to buy a powerbook or not?

[ybakos]

Don't worry, Skeptic

Hi Skeptic,
Downloading, installing and removing applications on OS X is a breeze. In fact, trying out software on my mac has been far more enjoyable on my PCs. Usually I refrain from installing software on my PC because I want to avoid system cruft and what not. On my mac I really never experienced any system performance degradation after installing and uninstalling applications repeatedly. (And yes thread readers, we know that just deleting an application from the applications folder doesn't quite remove everything, but...)

Installing an application generally involves downloading a dmg file (think of it as an archive), double clicking it's icon, and dragging the displayed application to your Applications directory. That's it.

The only drawback at this time is that not all your favorite PC apps are available on the Mac. The good new is, as a developer, the market for OS X software is wide open right now.

By the way, go ahead and buy a 15" Powerbook in a standard configuration. Try it out for two weeks. If you don't notice or mind the screen, keep it. If not, take it back. Simple.

Cheers.

 

[MRU]

The intels will most likely be a little cheaper.

Thats a malnoma. The cost won't fall by any great shakes at all.

 

[bollard]

What about a refurb ???? Lots of Powerbooks in the refurb store today. Get an Egg money card so you get 10% off plus an edu discount (you're a student, right ??) and you can get a nice cheap Powerbook without any lines.

 

[Meyvn]

Look, not all of the new PBs has lines. Mine does not. Second, what all of these Intel backers haven't told you is: for the first while, the Intel PBs will run many of the programs you know and love slower than the PowerPCs. Why? Because many programs will still require Rosetta emulation in order to run. Additionally, Rev. A products are far more risky than older, more established ones. That's just how things work. If you're REALLY worried about the lines, though, just get the previous revision of PowerBooks. The processor speed will be the same. The only thing you'll be losing is a little bit of battery life, a little bit of resolution, and the POSSIBILITY of faster hard drives.

 

[sk3pt1c]

i know the first ones are gonna have problems,that's why i'm not gonna wait for them.and i'm still not sure if i wanna risk getting a powerbook because a few may actually be ok.i will really not like it if i plug it in and switch it off to send it back in five minutes.that's why i think i will go for the imac and when the intel powerbooks are reliable i might go for one...
dunno,i'm still puzzled...
sh*t!

 

[dcv]

What about a refurb ???? Lots of Powerbooks in the refurb store today. Get an Egg money card so you get 10% off plus an edu discount (you're a student, right ??) and you can get a nice cheap Powerbook without any lines.

I was just about to suggest the exact same thing!

link to refurb deals

and the UK refurb store is open every day now until January 4th

 

[cyberone]

was where you are now. deciding deciding deciding ...

bought one, couldnt be happier.

great way to go. you'll love it - could it be faster? probably yes, for sure intels will be faster, but how much? some percent? not worth for me to testdive.

the G4s are proven technology.

no regrets over here for the big money spent.

 

[sk3pt1c]

so what exactly is the deal with these refurbished ones?

people returned them and they've been fixed or what?

 

[revisionA]

honestly, to download, no. Althougth the osx section on apple.com has lots of current shareware and freeware.

To buy, all over the place online. macmall.com, apple.com, just to name a few choice spots.

Specialty shops like novamusik.com or audiomidi.com have their own mac section for software and compatible hardware. I am sure that exists in more than just the audio areas.

#$#

with what I paid for my macs, I want guaranteed good softz, and I am willing to pay for em, so should y'all.

 

[sk3pt1c]

can someone explain what the deal is with the refurbished powerbooks please?

 

[dcv]

can someone explain what the deal is with the refurbished powerbooks please?

It's all explained on the front page of the refurb store - here

Now that store is supposed to be open from 10am and for some reason it's not opened yet today

Keep checking that page and when the store opens, you should see a green button at the bottom that says 'Yes' (i.e. you accept the terms & conditions) and that will take you through to the special deals.

 

[londonweb]

Not.

I too would have a really hard time recommending one. I bought one 3 weeks ago, am now on my third one, and I'm considering returning this one too.

The first one I bought had a dead pixel- no big deal but I thought I'd exchange it anyway- when you've spent £1400 you want it to be perfect. The second one was better but the case didn't seem to have been put together properly- the battery was really loose so it kept switching off randomly, and the case was quite warped and the panels weren't flush in places- it looked as if it had been really shoe-horned together. I took that one back and am on the third, which again was slightly warped out of the box. It seems to have settled now through general use, but the cooling fan makes a faint but high pitched whine, which again isn't a big deal but it drives me nuts when I'm working on it late at night- it's like having a ringing in your ears.

All three of them had the lines, but they are extremely faint and they don't bother me.

512mb ram as stock just isn't enough, if you're doing anything more strenuous than checking your emails and downloading music. 1GB is the minimum if you're doing any graphics work.

