IBook, PowerBook, or a Netbook?

Well, unfortunately, my iBook G3 is ready to be retired. I just have (almost) no use for it as the things I need to do just won't work on this iBook. I even just upgraded the ram to the max of 640MB and although some things to run smoother, it still isn't as speedy as it should be. Sure, its a great laptop for basic internet surfing and what not, but other then that, there just isn't enough "power" for the things I need it for anymore.
Currently, I do not have big $$$ to go out and buy anything new - Otherwise, I'd order myself the new 17" MacBook Pro ($2799.99) right away, but at the moment, I can't do that. Another option is I found a used 17" PowerBook G4 with decent specs for $700 on craigslist. Although its more then i'm willing to spend, the specs and condition for the price is making me anxious to buy it.
*But finally, here is my real question:* - What about a "Netbook"?? You know, those super small laptops, 9 or so inch screen, super thin and light weight etc. As you may know, some of them can be "hacked" to run OS X. I do not believe in stealing operating systems like that, so if I was to do this, I would at least buy a license of Leopard so although I'd sill be "hacking" it, at least I wouldn't be stealing. For me, it comes down to two things - price and power. A good netbook is anywhere from $300-$500. The used powerbook G4 was $700. Obviously the netbook would be cheaper - BUT what about POWER? Most netbooks have an Intel Atom processor with speeds around 1.6GHz. The powerbook I am looking at has a 1.33GHz G4 processor. So am I corrent in saying that a netbook processor is better then a G4? Speedwise, or atleast by looking at the number it seems that way, but I am wondering what average does a G4 have that an Intel Atom processor doesn't have.
For example, I learned here:
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=1684271&tstart=0
that a 900Mhz G3 isn't as good as a 800MHz G4. I wodnering if this is the same in comparing an Intel Atom to a PowerPc G4.
In short, I'd just like to know which would be better.
Sure, if I bought the powerbook i'd have things like a dvd drive, large screen, blacklit keyboard, etc that a netbook doesn't have, but i'm more interested in talking about the POWER here.
Thanks for any suggestions or specifications that anyone can provide.

True, I guess it still WOULD be illegal because of the licensing agreement. But I just had saw that it was being done, and thought that it would be an interesting comparison and something for me to look into as I enjoy the "modding" to save a few extra bucks. But I thought at least the topic would be good to compare the processors.
I have thought about the MacBook, and herd the other day that they had just updated the specs of the cheapest (white) model. I just think that if I'm going to buy something NEW, I might as well get the best to prevent it from going out of date. (I mean the white macbooks are ALREADY out of date! So although they are still nice computers, they just won't be as "cool" as the new ones)
I've thought about the NEW MacBooks, but they cost more, and with the lack of FireWire, I just can't get myself to agree with Apple from taking it away in the first place. (although I DO love the unibody design and track pad)
Because I need firewire, that means I need a MacBook Pro, and if I'm going to go pro, I might as well get the larger screen (I know, not really portable anymore) but now I'm up to $2799 for that model. - So thats why I thought the use 17" PowerBook G4 would be a good option for me. It has the things I want like the larger screen and firewire, and SHOULD be enough power that I need. Then, when move onto collage, have more money, etc, THEN I can buy the big "grand daddy!!" lol.
But thanks for the suggestion....

Similar Messages

IPod USB charging when iBook/Powerbook is sleeping

Hello all.
We've got two iPods (a 5G and a 4G) and two portable Macs (PowerBook and iBook).
Here's the issue: when our computers are sleeping (ie. the lids are closed), but also plugged into the wall, we could charge our old 4G iPods using the FireWire cables.
Now that one of us has upgraded to a 5G (which doesn't sync through FireWire), and the other has switched to using the USB cable to sync/charge, we've noticed that the iPods don't charge through USB when the computers are asleep but plugged in.
Is this the experience that other iPod/Mac users are having? Is there a way to force the iPods to charge when the computers are sleeping AND powered, or do iBooks and Powerbooks need to be awake to charge an iPod through USB?
I understand why a sleeping iBook or Powerbook that's NOT plugged in wouldn't charge an iPod -- it doesn't with FireWire, after all. But a computer that IS plugged in? How inconvenient if I had to open my computer every time I'm trying to charge up the iPod!
Please advise. Thanks.

