharing program for Mac ( ie Kazaa) avaiable? Will I be able to download programs, music, and cracks etc etc?

Can't comment on that. But you might find something.

3) What is a 1.25 GHz PowerBook comparable to ala Intel?

I think about a 2GHz. Maybe a little less, but it's PLENTY fast.

4) How much stable is the OSX platform?

I have never crashed Jaguar once...wait, only once in a year. It's really truly amazing. And I almost never shut down or restart my computer.

5) Is the battery life decent? 3 hours maybe? Oone of the reasons Im not going to PC is because in order to get power i need to pack on weight and lose battery life.

It's pretty decent. About 3 hours under real-world conditions. 1.5 if you're watching a full screen DVD.

6) Are there scroll and two button mouses compatable with Macs?

Plenty.

7) How long before it goes obsolete? Pc go so fast, but I heard Macs last longer. I need this for 4 years of my college life

Just because a newer faster computer comes out, it doesn't make yours any slower. And the new version of OS X is actually faster than the previous version. OS X gets faster with every version, not slower. So you should be in good shape.

8) I only bought one piece of ram 512, so i could buy another off the interent cheaper and install it myself? is the reccomenable, or should I go for the 1 gig immediately ?

Apple RAM is rediculously expensive. Buy it elsewhere and install it yourself. Crucial RAM is good and cheap.

9) I shouldnt have any trouble using my on capus wireless with ariport right?

802.11b and g are standards-based. You'll have no problem. And it's SUPER easy to set up and configure on a Mac. In most cases, there is no setup required. It just connects automatically.

Good luck. You'll never look back.

 

[Fukui]

Re: Switching Maybe A few Questions plz!

Originally posted by Makyz
1) Do I have to change all the software I acquired (Dreamweaver, Photoshop, ACDSee, etc) for Macs?

Unfortunately, yes, but edu discounts are really cheap for Studio MX (about $199 (?)), Photoshop is also really cheap for students 299 and the whole adobe suite is 399 so, you can guess what is the better deal....
BTW. ACDSee for Mac is junk, there are other options though.

2) Is there an equivalent file sharing program for Mac ( ie Kazaa) avaiable? Will I be able to download programs, music, and cracks etc etc?

Yes, many. Limewire, Aquisition (GNUtella), Poisoded and MLMac (Kazaa/Fasttrack etc.) and a lot more.

3) What is a 1.25 GHz PowerBook comparable to ala Intel?

Probably the same or somewhat better (in altivec SIMD) than similarly clocked Penium4 M chip.

4) How much stable is the OSX platform?

Pretty stable, but if you order, wait until Panther (OS) has shipped, it'll be better than it is now, though not like its any worse than linux currently is on that front anyways...what you'll really like though, is the instant wake and sleep when using OSX, no more hibernation.

5) Is the battery life decent? 3 hours maybe? Oone of the reasons Im not going to PC is because in order to get power i need to pack on weight and lose battery life.

It should be, my ma's G4 800 gets close to 4 hours, there are people here who can tell you better than me.

6) Are there scroll and two button mouses compatable with Macs?

Absolutely, they work right out of the box without any drivers, though if you have more than 3 buttons, the drivers can help. Actually, I use a Sony Viao mouse, and the package said it only works on Viaos...but guess what, it just works perfectly.

7) How long before it goes obsolete? Pc go so fast, but I heard Macs last longer. I need this for 4 years of my college life

Well, a G5 Powerbook might be comming, but who knows when. When it does, thats when it will be outdated, but if you mean too slow for current apps to run, I would say it could last you your college time. Apple and software companies are always squeezing more and more optimization with each release of software, so things can only get better.

8) I only bought one piece of ram 512, so i could buy another off the interent cheaper and install it myself? is the recommendable, or should I go for the 1 gig immediately ?

Don't pay apple's extortion price for RAM. Go elsewhere, just make sure its certified to be high quality (CAS 2-2-2 or something)

9) I shouldnt have any trouble using my on capus wireless with ariport right?

Nope.

 

[crazzyeddie]

Originally posted by Catfish_Man
erm.... no.... Mac software doesn't make it faster on Macs, it makes it WORK on Macs. There are hybrid CDs (starcraft, for example) that will install on either. The major Adobe apps (and most other apps) have Mac versions, but I have no clue if they're sold seperately or as a hybrid. As for the speed: Ha. 1.6GHz, maybe. maybe a little better for things that use Altivec a lot. Don't underestimate the P4; It's not a nice design, but it gets the job done quite effectively.

