Aqua-Soft ForumsNow that they have released the "g5", me and (maybe) H4rM find ourselfs in a dilema. We have the great portability and the superdrive etc. on the powerook 17", while the new g5 has a dual 2ghz at $300 less. Since Panther wil optimize the new g5, I think that the g4 will be rendered obsolete like the current g3 (in Taha's ibook 
). So should I trade my unopened Powerbook 17" for the new g5 and $300 in cash, or keepthe g4 for its portability, or the 3rd option: to wait until the Powerbook g5 is relesed (which may not be anytime soon). 
I really need help, so unlike my other posts that you ignored please post here... 
Powerbook G4
Well, do you need the portability? personally, im all about power, so Id get the G5.
BUT, wait for Panther to come out. In case the G5 comes out first. Because if you buy pre-panther, you will have to shell out another $130. But im sure Panther will come w/ the G5s when it is released.
Or give me your powerbook 
But Contra I would have to buy a display since I have only one, and my parents will make sure it stays on my PC. I'm not willing to dish out $700 for a small 17" display, that where my dilema deepens. HEEEELPP I may be going mad :nuts: :nuts:
Just get a 19" CRT for like $300, or put your mac next to your PC and just switch between them, I dought you will use both computers at the same time.
If portability was a big issue, you'd not have bought the 17" Powerbook. As wonderful as the machine is, it's not exactly portable in the true sense of the word. Too damn big. Get the G5, keep it next to the PC for now, and save up for a nicer monitor.
If you really need portability, trade down to a 12" iBook or 12" Powerbook for now, then save up for a while and get the G5 then. Investing that kind of money on what is now looking like a very outdated model (at least spec-wise compared to the G5) would make no economic sense for me. The iBooks and 12" Powerbooks are looking like sound investments, however. Certainly the iBook 900Mhz has had superb reports, with it being cool (in both senses), light, sturdy, and actually outperforming the 12" PB in many aspects of the iBook/Powerbook benchmark comparisons.
But, frankly, only you know your needs. You've got the decision to make, and good luck with it.
every Mac 450MHz+ is ready for Panther. In fact, Panther will run BETTER than Jaguar. It will be faster...
I need some more suggestions, I'm having insomnia, sleeping at 2 am and waking up at 8 am in f***ing summer vacation, I need advice, only one more week left to make a decision. :nuts: :nuts:
Listen, you're are a kid. You dont need the power of either. If I were you, id return the 17" PB, buy a 12" iBook, and save the rest of the money for a "rainy day".
Dont go blowing it on some extravagent hardware you will never use.
Maybe save some of it for college?
You might not agree with me, but here's what I'd do:
I'd return the 17" pB. Then I'd get a 15" powerbook (believe me, I need a portable computer. Not want, 'need'. I do all my presentations and stuff on'em). The 17" IS portable, I agree, but I would pick the 15" because I could spend the extra money saved on something else, like chicken breasts or an iPod. 
better still, do what Contra said. I know the iBook is enough for me. More than enough. I had more than enough money to get the TiBook when I bought my iBook, but I didn't, because I knew I'd be wasting my money..
:cry: :cry: I guess I'll return the g4 and wait for the g5 Powerbook, which I hope will be released soon (although that is very unlikely). I may consider trading it in for the powermac g5, but not as much as the preceding. To Taha and Contra, I do need all that power for video editing for a school media lab, plus I need it to show off. 
dont expect the G5 Powerbook any sooner than 6-8 months...
and why don't you go for the 15 incher?? as far as I know, the L2 cache and the gfx card is actually better in the TiBook.
Frankly I don't like the 15"'s enclosure, that scratches easily and is painted plastic, furthermore I need the larger screen. 
Concerning funds, I just got an exceptional report card (you know us Indians j/k ) so my parents are willing to spend as much as the Powerbook costs $3299, but the powermac with 17" display costs $3349, a bit over the bar.
well, I guess then... keep the 17 incher.
Originally posted by nrzero@Jun 24 2003, 11:03 PMFrankly I don't like the 15"'s enclosure, that scratches easily and is painted plastic, furthermore I need the larger screen.
Hey, you don't need to go and get the Apple monitor. Have a look at the Formac oxygen models, one of those along with the G5 would surely be less than the $3349 you quoted. Besides, you kept on boasting that you got the 17" for lower than the $3299 RRP. What happened to that?
Frankly, while I know I said earlier that it's your choice that only you can make, I think you'd be insane to go for the 17" at this moment in time. To spend that much money on a computer and not get the very best to me seems unwise. If your folks won't put you up to the price for the G5 + monitor, how about adding a little of your own money? $150 isn't exactly the world. I wouldn't mind getting one of those computers for $150 of my own money.
That probably comes across as bitter. It isn't meant to be so, just some straightforward advice. Take it or leave it.
It's always been a personal maxim of mine that when investing in technology, you either get the cheapest, or the very best. The cheapest means you can update soon without feeling bad, or the very best with the idea of it lasting a long time. While the 17" is innovative design-wise, it's going to be blown away by these G5 computers. And if you need such a powerful computer as you claim to, then why not get the 'World's most powerful'?
I bought my 17" powerbook for $2475, but when I had it replaced the Apple store said I paid $3299 even though I didn't, so I have $3299 to spend at the Apple store right now, and if I return it I can make a hand $825.
NO POWERBOOK G5:
"Motorola is huge for us," said Joswiak. "Our partnership with Motorola is not going away, G4s are in every other part of our product line. As you can see, [the G5] is not going in a PowerBook anytime soon. Motorola remains very important to us, but IBM is the one that can take us to the next level."
nrzero, I have already returned mine for a full refund as of last Wednesday. I am going to wait for the Powerbook G5 with Panther. I dont care for the desktops at all to be 100% honest, I only am concerened for their Powerbook line. So I am going to wait for either the 15 or the 17 inch new ones to come out. Just my 2 cents worth.
I bought myself a new Samsung Syncmaster 213T LCD monitor (21.3" viewable and 1600 x 1200 and 500:1 contrast ratio) and got rid of my 21" viewsonic crt. This way I am not as upset about having to return my 17" powerbook.
Taha, how reliable is that info? If the powerbook is not to be updated anytime soon, then I might as well order another 17" pbook. then just get the Panther OS once it is released.
I am happy with what you have done with the money. I think it was the right investment.
And since the G5 PB isn't anticipated any time soon, you could save up till then and buy the best of the best that time too.