Now with this news about early Intel iBooks, I am torn whether I should buy a PPC ibook in january or get an intel one in june/july. Would it be smarter to buy intel, or stupider? Also, why? I dont need/want a widescreen so that doesmt interest me.
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Should I or not? (intel)
- Thread starter rye9
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The usual rules apply here. It depends on how necessary your purchase is. If you don't need it, you can wait. On the other hand, if you really do need it for something, it would be better to get it and then you have it now (or in January), not 6 months later or whenever it finally happens. Remember that these are just rumours and could turn out to be false, incorrect, inaccurate or have some details wrong. You could end up waiting around forever for something not as good as you were expecting. That's the way things go around here. On the other hand, you may buy at the right time and get a lot more for your money.
As for the PPC vs Intel - I wouldn't worry too much about this - PPC will be supported for a long time yet - Apple is still selling G4 and G5 machines remember. Will the Intel processor in an iBook be considerably faster than the iBook G4 currently? Maybe, maybe not. Look at how Intel has progressed in terms of power in the last 3-4 years. Not much, hey?
As I said, it depends on what you need it for and how urgent you need it. This question is the biggest and most popular dilemma seen on MacRumors - to buy or not to buy?
As for the PPC vs Intel - I wouldn't worry too much about this - PPC will be supported for a long time yet - Apple is still selling G4 and G5 machines remember. Will the Intel processor in an iBook be considerably faster than the iBook G4 currently? Maybe, maybe not. Look at how Intel has progressed in terms of power in the last 3-4 years. Not much, hey?
As I said, it depends on what you need it for and how urgent you need it. This question is the biggest and most popular dilemma seen on MacRumors - to buy or not to buy?
Buy it and enjoy. There could be delays or issues with intel, or any number of things. It could be august till you see a new intel pb in your lap.
I grabbed an iBook instead of the PB as I felt it a better value for what I need.
I grabbed an iBook instead of the PB as I felt it a better value for what I need.
I wouldn't buy a Rev. A Intel. Think of how many problems they'll have 
I'll be buying a Rev. B or even a Rev. C Inteli-iBook or even a PowerBook
I'll be buying a Rev. B or even a Rev. C Inteli-iBook or even a PowerBook
lilstewart92 said:I wouldn't buy a Rev. A Intel. Think of how many problems they'll have
Well, how will they have problems? I am confused bc some people say theyll jump on the new intel machines yet others say to wait a few years unitl they are "safe".
Actually, i dont need anymore responses I decided I will definitely get the last revision PPC iBooks. I just hope the current ones are the last ones.
I decided I will definitely get the last revision PPC iBooks. I just hope the current ones are the last ones.rye9 said:Actually, i dont need anymore responses
They most probably will be. Ol' Stevie J said that the new intels will be rolling out ~2006.
ROCK ON and enjoy the new 'book!
So Apple are going to produce computers which have a load of problems are they? Where does this come from? Is it official?lilstewart92 said:I wouldn't buy a Rev. A Intel. Think of how many problems they'll have
I'll be buying a Rev. B or even a Rev. C Inteli-iBook or even a PowerBook
When you look at the whole Apple range, and the new products that have come out in the last few years they have had very few problems (iBook logic boards, some laptop batteries and earlier iPod batteries spring to mind, all of which they sorted out).
I know this is a 'rumor' site, but this particular mantra has been chanted for too long, with no justification by the vast majority of posters. And to put my money where my mouth is, I'm going to buy the Intel MacMini on the first day its announced.
katie ta achoo said:
Well, the only thing killing me now is that I believe there could be a last PPC update around january or febuary.
stevep said:
Well, the hardware wont have problems but with the need for all new software and this Rosetta business, there could be lots of confusion and slow apps.
rye9 said:
Well, check out the Buyer's guide. It can be real helpful regarding updates and the like.
If you need it now, get it now.
Heck,
if you want it now, get it now!
the PPCs won't just magically all *poof* on the day the intel is released. They will be supported for a long time after the intels come out.
They will continue to be awesome computers. TOTALLY DOUBLE AWESOME.
they will still kick butt.
katie ta achoo said:
Thats what I did and it says about 70 days til the next update. Im afraid that when I buy mine in january, a PPC update will occur 2 weeks l8r. On the other hand, Apple might not update the ibooks bc theyll get intel soon. I am just trying to get as much info as possible to determine whether or not there will be one last update in 2 months.
rye9 said:
Well, can you live for 2+ months (the buyer's guide isn't 100% accurate. only Apple knows when they will update) without an iBook?
It's not like there'll be MASSIVELY HUGE AMAZING upgrades... it'll be like the most recent ones.. battery life, higher resolution, you know how it goes.
