Question for Mac owners...

[dubq]

Which is the better buy: iBook or Powerbook? I haven't owned a Mac since the old iMac boom a few years back, so I'm kind of out of the loop. I can't find much difference in terms of specs between an iBook and a Powerbook so I was wondering what the fundamental difference (aside form casing) is between the two and which is the better buy (I'm looking at a 12" model for portability but will need something powerful since I work in various design sectors).

 

Thanks!

[AndrewTS]

In short, the Powerbook is the 'professional' model, geared more towards business users, while the iBook is the 'consumer' model, geared more towards regular users.

 

Specs for comparison here:

http://support.apple.com/specs/

 

MacBook Pro is the intel-based replacement for Powerbook, while the iBook will eventually be replaced with, well, MacBook I guess.

[Mik]

Yeah - I'd wait. They are overhauling the laptops.

[Mole]

Powerbook.

 

The new Intel chips aren't going to be good in the Macs for a few years.

[Mik]

Almost right on cue - MacBook (the iBook replacement) released today.

 

Go get em, tiger.

[Mole]

Umm, the MacBook has been out for a while now.

 

Am I off here or are you saying something else?

[Karnage]

The new Macbook 13 inches were just released. They are to the Ibook as Macbook Pros were to Powerbooks.

[Mole]

Nevermind.

 

EDIT: And it looks like they don't sell Powerbooks anymore. Which is a shame because they kick ass. But since I am going to return my Powerbook tomorrow because it broke, I think I am going to pick up a MacBook. Even though it broke, which is weird because they usually don't.

[razazteca]

Do the Macs still come in Starburst/Skittles fruit colors?

[AndrewTS]

Nope. You're thinking of the older iMacs.

 

Apple doesn't even sell any models with CRT monitors anymore (of course you could use one on a Power Mac or Mac Mini if you wished).

 

The intels aren't going to be all they're cracked up to be for a while, because most mac software (and 3rd party software especially) isn't yet switched over to be universal binaries yet.

 

For now, most major PowerPC-only apps will run, but only in an emulation environment called Rosetta.

 

Rosetta sucks. Like, almost Virtual PC sucks.

 

And since the architecture is new and unrefined as of yet, there's a large possibility of HW issues cropping up on it until the bugs are all worked out.

[Mole]

That is why they should still sell Powerbooks.

[AndrewTS]

You still can.

 

Go to apple.com/store, and Apple Refurbished under Hot Deals. They come with a 1 year factory warranty still (with the option for the APP if you want, as usual).

[Mole]

Oh, well then.

[Edwin MacPhisto]

I saw the new MacBooks at an Apple Store this weekend. Very cool. They're much thinner than the old ones, and the 13" widescreen makes them look much more sophisticated. It's also more functional, considering the fact that they got a resolution bump. I love my Powerbook, but I'd definitely consider a MacBook if I was in the market for a good, relatively inexpensive laptop. That you can grab these things, which I think are a big improvement over the iBooks, for about $1100, is remarkable. The only weird thing is the glossy screen--it's kind of odd, and gets a bit of glare.

[dubq]

Picked up a black MacBook today. Posting right now from it. Damn is it ever speedy!

[Mole]

After I have been shitting on the MacBooks, I also picked one up the other day. My Powerbook died on me, so I got a MacBook hoping it wouldn't die on me.

 

And I don't see the speediness like Vivi says. Then again I have been mostly using the internet, so I don't know.

 

I like it better though, the keyboard layout is nice. Plus the little camera guy kicks ass.

 

Mine doesn't have a DVD burner though, which blows.

[Hank Kingsley]

Related question: how are the built-in speakers in the Macbook? I ordered mine for school already, but would it be smart to get some external speakers for general music-listening, and if so, what would be the best brand to get?

[Mole]

That is one of the downsides of the Macbooks. The speakers are horrible. Logictech is always good.

[dubq]

I agree. You can't really hear them unless you have them at about 85% volume. That said, I think they probably guess you're going to be using headphones most of the time. Either way, crappy speakers indeed!

[Edwin MacPhisto]

I highly recommend Klipsch Promedia 2.1 (with subwoofer) or 2.0 (without) speakers, if you're willing to drop between $80-$130. If not, Altec Lansing 2.1 systems are pretty good for a lower price.