I'm planning on buying a powerbook. I'm considering the 12" powerbook (which is the only one I can afford), but I've also found a used 15" TiBook G4 (late 2002 model), 1ghz, 1gb ram, 60gb HD, superdrive, bluetooth and airport at the same price. What do I do? Which one is the better computer?
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Used TiBook or new powerbook
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What do you plan on doing with the computer? Will you make good use of the extra screen real estate on the 15" model? Will this be your only/primary computer, or will you also have a desktop? List the specs side by side for both models, so we can better compare them (include price after taxes for each, too).
The 15-inch powerbook has more screen real estate,
the 12-incher will be faster in almost everything..
The tibook has slower bus, cpu and memory, and it won't support core image in osx tiger (don't think it will matter much, but it's mentioned in almost every thread i've read about gfx-cards.)
the 12-incher will be faster in almost everything..
The tibook has slower bus, cpu and memory, and it won't support core image in osx tiger (don't think it will matter much, but it's mentioned in almost every thread i've read about gfx-cards.)
I will use the computer for school work (word prossessing), editing pictures, internet and maybe some gaming
TiBook G4:
CPU: 1000 MHz G4
bus: 133 MHz
RAM: 1 GB using two PC133 SO-DIMMs
Level 2 cache: 256 KB at CPU speed
Level 3 cache: 1 MB
Video: ATI Mobility Radeon 9000 AGP4x, 64mb
Video out: S-video and DVI connectors (VGA supported with adapter)
displays: 15.2" (38 cm) 24-bit 1280x854 color active matrix
hard drive: 60 GB 4200 RPM Ultra ATA/66
Optical drive: 1x6x8x4x24x SuperDrive
expansions bays: one
USB ports: two
FireWire ports: one
IR port: none
10/100/1000Base-T ethernet and v.92 56k modem standard
AirPort: included
Bluetooth: included
one PC Card slot
12" AluBook:
CPU: 1.33GHz PowerPC G4
bus: 167 MHz
RAM: 768MB DDR333 (256MB built-in + 512MB SO-DIMM)
Level 2: 512K SRAM on-chip
Level 3
Video: NVIDIA GeForce FX GO 5200 with 64MB DDR Video Memory
Video out: Mini-DVI to DVI adapter, mini-DVI to VGA adapter
displays: 12.1-inch TFT Display, 1024 x 768
hard drive: 60GB Ultra ATA drive @ 4200rpm
Optical drive: Combo Drive (DVD-ROM/CD-RW)
USB ports: 2
FireWire ports: 2
AirPort: included
Bluetooth: included
TiBook G4:
CPU: 1000 MHz G4
bus: 133 MHz
RAM: 1 GB using two PC133 SO-DIMMs
Level 2 cache: 256 KB at CPU speed
Level 3 cache: 1 MB
Video: ATI Mobility Radeon 9000 AGP4x, 64mb
Video out: S-video and DVI connectors (VGA supported with adapter)
displays: 15.2" (38 cm) 24-bit 1280x854 color active matrix
hard drive: 60 GB 4200 RPM Ultra ATA/66
Optical drive: 1x6x8x4x24x SuperDrive
expansions bays: one
USB ports: two
FireWire ports: one
IR port: none
10/100/1000Base-T ethernet and v.92 56k modem standard
AirPort: included
Bluetooth: included
one PC Card slot
12" AluBook:
CPU: 1.33GHz PowerPC G4
bus: 167 MHz
RAM: 768MB DDR333 (256MB built-in + 512MB SO-DIMM)
Level 2: 512K SRAM on-chip
Level 3
Video: NVIDIA GeForce FX GO 5200 with 64MB DDR Video Memory
Video out: Mini-DVI to DVI adapter, mini-DVI to VGA adapter
displays: 12.1-inch TFT Display, 1024 x 768
hard drive: 60GB Ultra ATA drive @ 4200rpm
Optical drive: Combo Drive (DVD-ROM/CD-RW)
USB ports: 2
FireWire ports: 2
AirPort: included
Bluetooth: included
dav said:
screen space is nice, but I'd take the significant speed and longevity over an extra 3"
I'd get the 12" because it's new, small and light, and the TiBooks chip easily. Plus it's core image-ready and has more up-to-date components. And you'll get Panther free with it (TiBook probably will only have Jaguar). The 12" is also much faster (1.33GHz). The only thing the TiBook has going for it is that it has a bigger screen, but has all the problems associated with (i.e. bigger, heavier, less portable). You can easily buy a cheap external screen for your 12" if you need to, but I have no problems with the 1024x768 resolution personally.
I have the 12" model and I highly recommend it. (I'm not biased
)
I have the 12" model and I highly recommend it. (I'm not biased
)
If this will be your main system, definitely go with the AlBook. As others noted the speed, bus, video card are an upgrade you'll never get with the TiBook.
one year warranty
Don't forget that the 12'' comes standard with a one year warranty, I doubt that used 15" has that. That to me is just as important as any other factor.
Don't forget that the 12'' comes standard with a one year warranty, I doubt that used 15" has that. That to me is just as important as any other factor.
I don't think the TiBooks chip that easily, I've had mine over a year now and it doesn't have any chips. I suppose it depends on the work you're going to be doing with it and how much travelling you'll do. I'd go with the 12" unless you really want the extra screen. It's always more fun to get a new computerjohnnyjibbs said: