Help me with my IntelMac upgrade plan...

[irock]

Hi, I have a PowerBook 17" 1.33Thz 1GB RAM... slow as hell...

Anyway, I need a pretty fast Mac (a heap of apps running at the same time)... So, I will need something speedier than my PowerBook. And I don't travel as often as before.

My dad has a 12" iBook whose screen won't even work unless it's at 85" angle. That thing is about to kick the bucket. He usually needs it for web browsing (LOTS OF WEBPAGES opening at the same time), so i think he also needs a new laptop with plenty of pixels.

Originally, I was going for a MacBook 15.4"... Plenty fast and the same res as my PB 17".

So, my question is... should I go for (1) or (2) proposal?

1. Get iMac (Intel) 17", give my PB 17" to my dad
2. Get MacBook 12" for dad; keep my PB 17" until MacBook Pro upgraded to 17".

There's a problem with (2); my PB 17" will eventually be collecting dust...

I know these questions are weird... Don't know how to put it, but I seem to have plenty of options. I don't really want to upgrade to MacBook Pro b/c it's a first generation Intel design on a Mac whereas iMac (Intel) is cheaper and offer a lot more features (remote, 160GB SATA, Dual DVD-R, yada yada)

So, what do you think?

 

[ieani]

Go with an iMac. A week ago I didnt even care about iMacs and just wanted my Macbook but after some research and eye-opening ive come to a conclusion that an iMac is the far better solution for you, me and many others.

 

[pknz]

I would say iMac with maxed out RAM. If you need it right now you might consider a PPC PowerMac.

 

[irock]

Thanks. I was wondering if the additional 128MB graphics RAM will make a huge difference. I am torn between a 20" and a 17"... since the extra dosh will give me tad more speed, a bit more storage, more desktop estate and a slightly brighter screen...

 

[FFTT]

The 17" should be fine for your dad and the iMac sounds like it will cover your
needs just fine providing you don't mind waiting till the end of March for Intel native applications.

The PPC software you currently own will take a tremendous performance hit
running under Rosetta.

A lot depends on how much you have invested in PPC software and your immediate business needs.