[AdrianL]

Hi,

I'm new to these boards and new to macs. Infact I'm in the market for my first ever mac. I'll be getting a note book. I'm bouncing back and forth between the ibook and powerbook. From what it seems an ibook will do just fine. I will only be using it for home work (i'm just about to begin my first year of university in september)research, word processing, burning cd's, digital photos and eventually family and personal videos.

I've already come across some post on the whole ibook vs powerbook and have helped in my deciosn making.

But as I'm about to make my purchase in the next few weeks I'd like to get certain things in perspective.

Firstly,how old is the G3 processor, and will it be considered obsulete in two years from now?
I ask this obviosly because the ibook has a g3. I'd be getting the 12' 900mhz one if i do. How much of a life span does the g3 have left in it?
And since I'm still in the PC world what processor can i vaguely compare the g3 and g4 to. (just to get a basic idea and perspective of what i'm about to purchase)

Also, I know if i want a wirless netork i'd have to use the Apple airport card. From what i've read this card is not just a normal network card. Can some one briefly explain what it is fully capable of. Or have i misinterpreted what i've read and its just a normal network card?

Lastly, does any one have any estimations when the next notebook line up will change? because I might be willing to hold off fo another two months on my purchase.

Thanks guys.

 

[monokitty]

how old is the G3 processor, and will it be considered obsulete in two years from now?

The G3 processor was first in the game in 1997 with the first line of the Apple Beige G3's. As far as obsolete in 2 years, I highly doubt it. The iBook line will probably get bumped over the 1 GHz mark with G3 processors soon now, within 2-3 months I'd estimate.

 

[minnes]

The Powernooks should be updated by September, perhaps at or before the Paris Apple Expo.
I would go for the 12 inch PBook, it has at least the speed of the iBook , plus G4 enhancement, plus newer goodies than the IBook like bluetooth
That being said, the G3 will still likely be used in the next iBook, I'm guessing.
Macs are updated about every 5 to 6 months, anything else is educated guesses

 

[Betty Fooz]

go by dollar value alone. the 12 powerbook is $2250 and goes as follows:
12.1-inch TFT Display
1024x768 resolution
867MHz PowerPC G4

256MB DDR266 SDRAM
40GB Ultra ATA/100
Combo Drive
NVIDIA GeForce4 420 Go
32MB DDR video memory
10/100BASE-T Ethernet
FireWire 400

AirPort Extreme Ready
Bluetooth built-in
VGA & S-Video out

the ibook is $2150 and you get:
900MHz PowerPC G3
512K L2 cache @900MHz
256MB SDRAM memory
40GB Ultra ATA drive
ATI Mobility Radeon 7500
32MB DDR video memory
Combo Drive
Built-in 56K v.92 modem
AirPort ready
Up to 6 hr. battery life

the g3 is dead (well to new consumers anyways)

 

[Ohenri]

the g3 is dead (well to new consumers anyways)

Yes... to new consumers?? No doubt. Although that if a good deal for a Pismo came around, it could be worth jumping on since you do have an upgrade path, no?? Also will put in your hands what most will qualify as one of the best units to come out of the Cali offices, no??

Adrian, the ppl here will position you properly with all the ammo you need to make a polymathic purchase! The 12" advice is very sage. The 12" PB is a great deal, as is the G3 900 iBook. The are slight differences you may want to look into, but I would rec loading it up with all the ram possible. X is a ram guzzler.

 

[(( p g ))]

I hate to be nit-picky but the $2150 price point is for the 14-inch iBook. Comparing the 12-inch iBook to the 12-inch PowerBook should really be done with the next model down (12-inch combo drive), which sells for about $1850. There's still some savings to be had with the iBook IMHO. If your main use is web, email, word processing and iPhoto, then the iBook will be fine (just be sure to buy more RAM). Worrying about these things becoming obsolete is kinda pointless, really, since all computers eventually end up at the end of the line. Just remember that there are folk out there who are still using beige G3s from years ago and I think they are even able to run OS X 10.2.

