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Still worth it to get the latest 12" PB?

ozone

ozone

macrumors 6502
Original poster
Feb 18, 2004
498
45
Ontario, Canada
Well, the wife and I were seriously contemplating the latest iMac 20" at our local BestBuy for our home use, when I spied an open box 12" PB (1.5 GHz, 512 MB, 80 GB HD, superdrive) going for about $1550 Cdn, or $1340 US. I was thinking, hmmm... that might not be too bad for me for work purposes. Decent price, good enough performance (I never play games, but Windows bootability has some appeal), and if there's a problem, no hassles in returning it.

I know there's probably a small form factor MP Pro coming up - sometime - and I really lust after a 17" PB... but oh well, maybe the 12" PB isn't so bad. At least it's available.

Opinions?

(Huh... just saw that Apple Canada is selling 12" PB refurbs with the same specs for $1439 Cdn. Figures. Just can't win...)
 
A lot of people comment that the 12" powerbook is basically the 12" iBook in a shiny case. People really don't like the resolution, and what do you mean windows bootability? That powerbook isn't going to be able to boot windows.

And the 12" iBook is a lot cheaper, sub $1000 if I remember correctly.
 
I personally still like the 12" PB you're considering, but as I'm sure others will say the 12" or 14" iBooks are probably better values.

I helped a friend with a laptop purchase recently and asked people here what they thought the better value was -- stock 12" iBook, stock 14" iBook, or stock 12" PB. He ended up getting the stock 14" iBook and is very happy with it. Everyone here seemed to agree that the iBooks were better values at this point in the transition.

Might want to see if you can pick up a refurb one from Apple for an even better deal.
 
Sorry... I meant if I bought a MB Pro, (eventual) Windows bootability would be nice. At least with the PB 12", I could still run VPC.

Yeah.. I guess a 12" iBook is close enough. I guess I just like the shiny case! :cool:
 
Refurbished PowerBook 12-inch 1.5GHz SuperDrive

512MB DDR333 SDRAM
80GB Hard Drive
NVIDIA GeForce FX Go5200 (64MB DDR)
AirPort Extreme
Bluetooth 2.0 + Enhanced Data Rates

Price: $1,199.00

on apple.com.



The Intel macs probably wont work with the new Windows. Unless you get some hacked version which isnt going to be that stable. Not really worth it. Go with the 12".
 
I would wait till April 1st or about to see what Apple announces in their smaller notebook offerings before you buy anything. If you get that now, you'd be spending over a grand on a PowerPC architecture, refurbished model.
 
Yes, well, I suppose I should bow to those with greater wisdom than me! Ack... it's just so frustrating. Apple Canada badly botched my order the first time I tried to switch two years ago, the PB I picked up last year was defective and had to go back... maybe my third attempt will actually work.:rolleyes: And then everytime I think I'm ready to switch, Apple goes and announces new items, and then I'm back at square one.

I do wish though that Apple would say something about a Mac tablet. I use mine to make extensive notes and it's an excellent teaching tool - very useful. Microsoft OneNote has proven to be a very good program with the tablet. Hard to believe MS gets it right once in a while. :eek:
 
ozone said:
Yes, well, I suppose I should bow to those with greater wisdom than me! Ack... it's just so frustrating. Apple Canada badly botched my order the first time I tried to switch two years ago, the PB I picked up last year was defective and had to go back... maybe my third attempt will actually work.:rolleyes: And then everytime I think I'm ready to switch, Apple goes and announces new items, and then I'm back at square one.

I do wish though that Apple would say something about a Mac tablet. I use mine to make extensive notes and it's an excellent teaching tool - very useful. Microsoft OneNote has proven to be a very good program with the tablet. Hard to believe MS gets it right once in a while. :eek:
Click to expand...


Well if you are going to use the computer today then buy it today no need to wait. Since when something new comes out people will write not to buy it wait till revb or something new a few weeks later.
 
I also notice you have alot of portable computer already? do you need another one since 12" screen is SMALL! if you arent going to carry it around go with the 20" imac.


Also maybe the store will match the Refurb price.
 
Ha ha ha... yes, I do seem to have a lot of portable electronics... much to the chargin of my wife! However, she has a TiBook... so when it comes to Mac, she understands! :D

I don't think the store would match since it's a refurb, but I guess it doesn't hurt to ask. And yes, given that I have a tablet already, an iMac would be nice. However, the iMac we were contemplating is really for us (that is, my wife's use), as opposed to work.

The irony is that I have a very large pool of funds to draw from for work purposes, but it doesn't look good if it appears I'm being frivolous. Thus, I treat my work purchases pretty seriously and try to go for "long term value".
 
In defence of the 12" powerbook, it does have some significant differences to the 12" ibook other than it's aluminium enclosure.

It's smaller (less clumsy)

sports a much larger harddrive (double the size of the ibook)

Has a superdrive which you can't get on a 12" ibook

Has that extra performance in bus speed and processor

And of course, has the better graphics.

To me, these improved features make those extra $ worth it.
 
BlizzardBomb said:
The 9550 has better graphical performance than the Go5200!
Click to expand...

lol,
what with not being a graphics wizz i just looked at the fact that the 5200 has twice the video ram.

