November 24, 2004

iBook or PowerBook?

I need your help. If you were going to get a Macintosh laptop, what would you buy? I need it for editing long documents, some light design work (for clients), CD burning (not sure if I want to burn DVDs on a laptop) and it has to have wireless capabilities.

I have about $1100 in my budget.

Email your comments/info to: laptop@BLPub.com

(comments on this post also welcome: just no FLAMING/PC vs Mac war please)

Posted by ronn at November 24, 2004 01:00 PM

Comments
just get an iBook - it should do you fine - the new imac is hot too - but since you need to go on the road with it - the ibook should do what you need it to do Posted by: lynne [TypeKey Profile Page] on November 24, 2004 04:08 PM
I'm leaning towards an iBook Lynne. Especially since I'll probably get a new Mac desktop in the second half of 2005. George, in my haste to delete well over 100 SPAM comments, I deleted your comment. Here it is (because I'm too lazy to repost it with all of your info): I'm really impressed with PowerBooks (my old TiBook and current AlBook), but I'll have to second lynne's nod. 'Sides, the iBooks out now are only a few weeks old and should start around $999. (I'd use any leftover fundage to go toward boosting your RAM.) I will get the mid-range iBook either during xmas sales in December, or the middle of January since I think the prices will go even lower in the shadow of MacWorld SanFran 2005. Posted by: ronn [TypeKey Profile Page] on November 25, 2004 02:54 PM
I love my iBook, but I'd love to have a PowerBook! So long as it's not a PC, can you really go wrong? Posted by: Bernie [TypeKey Profile Page] on November 26, 2004 12:11 AM
So true Bernie, so true. Posted by: ronn [TypeKey Profile Page] on November 26, 2004 12:14 AM
Get the iBook. I'm pretty sure the only things you'll be missing are: Bluetooth, a PC card slot and FireWire 800. Posted by: Jimi Sweet on November 26, 2004 01:56 AM
It's almost a done deal. I will get an iBook. My own question is when. During the xmas sales, or just before MWSF. And I think most resellers include bluetooth (and free RAM!). Posted by: ronn [TypeKey Profile Page] on November 26, 2004 10:52 AM
I think you'll love your iBook - especially now that they come with Airport built-in. You know, I don't wait for Thanksgiving to be thankful for what I have, but I must say it's beautiful to look around the blogosphere and to see each other present in our lives. Posted by: Donald [TypeKey Profile Page] on November 26, 2004 11:11 AM
Donald, I need to not procrastinate on this decision. Then I'll love it. It's great seeing the blogfam active, but even greater seeing them in person. *hug* Posted by: ronn [TypeKey Profile Page] on November 26, 2004 11:44 AM
IBook is most definitely your best bet, ronn. they seem to have what you are looking for...how were your holidays? Posted by: Ryan on November 26, 2004 02:56 PM
Whatever you get, see if your dealer has a liberal return policy. This way you can actually try living with the iBook/PB to see how it fits into your life. I bought a 15" PB almost three years ago now, and I rarely if ever let it leave my desktop because I simply find it too heavy to carry around. However, the pro of having such a large screen is that it makes for a lovely replacement for a desktop computer. If portability is your main concern, I don't think you can go wrong with an iBook (or 12" PB). Posted by: Cecily [TypeKey Profile Page] on November 30, 2004 01:24 AM
I enjoyed myself this Turkey Day weekend -- helps when you have five days off from Hell, er.. work. Of course, I'm stressing my decision and worrying about buying a 12" iBook and getting burned less than a month later with a better/cheaper system announcement. I'll make up my mind in the next 7-10 days, although it looks like the middle of January for any purchase. There'd have to be a fantastic sale on iBooks for me to buy one before 2005. Posted by: ronn [TypeKey Profile Page] on November 30, 2004 09:14 AM
ugh! sorry to hear about your food poisoning. whetting your appetite for MWSF05, head over to http://page2.macrumors.com/ unverified sources, of course. the hot issue there is a refreshal of product. can't comment per se, but what's submitted.... *grits teeth* had you settled on an iBook model? don't forget to work the educational discount angle; it's worth saving a little grip upfront... Posted by: ??? on December 13, 2004 08:11 AM
I had settled on a 15" iBook G4 with Combo drive, but if those rumors are true, I'll wait for the speed-bumped 12" PowerBook. I'll wait till the resellers get those configs because they usually have them slightly lower-priced, include extras (a minimum of double the standard memory) and I won't have to pay taxes (and prolly shipping). Since this will be a business purchase, I don't want to chance fouling up my taxes trying to get an educational discount. I can write it off anyway. Posted by: ronn [TypeKey Profile Page] on December 13, 2004 03:19 PM
I would most likely get an ibook, these new 2006 ibooks are really great. Who needs a powerbook? ronn's notes: M Lines, this is a pretty old post. Apple has yet to improve the iBook line with an Intel processor. And apparently tons of people need a powerbook because of portability and style. I wouldn't get one just yet, but I understand why others will. Posted by: M Lines on January 17, 2006 01:45 AM