[macko]

My faithful 6 year-old Powerbook Titanium is on it's last leg (or circuit, as the case may be). I'm taking it into the Apple store tonight but I'm not optimistic, this is almost certainly a hardware issue which won't be worth the repair costs.

Assuming the worst, I looked up the 'ol Apple website to see what's available as far as the laptops go; and because I'm not very tech-savvy I could use a little guidance here. My options:

New MacBook: $1,199
13.3-inch widescreen display
1280 x 800 resolution
2.0GHz Intel Core Duo
512MB memory (2x256MB SODIMMs)
60GB 5400-rpm Serial ATA hard drive
SuperDrive (DVD±RW, CD-RW)

Refurbished Powerbook: $1,199
1.5GHz G4
12-inch display
512MB DDR333 SDRAM
80GB Hard Drive
NVIDIA GeForce FX Go5200 (64MB DDR)
AirPort Extreme
Bluetooth 2.0 + Enhanced Data Rates
SuperDrive (DVD±RW, CD-RW)

Refurbished Powerbook: $1,349
1.67GHz G4
15-inch widescreen display
512MB DDR2 PC2-4200 SDRAM
80GB Hard Drive
ATI Mobility Radeon 9700 (128MB DDR)
AirPort Extreme
Bluetooth 2.0+Enhanced Data Rates
Backlit keyboard
Scrolling Trackpad
Dual link DVI
SuperDrive (DVD±RW, CD-RW)

I just copied that crap off the 'net. Now I don't know exactly what the MacBook is ... the new iBook? Nor do I know what the Core Duo is as compaired to the G4. So confusing. Here's one more thought: If I buy a new MacBook it looks like I get a free iPod nano. Not that something like this should sway my decision, but it is something to consider. Thoughts? Suggestions?

 

[DirtyDog]

Those refurbished powerbooks are good deals. I have had one for about 2.5 years now and it has been flawless.

The new Intel Macs could still have hardware problems and software compatibility issues.

 

[Toshi]

get the Macbook! it's the new ibook, and the Core Duo is a dual core intel chip. it'll be much faster than the old computers with native software, and about as fast with non-native software (read: Office). the free nano just sweetens the deal...

 

[DirtyDog]

get the Macbook! it's the new ibook, and the Core Duo is a dual core intel chip. it'll be much faster than the old computers with native software, and about as fast with non-native software (read: Office). the free nano just sweetens the deal...

Didn't you have so many problems with your Macbook that you took it back? Did you get another one? Also, it seems some programs barely work with the emulator at all, like Photoshop.

 

[Toshi]

photoshop runs swimmingly under Rosetta. if you have 2gb of ram, that is. doesn't like much less.

yes, i returned two (!) Macbook Pros, but that's a different beast from the Macbook. overheating problems were due to the metal case (that the Macbook non-Pro doesn't have), and apple eventually acknowledged and apparently fixed in a later revision the other problem i had, of the display inverter making a whining noise when the display wasn't at full brightness.

after the 2nd MBP wasn't up to snuff i got a Mac mini Core Duo along with a Dell 2405FPW (24"!), and pocketed the ~$1000 savings as compared to the MBP.

 

[macko]

So you think that the MacBook is better/faster than the refurbished PowerBooks from my first post? I've been a Mac user for as long as I've had a computer and so the ability to run Windows means zilch to me.

Hearing some comments about the MacBookPros (and possibly MacBooks?) being problematic/buggy is very disheartening. Have the MacBooks been out long enough to have been proven reliable?

 

[Toshi]

i haven't heard anything bad about the macbooks yet. here's a good review:

http://arstechnica.com/reviews/hardware/macbook.ars

and yes, a core duo mac will be much, much faster than a G4 powerbook. core duo vs. G5 is closer, but you can't get a laptop with that chip.

 

[ALEXIS_DH]

what are you planning to do with it?

right from the bat, the NVIDIA GeForce FX 5200 is an extremely crappy card. i´d steer away from that one just for that.

 

[Toshi]

what are you planning to do with it?

right from the bat, the NVIDIA GeForce FX 5200 is an extremely crappy card. i´d steer away from that one just for that.

if you're not a gamer it doesn't matter squat

 

[erastusboy]

if you're not a gamer it doesn't matter squat

What about for video editing and 3d software?

Not arguing just wondering cause I am interested in a macbook (pro maybe?)

 

[Toshi]

What about for video editing and 3d software?

Not arguing just wondering cause I am interested in a macbook (pro maybe?)

they don't really rely on the speed of the graphics card. once you meet a minimum standard then all is well. high end graphics cards are for gamers, period.

 

[Mastamind]

I would go (and I am looking into) a new Macbook. Sure some programs need the higher ram, but the macbook would be faster than your powerbook. All depends what you want. Talk to the people at the apple store, they will know alot more.

 

[ALEXIS_DH]

if you're not a gamer it doesn't matter squat

true.
for some reason, i thought macko was 18 or something.

 

[macko]

Not a real big gamer. My roommate and I have an original Nintendo, but that's about it.

I'm thinking the MacBook is probably the way to go...just wanted to get a feel from people "in the know" if there were any big problems with the new laptops. God, what an effing pain in the ass this is...but I suppose pulling 6 years out of a computer is pretty good bang for your buck these days.

 

[DirtyDog]

Thanks for the heads up on those refurbished Powerbooks Mackie. I have been wanting to get a 12 incher for traveling. Ordered one last night

 

[kinghami3]

Go with the MacBook unless you're a pro. The integrated graphics is a drawback for gaming, but like you, I'm playing less games these days, or going back to old ones like StarCraft which don't exactly need a 128 meg video card. I'm holding out for a cheaper black one too

 

[macko]

I went ahead and got the MacBook ... and I think I got a pretty good deal!

MacBook: $1200 ($100 off)
iPod nano: FREE
HP Printer/Scanner/Copier: Free
.mac subscription: $70 ($30 off)

All that because I'm a "student." It was still a TON of money that I didn't need to be spending right now, but it pretty much had to be done.