Hardware recommendations please

michaelsanford

michaelsanford

Translator, Web Developer
I'm looking into upgrading my ibook with a newer machine. I'd like people's input on the following things:

1. AirPort Range (and interoperability);
2. Battery life - longest possible;
3. Physical durability and freedom from hardware problems (like a factory/known motherboard or graphics card issue);

This is to tote around university and use for long stints of class (up to 3 hours autonomously). Fast charge time is a plus, and I don't know if any Apple laptops let you do this but swapping batteries while on is a HUGE plus but probably a fantasy...

Obviously, I'm looking for info on the iBook and PowerBook lines, since I'm a mac devotee to the bitter end :D

And, I'm happy and embarassed to say, cost is not an issue.
 
My iBook G4 has excellent reception and battery life. I usually get 4-5 hours worth of uptime on the battery when I am in class just taking notes with the screen dimmed down a bit.

From what I have heard, the iBooks generaly get better battery life and are more durrable than the PowerBooks. I don't really know this as a fact but it there are some other posts somewhere on this forum in regards to durrablility and it seems like everyone agrees the iBooks are strong.

Even though the iBooks seem to be on top here, personally, I would go with the PowerBook just because it has more features, power, and class. ;-)
 
Only the PB 15s and 17s allow hot-swapping of batteries. iBooks have the best AP range but that shouldn't be much of a factor these days.
Basically you should look at what size you want, then figure out what you need. An iBook 12 is better value than the PB12 these days, but no SuperDrive. Also, iBooks cost a little more with bt.
If money isn't as much of an option, get a PB15 or 17.
 
My experience in those areas (I own both an iBook and a PowerBook) are as follows...

1. Wifi range is good on both. Never had a problem.
2. Battery life is longer on the iBook.
3. iBook's case is tougher. If toughness is important, don't get a PowerBook. The case damages easily (highly susceptible to dents and paint wear especially) and the upper casing behind the display is surprisingly soft. An impact to this casing could easily damage the display. I already have a small "bright spot" in the upper center of my screen from carrying the laptop in my book bag with heavy books. If that would have been the iBook, the hard plastic back on the display would have prevented the damage. I can actually produce "waves" (you know, like when you push your finger into an LCD and you get a watery effect) by pushing into the PowerBook's upper-back casing. Not good.

That said, I prefer the PowerBook. It's the best laptop I've owned besides the above-mentioned durability concerns, and I enjoy using it everyday as much as the first day I got it. The iBook is more of an average notebook, at least as far as hardware is concerned. No tricks, nothing fancy (the screen won't dim and the keys won't light up when you turn off the lights, like on the PowerBook). Whatever you get, upgrade the RAM immediately, but you probably know that already from being a Mac user.
 
Thanks for all the replies guys. Toughness is important to me, moreso than a hot swappable battery or glowing keys. I've played around with (i.e., configured) my sister's PB 17" and I was fearful I'd break the keys with every stroke. Not a fan of the trackpad either.

So, looking at the iBooks, how does it compare with the PB in terms of power ? PB 1.5 GHz, iBook 1.25 (1.33) GHz, similar enough. Load up the RAM and it should do nicely, right ?
 
The PowerBooks do have faster RAM, they have DDR333 where the iBooks have DDR266. How much of a difference does this really make? It's hard to say without seeing some bench marks.

Another thing to consider is video cards. The 12inch PB has a 64MB GeForce Go5200, the 15's have 64 MB Radeon 9700(excellent card) while the iBooks allhave 32MB Radeon 9200's. The 9200 is a decent card, it would be a lot better with more ram, 32MB isn't exactly that much for a video card these days, the desktop counterpart 9200 has 128MB. I also remember someone saying that the 9200 won't have as much CoreImage/Video support as the Go5200 and Radeon 9700's will. << This is just something I remember seeing, it could be completely false.

I honestly would get the 12 inch PB or iBook over any other sizes. The 15inch PB is really nice, it has firewire 800 & 400 and gigabit ethernet opposed to the 100/10 ethernet on the 12inch. The reason I would go with the 12 inch is because of portablity. If I was buying a laptop I would want it to be super portable, as that is the point of the laptop. The only time i would get a 15 or a 17 is if I were to use it as my desktop too.

I just wish apple would be some higher resolution displays on their books, 1024x768 is so lame on a 12 inch. Dell puts some really nice high resolution displays on their laptops.
 
Thanks for all that info, HateEternal. I was thinking of going with the iBook 14.1" (maxed out RAM, BlueTooth, 80 GB HD).

As far as the video card's concerned, really, all I might push it with would be The Sims or Age of Empires...I don't game much =P That was, however, going to be my next question.

The main issue I'm having now is that my iMac TFT (700 MHz) is creeping with GarageBand and more than about 5 tracks. I'm a complicated guy making complicated songs, I need more tracks, so more processor and RAM is really all I need for that.

Like I said also, durability is a serious (serious) concern for me, so I think I've pretty much ruled out the powerbooks. The reason I would be concerned about size would be battery life (bigger monitor = more drain, but bigger monitor = bigger battery soooo...one of those fine lines).
 
You do know the iBook (12" or 14" screen sizes) is limited to 1024 x 768 resolution? Other than that pitfall, the iBook is you best choice given your criteria. However, if you plan on programming, doing ID or PS work, or working with programs that require a lot of palettes them you'd best get a 15" PB.
 
Yeah I know the resolution is maxed out at 1024 x 768 which isn't amazing, but it's four times bigger than my current one (800 x 600 iBook).

Thanks guys, I think I'm set on the iBook 14.1" with some frills of course.
 
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