Powering a device through the USB bus requires that the CPU on the host machine be active in order to arbitrate power for different devices and warn the operator if a device is drawing too much power from the bus. Since the CPU doesn't do anything while the computer is asleep, devices cannot be powered while the host is asleep. Power used by FireWire devices is drawn directly from the power supply and doesn't need any information from the CPU while the computer is plugged in. When on battery power, FireWire ports are shut off while the computer is asleep to save battery time.
(13048)

Sudden Motion Sensor on OSX 10.4.6 (iBook/PowerBook G4)

cheers!
according to http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=303178, there is a problem with the sudden motion sensor on my ibook g4 14'.
my questions are:
1. is the sms really not working or is it just not showing up in the system profiler?
2. what should i do to bring sms (back?)to work? install a macosx-version prior to 10.4.3?
3. did the sms on my ibook ever work? bought it with 10.4.3 on it.
thanks for the answers.

Hi Mmkay,
Welcome to Apple Discussions
I am sorry, but just to make sure; Does the Sudden Motion Sensor not show up in System Profile (Getting Information About Your Computer (System Profiler)). In System Profiler > click on the Hardware tab > Look in the main window and you should seen Sudden Motion Sensor below Serial Number. Does it say State: Enabled? If it doesn't show up, bring it to your local Apple Store. I don't think that reinstalling the system software will make a difference.
Jon
Mac Mini 1.42Ghz, iPod (All), Airport (Graphite & Express), G4 1.33Ghz iBook, G4 iMac 1Ghz, G3 500Mhz, iBook iMac 233Mhz, eMate, Power Mac 5400 LC, PowerBook 540c, Macintosh 128K, Apple //e, Apple //, and some more... Mac OS X (10.4.5) Moto Razr, iLife '06, SmartDisk 160Gb, Apple BT Mouse, Sight..

IBook/Powerbook superdrive used for macbook pro replacement part?

Can I use a superdrive from an ibook or powerbook as a replacement part for my macbook pro?

I doubt the iBook drives would fit as Apple tended to use slightly larger drives but out of an Aluminium PowerBook you might have some luck.

Difference between ibook/powerbook NOW

well since now, all the books come standard with bluetooth, airport, 512 ram and g4 processor... coming to compare, wat are the MAJOR difference between ibook and powerbook currently? except some ggz changes in the processor speed, physical appearence , and back lit keyboard, wat other things make powerbook superior?
any replies wud be nice to have
regards
rishi

There r still many differenes..
1) I would count RESOLUTION as a BIG difference..1024x768 is certainly lesser than 1280x854..Leave aside professionals, I have friends, who cant even work on a 1024 screen..
2) FIREWIRE speed is the next thing..I have much data to be stored off the iBook, hence I would have been happier if i had Firewire 800..The transfer would have been definitely faster..
3) In my iBook, i miss the digital/analog(especially digital) audio, since i am a music freak..

IBook (Powerbook 6,7) 10.4 disc problems

My mother got this computer, the iBook 14" registered as PowerBook 6,7 running 10.4 with 1 GB RAM.
From the beginning we've had issues with the hard-drive, so I changed the drive (brand new) then we had issues installing 10.4, got various issues, such as the computer wasn't good enough for 10.4, problems upgrading from 10.4.3 to 10.4.11 (for a long time etc.)
It's been running fairly ok since, flash movies lags a lot, but she uses it mostly for Skype and Facebook.
so now I'm sitting here, it goes too fast to 100% CPU, I run Onyx to clean out caches etc. and it reports I need to insert the disc and repair the disc, tried to repair but it failed, on a drive less than 6 months old.
Any super nice solution for this troublesome computer ?
could it be bad RAM ? bad computer ? (we bought it second hand and it ran ok, but continueing having disc issues).