I was referring to using Virtual PC to run your PC programs, which is very undesirable for any real speed.

 

[yoda13]

As far as speed goes, it depends on whether or not the app you are running is optimized for altivec. If it is, then it is equivalent to about a 2ghz P4. If it is not optimized for altivec, then it is about equivalent to a 1.5 to a 1.6 ghz P4.

I think that you will have no problem having your computer last you through college. Apple is still using the G3 in the iBook, though for how much longer is unclear. The G4 will be current for a long time, though with the advent of the G5, it is no longer the creme of the crop. G5 laptops are coming, its just a matter of when. But regardless, you should be just fine for 4 years.

 

[loveshismac]

You say u mostly web design and graphic desgn?
And what were you tought how to do these professions on, may I ask?

I am an Art Director for a 80 Million a year fashion company, and would never hire an artist with no mac experiece, no matter how good the piece of paper in front of me says he.she is.

And you will probably find, real fast that if your serious about it you better get to know the Mac real fast.
Competion is a killer in this market.

 

[Makyz]

Thank you all for the information!
Now I am a bit more confident that a Powerbook is for me. I have afew more questions though.

10) is it worth upgrading to the more recent airport for the 54mbs transfer rate? Is it very noticable?

11) do you really notice if you upgrade the hard drive to 5400 rpms? I dont like 4200 but im not an impatient guy, just annoys me abit. anyone have any advice?

12) Anyone recommend a cool looking carrying bag, hehe Im gonna need a new one to replace my Strongbad Bag! , preferable messenger style? (no backpacks)

13) Any of you guys run Gentoo on your Mac? I m intrested in maybe experimenting in that.

14) Im planning for the educational discount, and then the student loan to apy it off. Is this feasible? Or should I just amass in the next 2-3 months and pay it all in one chunk?

15) Anything else you guys can say to pull me closer, and closer to buying would be appreciated!

 

[crazzyeddie]

If you buy the 1.25ghz PowerBook you automatically get the 54mbps airport.

Upgrading the hard drive to a faster drive will get you a higher transfer rate, whether or not you will notice is up to you.

I dont think you can run a Linux built on the Mac unless it is made for the PPC chip. PC's use x86, but the Mac does not. Most Linux builds are x86, not PPC. There are a few versions of Linux for PPC, but I really dont know why you would want to run them, since OS X is essentially a GUI running on Unix.

You will also love OS X... Im using the latest version "Panther" and it is VERY fast on my 1ghz Titanium PowerBook, so it will be even faster on a 1.25ghz PowerBook!!

 

[benjaminpg]

Originally posted by Makyz
Thank you all for the information!
10) is it worth upgrading to the more recent airport for the 54mbs transfer rate? Is it very noticable?

The Airport Extreme (54 mb/s) cards and the Airport (12 mb/s) card are different and any given mac can only handle one or the other. In the case of the new PowerBooks, only the Airport Extreme card will even fit into the machine. (I think it may be included)

1) Do I have to change all the software I acquired (Dreamweaver, Photoshop, ACDSee, etc) for Macs?

I seem to remember Adobe having a deal, whereby you could trade in your software, but maybe only if it is the newest version. Obviously, the software has to be acquired legally to start with .

Good luck

 

[stoid]

I ran the CineBench on my new 1.25Ghz AluBook against my buddies 2.2 Ghz P4, and it edged out his computer by a bit.

 

[Fukui]

Originally posted by Makyz


10) is it worth upgrading to the more recent airport for the 54mbs transfer rate? Is it very noticable?

54Mbs is the standard for airport right now, since its 802.11g its compatible with b and g, I don't know about a, but its nice to get the option because it doesn't use up your PC Card slot on the side.

11) do you really notice if you upgrade the hard drive to 5400 rpms? I dont like 4200 but im not an impatient guy, just annoys me abit. anyone have any advice?

You can notice it, if you are using disk intensive stuff. Of course it can probably shorten the battery life a little; it can make a difference in perfomance.

14) Im planning for the educational discount, and then the student loan to pay it off. Is this feasible? Or should I just amass in the next 2-3 months and pay it all in one chunk?

Sounds good to me, but personaly, I like to pay things all at once...

15) Anything else you guys can say to pull me closer, and closer to buying would be appreciated!

