Eh.. still confused here.

Jgamer · Dec 19th, 2005, 01:32 AM

Ok, months back i was looking into buying a new computer, and i checked into buying a mac... (hence discovering ehmac website) my end result i got a PC.. top notch at that.... i'm an avid computer gamer, like 3d graphics and all around compter guy. my needs for a home computer at the time were really tailored by PC's... not macs

. That doesnt mean i wasnt convinced mac's arnt as good as pc's... i'm way in favor of macs over pc's anytime! just they unfortunatly dont do it for me yet when it comes to raw power and utility for the things i do. (especially the price tags!)

but i did make up my mind that I do need a laptop... and that would be a mac.

So i did the whole search forums for "Ibook vs powerbook"... trying to figure out what the hell is the difference between the two types of notebooks. after reading a bunch of posts i still seem to be left without an answer...
ok yes i know they both look different... and looks do count. I want to know "What makes a ibook different from a powerbook". i know they have difference size harddrives or better or worse videocards... but that still doesnt make them very different... As far as i can tell, there really isnt any difference.... only that powerbooks are the newer thing, and of course newer things are a little a bit more advanced than the old versions.. (and a heftier price tag) oh and that it seems if your more of a hardcore user then powerbooks seem to fit those type of computer peoples style.....

so i'm really at a loss.... What is the difference between powerbooks and ibooks? (if the insides are really so similar then i have a hard time seeing much of a difference....this is the view of a pc user.. so bare with me until you help me out, tnx

)

p.s. i'm a university student... so i'd be looking to just watch dvd's and all types of video's, listen to music, surf the web, chat msn/aim, skype... and use microsoft office programs for school... and of course view/play around with photos and personal data. Basically my home computer/pc is the main comp, and the laptop is for traveling, and using in school....

Macaholic · Dec 19th, 2005, 04:15 AM

The short answer is that there is little difference indeed.

The longer answer is, for graphics pros wanting portability, the Powerbook is the better option due to the faster drive, better GPU (some pro graphics apps utilize the GPU over the CPU for processing) AND a higher maximum RAM capacity. As for the CPU, however, they're the same, except for a marginal difference in clockspeed. Now, if Apple were putting big L3 cache -- or should I say any L3 cache -- in the Powerbooks, this would alter the processing disparity somewhat more radically. But, both models have no L3 cache and 512K L2, and the buss speed on the Powerbooks are slightly faster.

Some older tests that, frankly, will muddy the waters, given the greater differences in the iBook versus the Powerbook at these points back in time (at least a year old). I am surprised that barefeats.com has not had the current 'Books battle it out. Perhaps this is indicative of how similar they now are?

The only current info at barefeats about the Powerbooks is here:
http://www.barefeats.com/pbbrief.html

Powerbooks vs G5 iMac:
http://www.barefeats.com/pb167.html

http://www.barefeats.com/piei.html
(here, 'Books from April/04 are tested. The Powerbook's better graphics card is highlighted, but otherwise the difference isn't astounding)

'Books battle from two years ago:
http://www.barefeats.com/ibG4.html

So, I dunno. Others may disagree, but given your needs I'd lean towards an iBook.

My 2¢

a7mc · Dec 19th, 2005, 07:02 AM

Aside from the very marginal speed differences as noted by Macaholic, there are also differences in functions. Here's three things the iBook does NOT have:

- Higher resolution display. The screen on the new Powerbooks have incredibly high resolution. Simply put, you "see more" on the new Powerbooks.

- Screen spanning. The iBook only lets you hook up an external monitor that copies what's on the laptop screen. The Powerbook extends your desktop to a full 2nd display. (though I've heard there's a hack for the iBook)

- Light-up keyboard. The Powerbook has an ultra cool feature where the keyboard senses the light in the room, and the letters light up when you're in the dark so you can still type easily.

I'm sure there are other differences too, but those are the ones at the top of my head.

A7

Heart · Dec 19th, 2005, 07:47 AM

Here are a couple more:

Powerbook - Audio Line in port for recording
iBook - NO audio line in - USB accessory needed

Powerbook Video - DVI out (Digital Video Interface)
iBook - VGA only

Dual Layer DVD Burning on PB 15" & 17"

These are the items that you are paying MORE for on the PowerBook.

processor speed
bus speed
HD speed (PB 5400rpm vs iBook 4200rpm)
HD capacity
Audio in
DVI out
Dedicated Video memory (PB 64MB vs iBook 32MB)
screen spanning
DVD-R DL on 15" & 17"
Sexyness!

Slightly different software bundle:
Quickbooks included on PB not iBook
Appleworks included on iBook not PB

and more.

For your described needs...... go with the iBook.

(I am an owner of a Powerbook 12" and love it)

Macaholic · Dec 19th, 2005, 08:04 AM

Yes yes yes, gang. But at 4:15am while you dudes slept, I just went for the performance issues. It's tough minding the store by yourself!

HowEver · Dec 19th, 2005, 08:08 AM

Core imaging is lacking on the iBooks.

So you can't see the pretty ripple animation when you use widgets. Which I don't use much, if at all, anymore. Regardless of how they look.

Moscool · Dec 19th, 2005, 08:39 AM

3 months ago I had the same issue and bought an iBook without hesitation. In your case I would wait until the Mac expo San Francisco to see if the PowerBooks are being updated or not. Expect steep prices though; and expect that model difference to be much greater...

Macaholic · Dec 19th, 2005, 08:45 AM

Actually, if you want to get into the Macworld conference guessing game, a rumour has been that the iBooks and/or a new Mac Mini will be the first Macs running on Intel and will be announced at that time. But I wonder how sharp that technical bleeding edge will be (whenever they start selling those)?

Also, I think that, of the two, the Powerbooks were the most recently upgraded. I doubt that they'll see an upgrade in January.

Jgamer · Dec 19th, 2005, 08:52 AM

thank you guys so much for your input and feedback, it really helps me in making a decision.

Yes, i was told to wait to see about the new double chip macs. those chips that come with intel pieces. But as we all know if we always wait for a better price or a more uptodate software/hardware... well, we end up waiting forever....

However, Moscool said something about "Mac expo San Francisco"... When is that? Where could I find out information about this event? If it is in the near future then i would probably like to wait and see what new stuff mac comes out with then so i dont end up kicking myself for buying impulsivly.

So i guess this week i'll pop on down to the Yorkdale mall in T.O. and check out their apple outlet and badger them a bit about notebooks/laptops. and test their display models

thanks.

minnes · Dec 19th, 2005, 08:58 AM

I thought when they updated to the ATI 9550 on the iBook, it now handled all the Core Image functions?
I cant see why Apple would sell a new product that isn't compatible with their own OS?
IM sure they say that the 9550 does Core Image functions.