Unfortuneatly I'm home now, so I got to take this from my memory.
It was a full install disc.
SMART status was ok.
Let me add here the computer boots up and runs fine, though it's being slow and there is a lot of 100% CPU usage, so no problem booting normally, didn't try safe mode.
when I bought thi machine (second hand) the original disc was in, I bought it through a mac enthusiast who's servicing mac's for others, he had gotten it in because of disc problems, but he installed 10.5 on it and made it work (according to him no issues).
I brought home the computer, to make it ready for my mother I tried to update and reset password, delete some softwares etc.
Something went wrong, so I took my own 10.5 disc and decided to do a clean install, never worked, half way through repeatedly got a message that it couldn't be installed because of a serious damage to the disc.
A lot of time wasted later, I decided to try the 10.4 disc, worked fine.
Handed over the computer to my mother, days later we got an error message of SMART status wasn't ok OK and disc needed to be changed, changed the disc, installed 10.4 no problems... well no other that I couldn't upgrade to 10.4.11, some disc writing issue.
well, as I left earlier today the computer ran, 10.4.11 (thanks to my brother, somehow), and a tad better than when I arrived, just worried that there might be some issue with the computer itself (not disc related, perhaps heat is corrupting the disc ?)

Macbook Drive sounds different than Powerbook/ibook/macmini when loading

I was wondering if anyone that has a macbook and an ibook/powerbook or macmini can do a side by side comparison of the sound the macbook makes when loading and ejecting discs... it sounds very noticeably different... I noticed it right away when loading some software on my macbook and thats why i ask. it sounds a little less fluid and very different.
Anyone else notice this or is mine faulty?

I noticed this right away. It also went away quite quickly. The loading noise is/was the longest and loudest slot load I've had, but that changed after a bit of use. I saw a few posts on scratches, so there may be some bezels that are a bit out of alignment. If your machine continues to make a very loud noise while loading that is distinctly different from the mac mini or even the imac (different situation), then you should look at the media to make sure it isn't being scratched.
As far as operation sounds I noticed that I can hear what I'm guessing is the laser head moving. On a mini it seems insulated. This sounds more like the noise you hear w/ a slim dvd burner in a thin external case or w/o a cover. It may just be a function of the installation position and the way the noise resonates through the case. These drives might be much closer to the top of the case or simply louder. Bare optical drives are far from quiet. There are even utilities and firmware modifications by vendors of set-top, external, and slim external which make the drive quieter.
If it works, you can use hardware test (D key on startup w/ install disk 1), and you have no problems or scratches then it's probably nothing. If you get the helicopter noise on almost all your disks then the drive may be out of alignment and could need replacing (if it's only a few then they are probably warped).
Personally, I'm not worried about it. It's just different. I think one cycle of full heat expansion and a few load and unload cycles might have made a difference for me; it's worth a try if it's really irritating.

Please Help My Daughter - iBook G4 Needs Software Upgrade ??

I have recently inherited an iBook G4 1.2 GHZ 256 RAM I think 30 or 50 GB. I cannot tell now because of what I did. The iBook was not working and I found it had a bad solder on one of the chips (a common issue on this model). Once repaired, it needed a new battery, and then it sprang right to life. The iBook worked great - I could use Safari, Garage Band, etc, but due to it's age, Itunes did not work and so I thought if I reinstalled the original operating system (Panther 10.3.5 circa 2004) from the original discs, then I could upgrade from there until I found an iTunes version I could use with a newly reset iPod I had and use it basically just for music. BIG MISTAKE. After I cleanly installed it all, I now cannot use Safari, profiler won't open and neither will most other applications - I double click them, they flash once and then go away on the sidebar. So, I need to find a way to upgrade this machine past 10.3.5 so I can get it to work. Right now, I can only get to the internet using ie for Mac 5.2 - UGH !!! Now I know why Apple stopped using that software. Anyway, I was doing all of this to get a clean version of iTunes on it so as a surprise, my daughter could sell it and the iPod to raise money for a class trip she is taking to New York in the Spring of 2015. Please please help me. Is it as simple as getting updated OS software? I have tried a Tiger disc, but it stopped before it really even got started and said it could not be loaded.    I can see the previous user still has files under user and I can see the folder for the previous system, but they are not accessible. I do have a 27" Mac desktop if that will help me to upgrade the iBook in any way. Thank you for reading all of this. Please let me know what options I might have to get this running so it can be sold off. IBook

