I was interested in buying an Apple notebook, and I'm stuck between a Refurbished 12 inch powerbook G4 or a macbook. Considering all the problems that these macbooks have been having, and that I would only be using the computer for simple email, internet surfing, and word processing, I'm thinking that the powerbook would be the better option. The powerbook also looks more sturdy, as I would need to take my notebook on my travels. But, the macbook is less expensive. Would it be stupid of me to pay more for a relatively obsolete machine? Any input including comparisons of the two machines would be helpful. P.S. How's the display on the powerbook?
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12-inch G4 or Macbook?
- Thread starter bobbyMACbear
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The MacBook, no question. I've not had any problems with mine, and the speed difference is huge. Also, to me, the MacBook feels a little more sturdy than my powerbook did.
Also, rest assured that the refurbished MacBooks come with the same warranty as new ones.
Apple will take care of you, and with an Intel machine you'll only get better performance as time goes on.
MacBook
Apple will take care of you, and with an Intel machine you'll only get better performance as time goes on.
MacBook
a pb 12" would suit your needs fine, would be easier to carry around (smaller and weighs less), and you can probably get a really good price right now.
Hi,
I have to say that I am very pleased that I bought my current 12" powerbook instead of going for a macbook. I bought a perfect condition 12" 1.33 with a beautiful tumi sleeve for $600. I'm also happy that most of the applications which I already own are perfect for ppc, and are not optimized for the intel processors. The applications run fine for me, so I can't justify buying newer software (at least not in the near future). I think this was the perfect route for me in terms of saving some money.
And then to be honest, I just prefer the looks of the aluminum powerbook over the macbooks. The size and portability of the powerbook are great, so of all the powerbooks (and I have owned quite a few), I'm glad I went back to a 12".
Good Luck!
I have to say that I am very pleased that I bought my current 12" powerbook instead of going for a macbook. I bought a perfect condition 12" 1.33 with a beautiful tumi sleeve for $600. I'm also happy that most of the applications which I already own are perfect for ppc, and are not optimized for the intel processors. The applications run fine for me, so I can't justify buying newer software (at least not in the near future). I think this was the perfect route for me in terms of saving some money.
And then to be honest, I just prefer the looks of the aluminum powerbook over the macbooks. The size and portability of the powerbook are great, so of all the powerbooks (and I have owned quite a few), I'm glad I went back to a 12".
Good Luck!
Either one is an OK choice, but all in all, I'd go for the MacBook. I love my 12" PowerBook, but the MacBook is definitely faster for Universal apps. I don't have a MacBook, but other than graphics and a slower hard drive, the specs are about the same as my iMac. On my iMac, Rosetta apps take a while to launch, but after they do, they're roughly as fast as on my PowerBook.
The main reason I'd recommend the MacBook is that it will last a lot longer, As more and more apps become Universal, it'll actually seem to get faster. The PowerBook on the other hand is already sort of on the low-end as far as speed goes, and will be obsolete sooner.
All that said, for the things you mentioned, either machine will work. Web browsing, email and Word will run great on either one. I've used my 12" PowerBook as my primary machine for the last two years or so, and while I notice a big speed boost on my new iMac, the PowerBook did fine for all kinds of stuff, some of it fairly intensive.
The main reason I'd recommend the MacBook is that it will last a lot longer, As more and more apps become Universal, it'll actually seem to get faster. The PowerBook on the other hand is already sort of on the low-end as far as speed goes, and will be obsolete sooner.
