iBook 14" - 768MB or 1.256GB RAM ?

[michaelsanford]

I'm in the market for a new iBook and I want it to last me well into the coming years. I'm likely to use it for apps like GarageBand and maybe some FCP.

Should I shell out 733 $ for the extra 1.256 GB module, or will 786 do fine (or at least reasonably well) ?

If I use GB or FCP/Premiere I'm not likely to do anything else at the same time, so I figure 768 should be enough, right ?

[ElDiabloConCaca]

I wouldn't recommend running FCP on an iBook -- you might wanna take that extra $733 and splurge on a 12" or 15" PowerBook. I think you'd be much more pleased and satisfied in the end.

If you do opt for the iBook, I would recommend getting it with the smallest amount of RAM possible and then upgrading with some aftermarket RAM. You'll easily save a few hundred dollars over Apple's RAM prices. You can get a 1GB module for the iBook for about $350 from here:
http://www.crucial.com/store/listparts.asp?Mfr%2BProductline=Apple%2BiBook&mfr=Apple&cat=RAM&model=iBook+%28G4+1.33GHz%29&submit=Go

[Viro]

The Powerbooks only have a 167 MHz processor advantage. Is that going to make much difference to FCP and is that going to be worth the premium?

[Randman]

If it's a PB12, it's arguable if performance is going to change. However, for serious video editing, I'd also suggest a PB 15 or PB17, which offers a performance boost and the ability to add 2GB of ram, which will be appreciated.
If not, I'd suggest getting an iMac over an iBook.

[mdnky]

$700 for a 1gb RAM chip is rape, plain and simple! MacSales.com has three options for under $300, all three tested, Guaranteed, & with a lifetime replacement warranty.

$289.97 - Samsung Original DDR-SO Module.
1GB(1024MB) 200 Pin PC2700 DDR333 CL 2.5 SO-DIMM (http://eshop.macsales.com/Catalog_Item.cfm?ID=6205&Item=OWC27SAMSO1GB) (The exact same one Apple's uses!

$236.99 - 1GB(1024MB) 200 Pin PC2700 (333MHz) DDR SDRAM SO-DIMM (http://eshop.macsales.com/Catalog_Item.cfm?ID=6576&Item=OWC2700DDRS1GBA)

$229.99 - 1024MB (1GB) 200 Pin PC2100 (266MHz) DDR SDRAM SO-DIMM (http://eshop.macsales.com/Catalog_Item.cfm?ID=6114&Item=OWC2100DDRSO1GB)

[michaelsanford]

mdnky thanks for the info, unfortunately those three modules aren't for the 1.33 GHz model iBook.

ElDiablo's suggestion seems to work with my proposed model.

How does Apple get away with gouging like this !?

[ElDiabloConCaca]

The same way that most computer manufacturers get away with charging $100 for a 60GB hard drive... they just can, because they offer an all-inclusive package instead of individual unassembled parts, so it's like a "convenience" fee I suppose...

Still, if you were willing to spend an extra $733 on RAM in the iBook, if it were my choice, I'd get a bare-bones PowerBook instead with that money. You never know how much you love the little extras until you actually use them, like video mirroring mode (excellent for cutting video), or the backlit keyboard, etc. For any kind of professional use (web pages, design, video, etc.) I would go with a slimmed-down PowerBook over an iBook with a lot of RAM. I'd also think that the PowerBook would have a longer usable life than a comparable iBook.

Just offering suggestions -- a few comments in your first post hinted that you might be better suited with more power than an iBook.

[michaelsanford]

Suggestions are always appreciated, especially from you. I think what I should do is actually go to an Apple store and play around with them.

Thanks !

[mdnky]

mdnky thanks for the info, unfortunately those three modules aren't for the 1.33 GHz model iBook.

Apple only puts PC2100 in the iBooks according to their own specs: (http://www.apple.com/ibook/specs.html)
Memory (DDR SDRAM): 256MB PC2100 (266MHz); supports up to 1.25GB; 1 available expansion slot

OWC guarantees all three will work, however the last of those three links is the proper PC2100 spec for the 1.33ghz iBook and is identical in specs to the Crucial.com (http://www.crucial.com/store/MPartspecs.Asp?mtbpoid=AF97FF2EA5CA7304&WSMD=iBook+%28G4+1%2E33GHz%29&WSPN=CT410195) offering.

[mdnky]

You never know how much you love the little extras until you actually use them, like video mirroring mode (excellent for cutting video)...

Unless they've changed something quite recently, iBooks have been able to do that (mirroring) for quite a while...it's spanning that they can't do...that is unless you apply the firmware hack that's floating around.

[ElDiabloConCaca]

I meant spanning, sorry... good catch!

Video spanning is a real boon when cutting video (among other things). Video mirroring doesn't really help much cutting video.

[michaelsanford]

Spanning is cool but for me not necessary.

The FCP bit above is really more fantasy than necessity ;) but thanks for the info all the same !