Iain Posted May 6, 2004 Share Posted May 6, 2004 Just a few questions really. I've seen the Powerbook for just under ?1000 for NUS holders, and was wondering: 1. I have a P4 2Ghz with 256mb ram at the moment. How does the Powerbook compare? I dont want to go slower. This is the main aspect. 2. Are they easily networked with a Windows PC? 3. I was also considering a 12" iBook (can you get these via NUS?), but what do I gain by buying a Powerbook? I dont need bluetooth really. How would the processor compare? 3. What drive do they come with? I noticed the 'Superdrive' model for almost ?150 more. Is this just a dvd writer upgrade? 4. What other options do I have? I want a small laptop, and that's it basically. Something with style too. 5. What can I do that a PC wont do, and what cant I do? At the moment, I just use my PC for internet, music, IM, downloading, photoshop, college work, and a couple of games now and again. 6. What problems do both the Powerbook and iBook have that I should know about? Even little problems. 7. Am I able to put a different operating system on it at all? 8. I currently have 2 phones which are 'Windows Mobile'. Would I lose compatibility when getting a Mac? I'm guessing yes. 9. I was reading about a new G4 coming out or something. What's this all about? I haven't really read much into Macs before now. Is it a long time until G5? Think that's all for now! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CHALE Posted May 6, 2004 Share Posted May 6, 2004 1) In terms of speed it depends on what you are going to use it for. 2)I have an ibook networked with wifi with my PC and it's really easy to do. and works great!! 3)Powerbook has a faster bus and cache then the iBook, also the ram speed is faster, plus better video card. 4)Superdrive is a DVD burner. 5)It takes a while to get use to the mac if you never used it but it can do everything in your list. The only thing the PC is better for is Gaming. 9)Powerbooks with G5 are still far away, noone knows when they are coming out. I'm not sure about the other questions you have but I hope this helps you. Right now I love my ibook and I just upgraded to a 15 inch powerbook that should arrive in the next few days. The only thing I use my PC for is gaming everything else I use my ibook. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Max Veteran Posted May 6, 2004 Veteran Share Posted May 6, 2004 3a. The Superdrive is just the extra DVD-RW. 6. The iBook I think has minor problems with the logic board. This may have been fixed. 7. No. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hanxuuk Posted May 6, 2004 Share Posted May 6, 2004 RE:can you get these via NUS?), Yes you can: http://promo.euro.apple.com/shoppingguide/educ/uk_nus/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BTallack Posted May 6, 2004 Share Posted May 6, 2004 6. There's no real known physical problems with the current iterations of either machine 7. Yes, there are Linux distros available for PowerPC. 8. You can use them using third party software. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Iain Posted May 6, 2004 Author Share Posted May 6, 2004 What would I gain from spending ?300 more on the Powerbook? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hanxuuk Posted May 7, 2004 Share Posted May 7, 2004 First of all u get airport extreme card Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sheer Posted May 7, 2004 Share Posted May 7, 2004 What would I gain from spending ?300 more on the Powerbook? It's all aluminium rather than plastic, right down to the keys on the keyboard. And the video out works properly rather than a hack like on the iBooks. You will probably think it's slower than a 2ghz P4, but once you start using it and get used to OSX those thoughts will go. Just pack it with as much ram as you can afford as OSX loves ram (it's the nature of the OS). I've got a 12" 1ghz with 768mb ram which I use solely for music production and it's a great little machine. Got it hooked up to a 17" TFT for some extra desktop real-estate (tho if I'm just surfing I run the Powerbook with the lid closed using the 17" TFT as the only display) and a 200g Firewire drive for all my music stuff. And it's an OSX only machine. I formatted it when I got it and installed 10.3 only, didn't bother with OS9/Classic, which from my point of view is great - it shows how much OSX has matured and shows how far developers have come that you really don't need OS9/Classic any more. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hoyablue Posted May 7, 2004 Share Posted May 7, 2004 3a. The Superdrive is just the extra DVD-RW.6. The iBook I think has minor problems with the logic board. This may have been fixed. 7. No. If my memory serves me well, the superdrive is a DVD-R. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Iain Posted May 8, 2004 Author Share Posted May 8, 2004 So the Powerbook would be slower than my current P4 machine? Are there any other alternative small laptops? