iBook vs. Powerbook

[KG9921]

I'm trying to pick a sub 5 pound laptop for around 1,200, and I was wondering about a few things. Apple gives an awesome education discount, so i could do either of these two things...

iBook 1,200
640mb ram
airport card

or

Powerbook 1,400
256 mb ram
everything else stock

(Keep in mind these are both G4)

I'm primarily doing non-intensive tasks on the laptop, but I don't want to be able to do my laundry while waiting for a large .pdf to load. Is it worth it to go up to the powerbook? And even at that, are there better PC alternatives in that range that have a battery life and weight equivalent to the apples? Your input is very appreciated.

 

[Mannkind]

WIth apples discount, I got a 12inc powerbook... definately cheaper than the PC alternatives (and lighter,etc) it was the best bang for my buck. It is smooth as slik. I'd get the powerbook, much better than the ibook.

 

[DeviousRhesus]

Get the new G4 12 inch iBook. The graphics card is better, and the battery life is better. The only down side is that you're losing 256KB of cache and getting a slightl slower bus, but the oodles of extra ram and price make it all worth it. Oh, and airport is the bee's knees. Or something.

But then again, the PowerBook looks so cool! I'd still get the iBook though.

 

[DeviousRhesus]

Also, do you need any of the "pro" features of the PowerBook, aka monitor spanning, etc?

BTW, I have a 14.1" iBook for sale in the FS/T forum. I don't know if thread pimping is allowed here, so I won't link it ~_^

 

[Bateluer]

Originally posted by: DeviousRhesus
Also, do you need any of the "pro" features of the PowerBook, aka monitor spanning, etc?

BTW, I have a 14.1" iBook for sale in the FS/T forum. I don't know if thread pimping is allowed here, so I won't link it ~_^

You know, the irony of this is that I told a number of people that they could do better than buying an Apple notebook. Now 2 out of 3 of them are selling their ibooks/powerbooks. Too bad I did not tell you too DR, out it would be 3 out of 4

On a serious note, a Dell Inspiron 1100 is 700 right now, an Inspiron 5100 is 900, and an Inspiron 8500 is 1250. I am not certain how much of an education discount Apple hands out, but I believe Dell also offers education discounts. Either way, the Inspirons are solid notebooks for the money.

 

[KG9921]

Nah i don't need any of the pro features, but MAN that thing just LOOKS so hot makes me blush

 

[DeviousRhesus]

I love my notebook Bat, but I just can't afford it. Living costs too much :-/ I plan to buy another one once i'm out of school next August though.

EDIT: What the heck. Here's my thread if you're interested: http://forums.anandtech.com/messageview.cfm?catid=45&threadid=1178027

EDIT 2: I think you can get a refurb 12" PowerBook for around $1,200. At that price, I think i'd get the sexy silver machine. Girls like shiney laptops!

 

[Bateluer]

About how much is Apple's education discount on a 1200 12" powerbook? 1200 is a lot to pay for a 12" screen and minimal software support. As I said in my previous post, Dell's Inspiron line is very price competitive and it boasts pretty solid hardware. Shoot, get a 5100, deck it out, and it will probably cost about the same as a 12" PB, but boast so much more.

 

[Mannkind]

Originally posted by: Bateluer
About how much is Apple's education discount on a 1200 12" powerbook? 1200 is a lot to pay for a 12" screen and minimal software support. As I said in my previous post, Dell's Inspiron line is very price competitive and it boasts pretty solid hardware. Shoot, get a 5100, deck it out, and it will probably cost about the same as a 12" PB, but boast so much more.

Your crazy, to get that small of a laptop (as the 12inch PB) it'd cost between 1600-1800(for a dell, and like 2000+ for Sony/IBM) depending if you got all the same stuff with it that comes with the powerbook. Anyone that says there aint a lot of software for the mac is crazy, I have TONS of free software for my, just about anything you can get for the PC, its there for the mac.
In september I did plenty of research, the powerbook (new iBook wasn't out) is the CHEAPEST and BEST bang for your buck. You can get a lightweight dell for more money... but you miss out on a lot getting it.

