Powerbook vs ibook

I have a 17 1.5 with 2 gigs of ram, for my honey I bought a refurbed 12" ibook with less than a gig of ram, how is it possible that her ibook always gets better reception on our wireless than my PB? I have a airport express setup in the living room and its work great but!Tonight was the last straw as her signal strength was at full and mine was fluctuating between 3 and two bars. I finally had to go to the back office, where the wireless router is located to get the same strength as she got. We were both sitting in the same place virtually, I am changed places with no change. What is going on, I bet dollars to doughnuts, its those pesky aliens attempting to make me lose my mind. So one help me please!
Power Book 17 inch 1.5 ghrz processor Mac OS X (10.4.2) 2 gigs of Ram, FCHD, ADOBE CS, QT7

As much as I did not want to have that reinforced that must be the issue.
I was reading one of your blogs, specifically about you watching programing on your IPOD. It would of a great assistance if you could enlighten me if you are using a video ipod or a regular ipod?
Power Book 17 inch 1.5 ghrz processor Mac OS X (10.4.4) 2 gigs of Ram, FCHD, ADOBE CS, QT7

Similar Messages

Powerbook VS ibook Helppppp!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

hi im looking to get a mac laptop but im not sure what to get i found a powerbook thats real nice that i think im going to get but first i want to know the difference between ibooks and powerbooks someone please help

Welcome to Apple Discussions!
The Powerbook and iBook are no longer current in the Apple lineup. However, if you were thinking of saving some money I agree that the Powerbook tends to be the better of the two choices. Expansion options are greater, screens are larger (except for the 12" Powerbook), and hard drives tended to be larger. Consider what you want to be able to run:
Mac OS 9 - Powerbook G4 with rear USB ports, known as Titanium.
Mac OS X 10.5 - any Powerbook G4 867 Mhz or higher.
Windows on a Mac - any MacBook or Macbook Pro for the ability to run natively without emulation slowdown.
Linux on a Mac - any Powerbook.
See my FAQ* on buying used and refurbished Macs, if you find you can't afford the current models:
http://www.macmaps.com/usedrefurbished.html
You'll see the wide range of possibilities.
- * Links to my pages may give me compensation.

Can I connect an Apple 15" external LCD display to a G4 Powerbook or iBook?

Will this type of display work with the G4 Powerbook or and iBook with a VGA adapter or does it require a Power Mac?
Thanks,
Randy

I use an Apple DVI to ADC Adapter with a MacBook with an external Apple Cinema Display HD (23-Inch) with no problem.
http://store.apple.com/us/product/M8661LL/B?mco=MTY3ODQ5OTY

Video input to ancient PowerBook &/o iBook

Hello,
I am setting up a security camera, recording the video stream to a laptop, and would like to use either my old PowerBook 1400c or an iBook G3 clamshell (300mhz) I may have access to. The camera in question outputs the signal via an RCA video connector (I already have OS9 motion-sensor/recording software). Is there a card in existence for the 1400c which will input full-motion video via an RCA jack? If not, is it possible to expand the iBook in a similar fashion?
Many thanks,
Sean

I don't think it will work with either of those laptops.
You might have been able to do it low-tech with an older desktop Mac that has video-in RCA ports or even with a 3rd party card but since neither laptop has those sort of options it might be tough if not impossible.
Some newer laptops could use El Gato's EyeTV but I am not sure if either of the laptops you have has the power. I think they require a G4 and USB2 or Firewire.
To be honest I think you are better off recorind to a VCR, DVR, or DVDr unit if cost is going to be a factor. If money is not an isssue then I would get a nice older dual processor G4 tower and load it up with RAM and a couple 120Gb hard drives and use an EyeTv unit
G3 8500, B&W 400Mhz G3, 1Ghz iBook, 1.8Ghz Quicksilver Mac OS X (10.4.2)

Powerbook or iBook?

I will be getting a laptop soon and I need to know whether to get a 14 in iBook or a 15.4 in Powerbook (or MacBookPro).
I will be
-typing papers and make Pages documents
-making Keynote presentations
-surfing the internet/using email
-organizing by 2000 or so songs in iTunes
-organizing my pictures in iPhoto
-making movies/DVDs for home movies
I know that sounds like a wide variety of tasks, but they all seem pretty basic, especailly given the included software. My question is whether or not it is worth the extra money to get the Powerbook. Would a 15" iBook work fine?
Keep in mind, I won't be ordering this right now. I'll probably wait until the iBooks have Intel processors to make my final decision. I'm just trying to plan ahead.

