powerbooks have dvi outputs, most got s-video too. the higher end powerbooks have firewire 800 in them, and the glowing keyboard when ambient light gets dim.
powerbooks also have faster ram and start at 60gb. stock ibooks go up to 60gb.
don't forget the cool aluminum case. a lot thinner than the ibooks.
and i'm sure that someone can explain the processor differences between the two, cache and so on.
as for deciding between the two, i went with the powerbook. the size and the aluminum case won me over!
maybe i'd wait until the new line comes out. so far, it's been incremental upgrades. when the intelbooks come out, it may blow away what we got currently.
Although some consider the Aluminum case to be an advantage, it also dents VERY easily. The iBook is a bit more robust, and won't show its wear quite as badly. The iBooks have only a 32mb graphics card, whereas the Powerbooks can have much better graphics cards. You should consider your intended use (do you need the extra power and graphics performance) as well as budget (Powerbooks are expensive, iBooks are a great deal I think).
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iBook has firewire, and S-Video out if you got the adapter.
iBooks have a better battery life
You can put upto 1.25GB RAM and put upto an 80GB HD, not 60GB that Davcus Maximus mentioned. Also, my iBook starts off at 256MB yes but I have one empty slot, so if I add 512MB I go up to 768MB. With the PowerBook, it starts at 512MB but both slots are taken by a 256.... so if you add a 512 you still only go to 768MB. Sucky eh?
The iBook may be bigger but it won't dent, is bullet proof (hahaha, your iBook could save your life one day), and it looks just as unique as the PowerBook (as opposed to the fugly Windows/Linux laptops out there).
The video card is on the low side, around 40% slower than what the PowerBook has, but the only thing I haven't been able to play so far is Doom 3.
The processing power is good, but the NIN Only Garage Band file won't play properly, so it's not the choice if you're planning to do power stuff.
But if you're a simpleton like me... iBook 12" w/ Bluetooth add on and 60GB hard drive add on costs only $1411. The beloved PowerBook 12" costs $1899. Do you think those extra PowerBook features are worth an extra $488?
If not do what I did and get the iBook, and with the extra $488 get yourself some goodies like a laptop case, extra RAM, games, an iSight, an iPod mini, software, whatever.
But if you do think the extra $488 is worth it, you'll be very happy with the PowerBook
I wouldn't recommend the 12" Powerbook to anyone. The differences between the 12" iBook and 12" Powerbook are too small to justify the enormous price difference. After all, this year's iBook is last year's Powerbook. The PowerBook has a much better keyboard, but that's about it.
I also can't recommend the 14" iBook. $400+tax for a larger screen with the same number of pixels? Bah!
So it comes down to 12" iBook or 15" PowerBook. Do you need the bigger screen? Do you need more than 1.25 GB of RAM? Do you need more than 32 MB of VRAM? Do you need DVI and S-Video out? Do you need FW800?
It is a matter of NEED. If you don't need any of those things, go with the 12" iBook and then buy yourself a bunch of cool accessories with the savings.
(BTW, if you really need a SuperDrive, I still wouldn't recommend the 14" iBook or 12" PowerBook with SuperDrive option. It would be much cheaper to buy a laptop with a ComboDrive and then get an external FW DVD burner.)
I wouldn't recommend the 12" Powerbook to anyone. The differences between the 12" iBook and 12" Powerbook are too small to justify the enormous price difference
I think that's a bit generalized. It depends on your use. My PB came with 512 MB RAM, a Superdrive, BT, a better video card, better performance when handling PS and some apps I need such as Omnioutliner. The iBook could not deliver the things I need. You can upgrade the iBook's HD and add BT, but you can do nothing about the processor or video card. For my use, it was well worth the extra cash - excellent value in fact.
That's not to say I think the iBook is a por machine. The point is: examine carefully your needs now and over the next 2-3 years, and then buy the appropriate machine.
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It would be much cheaper to buy a laptop with a ComboDrive and then get an external FW DVD burner.)
Agreed - except of course if you need your SD with you, which is sort of the point of having a portable computer.
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(BTW, if you really need a SuperDrive, I still wouldn't recommend the 14" iBook or 12" PowerBook with SuperDrive option. It would be much cheaper to buy a laptop with a ComboDrive and then get an external FW DVD burner.)
I got one Pioneer 16x Dual Layer in a Firewire case, didn't need Patchburn for it either, works beautifully.
iBook has firewire, and S-Video out if you got the adapter.
The iBooks also have DVI out ( a DVI mini connector on the book, with a mini to standard DVI adaptor availible ) and can be set up for monitor spanning.
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Originally Posted by dona83
The processing power is good, but the NIN Only Garage Band file won't play properly, so it's not the choice if you're planning to do power stuff.
Acctually, the NIN track works on iBooks if you up the ram, but your right - defiantly not for heavy duty.
The PowerBooks also have a faster front side bus, better screens ( higher res, and sharper images ) and PCMCIA slots on 15" & 17"
This forum's great!
Between all of your responses, I think I have my question answered. The problem is, I still don't know wich one I'll get. I have a G4 500(Sawtooth), G3 400 (Blue and White), and a Wallstreet II that I seem to spend most of my time on but it's a bit too slow for me these days. I would like to get one notebook that will replace all of these Macs. It has to have a superdrive. That would mean either the 14" iBook or a 12" Powerbook.
Still undecided, but thanks to everybody for clearing up alot of "unknowns" for me.
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Pioneer 16x Dual Layer in a Firewire case, didn't need Patchburn for it either, works beautifully.
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