The iBook will be quite abit slower than the powerbook due to that cache lacking... my powerbook feels almost like my 3ghz P4C when running programs, whereas the iBooks will be quite a bit slower. That cache really makes a difference.

And dells notebooks are good, my father has an 1100 but it is a BRICK. All of you that want to carry around 8lbs all day are nuts and have NEVER done it. Now that 600m and 300m are very nice, but quite a bit more than the powerbook (with educational discounts, dells suck... most of the time, it was cheaper to buy the laptop on a deal they were having for them than the educational discount, as the ED was about 400 more than the price on their website)

You just don't seem to understand that carrying around anything more than 5 lbs sucks a$$. I carried around my old 7.5lb HP for about a week, and decided to leave it home for the rest of the year I had it. Way too much weight. However, it's been about 1.5 months (or so?) now and I've carried my powerbook with me everyday. No different than a textbook, its actually smaller than most of mine.

It was also the cheapest and lightest thing I could get, if you actually do the research instead of being a mac hater, you'll find that out (with educational discounts in mind). Also, everything I do on my PC I can use on my laptop. It is a wonderful thing. Before I bought it, I hated macs, but I decided to be a little more open minded, and try it (as I had about 2 weeks to return it if it sucked). Best laptop I've ever used, and I've used about 5 different kinds and weights (all bricks).

Trust me, the powerbook is an excellent machine. If you could get a dell 300/600m and get below the cost of a powerbook, I'd take that one, but if not, the powerbook is what you want

 

[Bateluer]

Originally posted by: Mannkind


You just don't seem to understand that carrying around anything more than 5 lbs sucks a$$. I carried around my old 7.5lb HP for about a week, and decided to leave it home for the rest of the year I had it. Way too much weight. However, it's been about 1.5 months (or so?) now and I've carried my powerbook with me everyday. No different than a textbook, its actually smaller than most of mine.

It was also the cheapest and lightest thing I could get, if you actually do the research instead of being a mac hater, you'll find that out (with educational discounts in mind). Also, everything I do on my PC I can use on my laptop. It is a wonderful thing. Before I bought it, I hated macs, but I decided to be a little more open minded, and try it (as I had about 2 weeks to return it if it sucked). Best laptop I've ever used, and I've used about 5 different kinds and weights (all bricks).

Trust me, the powerbook is an excellent machine. If you could get a dell 300/600m and get below the cost of a powerbook, I'd take that one, but if not, the powerbook is what you want

My Inspiron 8200 weighs around 8lbs or so. I've lugged it through an airport, with my large carrying case. I had no problems with the weight. Methinks you need to hit the gym more. Why is weight such a big factor? If you are simply carrying it around a college campus, it does not matter as much as you think because you can usually cut out a number of other materials that you would have to bring to class without the notebook. An individual I work with attends a community college here with an Inspiron 5100. His carrying case houses his notebook, AC Adapter, his class book, plus a small printer, all with a shoulder strap. Also, you can get notebook carrying cases that have wheels and pull levels on them, similar to airplan carry on luggage so you don't have to carry your notebook around.

If you are dead set on the Apple, then go with the PB. The iBooks are a joke, below even the sub-750 HPs and Compaqs.


Given what you posted in your posts, I don't think you'll have much of a need to be looking for additional software anyway. I am guess that you'll be doing a lot of productivity work, and other such along those lines. Both Dell and Apple are going to ship you pretty much everything you need with the notebook.

 

[dnuggett]

We seem to be seeing alot of feedback such as "Dells Suck" and "ibooks are a joke". Well that's great to name call, but how about putting a little meat behind your opinions. Especially since you have decided to down grade them undeseverdly IMO.

 

[Mannkind]

My Inspiron 8200 weighs around 8lbs or so. I've lugged it through an airport, with my large carrying case. I had no problems with the weight. Methinks you need to hit the gym more. Why is weight such a big factor? If you are simply carrying it around a college campus, it does not matter as much as you think because you can usually cut out a number of other materials that you would have to bring to class without the notebook. An individual I work with attends a community college here with an Inspiron 5100. His carrying case houses his notebook, AC Adapter, his class book, plus a small printer, all with a shoulder strap. Also, you can get notebook carrying cases that have wheels and pull levels on them, similar to airplan carry on luggage so you don't have to carry your notebook around.

