Foo - Apple laptop?

I'm thinking about picking up an apple laptop for my last year of school and for law school. Nothing wrong with the one I have now, it's just HUGE. It's labeled as a "desktop replacement", it's a dell and is nice but is heavy as a preggo pig. I was looking at apple because 1) they pretty 2) they are solid 3) everyone I know swears by them 4) they don't crash and 5) they are light weight.
My question is, for you computer nerds, what the heck is the difference between the iBook and the Powerbook. I know the powerbook is a little bit more powerful I suppose but is that it? and by how much? I'd like to lug this sucker around to class with out it weighing 8lbs. Help guide me in the way of the right path. :D

Edit: I see now there is the MacBook Pro powered by Intel...lets throw that baby in the mix too.

I personally am going to wait a little while before I get an Intel powered mac... let them work out any bugs if there are some.

The powerbook is basically more powerful than the iBook. If you don't run any really demanding applications...the ibook will probably be fine. If you do like graphics, or video editing I would go with the powerbook.

Intel-powered MacBook Pro is out.. :)

http://apnews.excite.com/article/20060214/D8FP5EBO0.html

I am also considering an iBook or a powerbook, but im not sure what to get.

i have a 12 " mac powerbook g4 and like it. it is a very stable operating system and very inuitive and easy to use. the apple support staff is easy to get on the phone, speak american english, and tend to have better knowledge of the product vs many other vendors.

the main drawbacks for me is that it is heavy for its size and i dont like the glide pad very much. i bought a bluetooth apple mouse and it works great. oh and they are very expensive...although there are educational discounts which can save you quite a bit of money.

i would make sure that the apple os is fully functional with all the software/databases you might use in law school (ie westlaw etc).this is very important or you may find your self very frustrated. the medical school i work for has gone almost completely paperless... but some recent changes they made to the remote interface has made it virtually non-functional for apple users....i must use my wifes pc laptop to do any work at home.

also do not get a 12"...it is really too small to do extended work at. i would buy a 15" if i planned on carrying it much. if it was going to stay at home i might consider going bigger.

IBM!

have you considered them?

If you're completely used to a Windows-based environment (as opposed to MacOS), I HIGHLY suggest that you think about your decision to switch. It's comparable to trying to type with your feet. Sure, you can do it, it's just a different feel.

Two years ago, I bought an iMac, and am still trying to get used to it. I use a PC for 8 hours a day at work and thought having a Mac at home would be a nice change of pace, but I quickly realized that I would rather have a hassle-free interface that I'm 100% used to than something foreign.

Mac lovers can bash me, but I suspect you'll really need some time with a Mac to get used to the OS.

Mac is the way to go. I too would wait for the intel laptops, there seem to be some minor bugs, but apple fixes them pretty fast. If you are switching OS, there will be a small learning curve, but once you figure it out, you will soon discover why Mac Users have an almost fanatical devotion to their machines.

Of course if you want to use a cumbersome, outdated, system with major security flaws found on an almost daily basis: stick with windows.

IBM!

have you considered them?
Actually, IBM doesn't make PCs anymore. Their PC division was sold to Levono last year.

I agree with Mo'Phat. I love Macs and for my personal computing needs, I buy Mac. But you have to seriously consider your switch and figure out whether it's right for you before taking the plunge. Make sure, in particular, that all the software you must run is available to you.

That said, if you're still interested in a Mac laptop, my advice is as follows. If you don't need the latest and greatest, get an iBook. It's almost as good as a PowerBook at a bargain price. If you absolutely must have the ability to run an external display AND have the two displays (built-in screen and external display) show different things, get a PowerBook. If you absolutely must have the latest toy and don't mind the problems associated with first generation stuff, get the new Intel-based laptop.

An exception: If your time on your computer is worth hundreds per hour to you (either because you make that much in billable time while on your computer or because you make enough money your free time is worth that much to you), get the PowerBook. It's marginally better performing than the iBook, it's probably a bit more robust, and you don't risk dealing with the bugs in a first generation product. And if your time is that valuable and your computer really makes that big a difference, you'll be buying a new one next year anyway, at which point the MUCH faster Intel-based notebooks should have most of their issues sorted out.

I went to the apple store and the guy I talked too spoke highly of the new MacBook, with my student discount it's the same price as a PowerBook so I'm leaning towards it. He said there wasn't any problem with it (Of course, he's a salesman). I also read a few reviews on it and everyone said its the best thing since sliced bread. Everyone says there will be bugs but it's a Mac, which has been around forever and Intel, which is as solid as they come so I don't really see what mishaps would come from it. Go head, discuss

I love my powerbook.

