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15" 1.67 PB / 1GB / 100 HDD / 9700 128MB / Applecare or Base 13" Macbook

Which is a better deal for the same money

  • 15" PB / 1GB / 100 GB HDD / Radeon 9700 128 MB / Applecare till 2008

    Votes: 21 45.7%

  • Base 13" MacBook 1.83GHz model

    Votes: 25 54.3%
  • Total voters
    46
Chrispy

Chrispy

macrumors 68020
Original poster
Dec 27, 2004
2,270
524
Indiana
Hey all. I am really thinking about getting a 15" Powerbook with the specs of

1.67 Ghz CPU
1 GB RAM
100GB 5,400 RPM HDD
Radeon 9700 128MB graphics
Superdrive
Applecare till mid 2008

I just wanted to see if you guys agreed that it was a better deal than the base 13" MacBook. Both of them will cost about the same so it is a straight direct comparison.
 
Well, it really depends on your own preferance about MacTels. I personally, would go with the PB. I have a PB with almost the same specs and I haven't seen anything in the MB that makes me want it more than my PB. It's not faster, from what I've done with the two, and I personally like the chasis of the PB better. Plus, you are getting that ever-loved dedicated GPU with the PB. Let us know what you choose!
 
I prefer the macbook. Remember that it's processor is a core duo, and that makes a big diff between it and the PB.
 
I actually take back my vote on the MB. I think I'd rather have the PB than the base MB. If it was any of the higher two models, it would be a different story. The PB has a DL superdrive (I think) the MB doesn't have a superdrive. The PB has 100GB HD, the MB has 60GB. The PB has 1GB RAM, the MB has 512 MB. The PB has a 15" screen, the MB has a 13.3" (although they are almost the same resolution). The PB has 128MB dedicated VRAM, the MB has 64 MB shared VRAM. Plus the PB has Applecare (something which I'd love to have, but isn't available in South Africa yet:( ) The MB does have front row and iSight, which I think is quite cool, but it is definitely not necessary, unless you do video conferencing.
 
what are ya gonna do with it and how long do you plan to keep it?

there's a lot of life left in that powerbook so if you are planning on using a lot of adobe CS stuff that isnt universal yet (and doesnt look to be for a year yet) then the PB is a good option. On the other hand, there's sure to be some software come out that'll only work on the intel so if you like trying out the latest-newest-coolest-whatever software, then maybe the macbook is a better option.

but if you've had bad luck with Moobooks, then maybe you should stay away from them until apple has a little more time to get the kinks out of the rev A intel books
 
Is it a REV E powerbook? The hi res ones? The 15" versions had some serious problems with horizontal line banding and color interferance on alot of the screens. Apple finally rectified the problem only a week or two before they were replaced by the macbook pro....

If it's a REV E and you are a graphic designer etc. the screen could be an issue, mine had to go back because of it...
 
Everything can be upgraded in the Macbook... you can put in a bigger hard drive, more RAM, buy Applecare, but you cannot change the fact that the G4 is a terrible processor in comparison to the Core Duo. Don't get the Powerbook. :rolleyes:
 
MacRumorUser said:
Is it a REV E powerbook? The hi res ones? The 15" versions had some serious problems with horizontal line banding and color interferance on alot of the screens. Apple finally rectified the problem only a week or two before they were replaced by the macbook pro....

If it's a REV E and you are a graphic designer etc. the screen could be an issue, mine had to go back because of it...
Click to expand...

I had a rev E and it was a problem. This is a Rev D with the good screen still. The poll is neck and neck at the moment. This is going to be a second computer to go with the G5 PowerMac I just got (needed native support for CS2 and had to have upgradability. The macbook is more user accessible BUT the PB already comes with a 100GB HDD and Applecare so it saves me about $400 going that route rather than upgrading the MB. Keep the opinions coming tho :)
 
Well, since I don't recall you ever keeping a computer for more than a month or two ;) ...
Go for the PowerBook. At this moment in time, it's still a more capable machine than the MacBook, and I'm sure once CS3 is released you won't even have this machine anymore.

However, since you do already have the G5, it might be worth considering the MacBook... You'd have a more portable (size wise at least, not much difference in weight) laptop, and the best of the PPC and Intel worlds.

At the end of the day, I'd still go with the PowerBook if you're not planning on keeping it for a long time. I personally haven't had good experiences with stability and reliability of Intel Macs.

Good luck
 
realityisterror said:
Well, since I don't recall you ever keeping a computer for more than a month or two...
Click to expand...
;)

realityisterror said:
At the end of the day, I'd still go with the PowerBook if you're not planning on keeping it for a long time. I personally haven't had good experiences with stability and reliability of Intel Macs.

Good luck
Click to expand...

Same with me on the Intel macs. The two macbooks I owned and the one my roommate has all made the whine sound. Drove me nuts. I finally have a PM G5 that does not chirp and that makes me very happy. I will be keeping the PM for some time as I need it for work, but the laptop will probably only be around until the warranty expires. That is why I'm thinking about the PB and just keeping it till 2008 and then trying another intel mac when they get more of the bugs worked out. Thanks for the input... you know me well :p;)
 
MacRumorUser said:
Is it a REV E powerbook? The hi res ones? The 15" versions had some serious problems with horizontal line banding and color interferance on alot of the screens. Apple finally rectified the problem only a week or two before they were replaced by the macbook pro....

If it's a REV E and you are a graphic designer etc. the screen could be an issue, mine had to go back because of it...
Click to expand...

Mabye, if it has those issues, Apple will replace it for him with a MBP:D
 
More Pro PB
* PCMCIA Expansion Slot
* Backlit Keyboard
* Larger Screen (15" is better than 13")
* FW800
* discount on cases (a lot of places are having sales on PB and iBook cases)
 
I am going to say go with the 1.83GHz MacBook, only due to the increase in processing performance it offers over the PowerBook G4 (for UBs). :)
 
I would get the MacBook because I feel it will last a lot longer with all the new software that will be coming out soon and it also has the isight which is nice.
 
New development... I was going to get the powerbook to take to work to use iCal and for showing any side clients video proofs of anything I do for them. I figured work would not pay for this BUT if I can use the computer to run windows apps they may suppliment some of the cost. This really changes things now that crossover will be hitting mac. The software that I really need to be able to run is outlook so I can have access to our company's exchange server. Now I don't know which way to go... AHHH!
 
Chrispy said:
New development................... The software that I really need to be able to run is outlook so I can have access to our company's exchange server. Now I don't know which way to go... AHHH!
Click to expand...


MOOO !!!!!
 
Macky-Mac said:
MOOO !!!!!
Click to expand...
No matter what generation or which product it is, the person will always be running the risk of a problem.
 
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