If you are dead set on the Apple, then go with the PB. The iBooks are a joke, below even the sub-750 HPs and Compaqs.


Given what you posted in your posts, I don't think you'll have much of a need to be looking for additional software anyway. I am guess that you'll be doing a lot of productivity work, and other such along those lines. Both Dell and Apple are going to ship you pretty much everything you need with the notebook.

Yeah sure, taking 8lbs of brick along with all the books one carries (everyday, since we goto a real college, not a CC, where you've gotta have everything all the time ... and before you flame me for taking shots a CCs I went to one for two years and got my AA, just transfered 2 quarters ago... I hate CC, they are such a joke. Mine was ranked somewhere in the top 10CCs in the nation 'so they say' ... bah, CCs are like high school) is sure fun I love carrying over 40lbs on my back. Carry around all the crap is crazy. Like I said, I did it before too. Laptop bag and all. It's stupid to carry your normal bag, and a laptop bag. Yeah, and go ahead and get one of those loser bags with wheels. You look stupid, act stupid, are too pussy to carry the bag to begin with since you were an idiot and decided to buy a brick... yeah makes sense.

Dells are not bad machines, but when someone is asking about an iBook vs a PowerBook, only an idiot would say "Buy a dell" Now if the OP had said anything about perhaps buying a PC laptop, it'd be different.

My PB is the best investment I've made (besides my PC computer) and I love it. So light, battery lasts for almost 5 hours (about ~4.5... then it goes to sleep), and I can stick it in the bag I am currently carrying (not need to buy another laptop bag or some retarded loser roller bag, anyone buying a roller bag below the age of 55 is an idiot UNLESS they have a doctors come to me personally and say they can't use a regular bag... then the person with the roller bag for buying the brick laptop cause they could have easily got one that didn't weigh as much. Idiots) and it was cheaper than anything PC I could get, yes even the dells.

 

[Relayer]

Dells are not bad machines, but when someone is asking about an iBook vs a PowerBook, only an idiot would say "Buy a dell" Now if the OP had said anything about perhaps buying a PC laptop, it'd be different.

 

[dnuggett]

Like I said, I did it before too. Laptop bag and all. It's stupid to carry your normal bag, and a laptop bag. Yeah, and go ahead and get one of those loser bags with wheels. You look stupid, act stupid, are too pussy to carry the bag to begin with since you were an idiot and decided to buy a brick... yeah makes sense

Dude are you not aware they make backpack that carry laptops in a seperate compartment of the bag? There are legitimate reasons why one would be buying a machine that weighs more then your Powerbook, and not everyone that decides to buy a heavier laptop and carry it around is an idiot. Or are you that narrow minded? Or perhaps you like to post flame bait to ruin an otherwise intelligent thread?

 

[Mannkind]

Originally posted by: dnuggett
Dude are you not aware they make backpack that carry laptops in a seperate compartment of the bag? There are legitimate reasons why one would be buying a machine that weighs more then your Powerbook, and not everyone that decides to buy a heavier laptop and carry it around is an idiot. Or are you that narrow minded? Or perhaps you like to post flame bait to ruin an otherwise intelligent thread?

Threads with the word 'dude' in them are always intelligent. Good job. You aren't even doing any contributing to this thread 'dude' so I'd suggest you shut up and leave the thread.

Yes I am aware of those backpacks, how does that change anything? That would be 'carrying the laptop in your current bag' as I mentioned earlier. Check.

And no, there is NOT a legitament reason to buy a laptop that weights 7+ lbs... don't give me that crap. There are plenty of other laptops (all kinds) that weigh less and give the same features that those junks that are bricks. That's like saying there are reasons there are legit reasons to buy the original cellphones, that were the size of a book (or so). There isn't one, cell phones are meant to be portable. You shouldn't have to buy another large bag (w/wheels?) to have to carry around your cellphone. The same applies for a laptop. There are much better alternatives. It has nothing to do with being 'narrow minded' that is the argument people who say 'dude' use because they can't think of any other reason why they can justify buying a brick they just dropped a load of cash on. Hurray for old technology! Check Mate.

