Should I finally replace my 1.5ghz Powerbook or wait some mo'?

[GREEN4U]

Hey guys,

I need your advice. I’ve been eyeing the Macbook Air for a long, long time since the first generation. I currently own (and still use!) a 15" Powerbook G4 1.5gHz that I bought in 2005 during freshman year of college and since upgraded to Leopard. It's still fast and smooth and does what I need it to do; internet, email, and Word docs. There is one minor issue w/ it however: the battery can’t hold a charge anymore (drained in 1-10 minutes) and worse, the AC powercord is messed up so if I rotate/move the connector even the slightest, it stops charging. Basically, it’s no longer truly portable.

I’m wondering if I should go for this new 11” Macbook Air (Lion) that I hear rumors about. I plan to go back to graduate school in Fall 2012, so should I wait to get it in a year until I go back to school, or should I jump on it NOW? I don’t even know if I’ll get accepted into school! Haha I’m so excited about everything, but want to make a wise decision. Thanks!

 

[Kyllle]

Hey guys,

I need your advice. I’ve been eyeing the Macbook Air for a long, long time since the first generation. I currently own (and still use!) a 15" Powerbook G4 1.5gHz that I bought in 2005 during freshman year of college and since upgraded to Leopard. It's still fast and smooth and does what I need it to do; internet, email, and Word docs. There is one minor issue w/ it however: the battery can’t hold a charge anymore (drained in 1-10 minutes) and worse, the AC powercord is messed up so if I rotate/move the connector even the slightest, it stops charging. Basically, it’s no longer truly portable.

I’m wondering if I should go for this new 11” Macbook Air (Lion) that I hear rumors about. I plan to go back to graduate school in Fall 2012, so should I wait to get it in a year until I go back to school, or should I jump on it NOW? I don’t even know if I’ll get accepted into school! Haha I’m so excited about everything, but want to make a wise decision. Thanks!

If you don't want to spend much money, then I'm sure you can find a replacement battery if that's really your only concern. However, if you want a new computer, then it's a good time as the new airs should be coming out any day now.

And there will probably be another refresh by fall 2012 (no guarantees though), so if you only want to upgrade for school, it would be wise to wait.

It sounds to me like you're just ready to upgrade, and I can definitely understand since you've had your computer for 6 years now. So I'd recommend you go for the updated airs when they come out.

 

[sporadicMotion]

Hey guys,

I need your advice. I’ve been eyeing the Macbook Air for a long, long time since the first generation. I currently own (and still use!) a 15" Powerbook G4 1.5gHz that I bought in 2005 during freshman year of college and since upgraded to Leopard. It's still fast and smooth and does what I need it to do; internet, email, and Word docs. There is one minor issue w/ it however: the battery can’t hold a charge anymore (drained in 1-10 minutes) and worse, the AC powercord is messed up so if I rotate/move the connector even the slightest, it stops charging. Basically, it’s no longer truly portable.

I’m wondering if I should go for this new 11” Macbook Air (Lion) that I hear rumors about. I plan to go back to graduate school in Fall 2012, so should I wait to get it in a year until I go back to school, or should I jump on it NOW? I don’t even know if I’ll get accepted into school! Haha I’m so excited about everything, but want to make a wise decision. Thanks!

I think i would just bite the bullet and do it now. It sounds like ole faithful is getting tired. For your use, waiting isn't going to make any difference.

 

[orfeas0]

I think i would just bite the bullet and do it now. It sounds like ole faithful is getting tired. For your use, waiting isn't going to make any difference.

It will make 1 difference : Cheaper refurbished macbook airs (this gen).
To be honest, you don't need the new CPUs for your uses, and unless they change the exterior (like add backlit keys or something else), you don't need the new ones coming out next week.
I say wait until the new ones are released and buy a refurbished current gen macbook air.

 

[sporadicMotion]

It will make 1 difference : Cheaper refurbished macbook airs (this gen).
To be honest, you don't need the new CPUs for your uses, and unless they change the exterior (like add backlit keys or something else), you don't need the new ones coming out next week.
I say wait until the new ones are released and buy a refurbished current gen macbook air.

He's not talking about waiting for the refresh. He's talking about waiting another year.

 

[tom vilsack]

you should wait a couple more years

 

[clyde2801]

1. Have you tried the freezer trick on the old battery? Have used it before with some success to coax a little more life out of it.

2. How much can you get a new or newer battery and replacement cord for?
(Hint: I've been able to find them fairly inexpensively at 3rd party local repair shops...they had a few they used for diagnostic purposes, but ended up not needing them after their clientele all switched to intels.

3. If the current machine meets your needs, a couple of hundred bucks to get a couple more years out of ol' Bessie may be worth it. Don't worry, they'll still be coming out with new models and even newer features in a year or two.

 

[GREEN4U]

Thank you all so far!

I actually already went through 1 new replacement power cord (OEM) 3 years ago before my AppleCare expired. It was having the same problem. I could always buy another power cord but I figure it'll only last me a year at most, like last time.

I think the problem is that my Powerbook gets way too hot. I don't know if you guys remember, but the old Powerbooks/Macbook Pros got scalding hot, like as in it will and does burns you if you touch the bottom. And that's another problem I forgot to mention. In fact I think that caused the metal part of the power connector to warp.