All that said, for the things you mentioned, either machine will work. Web browsing, email and Word will run great on either one. I've used my 12" PowerBook as my primary machine for the last two years or so, and while I notice a big speed boost on my new iMac, the PowerBook did fine for all kinds of stuff, some of it fairly intensive.
bobbyMACbear said:
I say definitely go for the MacBook. The Core Duo in the MacBook simply runs circles around the PowerPC G4 chip inside of the iBook G4. Not that the iBook is not a good computer, but at this point, unless you find an awesome price on one, I would go for something with an Intel processor.
dmw007 said:
Yeah, even though Word runs slower, iTunes will play your music 4x faster and Mail will send your email 4x faster
well i would say that the PB would suit your needs wonderfully, but then, so would the MB (faster, bigger screen, etc. etc.), and if the MB is cheaper, then my vote is for the MB.
now, i understand the security of buying from apple directly, but if you want to save money, i'll bet you can find many (those that want the latest and greatest macintels) trying to get rid of their PBs for cheap.. 600 - 800, probably, though i've seen them even cheaper.. in that case, my vote would be for the PB, since your needs don't warrent the extra speed of the MBs, and it would be saving a few hundred.
now, i understand the security of buying from apple directly, but if you want to save money, i'll bet you can find many (those that want the latest and greatest macintels) trying to get rid of their PBs for cheap.. 600 - 800, probably, though i've seen them even cheaper.. in that case, my vote would be for the PB, since your needs don't warrent the extra speed of the MBs, and it would be saving a few hundred.
kmarketing said:
Who the heck sold u their powerbook for 600? Let me at him! Hes killing the market for the rest of us. Unless it was pretty beat up then i understand.
w8ing4intelmacs said:Yeah, even though Word runs slower, iTunes will play your music 4x faster and Mail will send your email 4x faster
True, certain apps will see a larger improvement (or slight performance hit) then others when running on a Intel processor based Mac. But even the OS feels more responsive on a Core Duo compared to using a PowerPC chip.
The 12-inch PB is a sweet machine. Great looks, excellent portability and dang durable. No other machine is as comfortable to use on an airliner IMHO.
Still, I recently sold mine on eBay to trade up to a MacBook. I have no regrets--the new machine just flies and is reasonably fast with the PPC binaries. I am happy to have 2GB RAM now...the limit of 1.25G in the old PB was too confining, and I spent a bit of time watching spinning beach balls.
You may be happy today with a 12-inch PB but I'm willing to bet that within a year, you'll wish you had bought the MacBook.
Still, I recently sold mine on eBay to trade up to a MacBook. I have no regrets--the new machine just flies and is reasonably fast with the PPC binaries. I am happy to have 2GB RAM now...the limit of 1.25G in the old PB was too confining, and I spent a bit of time watching spinning beach balls.
You may be happy today with a 12-inch PB but I'm willing to bet that within a year, you'll wish you had bought the MacBook.
I think the PB should only be purchased if it's for a short time or you could get one for ridiculously cheap. You'll regret buying an older computer when you could have bought a cheaper, faster newer one. Don't get me wrong- the PB is awesome, but it doesn't make sense to buy one now.
WOW! Thanks everyone for the amazing responses! After reading, I think I'm gonna go with the Macbook, probably the black since I can't stand scratches, and I have heard the black are somewhat more resistant to them. But, I just really like the aluminum casing of the Pro's and Powerbooks, bah. Maybe they'll release a smaller more compact Pro sometime in the future. ANYWHO, thanks again for the responses! And, by the way, how's the grease marks on these Blackbooks? I'm pretty much a perfectionist when it comes to cleanliness, and might get annoyed by the constant bombardment from my oily fingers.
THANKS AGAIN!!
THANKS AGAIN!!
CaptainCaveMann said:
Hi,
The powerbook is in perfect condition, not a scratch on it, which is why I am keeping it. I had an rev a 867 12" that I sold for $550 20 minutes before I picked up this 1.33 for $600. I think what sealed it for me was the tumi sleeve/case. I've had a few cases, but this one to me is in a class of its own.
I was thinking $600 was a good deal, but not a great deal. I just wanted something that I can run my applications which are nothing too special, and then save some money especially since it seems like the even better machines are around the corner. Then we will probably look into a new imac or powermac with the money that we saved. This may not be for everyone, but it definitely works for me.
I agree though, unless you can get the powerbook for quite a bit less than the macbook, then the macbook is the way to go. But if you already have something to use, I think you should just keep it and see what will be coming soon.