Now back onto the subject: Laptops are portable solutions to computing needs. Keyword is portable. If you need to buy a bag on wheels because you can't carry the brick you just bought. Something is wrong

And I'll state again. DELLS ARE NOT BAD MACHINES. Jeesh. Like I said, my father owns an 1100. I've owned an HP N5425... wasn't a bad machine. But the weight of the machines keeps their portabilty lower than one that weighs less, like a Dell600m(300m), a IBM T45 (is that the model number?), one of those sonys, etc. All those laptops are good machines and provide great portability. Those are the solutions we need. Buying bricks just allows the manufacturers to produce the junk, when they should be producing smaller laptops for cheaper costs.




So cliff notes for people who think 'dude' occurs in an intelligent thread:
1. Dells are not bad machines, neither are Sony, IBM, or Apple.
2. iBook vs PowerBook - Go with Powerbook
3. Rollerbags are for idiots or people with a medical problem or older than 55.
4. There is no good legit reason to ever buy a large, brick laptop.

 

[Bateluer]

Originally posted by: Mannkind

So cliff notes for people who think 'dude' occurs in an intelligent thread:
1. Dells are not bad machines, neither are Sony, IBM, or Apple.
2. iBook vs PowerBook - Go with Powerbook
3. Rollerbags are for idiots or people with a medical problem or older than 55.
4. There is no good legit reason to ever buy a large, brick laptop.

1. Fair enough.
2. Granted, the PBs boast much better hardware than the iBooks
3. I own a roller bag. I am neither an idiot, have a medical problem, and I am only 20. Generally, I just use my bag with the should strap. Its just easier. However, when I am taking a long trip that requires me to have multiple suit cases, the roller bag is ideal.
4. You, sir, are an idiot for saying that. My Inspiron 8200 could be considered a 'brick' as it weighs in at around 8lbs. The Voodoo Envy I am looking at to replace is also weighs in at around 8lbs. There is no reason to say we are idiots for buying more power notebooks. Notebooks have different niches, just as desktops do. I have no reason to buy an ultra-portable notebook, and I would be a idiot to buy such a notebook.

 

[Mannkind]

1. Fair enough.
2. Granted, the PBs boast much better hardware than the iBooks
3. I own a roller bag. I am neither an idiot, have a medical problem, and I am only 20. Generally, I just use my bag with the should strap. Its just easier. However, when I am taking a long trip that requires me to have multiple suit cases, the roller bag is ideal.
4. You, sir, are an idiot for saying that. My Inspiron 8200 could be considered a 'brick' as it weighs in at around 8lbs. The Voodoo Envy I am looking at to replace is also weighs in at around 8lbs. There is no reason to say we are idiots for buying more power notebooks. Notebooks have different niches, just as desktops do. I have no reason to buy an ultra-portable notebook, and I would be a idiot to buy such a notebook.

3. While I do think you are stupid (hehe ) for having a roller bag for general use (such as walking around campus, for example) ... having a roller bag when you are going on long trips is not stupid. There is quite a bit off difference in having a roller bag so that you can walking, what, 1000 feet for the whole couple hours you'll be out (dunno?) between classes (lol) or so that when you are taking say a weeks worth of crap clothes, accessories, etc. There is a big difference.

4. No, here again there is a difference. A power notebook does not have to be a brick. There are plenty of 'power notebooks' that don't weigh 8 lbs, they cost a bit more, but then again, it is stupid to pay some dumb company to keep producing junk that are 8lb bricktops. Things are in a sad state of affairs when people would chose 8lb piece of junk (due to it being 8lbs, not because of hardware) over something that is much sleeker, lighter, and will do the exact same thing. The differente niches aren't what you think they are ... 'power notebook' vs 'regular notebook' vs 'ultralight' ... those are just you falling into marketing ploy. The real niche is 'ultra brickish' vs 'balanced' vs 'lightweight' and not all the time do those real niches differ in preformence, features, etc. The people who buy the 'ultra brickish' are people who think they are cool because they bought a laptop (and likely their friends, coworks, etc don't have one). The 'balanced' ones are for people who really will use the laptop and realize that they don't want to carry an 8-9lb laptop with them everywhere, so they buy one that has the preformace, features of the 'ultra brickish' laptop but is likely around 6lbs. Then the ultra light, which varies pretty heavily. They either have most of the stuff that balanced does (optical drives, large HDs, better battery life, etc etc) OR they having NOTHING the 'balanced' does, they are basically an LCD with a keyboard ... the people who buy that latter are much like the 'ultra brickish' people. They buy a laptop because they want to be cool, however they have more money to spend on a laptop to look cool, so they buy one they can play frisbee with. The former of the 'lightweight' laptops are for people who want to use the laptop daily, bring it with them everywhere, but not have to look like a 'tard with a roller bag, or carry yet another bag. It also gives them fairly close to the 'balanced' laptops without the weight. Most of these laptops are missing PC Card expandiblity, but do have quite a few other things built in and whatever else could be used via USB (or Firewire).

