Dudydoo Posted March 23, 2004 Share Posted March 23, 2004 Can anyone advise me to what the differences are between the G4 iBook and Powerbook? A brief summary will do. I am thinking of purchasing one and I want to make the right choice, and I'm wondering if it's worth paying the extra for a Powerbook. I am a Windows Power User/Linux Newbie by the way. I've never used a Mac, but I want one with MacOS X. Cheers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Iguana Posted March 23, 2004 Share Posted March 23, 2004 I'm assuming you mean the 12" iBook and 12" PowerBook. There are many differences: 1. The PB has a maximum RAM capacity of 1.25 GB, whereas the iBook can only hold 640MB. 2. Processor speed: The 12" iBook is at 800 MHz, and the PB is at 1 GHz. 3. The PB can hold a larger hard-disk, which is an absolute essential addition. 4. The PB also has a better graphics card. 5. The PowerBook has the capacity for a SuperDrive, while the iBook does not. Hope this helps. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fusion Posted March 23, 2004 Share Posted March 23, 2004 I'm assuming you mean the 12" iBook and 12" PowerBook. There are many differences: 1. The PB has a maximum RAM capacity of 1.25 GB, whereas the iBook can only hold 640MB. 2. Processor speed: The 12" iBook is at 800 MHz, and the PB is at 1 GHz. 3. The PB can hold a larger hard-disk, which is an absolute essential addition. 4. The PB also has a better graphics card. 5. The PowerBook has the capacity for a SuperDrive, while the iBook does not. Hope this helps. The powerbook also has 256k more l2 cache. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
macman87 Posted March 24, 2004 Share Posted March 24, 2004 right now, i wouldn't pay that extra for the powerbook, (in australia the difference is more than $1000) until the g5 powerbook comes along, i would get an ibook... but i haven't experienced the powerbook so i wouldn't no... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
krmathis Posted March 24, 2004 Share Posted March 24, 2004 If you havent noticed there is also a price difference! :whistle: The PowerBook is smaller and lighter as well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gary_Player Posted March 25, 2004 Share Posted March 25, 2004 Don't even bother with the 14in ibook...The 12in ones are cute but the 14inch ones are big and clunky especially for what you pay for one... I'm actually having the same dillema myself...i dunno if i should get the ibook or the powerbook...i probably only need an ibook but the 12in powerbook is so much sexier...*sigh*...if only i were rich... I'd wait on buying either because there should be new line up of both kinds soon Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dudydoo Posted March 25, 2004 Author Share Posted March 25, 2004 Will the new models still run MacOS X 10.3? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aaron901 Posted March 25, 2004 Share Posted March 25, 2004 Will the new models still run MacOS X 10.3? that's for sure. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SabaTime Posted March 25, 2004 Share Posted March 25, 2004 iBook's are awsome for a new user to Mac's and it also depends on what your buying the mac for, if you do alot of graphix and you use UNIX then go for a PB but if it's for school and just all around little things that deal with the computers then go for an iBook, there both amazing machine's Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dudydoo Posted March 26, 2004 Author Share Posted March 26, 2004 I want it mainly for the following reasons: 1. I am interested in learning operating system internals and networking. 2. To be able to do Web browsing, e-mail, IM, IRC, etc. 3. I like Unix & Linux and have heard cool stuff about the Mac and MacOSX. 4. I would like to do some graphics work, but nothing heavy, just messing with photo's. 5. To be able to do office type stuff, like word processing, spreadsheets, DTP, scheduling. This would be my first Mac, but I want one that I won't find out of date in a year or so; I want it to last. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aristotle-dude Posted March 26, 2004 Share Posted March 26, 2004 If you are not planning on doing any heavy stuff like authoring DVD's or playing games, that should be fine. Also, don't expect to be able to run Virtual PC on that thing with any kind of speed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aaron901 Posted March 26, 2004 Share Posted March 26, 2004 I want it mainly for the following reasons:1. I am interested in learning operating system internals and networking. 2. To be able to do Web browsing, e-mail, IM, IRC, etc. 3. I like Unix & Linux and have heard cool stuff about the Mac and MacOSX. 4. I would like to do some graphics work, but nothing heavy, just messing with photo's. 5. To be able to do office type stuff, like word processing, spreadsheets, DTP, scheduling. This would be my first Mac, but I want one that I won't find out of date in a year or so; I want it to last. nothing lasts forever, and you don't want your computer to stay at the top after a year, improvement is good. :) a lil more than a year ago i bought the top of the range PowerBook (1GHz, 1GB RAM, SuperDrive, AirPort), i find it out-of-date already these days. but the good thing is that Apple products tend to retain its value pretty well so you can just sell it when you're done with it. :D an iBook or PowerBook will do all the things you've listed, just pick the design you like and the one that's in your price range. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SabaTime Posted March 26, 2004 Share Posted March 26, 2004 nothing lasts forever, and you don't want your computer to stay at the top after a year, improvement is good. :) a lil more than a year ago i bought the top of the range PowerBook (1GHz, 1GB RAM, SuperDrive, AirPort), i find it out-of-date already these days. but the good thing is that Apple products tend to retain its value pretty well so you can just sell it when you're done with it. :Dan iBook or PowerBook will do all the things you've listed, just pick the design you like and the one that's in your price range. Very well put :p Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dudydoo Posted March 31, 2004 Author Share Posted March 31, 2004 Anyone know when the G5 iBooks and Powerbooks are going to be released? Any URL's for more info on this would be much appreciated. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adelon Posted March 31, 2004 Share Posted March 31, 2004 if i buy the 12,1 ibook, can i play all the mac games that are released atm? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nuka_t Posted April 1, 2004 Share Posted April 1, 2004 dudy, dont know, appple never tells. the ibooks may take upto a year after the pbooks to be upgraded to g5 though. dont hold your breath for one. adelon, not at high settings and probably not at a high framerate. the gfx cards in non-power macs are pretty dated. id recomend a pbook but a desktop would probably be much better because of the small 12inch screen. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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