I really want a 12" PB - But I shouldn't buy one, right?

[student_trap]

I would buy now and then live with the regret that you didn't wait until the new ones came out

there will be no regret, you're forgetting that the op said that he has started uni, not waiting untill the autumn to start. This is important as, (at least in the UK) uni's require that all of your essays are done on a computer, and uni halls of residence don't always have a computer block, especially one thats open 24/7. The OP needs to get on with his studies, and waiting what will probably be up to six months to get a computer will most likely make his work unnecessarily harder.

I think he will regret not buying a computer for uni

 

[brikeh]

Jeez, the friggin replacement for the 12 inch pb isnt out folks...thats what they have to offer. The 12 inch is a sweet little machine and NO ppc is not outdated yet. The intel transition is nowhere near complete...

 

[student_trap]

Jeez, the friggin replacement for the 12 inch pb isnt out folks...thats what they have to offer. The 12 inch is a sweet little machine and NO ppc is not outdated yet. The intel transition is nowhere near complete...

I wonder how many of us are left that still like the 12in pb's? They're sweet machines.

 

[Demon Hunter]

I wonder how many of us are left that still like the 12in pb's? They're sweet machines.

They really are. The 12-inch hasn't had an update, yet it's still on par with the 1.67GHz models. In fact, it has the best time for Compressor MPEG-2 Encode.

But it's really pissing me off how slow Safari is on this 12-inch iBook. I don't get it. Sure, I have like 20 tabs open, but the page about took 30 seconds to load with the beachball. Plenty of free RAM, no page-outs...

I think it's those fscking interactive Flash ads.

 

[unknownfairy]

Not exactly true. The guy has started uni, you absolutely need a computer at uni, its essential. He needs something that will be small enough to take into lectures, and he needs a dvd burner. true he doesn't need OSX, but surely its his choice as to whether he needs to purchase something or not.

actually, I'm a she but otherwise thanks for your support.
and yeah, i do need as opposed to want a computer (though the mac part is a want, i guess) it's pretty tricky being at uni otherwise, especially since i live over an hour away from campus on public transport, and no computer nearby...
I'm super worried now though, with the bootcamp duel-booting stuff - PPC macs are going to be so outdated, aren't they?

 

[gunm]

actually, I'm a she but otherwise thanks for your support.
and yeah, i do need as opposed to want a computer (though the mac part is a want, i guess) it's pretty tricky being at uni otherwise, especially since i live over an hour away from campus on public transport, and no computer nearby...
I'm super worried now though, with the bootcamp duel-booting stuff - PPC macs are going to be so outdated, aren't they?

Sounds like you already know the answer to your question. With computers and technology, it's hard to avoid buyer's remorse since a faster, bigger, better model is constantly around the corner. You need a new laptop now, so you have to consider what is available now.

That said, the new Mac(i)book will probably come out in May/June and that's not too far off.


Oh, and I wouldn't worry about Intel/BIOS dual-booting or Windows virtualization unless you need to use Windows software and don't want to buy a PeeCee.

 

[Whotheheck]

buy a reburbished unit!!!! Apple sells the 12" with superdrive for $1199. You can just sell it later and not take a big hit. It comes with the 1 year applecare too.

 

[knackroller]

I got a 15' pBook. Still feel it is overpriced, after all, it was 1.33 at that time and not inexpensive - now it is "entry level" iBook. Get the iBook now, and upgrade in a couple of year's time.

 

[student_trap]

actually, I'm a she but otherwise thanks for your support.
and yeah, i do need as opposed to want a computer (though the mac part is a want, i guess) it's pretty tricky being at uni otherwise, especially since i live over an hour away from campus on public transport, and no computer nearby...
I'm super worried now though, with the bootcamp duel-booting stuff - PPC macs are going to be so outdated, aren't they?

Whoops! sorry about that anyway, the point is that boot camp only really becomes an attractive option if you need to run windows apps, so you have to ask yourself if that is the case. If not, then i wouldn't let it bother you too much, mactel is in its infancy, while the PPC's are established. From what i can tell about your situation you need a computer now, I'd go for the powerbook and wouldn't look back. I'll give you an example, a friend of mine recently had to buy a computer for work as she was going traveling (on business) and leaving in late march. at the time everyone was convinced that new macbooks were round the corner, but she wouldn't have got her work done if she hadn't bought it straight away. She bought a 14in ibook and is loving it, she won't care when something new comes out, because what she has fulfills her needs.

it's hard to avoid buyer's remorse

tech is indeed a fast paced market, but the regret from not doing so well in your studies, or not being able to go out because you have to spend so much time trying to find a computer to work on, will be far greater

 

[chaosbunny]

The trouble with this line of reasoning is.. strictly speaking, a computer is never a need, especially a mac. At best it's a want, or a good to have, but nobody needs a mac.

To the OP, I will definitely wait. Being blackmailed into paying a premium for obsolete technology just so it can run obsolete code fast. That's exactly what buying a PPC Mac today is. To be blackmailed.

Hm, tell me about your definition of "need". For example I work as a graphic designer and earn my living with my mac. Almost everybody in the graphic industry has a mac, and almost every agency uses macs too. So apart from liking the system, I need a mac. Ok, well, I could also quit working and live under the bridge, so ok, I do not need it, you are right.

 

[Demon Hunter]

No regrets

actually, I'm a she but otherwise thanks for your support.
and yeah, i do need as opposed to want a computer (though the mac part is a want, i guess) it's pretty tricky being at uni otherwise, especially since i live over an hour away from campus on public transport, and no computer nearby...
I'm super worried now though, with the bootcamp duel-booting stuff - PPC macs are going to be so outdated, aren't they?

I just bought my 12-inch, and I have no regrets...

I realized that even after the Intel iBook/MacBook announcement, it will be months before it's finally delivered. Everyone and their dog is going to buy one. There's no guarantee I'll even have it by Fall semester! And like you, I have a one-hour commute each way.

I also had a very bad experience with a 15-inch PowerBook (Rev. C). Instead of focusing on my studies, I had to send it to AppleCare five times over a period of three months. It was eventually replaced, but it was hell. The MacBook Pro still has some "issues" and I feel much safer with a Rev. E PowerBook.

What's more, the 1.5GHz G4 is not that much slower than a 1.67GHz G4. And the G4 is still wiping the floor with the MacBook Pro's dismal Photoshop performance, for example. For everyday tasks, the speed is negligible.

I can't wait to start using it!