By the way, congratulations on choosing a Mac. The nice thing about the choice you have to make (G3 or G4) is that either way you're going come out further ahead than if you had gone with a clunky PC.

 

[Neil Yates]

If you only upgrade every few years, then the G3 may not be the wisest move, since I suspect that some future flavor of OS X down the road (Summer 2005) such as a 10.5, may require a G4 or better CPU as a minimum requirement. Just look at 10.2.0 Jaguar, and now 10.3 Panther. Even in Panther, the G3 must be in a B&W or more recent Mac. I have to say that buying into a G3-class Mac could be a bad move. However, if you plan on dumping the iBook within a year to 18 months, then you should be 'safe'.

 

[AdrianL]

PGant,

I wouldn't really say I worry about processors or computers going obsolote all the time because thats would be stupid seeing as all eventually do.
However in this case I do consider that the g3 in the ibook is over the hump and I'm just about to make my purchase that I need to last me atleast 3-4 years. Having said that,getting a power book should solve my problem, right? except that compared to the 12' 900mhz ibook the entry powerbook is 400 bucks away and is in a sort of akward price point for me casue i can almost reach it but I can't reach it and to be honest I don't NEED the extra power cause i probally won't stray further than the iLife programs and basic use like home work watching movies etc... its that 400 dollar gap that I could probaly get if i push my luck. So whats been twisting in my mind is will i regret not spending that extra $400 two - three years from now? Is buying into the dying years of a processor the wisest thing to do?

 

[minnes]

Keep checking the news and rumor and ehMac forums to see when the book you want will be updated.
The next iBook update might give you enough power to last 4 years, the 12 PBook will hold it's value in case you decide to sell in a couple of years
The next PBook rev might be more of a deal, we don't know, until Apple releases the models. Make your decision and be happy

 

[AdrianL]

Mark,

I know I'll be happy with a mac. I'm absolutley excited about it. Wether I get a g3 or g4 notebook I know I'll be smiling like a kid with candy for months! Right now I'm on windows 98 on a P2 350mhz.... so you can imagine how many times a day I crash and how frustrating it is. A mac will be a breath of fresh air.

 

[Betty Fooz]

after saying "the g3 is dead" i realized that if you follow this message board for a long period of time you will realize that the people that know the most about macs still own old g3s and are going strong.

 

[AdrianL]

With all things taken into consideration I think I might settle on an ibook. And I'll use whatever left over cash on peripherals and accesories such as a descent case, ram upgrade, and hopefully have enough for a airport card and wirless router. If i choose the power book I wouldn't have any of these extras.

Either way I'm stoked about my new mac!\

thanks guys I've been surfing thorugh the archives of this furom and found tons of useful info! Thanks!

 

[Britnell]

A student?

My recommendation would be the 12" iBook with combo drive, max out the ram, and use your saved coin for programmes, nifty add-ons, text books, beer, food.

You are a student, not a graphic designer. Unless you are doing some heavy computing, you really don't need the G4 and the extra expense. And if you are doing some heavy computing, that's what the computer lab on campus is for. Book some quality main-frame time.

Have fun.

 

[jlcinc]

Well the rumors now are they are going build isight into the displays. If I were you I would wait a month or two to see what happens when the new powerbooks debut. Also of course the current versions will be discounted.

John

 

[jonmon]

Hey Adrian, I'm in the same boat as you. I'm a student and want to just do some word processing and use iTunes.

Since I know my limits, I decided to go with a 800mhz ibook w/640MB RAM (used).

With the price difference between this and a PB, I can now buy an iPod, which I think is much more useful for me.

 

[mac java]

The iBook will do you just fine. I am still using an older powerbook G3 500 with 256MB ram. The computer shipped with os9.0 but is now running 10.2.3 like a dream. I do megs of iMovie's as well as iPhoto and lots of iTunes. The new iBooks are well infront of these specs. The only thing I would suggest is get as much ram as you can afford. The 256 I have does the job, but I could get another 128 or so.
Enjoy your new iBook.