The PowerBook or iBook?

[AlexN]

Should I get the PowerBook or iBook? The iBook is a lot cheaper than the PowerBook, but only slightly less powerful. Any PowerBook or iBook users here? Could you give me some advice? This is my first time buying a mac.

Thanks

[Tom Cain]

If you plan to use it as an everyday computer, I recommend the 17" PowerBook. It has the most features and the screen is huge. Everyone I've recommended this to says it was worth the money, especially because of the screen.

If you plan to use it only on occasion and cost is an issue, I recommend the 14" iBook with options added. You will like OS X better with 1GB of ram instead of the standard 512MB, and get the SuperDrive option.

I do not recommend the 12" iBook unless you actually work with it for a bit first. The screen is tiny.

[AlexN]

Okay thanks. I was thinking about the 14" iBook with 1GB RAM as well.

[Gnatinator]

Is the iBook a G3 or a G4? The G3's are crippled on osx (dont expect to run all apps)

It really comes down to what you need the machine for, if you plan to do all your work on it as you main computer (as opposed to a porting machine) get the powerbook.

[Tom Cain]

Is the iBook a G3 or a G4?This is a good point. The current product line has G4's in the iBooks. I agree that you will not want a G3 iBook, Alex, if you were talking about an older model. I have one for occasional use, I couldn't use it as my main machine.

[AlexN]

I'm talking about the 14" G4 iBook, the new one from apple online store.

[iopred]

I'm a Powerbook fan, the little extra over the iBook is well worth it.

The 12" is useable, and its a tiny little laptop, great device. If you are going to be using it all the time, then the 17" cant be beat, its pretty much a desktop replacement.

[Sillysoft]

I am on my second 15" powerbook and will probably continue with this model in the future. I love these babies. That being said, I also know a lot of people with ibooks and they are very nice machines as well.

If the money difference is a big issue then go with the ibook. If you can afford the difference and you plan to be using the computer as your primary one many hours a day then you would not be sorry getting a powerbook.

Aside: I do not consider the 17" powerbook to be a real portable. That thing is too huge. I think the 15" widescreen is the perfect size. You have tons of screen real estate and can still fit the computer into most bags without hassle (and it won't break your back).

[AlexN]

I went to CompUSA and saw them in person. The 15" PowerBook seems to have a clearer LCD screen than the 14" iBook's. The PowerBook's exterior also looks much better. But Mac won't be my primary machine, so it's hard to convince myself to get the PowerBook... :(