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Knight' Posted May 8, 2004 Share Posted May 8, 2004 First of all u get airport extreme card All powerbooks have Airport Extreme, so does the top 14" iBook? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Knight' Posted May 8, 2004 Share Posted May 8, 2004 So the Powerbook would be slower than my current P4 machine? Are there any other alternative small laptops? I'de go for a Sony Vaio laptop, admittidly I have a bias since I own one. Sony build quality is comparable to Apple, so are looks, and the centrino models will perform just as fast as your current PC, if not faster. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Iain Posted May 8, 2004 Author Share Posted May 8, 2004 Yeah, but looking at ?1700 for the Z1.:(( That's the laptop I really want though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Knight' Posted May 8, 2004 Share Posted May 8, 2004 You might like this: http://www.sonystyle.com/is-bin/INTERSHOP....4SP1NB&Dept=cpu Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Knight' Posted May 8, 2004 Share Posted May 8, 2004 Yeah, but looking at ?1700 for the Z1.:(( That's the laptop I really want though. I've found a link for the Z1 for ?1200...? http://www.dealtime.co.uk/xPC-Sony_20943188 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Iain Posted May 8, 2004 Author Share Posted May 8, 2004 Yeah, that's the 1.5, not 1.7 :( But still, quite a good deal. Tempting! :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Iain Posted May 8, 2004 Author Share Posted May 8, 2004 With the powerbook, is that all you pay, or is there delivery or anything else on top? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Iain Posted May 10, 2004 Author Share Posted May 10, 2004 Anyone know? Also, would I be worth spending ?200 more on that Sony laptop? Would the powerbook be nowhere near as fast? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Posted May 10, 2004 Share Posted May 10, 2004 With the powerbook, is that all you pay, or is there delivery or anything else on top? So yes, its all you pay. Delievery if you buy from Apple is free, I just ordered my Brother's eMac from them today, with free shipping... :) Personally, I'd recommend Cancom to you tho, I've bought ALL my Mac hardware from them... DSL (USB) Modem, Soundsticks II, G5, Studio Display... Been really great for me, and pricematched Amazon on my speakers too (albeit after I ordered the G5, but still :p) You have a 2GHz laptop right now, right? Personally I'd assume the 1.33GHz G4 would be around that kinda speed, @ raw computing type stuff. However with Mac OS X, you have the brute that is Aqua on top, so for a Windows user, pretty much an G4 machine feels slower than advertised... Personally I'd say Apple mate. Why not take a trip to a store, and try one out, not alot to lose, surely the buzz around Apple stuff, is enough for your curiousity, trying one in advance would be the answer IMO. :) What would you be doing on it, anyhow? :p Lata dude Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Iain Posted May 10, 2004 Author Share Posted May 10, 2004 I can't find a working link for Cancom mate, and I was looking at the Powerbook with an NUS discount anyway. I've got a 2Ghz P4 desktop at the moment, and wouldn't really want to go slower to be honest, since I'm used to what I have now. Perhaps I would be better off with a 1.7Ghz Z1? I can pick one up for ?1400. I will check one out in the shop though. When I get around to it! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Posted May 11, 2004 Share Posted May 11, 2004 www.cancomuk.com ... Sorry I forgot the link. I can't see a 1.7GHz Sony Laptop out performing the 1.3GHz PowerBook mate... I would bet money that the PowerBook is faster... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Iain Posted May 11, 2004 Author Share Posted May 11, 2004 Actually Neyo, I think it would be a lot faster. I beleive the 1.7 centrino is equivalent to around a 2.8Ghz P4. As you said, I might find the Powerbook slow even compared to my 2Ghz system. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Posted May 11, 2004 Share Posted May 11, 2004 Hmmm... Toughie. I didn't know these 'Centrino' Chips were like standard P4's ... Bit of a confusing one then... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Iain Posted May 11, 2004 Author Share Posted May 11, 2004 That's how long you've been outta the PeeCee world mate! :D What would you compare the Powerbook with as standard, and with an upgrade to 512 ram (?60 for 256 upgrade! ouch!) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Posted May 11, 2004 Share Posted May 11, 2004 Haha, you think I regret being out that long? Pssh *Boo hoo* :p Hmm, Well i am pretty much guessing, but probably around 2Ghz x86? With a tidy sum of RAM tho, I have no doubts it'd be an awesome machine. Beyond the hardware, its got OS X which would be SUCH a refreshing change! :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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