256 MB RAM is the biggest problem.
http://www.everymac.com/systems/apple/ibook/specs/ibook_g4_1.2_12.html
http://eshop.macsales.com/shop/memory/iBooks-PowerBooks/G4-iBook/
Tiger Requirements...
To use Mac OS X 10.4 Tiger, your Macintosh needs:
    * A PowerPC G3, G4, or G5 processor
    * Built-in FireWire
    * At least 256 MB of RAM (I recommend 1GB minimum)
    * DVD drive (DVD-ROM), Combo (CD-RW/DVD-ROM) or SuperDrive (DVD-R) for installation
    * At least 3 GB of free disk space; 4 GB if you install the XCode 2 Developer Tools (I recommend 20GB minimum)
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1514
Apple may even have an International version...
https://discussions.apple.com/thread/5231053?tstart=0
http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_nkw=mac+os+x+tiger+retail+10.4
See Tom's, (Texas Mac Man), great info on where/how to find/get Tiger...
https://discussions.apple.com/message/15305521#15305521
Or Ali Brown's great info on where/how to find/get Tiger...
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?messageID=10381710#10381710
Leopard requirements/10.5.x...
    * Mac computer with an Intel, PowerPC G5, or PowerPC G4 (867MHz or faster) processor
minimum system requirements
    * 512MB of memory (I say 1.5GB for PPC at least, 2-3GB minimum for IntelMacs)
    * DVD drive for installation
    * 9GB of available disk space (I say 30GB at least)
Classic/OS9 Apps no longer supported.
May be available from Apple again, or not...
https://discussions.apple.com/thread/4720126?tstart=0
Trouble is Apple no longer sells it, check eBay & such for the Retail version, not the Gray Discs...
http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_nkw=mac+os+x+leopard+retail+10.5
What color &what is the 2z691-****-A number on yourInstall Disc?

Is there a way to know from you iBooks apple id number how old it is?

is there a systsem that tells you how old you ibook is using your compurter id number?

Hi WOZ,
Well, there is a way that takes a little bit longer, but its almost full proof. The older Apple computers use what they Gestalt IDs, but newer ones don't. The newer computers like the iBook use Machine IDs, like PowerBook6,7 (iBook G4 Mid 2005). Now the way to find the Machine ID on your computer is to go to /Applications/Utlities/System Profiler and look under Hardware. You should see under Machine Model (for the iBook) PowerBook,. You can find more Machine IDs and Gestalt IDs at The Apple Museum.
I hope that helps,
Jon
PS I'd rather look them up this way instead of downloading software. TinkerTool is for getting access to more preferences, thats not really what you want.

How to combine 17" iMac G4 flat panel display & iBook G4

I have a 17" flat panel G4 800 iMac. Monitor works fine. The logic board is toast.
I have a 14" G4 1.33 iBook that works perfectly but the screen is broken.
I want to attach the 17" flat panel to the VGA adapter on the iBook so I can see the desktop. I plan on using the iMac to power the monitor.
I have found the adapter & cable that attaches to the logic board for the video input for the 17" monitor.
The key bit of information that I need to know is what wires from the 17" monitor cable needs to attach to which pins on a VGA adapter?
I haven't found the info I need in either the iMac or iBook categories on Apples Discussion Board or searching other Mac friendly web sites.
Thanks in advance for any help or direction you can give.
Al 12" SD 867MHz/1GB/40GBHD Mac OS X (10.4.8) Ti 15" 667/1GB, iBook 14" 1.33/256MB, G4 tower DVD RAM/500/768MB