 

[dnuggett]

Mannkind, your lack of intelligence for current laptop offerings, and what the larger machines bring to the table is ridiculous considering your posts.

KG9921 my apologies for hijacking the thread it's just a little difficult to hear people babble when they don't have a clue about current technologies. Case in point the Voodo Envy m855. I guess the age old adage "never argue with an idiot" is true here.

My term of choice "dude" was used loosely. I was not aware I needed to and normally I do not pay a courtesy of proper title to people who babble on a topic when they obviously have no clue what they are saying.

That being said, there are obvious reasons for using a light notebook, and there are some great machines in this size.

And so this post is not totally wasted addressing a shortsighted "laptop noob" I too would go with the Powerbook.

And no, there is NOT a legitament reason to buy a laptop that weights 7+ lbs... don't give me that crap. There are plenty of other laptops (all kinds) that weigh less and give the same features that those junks that are bricks. That's like saying there are reasons there are legit reasons to buy the original cellphones, that were the size of a book (or so). There isn't one, cell phones are meant to be portable. You shouldn't have to buy another large bag (w/wheels?) to have to carry around your cellphone. The same applies for a laptop. There are much better alternatives. It has nothing to do with being 'narrow minded' that is the argument people who say 'dude' use because they can't think of any other reason why they can justify buying a brick they just dropped a load of cash on. Hurray for old technology! Check Mate.

This may go down as the most igonorant post concerning laptops/notebooks I have read yet. I could go on for days about why you are wrong, but again this thread is not about light vs. heavier and I feel there has been enough time wasted on this topic. Hopefully the people reading your post are not as ignorant as you when it comes to this.

 

[Mannkind]

Originally posted by: dnuggett
Mannkind, your lack of intelligence for current laptop offerings, and what the larger machines bring to the table is ridiculous considering your posts.

I'm sure I've owned as many laptops as you, or perhaps more, get over yourself. I am no laptop noob as you so l33tly put it.

Because you see a place for heavy laptops that makes me completly ignorant about all laptops. That makes sense. Who is ignorant, you.
You think that the WORLD revolves around playing games. Woody fvcking doo. Your childish brain can't imagine someone not wanting or needing to play games on their laptop. The Voodoo Envy m855 is a very nice laptop, a bit heavy, but it'd make a nice gaming rig. However...

Unless you are going to a lan party (where in this case, this machine FAR exceeds the portabilty of a small cube gaming machine) this laptop probably isn't for you. What are you going to type in word with your ultra super cool Althon64? Wahoo?

Yes, here on AT people seem to play a lot of games. Hell, I play a lot of games. But I am not stupid enough to think that UNLESS the laptop can play games, it it isn't worth buying. I still stand by my point, which is there is not a legit reason to buy, buying a laptop to play games is not a legit reason. Your feeble atempt at "well look Mannkind ignorant because he wouldn't spend 2000+ on a laptop to play games with" is rediculous.
You can rationalize it all you want, "well you can do more, blah blah blah" you are buying that machine because it would make an awesome gaming machine for say a big lan party, where you could be the envy of all the computer nerds like ourselves. But dropping that kind of cash, all so you can have an ultra cool gaming machine that is the weight of a cinder block... well, sorry, that's just dumb.