Can anyone else confirm that the 9550 is BETTER than the 5200?
Why would apple give the ibook a better graphics card though, that doesn't make sense.

edit > to be more specific, can anyone confirm that the 9550 with 32mb is better than a 5200 with 64mb?
 
ozone said:
At least with the PB 12", I could still run VPC.
Click to expand...

I'm running VPC on a 12" 1.5GHz PB.. and the emulation is way too slow to do anything reasonable.
I got the PB 12" mainly because of the shiny case. I'd go for the 12" iBook if I had to decide once again.
 
Don't waste money on the 12" Powerbook, unlike its larger brethren it wasn't updated in October and its really outdated. If you need a small form factor Mac go with the iBook its cheaper and it can tide you over untill they bring out small form factor notebooks with Intel based chips.

As for the ATI 9550 vs. Nvidia 5200 argument, my personal experience is the ATI card is a bit more powerful but nothing to qaulify it for argument. Regardless if you get even an equal card for less money then you are getting a good deal, the iBook is the better deal in any comparison.
 
Don't waste money buying something from WorstBuy. I'm not sure what it's like in Canada, but WorstBuy here is horrible at returns, plus on a laptop, they always charge 15% for restocking.

If the money isn't a problem, a 12" PB is decent. I think keeping one PPC computer during the transition to Intel isn't a bad strategy. But go Apple refurb. Cheaper and better.
 
Another factor to bear in mind is that the 12" powerbook has a better keyboard than the iBook. There is quite a big difference in feel from using the machine compared with the iBook. I'm the owner of a 12" iBook, my housemate has a 12" Powerbook, but I have to say that I'm envious of his Powerbook in terms of physical look and feel, which is a big factor if you are using it for several hours a day for mission-critical stuff.

On the other hand, the wireless reception and battery life on my iBook are better. You pays your money and takes your choice....
 
w8ing4intelmacs said:
Don't waste money buying something from WorstBuy. I'm not sure what it's like in Canada, but WorstBuy here is horrible at returns, plus on a laptop, they always charge 15% for restocking.

If the money isn't a problem, a 12" PB is decent. I think keeping one PPC computer during the transition to Intel isn't a bad strategy. But go Apple refurb. Cheaper and better.
Click to expand...


Well on open box items you could ask the store manager to waive the 15% if the laptop is damage since it is open box. But it usually for 1-2 days, make sure the write it on the bill.


Costco needs to start selling Apple Computers they have the best return policy...
 
Ashapalan said:
In defence of the 12" powerbook, it does have some significant differences to the 12" ibook other than it's aluminium enclosure.

It's smaller (less clumsy)

sports a much larger harddrive (double the size of the ibook)

Has a superdrive which you can't get on a 12" ibook

Has that extra performance in bus speed and processor

And of course, has the better graphics.

To me, these improved features make those extra $ worth it.
Click to expand...
I would say that you hit the high points.

I would add, that the PB has a better keyboard IMHO.

Durability is another consideration. The iBook is more durable due to the case and construction.

Both are nice offerings depending on your needs.

Personally, I would go with the PB.
 
I just recently bought a new 12" pb and I love it to death. Compared to the iBook it has better keyboard, nicer design(IMO), superdrive and supports screen spanning without the hack and also it is smaller...
 
keys

I had an 12" iBook for about a year. The battery life was great, but the size of the keyboard was very hard to type. I am a bigger guy, 6'5" 205lbs, and I found it difficult to type at the speeds of a full size keyboard.
 
Hey... thanks for all the replies! The one comment about VPC being really slow does make me pause a little. I'm not expecting rocket like speeds, but decent speed for conventional, occassional Windows program would be nice.

BestBuy in Canada I've found to be really decent for returns. No restock fee as far as I know - I've returned one or two big ticket items before.

I was all excited for a brief moment last night because the Apple Store online was down, but I suspected it could have been routine maintenance... and it probably was. I don't see any spectacular changes.

Ah well... maybe I'll just wait a wee bit longer... it'll be tough to walk back into BestBuy though... I think the wife really wants that iMac! :p
 
I would go with the 12'' PB.

Never worked on an ibook, but my feeling is, that the keyboard is way nicer and I don't need to worry about scratches. I love my PB; I never had any issues. I also enjoy working with an external display and the lid closed without to worry about heat or anything.

If you want a book to enjoy get a PB know, but I think if Apple releases a new 12'' or 13'' MacBook Pro it will kick a$$.

I'll wait till next year or so then I will upgrade to a Rev. B MacBook Pro 12'' or 13''.

If you go with the 12'' PB you will have a lot of fun. I worked on a 20'' ACD but have no problem working on the 12'' screen all day long. Expose is the answer.
 
ozone said:
Hey... thanks for all the replies! The one comment about VPC being really slow does make me pause a little. I'm not expecting rocket like speeds, but decent speed for conventional, occassional Windows program would be nice.
Click to expand...
VPC speed varies greatly upon the person and what you are trying to do.

For the few PC only programs that I use it for, it runs fine.

Then again, if I was trying to run a game or other CPU intensive program I think I would punt. ;)
 
Dunepilot said:
On the other hand, the wireless reception and battery life on my iBook are better.
Click to expand...

Those were the two selling points for me... really, if you need good battery life it's a no brainer. :)
 
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