I chose a 15" PowerBook G4 because I need it for video editing.
The switch to Intel is important to keep in mind, but not for this reason.
Binaries for the foreseeable future will be compiled to run in either environment. It will be 10+ years after the debut of the Intel Macs before Intel-only MacOS X binaries become commonplace. As long as the Mac-using world is still chock-full of PowerPC Mac owners, and compiling the binary to run in either environment is still a matter of checking the checkbox in the development environment, most developers will not disinclude PowerPC Mac owners.
On the flipside, though: today’s PowerBook is a design very much long in the tooth. A single-processor, single-core G4 of non-spectacular CPU and frontside bus speed, same form factor as G4 PowerBooks of a couple years ago. Lots of us who are owners of elderly PowerBooks were watching the Paris Expo in hopes of hearing of dual-core PowerBooks and 200+ frontside bus and a better video system. Didn’t happen. But most of us are still thinking there has to be at least one more major PowerBook update before the Intel transition. Alternatively, if we’re wrong, we would most likely be wrong due to PowerBooks going Intel sooner than we expected (the rumor is that the low-end stuff like iBooks and iMac Minis will go Intel first).
The Intel PowerBook will probably be faster, at least on native applications (PowerPC apps will run in unintrusive behind-the-scenes emulation much as 68K apps ran in emulation when Macs first went PowerPC). Final-generation PowerPC PowerBooks will no doubt be faster than current offerings, too. Finally, the existing crop of PowerBooks will be available at much better price points if and when the next generation PBs are announced. So, while it is true that no matter when you buy your shiny new computer is going to be eclipsed by faster and cheaper hardware not long afterwards, the existing PowerBook line is really really ripe for an update of one sort or another, and you should keep that in mind.
OTHER NOTES
iBooks can do screen spanning w/external monitor, but you have to install a hack. I am not an iBook user and therefore cannot testify about the hack from personal experience but I’ve read posts from satisfied iBook owners. I believe that the iBook has some kind of video-out that can natively drive an external monitor but it only mirrors the internal screen and won’t let you drive it as high resolutions or use both (screen spanning, extended desktop). It may be an oddball orifice into which one plugs a VGA adaptor, I seem to recall something of the sort from when I had an iBook as a rental unit while my PB was in the shop.
the main differences between the iBook and the PowerBook 17"…
P’Book 17" can drive an external monitor in both Mirror (displays what’s on the main screen) and Extended Desktop mode (the 'Book treats both monitors as one gigantic screen, you can mouse between them, drag apps from one screen to the other, as far as the computer is concerned, it has one massive screen
the iBook can only mirror
the 17" has a faster system bus (167MHz) the iBook has a 142MHz system bus
the 17" has 2 SO-DIMM RAM sockets and can support up to 2 GB of RAM, the iBook has one ram socket and can support 1.5 GB
the 17" has FireWire 800 and a backlit keyboard, the iBook does not
the 17" has a PCMCIA slot, the iBook does not
the iBook’s polycarbonate case is more resilient than the 17’s aluminum enclosure, aluminum, being metal, can be dented or bent by physical impact, the iBook’s polycarbonate plastics are more impact resistant, but pick up cosmetic scratches like crazy
the iBook runs a little cooler, and has slightly longer battery life
speaking as an Apple certified repair tech, both machines are reasonably service-hostile as far as repairs are concerned, the PowerBook is a little easier to service, as you don’t need to use a pry tool to seperate the case once you’ve pulled the screws out
personally, i’d compromise and go with a PowerBook 15" Aluminum, has all the features of the 17" and a slightly more manageable size, price is a little better than the 17"
in fact, i do have the 15" AlBook, and i love the thing, it’s the best laptop i’ve owned yet, and i’ve owned an original 500MHz Dual USB iBook G3 and a 667MHz TiBook, of those 3, the AlBook is the best…
It seems like most of the differences you listed are pretty minor. The only one I can really see being critical is the lack of PCMCIA slots on the iBook (but with more and more peripherals being Firewire, it’s not nearly as important as it used to be). Why do you think the Powerbook is worth the additional $700?
FWIW, I have a 12" iBook and love it, but I can’t fathom paying twice as much for relatively minor performance bumps and some pretty brushed metal.
You know, your post would have remained just as informative if you had resisted the impulse to throw in the anti-Apple zing at the end. If you felt you had to do it, could you at least tell us your reasons?
“Run as fast as you can” seems pretty unjustified, given that the Apple products are generally very reliable – the worst thing you can say about them is that they are as heavily discounted as the commoditized MS-compatible laptops.
not true… I have run a iBook G4 on a ViewSonic 20" VP201b using the regular connectors and Screen Spanning Doctor. Intterstingly, I needed this hack on my iMac to turn off the “mirror only” setting running )S 10.3.9, but when I installed Tiger (OS 10.4) on my iMac, it automatically worked. This was not the case with my PowerBook running Tiger, which needed the hack.
If you can afford the extra money, the PowerBook is the better way to go, but I prefer the smaller models (12-14") over the 17".
okay, maybe i should have clarified, APPLE’S default firmware setting for the iBook is mirror-only, you can use a software hack to enable mirror mode on an iBook, but here’s the important thing…
the hack will void your warranty, if you needed to send the machine in for repair, and they discover you’ve used the hack, they will not repair the logic board under warranty, you would be billed for the repair
can it be done?
yes
should it be done…
that’s your decision
<edit>
okay, maybe i should have clarified, APPLE’S default firmware setting for the iBook is mirror-only, you can use a software hack to enable extended desktop mode on an iBook, but here’s the important thing…
Why? The OP made it clear that she wouldn’t be persuaded away from Apples. Thats wasn’t my goal. However I included a personal opinion on the choice. One which with or without support is a valid one.
I’m sure you can find plenty of threads here and websites elsewhere that make passionate arguments on both sides. I’m not planning in hijacking the thread with it.
Not so much valid as tiresome. The OP asked for information, not a rehash of the PC vs Mac wars that we’ve seen so often. If you had least had some concrete, factual reason for your prejudice that you felt needed sharing, that’s one thing. But without it, what does your personal opinion add to the thread?
For the OP: I recently bought the 17" Powerbook from Apple’s refurb dept, saving maybe $500.00 in the process. Aside from a couple of blemishes on the LCD panel that you have to strain to notice, so far it’s been very reliable and powerful enough for the digital photography work I do. I initally thought that getting the 17" was a mistake as it’s a huge laptop, but it’s grown on me. However, except for the large screen size, I’m not sure it offers me anything that the iBook wouldn’t.
One thing to consider is that I’ve found the iBook’s to be better at wireless reception. The PB’s metal interfere’s. And damn if my 15" pb doesn’t get hot on my lap. The ib stays cooler.
$.02
Dude, shut up and quit picking a fight/hijack.
The fucking forum is called IMH Opinion! I gave mine, along with what the OP felt was some helpful advice.
Also, before you try making witty remarks learn the meanings of the words.
Aaah, cut him some slack. It was just a passing comment in an otherwise ontopic post. If it had been a drive-by potshot at Macs with nothing useful to contribute, I’d agree that it was PC-trollery.
But it was on-topic and as far as thinking Macs aren’t worth it, he’s entitled to his opinion.
It’s a stupid opinion but he’s still entitled to it
Dude, dial it back a notch or three, o.k.?
Thanks for all the extra advice. I’m pretty sure the iBook is the way to go now but want to take a look at one first.
Two more points:
Stop arguing already.
And I’m a he.