I would not hesitate to buy a first generation intel based powerbook. Apple stands behind their products 100%. You have an iron clad warrenty for the first year. If you have any concern get the extended warrenty.

I like your thinking Billybob

New question, how would be the best way to transfer everything from the PC to the Mac? A memory stick?

A USB flash drive would be a great investment, if you don't already have one. A nice 1GB model should be well under a hundred bucks now.

Or you could just plug the new system into your network, and put all your files in a shared folder and copy them over the network.

It's not so much hardware bugs I would be concerned about. The question is whether everything you need to run is available now on the Intel Macs. Most things can be run under emulation (Rosetta) if they're not specifically available for Intel Macs, but if you're using emulation all the time, might as well get the PowerBook. For example, Microsoft Office currently runs under emulation. If it's a major part of the work you do, you're better off now with the PowerBook. Or with an iBook since it's essentially the same speed but significantly cheaper, with an eye toward a low-end replacement Intel laptop 2-3 years down the line.

This is especially true if you tend to keep your computers for relatively short amounts of time (say, two years). If an Intel Mac is a good fit, it's definitely technically superior, and with it being the new thing, it should have a longer useful life. But you don't buy an expensive computer now for what it can do three years down the line. You buy it for what it can do for you today. A cheap computer now can be replaced with another cheap computer down the line, and the cheap one then will be faster than the fast one now. A fast computer now is nice because you get the advantages of of a nicer computer now, but the Intel laptop is a special case where due to software issues, this may not be true.

As for how to transfer data, transfer over a network is the fastest. Memory sticks or burning things on CD works, too.

By the way, to say there's no problems with the Intel notebook is a bit deceptive since they haven't been delivered yet. Of course there's no problems. No one has one. As for whether to take the plunge and go with the Intel Mac, well, it really depends on your usage and your personality type. Though I tend to buy high end and keep my computers for relatively long times, at this point in time, rationally, I'd probably hold off on the Intel laptops if an iBook suits my needs. Though I admit I've stared at the Intel laptops and I certainly wouldn't mind buying one myself.

Apples are for eating not for computing.

Har.

Apples are for eating not for computing.

Even as a lifelong (well, half-life-long at least, 8 yrs) PC user AND a technician at a shop that only works on PC's, in a town with very few Apple users and no store selling apples (as far as I know)... I disagree.

Nearly all I do on the computer is use the internet, use a tuner card viewing application to play Xbox games, and photo editing. With the emphasis on photo editing, since it's pretty system-intensive. An Apple would be great for my purposes. Only problem is, I would never buy an iMac, and the Powermac starts at $2k, twice what I paid to build my A64 system....

Yea I know. Apples are great for video/imaging Apps but what else do the have. Apple missed the boat years ago when IBM let the clones out Apple should have done the same.

Yea I know. Apples are great for video/imaging Apps but what else do the have. Apple missed the boat years ago when IBM let the clones out Apple should have done the same.Tell that to Steve Jobs:

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e346/DannoXYZ/060217-APPLDELLIBMSP500.gif

If I was a shareholder or on the BoD, I'd know what company I'm going with...

If you're completely used to a Windows-based environment (as opposed to MacOS), I HIGHLY suggest that you think about your decision to switch. It's comparable to trying to type with your feet. Sure, you can do it, it's just a different feel.

Two years ago, I bought an iMac, and am still trying to get used to it. I use a PC for 8 hours a day at work and thought having a Mac at home would be a nice change of pace, but I quickly realized that I would rather have a hassle-free interface that I'm 100% used to than something foreign.

Mac lovers can bash me, but I suspect you'll really need some time with a Mac to get used to the OS.
Hah yes. Been using computers for over a decade. I cannot for the life of me use a Mac. All of the key mnemonics are completely and 100% different. It's very annoying.

Yea I know. Apples are great for video/imaging Apps but what else do the have. Apple missed the boat years ago when IBM let the clones out Apple should have done the same.

Holy misinformation batman!

'Apples' are called Macs...

Nearly every major piece of software available (barring games) is available on the Mac. Photochop was Mac only for a long time - but we forget things like that.

Microsoft office was available on the mac first.

Mac Office is still a superior product to the PC version - microsoft even admit it.

What else does it have? Its a stable, virus free OS. Comes with Mail, iTunes, Safari, iPhoto etc etc etc.

So in other words, its 'great for video/imaging Apps' but it is also a superior platform for general computing too. Seems like a good deal to me.

