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Why are Powerbooks still sought after?

The PB 12 inch is a wonderful machine. It's small and powerful + crucially, it doesn't have the razor sharp edges that the MacBook has - that drove me bananas so I had to get rid.
I think the PB works great especially with a new iMac at home as the main machine. It's a perfect combination, but if the MB was redesigned I'd probably move over to a BB, or if they built a new MBP 12 inch, no question. I won't bother with the MBA - way too expensive, way too lacking in areas of importance.
 
I absolutely adore 12" laptops, I think they're the perfect size. If Apple made a new 12" laptop, I'd buy it in a heartbeat. But if PB 12"ers are too sought after for you, a 12" iBook G4 is the next best thing. 🙂
 
I use my 12" PowerBook for surfing the internet, listening to music with iTunes, using MATLAB, and Microsoft Office. I am planning on getting a 24" iMac soon but thats mostly because I want to be able to use it for a TV in my bedroom, as well as for streaming content to my :apple:tv.

Having the latest MacBook or MacBook Pro would really be no use to me, not like it can help me type faster in Word? 🙂 When or if the little PowerBook gives out then I'll have to get a new portable and the MBA will probably suit me.
 
bangpitcher said:
It's pretty simple - the MacBook Pro 15" is friggin' huge!

And the MacBook isn't a pro level machine. AND it has that bloody shiny screen.

Ergo, we're all trying to coax as much life out of our little 12" buddies as we can.

-bp
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the mb is more of a pro machine now than the 12" pb is
 
The Powerbooks have a backlit keyboard (15/17"), a matte screen, and decent speakers. You can only get these features on the new pricy MBP's. Plus, they look way cooler than MB's. Some people also have a little home in their heart for PPCs.
 
Think of a classic car (like the last air cooled Porsche 911). I has many proven lines and design principals of it's predecessors. Many of the similar positive attributes are carried forward in the current models using a different engine configuration. On paper, all modern cars are "better"- air bags, modern ignition computers, anti-lock brakes, all mighty cup holders, etc. However, would you sell your classic to pay 2 or 3 X as much for a new _______? That most likely depends on a bunch of factors like size requirements, commute distance, other cars in your garage, your past care and current running condition, etc.

If you just need to get down the road, the PB will still get you where you need to be in style. Moreover, it is affordable and fully depreciated. If you have a main iMac or Power Mac, the PB is great for small portable needs. Think of the PB as an affordable classic second car, or as "good enough to get me there" for the occasional driver in the slow lane.

A PB holds up to the test of time in form and function. I doubt you will say the same thing about the Macbook.
 
The bigger question is why would people pay 700 for a powerbook when then can get an older Core Duo macbook for 700 that is probably 3-4 times faster and doesnt have a 1024x768 screen (puke).

I really dont think it looks better. Now if it was a 12" widescreen then maybe it would look better, but the 4:3 screen just makes me think it looks old and dated, I really hate 4:3 screens and I shutter at all the old computers that have them. 4:3 is the equivalent to shag carpet. And that 1024x768 screen is a real downer.
 
stainlessliquid said:
The bigger question is why would people pay 700 for a powerbook when then can get an older Core Duo macbook for 700 that is probably 3-4 times faster and doesnt have a 1024x768 screen (puke).

I really dont think it looks better. Now if it was a 12" widescreen then maybe it would look better, but the 4:3 screen just makes me think it looks old and dated, I really hate 4:3 screens and I shutter at all the old computers that have them. 4:3 is the equivalent to shag carpet. And that 1024x768 screen is a real downer.
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CS2 is for many the foundation that supports the G4s popularity. You can get by with a 4:3 for vertical print work and photography. If you are still working in CS2, the older G4 may be a sufficient bridge. The jump to intel may also require an investment in CS3.
 
I have a 12" 1.33 Ghz Powerbook, and it has been great for years and I have no complaints at all. That being said, if I could afford it, I would upgrade to a Macbook in a second.

I agree with those that say "nostalgia" or "to be cool", because a Macbook is not that different in size and any benefit the Powerbook may have in size is totally overshadowed by the the huge jump in performance when you go to a Macbook.
 
I have a 1.5 ghz Powerbook, 80 gig hd, 1.25 gigs of ram.

That thing went through the gauntlet - I used it for djing with Serato at nightclubs and at school, I ran my on-line radio station from it, I had a few problems with it but it went through alot before anything remotely showed up.

I just got a new Macbook Pro 15.4 and am going to sell the 12" but it was the best introduction into Apple computers I could have ever had.

Now, I won't ever go to PC because of my little 12".
 