EDIT: Replacing your desktop with a laptop, IMHO is not that good of an idea, but I am for expandiblity of the desktop. The voodoo would make a great desktop replacement(for the time being that it is any good, which should be awhile). But I don't see the point if you are just going to leave it sit on the desk. Esp. because there likely is not chance of upgrading your laptop, so that is quite a bit of money down the drain. Taking around an 8lb laptop is a pain in the butt.

 

[TEEZLE]

Now back onto the subject: Laptops are portable solutions to computing needs. Keyword is portable. If you need to buy a bag on wheels because you can't carry the brick you just bought. Something is wrong

AMEN

Also, the issue between weight should not be there, the poster of this thread explains it in his first sentence.....I'm trying to pick a sub 5 pound laptop for around 1,200.....

 

[wutwjd]

Without getting entangled in this argument, I would just like to point out that, yes, there is a reason for 7+ pound laptops. It's a small matter of "price". Everyone here knows that a lighter notebook is typically the better one. But the better question is this: Is shaving off 2 pounds worth the $2000 premium? IMO, I don't think so.

Sorry if this has been addressed already in a subsequent post. I didn't want to have to wade through the rest of the posts to find out.

 

[wutwjd]

Originally posted by: TEEZLE
Now back onto the subject: Laptops are portable solutions to computing needs. Keyword is portable. If you need to buy a bag on wheels because you can't carry the brick you just bought. Something is wrong

AMEN

Also, the issue between weight should not be there, the poster of this thread explains it in his first sentence.....I'm trying to pick a sub 5 pound laptop for around 1,200.....

I don't know if there's exactly something wrong with that. Not to attack any single person or persons in this thread, but it seems to me that there are too many generalizations going around. This speaks of a narrowmindedness which begets further intolerance to opinions other than your own. Saying that a laptop needs to be portable, fine, that's your opinion. But to say that anyone who gets a laptop which isn't quite as portable (did not say "not portable") truly sounds ignorant.

To lessen the severity of my remarks (should anyone find them offensive), chew on this statement:

All generalizations are stupid.

 

[Mannkind]

Originally posted by: wutwjd
Without getting entangled in this argument, I would just like to point out that, yes, there is a reason for 7+ pound laptops. It's a small matter of "price". Everyone here knows that a lighter notebook is typically the better one. But the better question is this: Is shaving off 2 pounds worth the $2000 premium? IMO, I don't think so.

Sorry if this has been addressed already in a subsequent post. I didn't want to have to wade through the rest of the posts to find out.

True, however, price is not a reason to buy a laptop. You don't buy a laptop because you can afford it correct? Nobody says "Hey, I've got 800 bucks, I can buy a laptop!" But I do understand what you mean, it is just something you take into consideration.

Which is why I think buying a 1000 dollar laptop (or 800-1000, doesn't matter) that weighs 8lbs is rediculous. Not only is the person buying a brick, but they are telling companies... you keep making those bricks, and we'll keep buying them. When in reality people should stop buying the bricks all together and start forcing companies to build smaller yet have the same functionality laptops. Otherwise, they'll continue to make small laptops expensive and large bricks cheap because they can. If we stop buying those bricks, perhaps they'll stop producing them, and start producing more, cheaper, faster, lighter, etc laptops that actually are worth buying. Buying the bricks only keeps the companies making bricks.

---

Not quite as portable is a generalization. My desktop is "not quite as portable" as my laptop... I've brought it to lan parties, so its' portable, just not quite as much. Where do you draw the line? .... around 6 lbs

 

[Relayer]

Originally posted by: KG9921
I'm trying to pick a sub 5 pound laptop for around 1,200, and I was wondering about a few things. Apple gives an awesome education discount, so i could do either of these two things...

iBook 1,200
640mb ram
airport card

or

Powerbook 1,400
256 mb ram
everything else stock

(Keep in mind these are both G4)

I'm primarily doing non-intensive tasks on the laptop, but I don't want to be able to do my laundry while waiting for a large .pdf to load. Is it worth it to go up to the powerbook? And even at that, are there better PC alternatives in that range that have a battery life and weight equivalent to the apples? Your input is very appreciated.

It's a toss up...they are both nice machines. I would choose the iBook out of the two at this point... I did

 

[Relayer]

double