Author Topic: Laptop or Desktop Mac for School? (Read 12741 times)

ljocampo · « **Reply #45 on:** August 25, 2003, 05:20:41 PM »

[All things being equal; a 900 Mhz G3 will equal a 900 Mhz G4 if the task does not use the Velocity Engine. Right?]

Wrong! The G4 is a generation ahead of the G3. Your reference point of 900MHz just says they have the same clock speed. Clock speed doesn't equate to speed comparisons across different CPUs. The G4 is about 20 or 30% faster than the G3, mostly due to its advanced memory design.

Just about all versions of OS X 10.2x Cocoa applications take advantage of the Altivec system. Many Carbon applications do too. But many non graphical applications don't even need the speed boost from the Altivec system.

Epaminondas · « **Reply #46 on:** August 25, 2003, 08:55:03 PM »

The 12" PowerBook

zodraz · « **Reply #47 on:** August 26, 2003, 09:05:33 AM »

Here is an interesting speed comparison with processor card upgrades.
http://www.macspeedzone.com/archive/5.0/up...G3-G4Cards.html

And this 1999 article in Accelerate your Mac:
http://www.xlr8yourmac.com/G3CARDS/XLR8G4/G4vsG3.html

I think the old concept was that there was a small diference. But it seems over the past few years the overall performance of the G4 has improved over similar speed G3s.

I am surprised with the difficulty of finding any meaningful list of applications that use the velocity engine.

kelly · « **Reply #48 on:** August 26, 2003, 09:10:39 AM »

Z. That's because it's old news.

The G4 was introduced in '99.

What exactly is your point anyway?

Deciding between an iBook and the 12" Powerbook?

Powerbook would be better in a lot of ways.

Better enough for the money? For you to decide.

Or your daughter.

Ask kps how he likes his.

zodraz · « **Reply #49 on:** August 27, 2003, 02:59:28 PM »

Kelly,
What exactly is your point anyway?

Reply:
That my knowledge WAS old news.

The G4 is now more than just the "Velocity Engine" added to a G3.
But it seems to me that if the Velocity Engine is as hot an item, it would be much easier to find a list of applications that use it. I think with the speed (and future speeds) of the G5, the o'l Velocity Engine will fade away as a selling point.

Kelly,
Deciding between an iBook and the 12" Powerbook?

Powerbook would be better in a lot of ways.

Better enough for the money? For you to decide.

Or your daughter.

Reply
My daughter will decide.

But she's not a computer-head. She likes the bigger screen, doesn't play RPG's, and will mostly use "Office apps". She may (because of her arts background, use some graphics applications.

However, this thing has to last her 4 years. And Ma and Pa will have to toss in a few bucks to get either.

Actually the price difference is minimal. The difference for a 14" ibook with wireless and AppleCare and a 12" PowerBook is about $80! This is also figuring in the 7% sales tax.

The pluses of the PowerBook's faster DDR memory, G4, Bluetooth and AirPort Extreme (iBook uses the slower AirPort) make it obvious to me which is the better deal.

BUT Daughter likes the bigger screen! So, I need all the information I can get. Which I think I now have.

So once again, Thanks so very much!

My last adventure will see if buying the PowerBook on-line might save us some money. MacWarehouse has the 12" (list price) with a "free" AirPort Extreme card, extra memory, tote bag and a printer.
After that, I'm done.

kelly · « **Reply #50 on:** August 27, 2003, 10:10:11 PM »

One more point Z.

I believe with the Powerbook you can hook it to a Monitor and have different resolutions.

With the iBook you're stuck with one resolution.

Except for a hack. Which may cause problems.

I still say you should ask kps.

Mayo · « **Reply #51 on:** August 27, 2003, 10:29:54 PM »

The Powerbook allows monitor spanning,while the iBook allows only mirroring. I don't know about resolution settings...

zodraz · « **Reply #52 on:** August 28, 2003, 12:31:49 PM »

Thanks Kelly,

Sent kps a personal message via TS.

Let see if it works!

That AltiVec, Velocity Engine thing still is an issue with me. Here is an ad from PowerLogix:

"The PowerForce G3 is the most advanced CPU product available for these machines. Descended from the original PowerForce G3 introduced in 1997, the original PowerForce G3 includes either 512K or 1MB of backside cache running at half the CPU speed. The newly-introduced PowerForce G3 800 features an IBM 750FX running at 800MHz with 512K of cache running at a blazing 800MHz. Its great performance at a very economical price.

The vast majority of mainstream applications still do not take advantage of Altivec, and therefore having greater clock speed for tasks that are used most often will extend the life of these machines well into the future."

Yeah, I know they want to sell you their stuff, but there must be truth there.

Also PowerLogix has a press release about the G5 vs their upgrades veiled as a congratulation to Apple. It's pretty transparent.

Note: I've bought and used their stuff (no problems), so no knocks on the company!

kps · « **Reply #53 on:** August 28, 2003, 09:59:24 PM »

Got your Private Message, zodraz.

You have a wealth of great responses in this thread and they're all valid from each individual perspective.

You asked if I'd recommend the 12" powerbook, well yeah, I would and not just because I already have one.

It's an absolute joy from a mobility standpoint, small and rugged, phenomenal form factor. Lugging this from class to class will be a breeze. The screen is clear and sharp and not difficult to read at all and the keyboard is awesome.

If the purchase has to last 4yrs, I would seriously think about this model over the iBook. Mainly because of the processor, but also because the "return on investment" will be better, not to mention resale value at the end of it.

Who knows what new developments lie around the corner, the 12" PB will be better positioned to deal with many of the things to come.

Since it will be your daughter's decision, I'd take her to a place where she can try it.

If you have more specific questions, feel free to ask them...I'll try to answer them if I can.

Mayo · « **Reply #54 on:** August 28, 2003, 10:34:58 PM »

So KPS, what is your Real World experience regarding the toasty underside of the 12" PB? Do you ever use it on your lap while wearing shorts?

kps · « **Reply #55 on:** August 28, 2003, 11:34:11 PM »

It does get quite warm Mayo, but not unbearably hot.

I did follow the instructions and "conditioned" the battery when first used. I also reset the power manager as recommended.

At Harv's recommendation, I got The CoolPad and CoolPad Traveler. Great products for any laptop. Thanks, Harv.

I related my first impressions in THIS THREAD.

Epaminondas · « **Reply #56 on:** September 01, 2003, 12:40:51 PM »

Anti-theft thread

zodraz · « **Reply #57 on:** September 02, 2003, 01:09:22 PM »

Drum roll please!

My daughter is the proud owner of a new 12" PowerBook! Ta Daa!

We bought it at the "Oak Brook Mall" in Oakbrook. FYI, of the three Apple stores in our area (Chicago, Schaumburg, Oakbrook), the Oak Brook store has the lowest sales tax (Schaumberg 2nd, Chicago most). Didn't know that, but found out from talking to the Apple rep.

We got the "base" machine. That is, no extra RAM, and just the "combo drive". Our budget was pretty much blown with what we got! The young man (College student, summer job), told us that was the machine he was saving up for. He said he was not reccomending the SuperDrives because they are so slow (1X DVD write). And the $200 difference for the SuperDrive could purchase an external FireWire DVD Burner that would be faster. Also, we can add that later IF she even needs or wants that(which she currently doesn't).

Got the AppleCare, since the 3 years start AT THE DATE OF PURCHASE OF THE EQUIPMENT. So waiting woudn't have given us any more time. That also meant they updated all the OS X software. Saved me the hassle, especially since I only have dial-up.

We will get the AirPort probably from Amazon.com since her uncle gave her a gift certificate from them. We may also get MS Office education edition there too, since it's the lowest price ($100, free shipping).

Got the HP 5150 printer (free after rebate). Did not buy the USB connector cord there ($20!). Bought one at Walmart for $10. It was still too much! It's such a rip that they (HP) don't include one!

Hopefully this week we'll pick up a MicroSoft Optical Wheelmouse at Best Buy (on sale $10). They work great in OS 9, and it's not a big loss if she swaps it later with some other device.

And we got the iPod deal. She doesn't want it, but I couldn't pass up the deal. I hope Apple hurries up with the rebate check!

So, with a little bit of hassle I got the laptop connected to our dialup ISP. However, for some reason I have to use the "Terminal" window to logon, wereas with OS 9, and Winows 98 it connects without a keystroke. Weird and annoying!

But once "connected" she's had lots of fun setting up iChat with her AIM account and talking to her "buddies".

Showed her Safari which she's been using to watch Homestarrunner and check her College email. I keep asking her if the schools mail system supports POP or IMAP so I can set up "Mail". I've tried to explain the advantages, but so far she's not interested. Oh well...

At least I can play with the iPod!

Thanks Again!

PS. Whats this about setting up the power manager (to reduce the heat)?

kelly · « **Reply #58 on:** September 02, 2003, 09:41:05 PM »

Leader!

How about asking questions in a new Thread?

News:

Author Topic: Laptop or Desktop Mac for School? (Read 12741 times)