Dustman said:
A max speed of 1.33 Ghz G4 is not even close to being comparable to even the slowest clocked Core 2. I think people need to let it go, but hey, if it still works, why not keep using it.
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Actually, the max speed on a 12" PB is the one I own and run Leopard on with my 23" ACD -- is 1.58ghz to be exact. (Gary Daily of daystar notes, correctly, that the 12" Powerbook 1.5ghz actually runs at 1.58ghz with his CPU software thing that he has.)

Anyway, stats aside, it is the smallest, lightest (until the MBA) lappie Apple has ever made. It runs Leopard just fine with a 100gb 7200rpm hard drive and maxed ram.

And it matches my aluminum monitor. And my Bookendz adapter for desktop use and my 12" PB aluminum laptop stand for it.

The 12" screen is actually TALLER than the 13" macbook screen. And this is great for writers who need to see the vertical length of the page. So its form factor is better for me. Now, if I just could cram more ram into it. It maxes out at 1.25gigs. The 12" iBook 1.33ghz maxes out at 1.5gigs of ram, making it a comparable computer in terms of speed. I think the last revisions of the PPC Apple laptops are the best made. 2.0 bluetooth, scrolling trackpad, sudden motion sensor, i love my PPC Powerbook G4!
 
Hahaha.

I'm surprised so many people agree with me. My 1.33 GHz "Revision C" Powerbook G4 12" is probably my most favorite computer I've ever owned. It felt the fastest to me, and it was an absolute joy to use. I've had windows laptops and desktops in the past, and that computer surpassed all of them.

I can see the reasons why people love them. They were small, powerful and had the perfect balance of portability and performance. They will truly be museum pieces and one of the few pivotal apple products.

I can also see how it carries that "I was there first" attitude. When I got it (2004), I would say that was when many high-horse windows users (myself included) got a 3G touch-wheel iPod, became thoroughly impressed with it, and wondered "are their computers just as good, too?". The 12" PB had the best price/performance ratio for an switcher at the time, which is why I think many people had it.

i wish mine still worked though. i wonder how much I can get for it, I've been looking into a new Macbook Pro.. 🙂
 
Being new to macs, I have to say it is the size/portability of the 12" PB that attracted me. I just bought a 1.33ghz/768mb/60gb/Superdrive model on ebay for $575 shipped. I would have liked to have gotten a macbook, but I really didn't have the extra cash for it. I used to game and such, but I got out of it and sold my desktop. I was looking for something that I could take to class that would perform basic functions well at a good price.

Thats where the PB came in🙂


I plan on upping the ram to 1.25gigs and putting a better hard drive in it. Can't wait till it arrives😀
 
It's in the name. "Macbook Pro" is a soft name for a powerful machine. The term "Power," on the other hand, implies mastery, capability etc.
 
Reasons:
1. A person can have various Macs for different purposes.
2. Sometimes there is a need to run legacy apps in Classic.

Even though I have a new iMac, I recently purchased a PowerBook. My 12" died after a liquid accident. Shopping for a replacement I found a site called GainSaver. They allow you to configure older Macs with hardware upgrades and even purchase a three-year warranty. Apparently, they were out of 12" PB when my order was being processed so they sent me a 15" instead.

I was hoping to keep the 12" and purchase a new Intel MacBook but I absolutely must have a Classic capable Mac for the two reasons stated above. BTW, the PB did not come with original restore discs but replacements were available from Apple allowing Classic to be installed with Tiger.
 
California said:
The 12" screen is actually TALLER than the 13" macbook screen. And this is great for writers who need to see the vertical length of the page. So its form factor is better for me.
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What does it matter if its physically taller if the vertical resolution on the MacBook is higher? The PowerBook tops out vertically at 768 pixels, while the MacBook goes up to 800 pixels. Doesn't that give the vertical length advantage to the MacBook?
 
Lets hope that this little machine is still in high demand when I come to sell mine in the summer!

They also have a much nicer finish to the macbooks (Al vs. plastic is a no brainer in my eyes!)

I agree with the size thing, although the Macbook is 13.3" as opposed to the 12" it is a widescreen 13" which makes the whole machine seem bigger!

To sum it up my powerbook 12" is amazing...

Sure it can't handle FCE 4 aswell as some other machines! But its style and portability and power (on some less intensive apps 🙂) make it still a much sort after machine!
 
i just bought a 1.33ghz 512mb 60gb superdrive airport

for $500cnd

best purchase ever

1) small
2) aluminum ? (no aluminum macbooks)
3) full screen...i dont like widescreen as much
 
I've had a 12" Powerbook for close to 3 years now, my 1st mac, and loving it, it still works, and I've been thinking about upgrading. But this thread just rekindled my love for this little engine that could. I just looked up 12" powerbook on eBay and it seems like they still go for some money. People from out of the country interested in importing it, why not just buy a new macbook?
 
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