Have fun, and buy what you like. Even if others discourage you, if its something you want for yourself, and you think you'll be fine, then get it. If not, then don't. Thats all!

 

[pianojoe]

Originally posted by Makyz


10) is it worth upgrading to the more recent airport for the 54mbs transfer rate? Is it very noticable?

Definitely. (If also your base station supports it, of course.)

11) do you really notice if you upgrade the hard drive to 5400 rpms? I dont like 4200 but im not an impatient guy, just annoys me abit. anyone have any advice?

You'll notice an inprovement but it comes at a cost: Faster drives use more power.

15) Anything else you guys can say to pull me closer, and closer to buying would be appreciated!

Switch to the good side of the force! ;-)

 

[e-coli]

Originally posted by Makyz
11) do you really notice if you upgrade the hard drive to 5400 rpms? I dont like 4200 but im not an impatient guy, just annoys me abit. anyone have any advice?

If you can swing it, a faster hard drive will make your laptop seem quite a bit faster. Right now, that's the largest bottleneck on a portable machine-the HD speed.

 

[baby duck monge]

for all your gentoo (or other flavors of linux) needs...

http://www.linuxhelp.net/isos/

 

[Vector]

I would buy a timbuk2 bag (http://www.timbuk2.com) for the laptop if you get it. I have a powerbook g4 and one of the commuter bags and it is great. The bag has its own computer sleeve built in with plenty of padding on the sides and the bottom. These bags also have a good deal of space for other things (ie books and whatever else you need for school) and have lots of pockets.

 

[yamabushi]

I think the 1.25 AlBook is closer to a 2.4 P4.

 

[Makyz]

thanks for all the info~, i am convinced now I am a switcher~!

 

[Kingsnapped]

I'm in the exact same boat. I'm going off to college next year, and I think I'm going to order my 15" Albook after Panther ships. Even though I've been researching this move for a couple months now, this thread really helped out. I need to get away from this Windoze ME crap as soon as I can.

I was so pissed when I found out I couldn't get iTunes today...

 

[chomsky]

Originally posted by Makyz



12) Anyone recommend a cool looking carrying bag, hehe Im gonna need a new one to replace my Strongbad Bag! , preferable messenger style? (no backpacks)

Look up the Marware Sportfolio on google.

13) Any of you guys run Gentoo on your Mac? I m intrested in maybe experimenting in that.

I'm a unix guy myself, so I can help you here. You should know that you can get a great deal of "linux" software which runs natively on macosX. Look at www.fink.org - it currently has a great deal of software which you can download and use. In fact, there is probably software which would allow you to not bother downloading "pirated" software. For instance, you can use The Gimp in lieu of Photoshop for most things.

However, you *can* run linux on your powerbook, I would suggest Debian GNU/Linux as the distro with the most sofware ready for powerpc. You should realize though, that your airport card on the 1.25 ghz powerbook will not work under any linux distrobution, since the manufacturer of the card refuses to release information about how it works. The Titanium powerbook, however, has 'classic' Airport, which is fully supported under linux. Just some things which you might consider.

By the way, linux *SCREAMS* on the powerbook. Much faster than OSX. (however, I have fallen in love with OSX since it fulfills my unix needs, and I rarely boot into linux anymore...)

-chomsky

 

[Makyz]

one more question! hehe

would www.apple.com be the best place to buy a 15 in powerbook?, there arent any other preferred vendors?

 

[Elenita]

Originally posted by chomsky

However, you *can* run linux on your powerbook, I would suggest Debian GNU/Linux as the distro with the most sofware ready for powerpc.

Also check out Yellow Dog Linux by TerraSoft. It's a distro that works exclusively with the PPC architecture, and the recently released version 3.0 has been getting positive reviews.

(If you're seriously interested in Linux and haven't checked out DistoWatch, you may want to take a look. It's a great resource.)

one more question! hehe

would www.apple.com be the best place to buy a 15 in powerbook?, there arent any other preferred vendors?

That's where I got mine, mostly because of the educational discount--something most internet resellers don't offer. But see if your school sells Macs; if so, you should get an educational discount there as well.

Hope this helps.

 

[rjrufo]

Originally posted by Makyz
thanks for all the info~, i am convinced now I am a switcher~!

I thought I'd add my 2 cents, but since everyone else answered your questions, I'll pass on that part.

You'll be happy with the switch. I'm glad I did.