Buying Advice

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BAFlib

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I need some buying advice...

I need to buy a new Mac for my husband (he's the smart one and has been a Mac guy all his computer days; me, a former Windows-based software developer). Given the recent changes to the Apple product line, I am really confused about the right choice for him:

- His current computing tasks: email, word processing, surfing
- Once we get an adequate machine we will add music composition software (notation, scoring, MIDI, etc. (he is a classical musician and composer)

My research shows the following options:

iBook G4 14"
PowerBook G4 (17") - refurb'd; Avail on Apple's site


...or...the MacBook which I am steering away from as it is too new for us and we have no need to be on the edge of the technology. In fact, the Mac that I am replacing is a Power Mac 6500/300

So, given that I have enough budget to buy a refurb'd PowerBook 17" or go with an 14" iBook, which would you recommend? Other options that I overlooked?

Thank you.
 
i'd say that by the choices you gave, you want something portable. so i'd go for the refurb powerbook. it has a nice big screen, but also is somewhat more expandable than the ibook, or mini. there are lots of cards that can be used in the pc card slot, many with midi in mind, which would be a bone to him.
 
Also condidering that the software you have is mostly PowerPC based, you'd want something that you know is going to be compatible for your software. Rosetta is good and all, but not all applications like being run under Rosetta (I don't have first hand experience on this, but better safe than sorry). Plus, if you have older Classic software that you use extensively still the Intel Macs are out of the question.

Since you are looking for something portable, I second sinclair_tm's recommendation of a PowerBook G4. It's got all the "pro" interfaces on it such as Firewire 800, and it will be able to run all of your current apps as well. Refurbs are just as good as the new ones in my opinion. My parents bought my sister a refurbed iBook G4 and she's loving it. Looked as if it had come right out of the box new, except that it's not in the shiny Apple box....in fact, that's what a refurb is but they can't call it that since it's made out of parts from what were once brand new Macs. Sometimes those Macs are returned to Apple because of surplus, which means they can't resell them as new since they didn't originate from the factory anymore.

I would go with sinclair_tm's recommendation. The Intel Macs can wait for you guys once that platform has matured enough for you to make the jump.
 
The iBook does not have an audio input, unless you connect one using USB.

The MacBook on the other hand has:
# Combined optical digital input/audio line in (minijack)
# Combined optical digital output/headphone out (minijack)

The PowerBook has:
# Analog audio in/out

This would mean the MacBook would be the easiest to connect to audio equipment, with the PowerBook coming in 2nd and the iBook being the most awkward because you can only input audio using an add on USB or Firewire device such as the iMic.

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Aside from the audio considerations, they're all relatively even in terms of what you get for what you pay. I think you'd probably get the most value for money from the refurb PowerBook though. The screen on the 17" model is awesome, and they are truly beautiful machines which your husband will be tickled pink with.
 
That's all well and good, symphonix, but remember that this is a person that's been using an older PPC machine for some time now, and probably has an abundance of software that is PPC only and possible for OS 9 and below.

Besides, most of what her husband is using for musical purposes is MIDI. Unless their working strictly with audio, then the digital input won't be that important for the time being.
 
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