The iMac vs. PB Battle Ensues!

[JayMtl]

So I decided to cancel my iMac order (made on Oct. 12th) just a few hours ago in order to wait and see what happens with the PBs. This was a pretty tough thing to do because the iMac was a day away from shipping; furthermore, I was in the same position one week ago after ordering a Powerbook...only to cancel that order after the news of the upgraded iMacs. Yes, that's 2 cancelled orders in a week! This has to be the most frustrating thing in the world, but it I would regret not canceling my iMac order now if something surprising happens to the PBs on Wednesday (assuming anything does).

I must say one thing, Apple knows how to screw with consumers who are aware of these events...but I'll be the first to admit that I'm in love with the new iMacs...the same goes for the PBs, which is why I'm in this situation in the first place, I guess. At least I'll be able to make a decision on Wednesday after waiting on the edge of my seat for the past 2 weeks (now where have I heard that before??).

When it comes down to it, I still can't decide if I need the portability since I don't know what I'm missing (never owned a laptop before). And if I'm going to buy a pre-Intel Mac, I'd like it to be powerful for itself: the iMac is, the PB isn't and from the looks of the potential upgrades, it may still be lacking after being upgraded.

By the way, anyone know what time the Wednesday event in NYC starts at and if it's getting r-t coverage??

 

[Demon Hunter]

I am excited too and I don't know about the coverage...

That's a hard decision to be sure. I am certain that the PowerBook will get better graphics than the iMac; it's always been this way. X700 makes sense to me (and hopefully to Apple engineers! ).

Ignorance is bliss with Apple, isn't it?

I have regretted several things about notebooks. First, they are extremely delicate, and require a lot of scrutiny. Surfaces, temperatures, transporation, drinks... a mess. Secondly, for those who care about such things, they get marked up fast if you aren't careful.

My old PowerMac just sat by my desk. When I was upset, I would slam the desk, PowerMac gets a battle scar. He was like a hardened soldier that I could go into the trenches with. The PowerBook is like a dainty woman who demands attention and has enough bitch power to run filters on 300MB Photoshop files. How this analogy applies to iMacs, I do not know.

 

[aquajet]

I must say one thing, Apple knows how to screw with consumers who are aware of these events...When it comes down to it, I still can't decide if I need the portability since I don't know what I'm missing (never owned a laptop before).

Oh come on now, people should just get over it. That's the way the game is played, always has been, always will be.

Sounds like you should take a step back, and really think about what you need based upon what you'll atually be doing with the computer. For me, using a portable Mac was nice over the last two years, but I've found that some of the tasks I do with a PowerBook tend to strain the capabilities. That's why I decided to switch to the iMac. Ideally it would be nice to keep both, but I just don't need two computers, so the PowerBook is gonna go.

 

[Xtremehkr]

I'm sure that when a PBs get a bump it will be a significant one. I have a feeling that the new PBs are not going to disappoint.

There has been a lack of complaints concerning how loud iMacs are. I never thought that they were all that noisy. When they were first released, a lot of complaining about noise was an issue for a while though. My iMac has proven itself though. It performs well in Phoenix heat, and there are not many areas that get as hot for 3 months of the year.

I look forward to seeing what the new PBs have to offer though. I wonder if they will include the same features the new iMacs have.

 

[aquajet]

I'm sure that when a PBs get a bump it will be a significant one. I have a feeling that the new PBs are not going to disappoint.

I'm a little more cynical in that regard. I don't think the PowerBooks will see any significant improvements until the switch to Intel. Perhaps Apple can integrate things like DDR2 and something faster than 4x AGP, maybe even 7200 rpm drives. But it seems to me the G4 has run its course, and the time is ripe for something entirely different.

 

[Demon Hunter]

There has been a lack of complaints concerning how loud iMacs are. I never thought that they were all that noisy. When they were first released, a lot of complaining about noise was an issue for a while though.

At my university there is an entire lab of windtunnel Quicksilvers. It's like tornado alley in there.

 

[JayMtl]

I'm a little more cynical in that regard. I don't think the PowerBooks will see any significant improvements until the switch to Intel. Perhaps Apple can integrate things like DDR2 and something faster than 4x AGP, maybe even 7200 rpm drives. But it seems to me the G4 has run its course, and the time is ripe for something entirely different.

I have to agree here. Frankly I think the most significant upgrades will have to do with the screen, whether it be greater resolution, HD, better-than-usual graphics card, or some combination of those things. Otherwise, the memory and hard drive are the only other components that can forseeably be upgraded...no hope for a better, or even change of, CPU. And all of these things together don't quite impress ...but I'm counting on Apple pulling some more interesting apps/features (a la new iMac) out...we'll have to see.

 

[bodeh6]

The iMac is definitely the better bargin even after the PBs are updated. The 20" iMac is like getting the computer for only $899 and the 20" ACD for $800. my next computer will be a iMac for sure. Can't beat the deal.

 

[Xtremehkr]

I'm a little more cynical in that regard. I don't think the PowerBooks will see any significant improvements until the switch to Intel. Perhaps Apple can integrate things like DDR2 and something faster than 4x AGP, maybe even 7200 rpm drives. But it seems to me the G4 has run its course, and the time is ripe for something entirely different.

I tend to agree with you there, Intel is going to be a big development for the entire lineup. At some point though, the PB will come back as the standard all laptops aspire to be. I am hoping.

 

[Xtremehkr]

At my university there is an entire lab of windtunnel Quicksilvers. It's like tornado alley in there.

Well, I was always skeptical about the possibly nefarious claims made about the iMac. Having owned for about a year now, I am pretty sure that at least some of those claims were not made honestly.

 

[FFTT]

A fully decked out 15" PowerBook is a very nice machine, but with that same budget, I would get the 17" or 20" iMac G5 as my primary machine
and buy a simple 12" iBook for most general portable needs.

Unless you really need high performance computing on the go, the iMac is simply a better machine.

A 12" iBook would cover you just fine for chat, e-mails, file transfers, notes, photos, music, copying CD's and playing DVD's.

Considering the small difference in price, the iMac/iBook split would give you
the best of both worlds.

OR....

Get the iMac 20" G5 and pick up a current 12" PowerBook after Apple drops the prices.

 

[Demon Hunter]

Yeah... iMac+iBook would not only be functional but earns you extra cuteness points.

 

[ezekielrage_99]

PowerBooks even with the current ones out now you can't really go wrong with them.
I am looking forward to see the newer ones being released, personally I think Apple will update to the newer G4s and and the graphics card to PCIX Ati X700 or X800 with 128MB of RAM.
I think you might also see the new remote come in the package as well to fit in with the new direction the iMac is taking.

Still since the new PBs havent been released the 20" iMac with 1Gig of RAM looks pretty tempting though