You could try asking around to see who needs your iMacG4 for parts;
since you should be able to get almost enough from the good display
alone to buy a LCD monitor or one with a TV tuner to use with the iBook.
The prices of LCDs have come down a bit; not sure if you'd need to try
one of the ResX kind of software fixes to be able to use different resolution
LCDs with your little iBook. Costco had a 22" LCD for under $350; so a
smaller one may be available in the $180. range. Some with TV are coarse.
In some markets, the LCD from your iMacG4 in great shape and working
can be worth over $350. and if you lucked out, someone out there may
have a refurbished logicboard. Sometimes wegenermedia and other co's
that repair iBook/PowerBook out-of-warranty machines also have iMacG4s.
Some also have pulled but high quality used iBook displays.
The LCD for the iMacG4 requires a power supply and other circuits, those
are part of the base unit's video/logic board assembly and power supply.

Gigabit ethernet pc card for powerbook?

i have a 17" powerbook with 10/100 ethernet capability that i'd like to upgrade to gigabit. can anyone recommend a pc card that would be compatible? they all seem to be windows only.
many thanks
powerbook g4 15" Mac OS X (10.4.4)

Odd... according to the specification in the PDF document available form this link http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=86460 1.33 17" PowerBooks have Gigabit ethernet...
Check the System Profiler (click on the Apple logo, select "About this Mac" and press the "More..." button. I think the ethernet capabilities should be available somewhere).
Centris 610, Beige G3 300 DT, iBook, PowerBook G4 Mac OS X (10.4.5) iPod (original), iPod shuffle, iPod nano (with Radio Remote)

IBook G4 14.1 Keyboard shipping to India

Hi All,
I need to replace my iBook G4 14.1 keyboard (not under warranty or AppleCare) since almost all the keys were meticulously pulled out by my 2.5 yrs old son (i still wonder how he did it with such patience).
However iam at present in Pune, India and the Apple Support center here says the price is twice of the original USD price.
Where on Web can i purchase a keyboard and ship it to India safely?
Amazon's BrilliantStore provides but they shop standard (meaning not FedEx).
Any other web stores you recommend that ship on FedEx Air Freight/UPS 2-day Air?
Thanks
CP

Well, that's such a nice story about how the keys were removed from the
keyboard of your iBookG4 14" computer! I'm wondering if you have all of
those parts still, and if so, did you see about getting an estimate of how
much you'd be charged to put the old keys and spring bars back on the board?
For any missing ones, they can get the parts; this may add up however.
There are smaller companies who specialize in the US (and elsewhere) in
only repairing iBook, PowerBook and MacBook portable Apple computers.
Some of these will not ship outside of the US and Canada; and with some
good reason in some cases where intent to defraud was involved. That
said, you could try emailing some companies listed in the Apple support
service search page(s) in Europe who would have access to an English
(UK/US/AU) keyboard for your machine. Also, you could contact some
of the smaller but excellent companies to state your situation and see if
they are in a position to do business with you (and if you can provide a
form of satisfactory payment) and if the shipping would be a deal breaker
you may be better off doing business with a company in India. The
air and second-day shipping can be very costly. You'd pay this; or you'd
be waiting a long time for delivery. The US Postal Service does offer
Global delivery services, however. If a reseller would use them.
To pay an extreme mark-up over retail in US dollars of double seems
out of line. Refurbished or remanufactured boards should be available
for a used computer for less than a new one cost. Figure $100 or so for
a keyboard; unless you do an online auction and try your luck with a
seller who has a "buy now" link to a daily price online store, not auction.
I see in the US wegenermedia.com has listings for iBookG4 keyboards.
I have no specific suggestions, and hope you can find a reasonable
local supplier of service and parts; oh, there is a DIY support page
for replacing the keyboard in Apple Support online. The keyboard info
also applies to some extent to those upgrading the RAM slot beneath
the keyboard; that's one step short of replacing the keyboard.
Best of luck! [In the interrim, are you using an external USB keyboard?]

Powerbook G4 & Leopard

I have a Powerbook G4 with the following specifications: 1.25 GHz PowerPC G4 with 512 MB DDR SBRAM. My question: is this enough to run Leopard or will the computer's overall performance be slowed so much that it won't be worth the upgrade?