Next argument is gonna be price? Well my last mac lasted 4 years and still runs completely sweet. Compared to a PC that i'm forced to run (swmbo's) that lasted 1.5 years before being very tired and being replaced, the cost differential is in the Mac's favour.

Or the 'i can't use a Mac cos its different' argument? Well i know alot of very very competent techs that say that, but a day or two with a Mac usually sorts them out. The thing that usually gets them is that they are so used to trying to figure out how the computer wants it done that they can't get used to just doing what they want to do.

Oh, and the things come with two button mice now, they have been supported for about 20 years anyway. Speaking of support - how many drivers have i had to install for hardware? None. Ever. And in an office of 20 that regularly use external hardware for sims and other interesting applications, there has been a total of 1 hardware driver download. In 8 years.

Having thought about it though, this post is likely a waste, as trying to 'convert' people to Macs is like trying to tell drivers that riding is more fun, cheaper etc. They look at you funny, go 'nah man, that's just a toy' and drive away thinking about how you used to be a normal person that drove and thought that bike riders were wieners too.

[/early morning pre coffee pissed off rant]

a memory stick? what are you ********? just get a ultra dickload super mega drive.

hhahaha no just get a 12" powerbook and you will want nothing more... as far as an ibook... umm there are ok if you want to go budget, but if you want expandability get a powerbook

i run a g5 dual 2.0 with 4.5 gigs or ram and a 500 GB hd with 24 bit audio and video.. i use to have 2 powerbooks and they were just not fast enough

I wants selector's job, they must pay really really well. :)

selector's gotta go.

Any one recommend a good book for learning the in's and out's of the Mac OS?

When I was a LAN administrator, I worked on PCs all day. That's why I bought a Mac. That was about 8-9 years ago. It didn't take long for me to get used to the Apple way of doing things and now I can switch comfortably between the two. I see a new Apple purchase this year in my future, probably a Mac mini. I can't wait.

selector's gotta go.

Any one recommend a good book for learning the in's and out's of the Mac OS?

Most of them are reasonable. Why not check out a Mac specific forum for help? (do a search before asking questions though) They will be the most up to date and relevant.

i wouldn't even stress learning the ins and outs before hand, cause in a very short amount of time you will learn all you need to know just by using it

but sad macs bombs and other disasters, is a good book if you think you might have problems

Tell that to Steve Jobs:

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e346/DannoXYZ/060217-APPLDELLIBMSP500.gif

If I was a shareholder or on the BoD, I'd know what company I'm going with...

Does this graph include profit from the entire product line? I'm pretty sure the iPod, which cost about $5 to build but is $300 at the store (600% profit, give or take), might be the swaying factor in those numbers. Steve Jobs' brilliance is in diversification.

Does this graph include profit from the entire product line? I'm pretty sure the iPod, which cost about $5 to build but is $300 at the store (600% profit, give or take), might be the swaying factor in those numbers. Steve Jobs' brilliance is in diversification.

Who told you that iPods cost $5? I 'd bet with iTunes R&D and the engineering of the actual device that they are a lot more.

Steve Jobs' brilliance is diversification? Into what?

Yes. I was being fascetious with the $5 figure. The hard drives alone are close to $30 each, then you've got the batteries, chips, casing, display, etc. Total cost for a full-size 30gb Video iPod to manufacture is nearly $100...but those sell for $300.

His diversification into personal audio, in particular, is to what I was referring. From this article: http://www.businessweek.com/technology/content/jan2006/tc20060110_623326.htm
it's saying that Apple sold nearly 14 million iPods in the December quarter alone...so I was asking whether that graph is of computer sales compared to IBM or of their Apple's entire product line.

/still...it's probably only $5 worth of labor to build and iPod. :)

From what I've been able to gather, Apple's margin on iPods started out around 23% and is down to 18% now with the latest models. So a $300 iPod ends up costing them around $240 to make and sell including all R&D costs. There's no breakdown on what individual products contribute to the bottom line.

i like my ipod and my apple computer :)

Yes. I was being fascetious with the $5 figure. *snip*
His diversification into personal audio, in particular, is to what I was referring. *snip(

/still...it's probably only $5 worth of labor to build and iPod. :)

I was taking the piss too, the internet is **** for this subtle language bit :) I think i needed a few more ?????????????and maybe some zOMGWTFBBQ!!!!!11!!1!!onE!!!! yeah? :D

The diversification into audio was preceded by a serious consolidation of the company. I think that is what he is famous for, taking a crappy company and fixing it by re-focusing it.