iBook vs. PowerBook

Hello,

I am a college student getting ready to make the leap from PC to Mac. I currently use a Inspiron 5100 that weighs a ton, and need a notebook that I can take to school (which involves a 45 minute light-rail ride and then a 10-minute walk to campus).

I have been eyeing the 12" iBook and the 12" PowerBook because of their small size (I can barely lug the Inspiron through an airport terminal between flights). My main uses for my notebook are web & email, word processing, and VERY light graphic and web design (I use PhotoShop and I code by hand.

I also have wireless DSL at home on a Linksys router.

What would you smart people recommend for me in terms of a notebook between the iBook and PowerBook based on my use, and do I need anything specifically Apple for my wireless to continue to work for me?

Thanks in advance!

 

If lightness is the only thing making you change from PC to Mac, there are many PC notebooks that are lighter than the iBook and powerbook.

At 12 inches regular ratio, there is the IBM x40/x41 at 2.8 lbs, Asus s5a 2.7 lbs, and Dell X1 < 3.0 lbs.

12 inch widescreen is a little heavier. Asus w5a 4.0 lbs and Dell 700m 4.0 lbs .

If you want to change to Apple because you like the OS, that is one thing (each OS has its distinct advantages and disadvantages and I won't argue for either one). But if its just for size and weight, there are a lot of other options out there.

:asus:

 

True, but in general there is like a $500 minimum price gap as well. At least I can get the iBook for about $900 with a student discount...the X1 is $1400.

Am I sacrificing something by switching?

 

$900 is a really good price and you really won't sacrifice anything by switching. The only problems that you MIGHT face by switching is that if you have a lot of programs for the PC, then they will probably not be compatible. (If you don't own a lot of programs that you need this wouldn't be a problem) The only other major thing you might sacrifice is if you already know a lot about using the Windows OS, that knowledge will be useless and you need to learn to use a new OS. (but if you aren't a computer nerd and only know basic things for windows OR if you already know how to use a Mac this isn't a problem)

As for the price difference, Apples have a good build quality and for what you need to use the notebook for, the speed and power of a $900 Apple should be more than adequate. The main advantage of getting that X1 would be the weight and size thing, but if the cheaper Apple is fine with you and you are on a budget, then go for it.

The only 12 inchers coming to my mind that are cheap and non-Apple are the Medion and Averatec. I heard Medion ($1000 at Best Buy) recently got recalled by Best Buy for weak speakers and low battery life. Averatecs get mixed reviews ($700-$1000 depending on configuration) and they have really weak build quality in my opinion so I wouldn't go for them.

 

Oh I also forgot, you can get the Dell 700m for 800 or 900 dollars with coupons. Dell has huge coupons all the time. They range from $500 of $1500 Inspirons to $750 off of a $1500 Inspiron. Sorry no Latitudes (X1).

I personally don't think highly of Dell, but most people seem to love their 700m and give it decent reviews.

 

a friend of mine is a webmaster who codes in php. she has a dell desktop at work and bought a 12" pbook for the fun of it thinking it would be no prob coding in the mac os due to it unix foundation. i don't know the details but she no longer uses the pbook for programming; some technical issues, but not knowing php, i can't relay the details. maybe someone with more technical knowledge can chime in?

 

Get the ibook. It is a great deal, especially for $900....check Amazon, they run specials with $100 rebate. I switched from PC to Mac, and there was absolutely no probelem. The OS is a snap...much better, more smooth, than the jerky Windows screeens. For what you are using it for, including the coding, you will be fine. And with the Apple design, much cooler on campus.

 

I'd recommend checking out the MacRumors forums, http://www.macrumors.com
They have had quite a few threads on the subject.

 

iBook update very soon?
http://www.tomshardware.com/hardnews/20050720_160744.html

 

I would also recommend the iBook, especially at that price. Macs are great with Photoshop.

I recently made the switch and am happy with my PB and OSX.

 

If you're happy with PB, how you can recommend iBook which is like a cheap plastic, though admittedly elegant from outside, in comparison with PB.

 

I have seen and used both an iBook and PowerBook. There are a bunch of people in my lab that use Apple computers. If budget is the way to go then get a iBook. The new iBooks are even cheaper and come with more hardware. I highly recomend getting the 14 inch iBook over the 12 inch as the 14 inch comes with a super drive. If you want more performance then get the PowerBook but PowerBook's can be on the expensive side when compared to Dell or other large PC companies.

The Mac OS is the driving force behind Apple computers. If you haven't seen the OS I recomend finding an Apple store near you (normally in the big cities or in campus book stores) and playing around with a couple iBooks and PowerBooks.

 

i would say go with the 12" ibook. its something small, decent and cheap which should last you until the intel macs come out. that's what i'm waiting for =D

 

But intel mac laptops are likely to come already in Q2 2006. Why to make yourself a hostage of the current PPC based platform which is expected leave the notebook market soon.

 

whered you hear this? the Q2 06 part

 

it's not cheap plastic, it's polycarbonate; same stuff used to make scratch resistant glasses and bulletproof glass.

 

Thanks for recalling that! However, the grey plastic inside looks really suspicious, or?

 

well, he did ask for our opinion as to which CuRRent laptop we'd suggest.....

 

talk about hypercritical. tell me, what is it made of.

 

Frankly speaking I already don't remember even the site where I read about this hypothetical mac intel road map. Yohans are supposed to appear in Q1 2006. So, PBs can be ready around this time + initial delivery problems, then it is Q2.

 

Yea, I just want to make him/her aware of the near future to make a most suitable decision for him/her.

 

Well now, don't you think carrying a PB around campus would be like having a neon sign flashing "steal me, steal me?

 

Well, hehe, it depends on the campus and .... on a neopren sleeve you use, just make it look dirty and old to protect your lappy.