Buy now
Buy now, because first generation hardware usually sucks ie. lots of bugs. This rule applies to anything new be it cars, appliances, TVs, etc. The PPC chip will be supported for a long time because there are so many people who own and use them. Look at your needs and purchase what you can afford. Just keep buying Apple products, PCs are made with the cheapest bidder parts, third party software and usually break down after extensive use. Not to mention the constant threat of viruses, spyware and other 'wares. Support Apple not the evil empire of Bill Gates and Co.
Buy now, because first generation hardware usually sucks ie. lots of bugs. This rule applies to anything new be it cars, appliances, TVs, etc. The PPC chip will be supported for a long time because there are so many people who own and use them. Look at your needs and purchase what you can afford. Just keep buying Apple products, PCs are made with the cheapest bidder parts, third party software and usually break down after extensive use. Not to mention the constant threat of viruses, spyware and other 'wares. Support Apple not the evil empire of Bill Gates and Co.
It is an axiom in industry that the first introduction of a product has more problems than subsequent editions; simply because in house testing cannot reveal all of the unaticipated problems that field use by hundreds of thousands of real customers will turn up. Since the design of the second edition of a product has the opportunity to benefit from all of the consumer complaints and service history of the first, the second and successive editions of a product typically get progressively more reliable, until a major change is made which returns the product to an untried first edition again.stevep said:
This is well known with automobiles. It's not a given that the first generation will have problems, only that they will have more problems on average than subsequent generations.
For example, the Mac Mini seems to have been solid right out of the gate (with the exception of the mysterious "dim screen" effect on VGA screens.) However the iMac G5 suffered from many problems in the first release, somewere up to a reported 30% repair rate, mostly to do with overheating of components and defective capacitors. Second generation brought this down to around 10%. Presumably, the 3rd generation (the iSight model) will be more reliable yet, with a redesigned case and cooling system.
katie ta achoo said:
Yes I can easily live w/o the iBook... but if i knew that there would be no more PPC updates, I would buy right now. I am waiting for info to tell me whether or not there will be. Lucky for me, rumors are starting bc the widescreen ibook rumor just appeared so maybe ill see more. As for the second part, I would appreciate the higher resolution and battery life so thats another reason why my mission is to get the last rev. PPC 12 in iBook.
Thanks - a measured response. And while I agree to a certain extent, I don't think its necessarily true with all products by any means. The car industry has had some really awful problems in the past, but nowdays they are rare (the little Mercedes which had stability problems is the only major recent one I can think of here in the UK). As far as the Intel macs are concerned, Intel have quite a good track record - most of the pc problems I have to sort out are usually low-quality 3rd party hardware (and its equally poor software, drivers etc), and operating system problems. I can't actually remember a cpu failure that wasn't due to a failed cooling fan.CanadaRAM said:
With Apple being a hardware + OS supplier, they have so much more control over what is shipped inside, say, a PowerMac or a Mini, that they will have circumvented many of the equivalent problems that beset Windows machines. My beef is really with all those who repeat other posts as if they are a God-given fact, without any thought or substance to back it up.
And CanadaRAM, completely off topic, can I just add that I really appreciate all the detailed and useful replies you give posters about memory questions on this forum.
Dane D. said:
You know, I'm don't follow either Apple or Microsoft religiously, but it kind of irks me when people say this stuff. I actually think it's healthy to try out "the other side," because there are advantages and disadvantages to both PCs and Macs. Yes, PCs are cheaper, and the third party software is what makes them so affordable to buy and use (seeing that 96% of the market it PCs/software). In addition, I have multiple computers, and I have not had any of my parts "break down" over extensive use. AMD, Asus, nVidia, Thermaltake, etc. all have great hardware. On the off chance their stuff would ever break down, it's usually covered by warranty anyway.
I've been reading the forums on here and MacNN for awhile, and I see people having problems with their Macs all the time as well (faulty screens, hardware, etc, Apple just doesn't seem to making their stuff with as much quality these days) You can't simply make blanket statements for an entire type of computer system, on either side.
In addition, while I may be quite good with computers, I rarely have any problems with viruses or spyware. And by rarely, I mean I think I may have had 1 virus in the past 2 years. These rare chances of getting viruses/spyware are really not a big deal at all when you consider what a PC can give you that a Mac can't. Better/more gaming/games, more affordable pricing, and widespread software support/use > Rare virus/spyware IMO. There is my rant. I just can't stand people who follow one side religiously and completely disregard anything else.
Well since Ive decided to get a last rev. PPC iBook, does anybody think that there will be another update in early 2006 or are the current models the last?
Dr. Dastardly said:
I second that notion. Check the release of the rev dates. Usually 9-12 months months or so on the Powerbook...I say Mactel PB's June '06.
Veritas&Equitas said:
I am talking about iBooks, not Powerbooks. Also, they Buyer's Guide says that there may be an update in about 2+ months.
The buyer's guide is FAR from a concrete source on when Apple will release new products.rye9 said: