12" Rev. A AluBook worth switching?

My problem is as follows:

A coleague of my mum's offered me to buy a 12" Rev. A AluBook and the price is dirt cheap. And i mean it`d cost me less than a 1.25 mini. One of the problems is that it even doesn`t have a wall adapter so i couldn`t turn it on and see the rest of the specs. I know it has a 7455 G4 867Mhz (that`s what rev A AluBooks had) but that`s pretty much it.

I currently own a PC Laptop w P4 2.66Ghz, 512 DDR 333 RAM and a 64MB Ati Radeon Mobility 9000 and from time to time it`s pissing me off. It also has a 15.4" 1400x1050 screen which is "good enough".

From what i`ve read, as a advanced user i`ll probably find it slow cause some people even find the 1.25 mini slow. I`d use it for Net with some light PS work and mostly as a digital hub.

I would get Tiger for it but what i`m affraid that this almost 3 year old tech will make my 1st Mac experience pretty miserable and slow (speed is my main concern).

So what is your advice? I want a Mac soooo bad plus this is the first time i`d be able to afford one. (as i said, it`d cost me less than a 1.25 mini)

Should I wait and save to get a mini or go for this 12" AlBook? (i repeat, it`s really cheap compared to what i`ve seen on eBay and other bidding websites)

Sorry for grammar and typos but i`m in a hurry and excited

(awaits the ****ie bashing)

PS Here are the general specs for the Rev. A AluBooks. I won`t know the specs of the one i`m looking to buy untill i turn it on >.<

PowerBook G4 (12.1")

Codename: Thresher

CPU: PowerPC 7455

CPU Speed: 867 MHz

FPU: integrated

Bus Speed: 133 MHz

Data Path: 64 bit

ROM: 1 MB ROM + 3 MB toolbox ROM loaded into RAM

RAM Type: PC2100 DDR

Minimum RAM Speed: 266 MHz

Onboard RAM: 128 MB

RAM Slots: 1

Maximum RAM: 640 MB

Level 1 Cache: 32 kB data, 32 kB instruction

Level 2 Cache: 256 kB on-chip, 1:1

Screen: 12.1 active matrix TFT

Video Card: NVIDIA GeForce 420 Go

VRAM: 32 MB

Maximum Resolution: 24 bit 1024x768

Optical Drive: 24x/24x/10x/8x CD-RW/DVD-ROM

Hard Disk: 40 GB

ATA Bus: ATA-100

Ethernet: 10/100Base-T

USB: 2

FireWire: 1

Video Out: mini-VGA

Audio Out: stereo 16 bit mini

Audio In: stereo 16 bit mini

Speaker(s): stereo, center midrange

Microphone: mono

Modem: 56 kbps

AirPort Extreme: optional

BlueTooth: internal

Gestalt ID: 406

Power: 47 Watts

Weight: 4.6 lbs.

Dimensions: 1.18" H x 10.9" W x 8.6" D

Minimum OS: 10.2.3

Maximum OS: 10.3.7

Introduced: January 2003

Terminated: September 2003

#272710

You say it will cost you less than a mini. How much less? Less than 10%, less than 20%. If is less than 20, I'd go for it. If not, i"d save for a mini.

~Edit I think with 128 ram is way too slow...

#272714

it`d cost me 500 euros and stock 1.25 mini costs 640 here

#272715

Well, let me tell you this: if I'd be in your situation and I'd already have 500 euro and the mini is 640 (including taxes, right?), I would wait for the mini.

But that's just my opinion, you should wait for the others'.

#272717

Well, let me tell you this: if I'd be in your situation and I'd already have 500 euro and the mini is 640 (including taxes, right?), I would wait for the mini.

But that's just my opinion, you should wait for the others'.

that is true but the fact that i`m already on a laptop (that i`d have t sell in oredr to get this PB) and that i don`t have a monitor is what rises the price of the mini.

i`d have to buy a mini (1.25 = 640) + at least 512MB of RAM (100 euros here) + at least 100 euros for a monitor >.<

if i had a monitor, i`d go with a mini witout a doubt

#272718

Yes, but now you have a 15.4" display and you would go to 12.1", which is ... a lot worse.

As for the amount of ram, mini ships with 256, which I think is enough for the beginning.

~Edit Also with mini you have warranty, software included...

#272720

dude, your current laptop is better than that book you're considering. don't let your irrational mac desire cloud your judgement...oops, too late for that

#272727

even with the RAM maxed out, it'd still feel a looooot slower than your current setup.

i'm typing from an ibook with similar specs (800mhz G4 / 640mb RAM) and going from a high-end toshiba to this model was a huge shock in terms of GUI responsiveness and performance.... that being said i still prefer it to my old toshiba hands down thanks to one thing: OS X.

the apps i have running any given time on my iBook are Word / Excel 2004, VLC, KDX / BT, PS CS, iTunes, Shapeshifter / misc haxies, Safari, Mail, Pages and other minor apps. The G4 can handle all that as long as you have at least 512mb RAM.

GO FOR THE POWERBOOK (if it works!)

OS X is calling you, bro.

#272733

I run on an even slower processor (550 MHz TiBook) and stuff works fine but you must increase the RAM to at least 512. Since you have only one slot, you might have to sit on a 512 stick (since Giggies are expensive). With the RAM, it will still cost the same as a mini (Upgrade the mini's RAM too if you choose it instead of the AlBook).

The AlBook specs are really nice, but with your current laptop, I'd wait for a decent desktop. The AlBook will work for Photoshop but only if you upgrade it (min RAM is 256/380).

#272743

I say to wait for the mac mini, the speed boost youll get and better graphics card will make Tiger much more enjoyable for you, if you dont need the portability get the mini which'll last you a lot more than a powerbook. Also, you'll know that your mini is new, and is covered by applecare for a certain amout of time, however, your powerbook would be bought with years of use, meaning that it is more prone to break/deadpixels etc ;D

#272746

resist the urge and pass up the offer - you know it makes sense. Especailly concidering the spec of your current laptop.......

#272771

resist the urge and pass up the offer - you know it makes sense. Especailly concidering the spec of your current laptop.......

*takes a spoon and tries to poke his breains out*

I got a power brick for the PB and tomorrow i`m gonna try it out.

That will be the "make it or break it" moment.

#272803

I run on an even slower processor (550 MHz TiBook) and stuff works fine but you must increase the RAM to at least 512. Since you have only one slot, you might have to sit on a 512 stick (since Giggies are expensive). With the RAM, it will still cost the same as a mini (Upgrade the mini's RAM too if you choose it instead of the AlBook).

The AlBook specs are really nice, but with your current laptop, I'd wait for a decent desktop. The AlBook will work for Photoshop but only if you upgrade it (min RAM is 256/380).

that powerbook model doesn't support gig sticks...therfore max is 640 [128 onboard + 512 stick]

yes, get it, it is WORTH IT. my dad has a dell desktop pc with "better" specs that my powerbook, but mines is so much smoother...and plus it has SEXY OS X.

you'll be so happy w/ os x you'll forget you have an early albook

#272829

@unbe: Take your time to save up. Make every single € count. You know €€€ doesn't come easily.

Don't worry, I'll be waiting for you to come over to this side.

#272844

that powerbook model doesn't support gig sticks...therfore max is 640 [128 onboard + 512 stick]

Yeah it does....the ibook g4800 will recognize the gig stick...and its basically the same computer

#272845

Photo is right. It supports 1152MB in total, including 128MB on the logic board.

#272848

maybe you didn't read the specs

Maximum RAM: 640 MB

end of story

#272850

@poster above: Check a reliable source please.

#272851

Ya, Apple is a horrible source...

//edit HERE IS THE SOURCE

http://download.info.apple.com/Apple_Suppo.../L25519A_EN.pdf

"supports up to 640MB"

END OF DISCUSSION

#272852

Apple provides upgrades to 640MB, but you CAN add a 1GB stick to it.

#272853

no you can't

apple says you can't

http://www.crucial.com/store/listparts.asp...ay%29&submit=Go

crucial says you can't

#272854

Upgrade Tips :

Power Macintosh G4 867 Mhz comes with 256 MB pre installed, the system has one memory expansion slots, the main memory of the system can be upgraded to 1152 MB [Megabytes] [maximum].

Source

message is too short so i am adding this blahblha

#272856

i've never heard about that website

but i'm still going to trust apple and crucial over some weird website like that

fyi on their top nav bar there is a section about 15 or so pixels wide right after the nav bubbles that has the wrong gradient/lighter shadow...

#272858

fyi on their top nav bar there is a section about 15 or so pixels wide right after the nav bubbles that has the wrong gradient/lighter shadow...

.. and this is important because.... ?

#272861

i've never heard about that website

Ok its not as famous as say newegg, but i bought my ram there and know it isnt shady/or a scam

Eitherway I am trying to say that a 1gb can be used, perhaps its not official or supported but it can be done without causing any harm.

#272862