SillyDog701

[Andrew T.]

To finally let everyone in the know, for a number of reasons I have been seriously considering finally buying a new computer that 1) is a laptop and 2) is a Macintosh.

I am looking towards models such as the PowerBook G4 and iBook G4. I am leaning heavily towards the latter, due to the iBook's lower price and more durable case.

Questions concerning a few details I'm unsure about:

How much RAM should I order*? Should I go all out and order a full 1.2GB, take the stock 256MB configuration and either put up with it or buy more RAM later, or choose a reasonable-sounding size in between such as 512MB?

*I do not want to spend too much money, or spend more money than I have to. I will not go for every option, or only the largest options.

Also, what are LCD displays like on portable Macs? Although I am most attracted to the smallest 12" models, I wonder if I may find that screen size too small or the resolution too fine. Then again, I'm used to aging 15" and 17" CRTs that make anything above respectively 800x600 or 1024x768 untolerably blurry.

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[Antony]

Besides other advice I've given to Andrew via iChat, which I might re-post here, the screen resolution issue can be regarded in following...

The text size is very suitable in my 12" PowerBook. Text size (DPI) are not any bigger in 15" or 17" PowerBooks, but you will have more working desktop space, with the cost of less portability. (Of course all 17" PowerBook owners I know argued that 17" PowerBook is very portable.)

Laptops are designed to be used in short distance, and the LCD screen is very clear in PowerBook 12". Comparing the LCD qualities...
Apple Cinema Display 20" best (without a doubt)
PowerBook 15" and 17" have about the same brightness and wide viewing angle, whereas the 12" PowerBook is a bit worse in terms of brightness and wide viewing angle.
However 12" PowerBook is better than the iBook series in terms of brightness and viewing angle. But, the iBook's LCD is a very good one, just don't put right next to PowerBook or Cinema Display.

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[Antony]

So, if your choice is between PowerBook 12" and iBook 12",

PowerBook 12"
1.33GHz PowerPC G4
256MB PC2700 (333MHz) DDR SDRAM, up to 1.25GB RAM
Nvidia GeForce FX Go5200 64MB SDRAM
60GB Ultra ATA (upgradeable to 80GB 5400-rpm)
Bluetooth built-in
AirPort Extreme built-in
Mini-DVI to DVI, mini-DVI to VGA
can extend your desktop to second display.
dimension: 3.0 x 27.7 x 21.9 cm and 2.1kg

iBook 12"
1.33GHz PowerPC G4
256MB PC2100 (256MHz) DDR SDRAM, up to 1.25GB RAM
ATI Mobility Radeon 9200 32MB SDRAM
30GB Ultra ATA (upgradeable to 60GB)
VGA and S-video out
Video mirror only (no extending of desktop)
dimension: 3.42 x 28.5 x 23.0 cm and 2.2kg

In short, iBook 12" is a very portable machine, but the PowerBook 12" is even better.

There's a hack to make iBook/eMac/iMac to extend the desktop.

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[Josh]

Andrew,

On my iBook G3, I bumped the RAM to 384 MB. In hindsight, I'd wish I had bumped it to 512 MB or maxed it out.

As for screen-size, I have to disagree with Antony. If you are one to use it for the basics, it is fine. However, if you wish to watch DVDs with it. get the 14 inch model.

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[Mandrake]

For the same price as an iBook G4 (12"), Dell offers an Inspiron 1150 notebook with larger 14" screen, extra ram (384 as opposed to 256 on the iBook), and a faster processor (2.8Ghz P4 vs 1GHz G4). If you're on a budget, I know which one I'd take! You even get a $100 mail in rebate, that could be used to get more ram or a larger hard disk.

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[Antony]

How big (dimension) and how heavy is that Dell machine?

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[Mandrake]

1.8 x 12.9 x 10.8 inches and 7.2 lbs, according to Google.

According to Apple - the 12" iBook specs:

Size and weight: iBook G4 with 12.1-inch display

* Height: 1.35 inches (3.42 cm)
* Width: 11.2 inches (28.5 cm)
* Depth: 9.06 inches (23.0 cm)
* Weight: 4.9 pounds (2.2 kg)

The Dell has a larger screen, and is expected to weigh more and be slightly larger.

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[Antony]

1.8 x 12.9 x 10.8 inches and 7.2 lbs, according to Google.

...

The Dell has a larger screen, and is expected to weigh more and be slightly larger.

The 14-inch version of iBook is merely,
Height: 3.42 cm (1.35 inches)
Width: 32.3 cm (12.7 inches)
Depth: 25.9 cm (10.2 inches)
Weight: 2.7 kg (5.9 pounds)

The Dell one is too large and too heavy.

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[Andrew T.]

While I'm sure the Dell notebook in question is a good value, it obviously does not satisfy my second item of criteria:

...I have been seriously considering finally buying a new computer that 1) is a laptop and 2) is a Macintosh.

Let's get back on topic. Does anyone else have any suggestions on how much RAM should I order?

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[Al]

While I'm sure the Dell notebook in question is a good value, it obviously does not satisfy my second item of criteria:

...I have been seriously considering finally buying a new computer that 1) is a laptop and 2) is a Macintosh.

Let's get back on topic. Does anyone else have any suggestions on how much RAM should I order?

More than 512 MB, you Mac will run smoother

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[Mandrake]

1) Why not find a second hand one on Ebay?

2) Add your own ram, Apple charges too much for their memory.

I'd guess that 512mb would be fine, unless you plan on using Photoshop or something.

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[Antony]

1) Why not find a second hand one on Ebay?

That's a good place for checking market value, be careful about that, particularly on the items that are too good to be true.

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[Lorraine]

Whatever you buy, don't buy a Dell computer.
-Lorraine

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[Antony]

If you are still deciding between iBook and PowerBook, besides the feature I mentioned earlier, there's another thing to look at... the case...

iBook's case, strong and tough, but quite easy to get scratched, that is if you care about the physical appearance.

PowerBook's case, strong, not that easily to get scratched, but very easy to leave finger prints, and some wrapping have been reported in Rev. A and Rev. B of 12" model. I haven't experienced this myself (Rev. C), and haven't heard many reports on Rev. C.

iBook does not get finger prints that easily.

As for cleaning and scratching removing... iCleaner may be something you can look at.
I ordered iCleaner Pro Scratch Remover and results of cleaning is available. (Yes, Antony has a digital camera.)

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[Andrew T.]

Thank you, everyone, for your advice--

I decided upon the 12" iBook, with 512MB of RAM.

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