Hi, Montserranza. Your Powerbook can take up to 2GB of RAM, and if you install Leopard you will definitely want more than the 512MB (the bare minimum) that you have now. I strongly recommend buying at least one 1GB RAM module. If you have two 256MB modules now, that will give you a total of 1.25GB; if you have one 512MB module now, you'll have 1.5GB. Either way, your Powerbook will perform far better running Leopard than if you stick with the RAM you have now.
Buy Samsung, Crucial, or Kingston KTR branded RAM (not Kingston's KVR "value RAM" line). Your Powerbook model has very finicky RAM requirements, and inexpensive no-name RAM that nominally meets the specifications is likely not to work well, or at all. A reliable source for good RAM is
http://eshop.macsales.com/shop/memory/iBooks-PowerBooks/G4-Aluminum/

Powerbook G3 and Lepoard

I have a powerbook G3 and need info on what I need to upgrade to run Leopard.. This G3 is currently running 8.5.. I was given this Mac and plan to use it to run a home studio program.(Protools by Digidesign)

Patricia,
I think the Wallstreet would be just fine for your intended purposes with just more RAM. You probably have a 32MB in the bottom slot (on the underside of the microprocessor card) and a 64MB in the top slot. You can buy a 256MB module for $29, remove the top 64MB and replace with a 256MB; you would then have a total 288MB. If you bought a 128MB and installed as above, you would only have 160MB. If you follow this strategy, you do not have to remove the microprocessor card, and it is very easy to replace the top module.
Here is good, reliable source:
http://eshop.macsales.com/shop/memory/iBooks-PowerBooks/G3-Lombard/
If you buy a 256MB module, both the Lombard and Wallstreet require a special architecture on the memory chip; generic 256's will not work.
Here is Apple's Guide:
http://support.apple.com/kb/TA22070
Here is iFixit's guide with photographs:
http://www.ifixit.com/Guide/Mac/PowerBook-G3-Wallstreet/3
If you plan on installing OSX, please post back; the Wallstreet has several peculiarities.

Little things about your ibook.

I am off to college next year. so i am saving up for a laptop, right now it is a toss up between the highest config of ibook (14")and powerbook (17"). now i can afford the powerbook but it would mean getting a part tiem job during the year to save up the £1700 (student discount), i wouldnt mind getting a job its just that my grades might suffer... on the other hand i could easily afford n ibbok within one year with my pocket money. i dont know how to decide so i thought i would decide using the tiny features not mentioned in the description like tha apple logo lighting up, are there any other for either powerbook and ibook?
I guess what i am asking what are the (good, no trolls)little quirks of you ibook / powerbook, it is after all the tiny stuff and attention to detail that differentiates a quality product from a dell

Khalidur Rahman1:
i I was tihnking of upgrading the RAM from crucial but know nothing about the internals of a pc so was too squemish, does this mena the RAM is easy to install, just pop it in?
Shut down and remove battery. There's a little keyboard locking screw next to the NUM LOCK key. You give it a 180 deg rotation in either direction, and it pulls in a tab that keeps the keyboard from lifting. The latest one may not go down all the way (at least mine doesn't) but you can get the keyboard out. There are little spring-loaded tabs next to esc and F12. Pull them in and lift the keyboard up. The RAM shield will require a high-quality #0 Phillips screwdriver to remove. I stress high quality because a poorly made one could damage the screw heads. The screws are "captive" and shouldn't come off the shield. Once you have that off, it's easy to drop in a new PC2700 SODIMM. Touch any metal part to more or less discharge static. Place the SODIMM in at a 30 degree angle and press in gently until it goes in all the way. Finally push down on the SODIMM until the two metal tabs lock into the notches on the module. Put everything back in place. This is one of the easier things to do, and nearly impossible to lose a part.
The pictures in the following are of an older model iBook G4 with an AirPort Extreme card. The new ones don't have that but are otherwise similar.
http://www.pbfixit.com/Guide/84.4.1.html

IBook, PowerBook, or a Netbook?

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