iBook vs. PowerBook

[Dark54555]

so, i'm seriously considering an Apple notebook. Besides the obvious (housing material, for example), is there a significant difference between the powerbook G4 and the g4 iBook?

if it's easier, just compare the two 12" models (to factor out, say, widescreen).

 

[nowayout99]

Well, just looking at the specs side by side, the 12" PBs have these advantages (which you do pay for):

30% clock improvement
2x the HD space
better graphics
faster RAM
built-in airport and bluetooth

There aren't any specific, unseen differences other than the specs they publish.

 

[Yomicron]

the Powerbook:
faster CPU
faster FSB
faster RAM
smaller
lighter
DVI w/dual display capability vs. the iBook's VGA w/video mirroring (I think there is a hack to enable dual display on the iBook)
More video RAM, could be useful because of Quartz Extreme
Optional DVD burner
Optoinal 80GB 5400RPM hard drive

 

[preslove]

I know the PowerBook also has an audio in, and may have a few more ports. In general, if you are doing anything in media editing or creation, go powerBook. If you just do normal non-professional stuff, go iBook. Also, though, you should consider the fact that the PowerBook comes with a 60 gig hd and Airport built in, which makes it only a little bit more than an upgraded iBook.

 

[jimmyl930]

The Powerbook also has TV-Out and a better keyboard.

 

[Dark54555]

yeah, i was in compUSA this afternoon and noticed the keyboard on the Powerbook felt a lot more solid. the texture of the touchpads is also different (I actually think the iBook's feels a little better).

for me, the notebook would be for e-mail, word processing, web surfing, and some web development, so i'm not sure the power or multi-media differences are going to matter a lot. Though the aluminum case seems more durable for the amount of carrying it around i'll do.

 

[Childs]

Originally posted by: jimmyl930
The Powerbook also has TV-Out and a better keyboard.

TV Out is available on the iBook with $19 adapter from Apple. Does composite and svideo.

 

[ViperV990]

AFAIK the G4 on iBooks is a cut-down version with only 256k L2 cache, versus the 1MB L2nfound on the Powerbooks.

 

[bunnyfubbles]

no one has mentioned battery life yet?

 

[Dark54555]

Originally posted by: bunnyfubbles
no one has mentioned battery life yet?

significant difference?

 

[preslove]

Get the iBook.

Sturdiness: iBooks are actually viewed better in this regard because the Powerbooks can dent, whereas the hard plastic of the iBook doesn't
Battery life: for some reason the iBook gets is much better.
Cache: The new versions both have 512K. The old g4 iBooks had 256k L2 caches compared to the Powerbook's 512k. So viper is incorrect.

For your uses you will be fine. The new iBook is basically the old PowerBook powerwise (sorry), in the iBook chasis. Your not gonna be editing video or music, or performing any other professional tasks, so you will be fine.

 

[thraxes]

Originally posted by: ViperV990
AFAIK the G4 on iBooks is a cut-down version with only 256k L2 cache, versus the 1MB L2nfound on the Powerbooks.

That was the 800 nad 900 MHz versions. The new 1,07GHz and 1,2 GHz iBooks have a more potent 512K L2 cache which is supposedly very noticeable. 512K is the same amount as all the other current G4 Powerbooks.