I can't get past the fact that it just feels really fragile. When I take it out of my bag I only half expect it to come on.

I might return this one as well, but I don't know if I can face reinstalling my software for the fourth time. My problem is that I've just started freelancing as a graphic designer, I need to have a laptop, I don't want a pc (although I considered it), the 12" pb is too small, the 17" is too big and too expensive, and the 14" ibook doesn't have enough screen estate. I can't wait until the intels come out anyway because I'm working now, plus I'm fairly sure they'll be fraught with problems being a first-generation unit, and in true Apple style they probably won't be backward-compatible and much of my current kit and software will be useless.

I'm sure I'm not the only one with this predicament- there just aren't any real alternatives and that's why these things are continuing to sell despite the problems.

 

[londonweb]

Now that store is supposed to be open from 10am and for some reason it's not opened yet today

Perhaps that's because its thursday.

Edit- sorry, just realised it's open every day now...used to be wednesdays...[hangs head in shame]

 

[dcv]

Perhaps that's because its thursday.

Edit- sorry, just realised it's open every day now...used to be wednesdays...[hangs head in shame]

hehe - it does say it's supposed to be open from 10am every day now until 4th Jan!

The store is now open. Very good deals on Rev D PowerBooks.

 

[londonweb]

hehe - it does say it's supposed to be open from 10am every day now until 4th Jan!

The store is now open. Very good deals on Rev D PowerBooks.

The apple store on Regent st has loads of refurbed pbs and mac minis on sale at the moment- only thing was they aren't discounted that much (about £100 off a pb and £40 off a mini) which for me isn't enough- I'd rather pay the extra and have a spanking new one.

 

[sk3pt1c]

i wouldn't buy a refurb though, i got the money together to buy something new,if it's not gonna be a powerbook i might as well go for the imac or scrap apple altogether and keep the money for something else
do you know of any problems with the new imac?

 

[revisionA]

Towelie says...

I got high, what lines? powerlines, powerchords, Van Halen rules!!!

hehe I only see lines if thats all I am looking for... otherwise, wtf is the deal...

I mean. I have a powerbook rev E and the screen issue is so very minor in the W85 series of serials. I heard the W84 had a worse problem with it. I do graphic design and web design and have had no problems with it. Its my first laptop, but my third mac and I am happy with it. Perhaps I was expecting it to make me a superstar or grant a wish considering the price... but come on now!! (You go to apple and about this mac, serial is shown...)

I bought mine upgraded at the store, they sell a 15 for 2399 that has 1 x 1 gig ram stick and a 100 gig 7200 rpm drive. It has a working battery life of around 3.5 hours for designing with it set to conserve battery life. Web browsing or listening to mp3s might get you 5 hours like they advertise.

Avoid BTO from the website because you cannot return it for refund, only for repair or exchange IIRC. I recommend the one I got AT THE APPLE STORE, so you can return it within two weeks for full refund no questions asked.

Good luck with your decision.

If you get one, I would immediately go to macsales.com and order the other gig of ram and an Iskin to keep dirt and soda out of the keys.

$

 

[macmanmatty]

What about a refurb ???? Lots of Powerbooks in the refurb store today. Get an Egg money card so you get 10% off plus an edu discount (you're a student, right ??) and you can get a nice cheap Powerbook without any lines.

What is an egg money card? and does it really allow me to get %10 off plus a student discount??

 

[dcv]

What is an egg money card? and does it really allow me to get %10 off plus a student discount??

It's a credit card with cash back offers.

Egg Money card

The extra 10% off is in the form of cash back (only applicable to online Apple store/iTunes purchases). You get 1% cashback on ALL purchases anyway and at the moment this has been increased to 2%. There are offers with other retailers too, e.g. Selfridges (this one applies in-store ), Currys, Virgin Wines etc...

 

[sk3pt1c]

just got back from manchester
made a house mate drive me there from scarborough to see it for myself
it really doesnt seem like that much of a problem
i had to stick my face into the screen to see the lines...
will order it with 2gb ram and 100gb 7200 and if it bugs me i will send it back


actually,was thinking,does the 17" have any problems?
i think i can skip the apple care as it doesnt apply in my country and go for the big brother

 

[titangears]

if i do have the lines on the screen and they can't fix it,do i get my money back?

I asked that question to a longtime Mac guy that I work with. He said he doubted they would give a refund because they would claim it is "within spec". He added that Apple doesn't like admitting to defects, but will quietly fix problems if enough customers complain.

 

[titangears]

just got back from manchester
made a house mate drive me there from scarborough to see it for myself
it really doesnt seem like that much of a problem
i had to stick my face into the screen to see the lines...

I have heard that the problem varies in that you can see the lines more readily in some than in others.