I think You should wait for the new iBook due sometime next month but if really need a laptop that bad, you should go for the macbook pro, more power than any laptop in the market right now, the only problem to me is the price. I will be getting a mobile box coming soon but I will wait to see what happens with the ibook line it said to be really cheap, with a 13.3 display for people like me on a budget this is heave. Check out this link http://buyersguide.macrumors.com/ Good luck!
Miguel

12" PowerBook vs. iBook+Mac mini?

I noticed the specs of each of these models and the 12" PowerBook has the exact (if not worse) specs as the last G4 mac mini:
1.5 GHz G4 167MHz Bus, 512k cache
PC3200 RAM
5400 RPM hard drive
ATi Radeon 9200 AGP 4x, 64MB.
The 12" PowerBook's specs are:
1.5 GHz G4 167MHz bus, 512k cache
PC2700 (worse than the mini's) RAM
5400 RPM hard drive
nVidia Go5200 which is the equivalent of the Radeon 9200.
My main focus is the specs between the 14" iBook and 12" PowerBook, iBook specs:
1.42 GHz G4 142 MHz bus, 512k cache
PC2700 RAM
4200 RPM hard drive
ATi Radeon 9550, 32MB
So the PowerBook has a faster HD and .08GHz more speed than the iBook but isn't the PowerBook's graphics card worse than the iBook? The 9550 out performs the nVidia 5200, in my opinion. So why does Apple charge so much more for a laptop that's not even that much better? $400 -ish price difference for a faster hard drive? I doubt you would be able to tell the difference between 1.42GHz and 1.5 GHz. What's worse is that they fool you in to thinking the PowerBook's graphics are better since it's got more dedicated memory. What's going on? Is buying a 12" Powerbook worth the $400 premium compared to the iBook G4? What are some reasons that justify Apple's higher price for the PowerBook?

The Powerbook has audio in port.
The internal speakers, while very small are still better quality than the iBook.
The casing is higher quality, in my opinion.
The Powerbook supports extended desktop. With the iBook, you are stuck with the best resolution the internal monitor will support unless you run unsupported hack programs that may or may not work with the next OS upgrade.
While I can understand why you might look at one graphics card and say it performs better because it happens to play a few games better due to a recent issue with Invidia drivers and the last OS update, but there are many ways that the card performs better that you are overlooking, possibly because it's not something that matters to you. The Powerbook's video card supports connection to DVI monitors or VGA monitors while the iBook only connects to VGA. (Both have TV connection options as well but ignoring this as they tie on this.) The higher dedicated memory comes in handy when you are running a large external monitor at full resolution and still running the internal monitor.
For a fair comparison, you need to look at all the differences between the two laptops. Now after looking at the differences, you come to the conclusion that they don't matter to you, then you should go with the iBook. I wouldn't trade my Powerbook for the iBook even if you threw in $500 for the trade. I don't want to have to worry about extended desktop being supported in the future.
You can't compare desktop computers to laptop computers. For one, some of them do not come with monitors and they all usually do not have the most power efficient processors. They don't need this because they are plugged in all the time. They don't have a $100+ battery either.
You also have to understand that there are different release dates for some models. This means that a consumer level machine might catch up a little with a pro level machine before the next pro model is released. There will usually be some options like extended desktop that will still remain unavailable or unsupported on the less expensive model. The 12" Powerbook's days are numbered as a computer you can buy as new. The smaller MacBook could be available any day now. I still think that it will be a useable computer for years to come and I don't want an Intel Machine quite yet.

New Powerbook vs. iBook

I am going to buy a laptop but I can't decide which one to get. I am probably going to get the new 12" Powerbook but am also thinking about the 12" iBook. Any owners of either please give advise on what to get.
Thanks in advance,
-Bob

I'm not sure if I'm going to add anything new that hasn't already been said here already, but I agree that it comes down to what you're going to use the laptop for and which one feels more comfortable to use.
Personally, I chose my 12-inch PB because of its size, its aluminum case, faster CPU and graphics processor (at the time), and keyboard.
In my job, I use MS Word a lot and send tons of e-mail. It was crucial that I had a nice keyboard. I tested both the PB and iBook and the PB's better keyboard sealed the deal. I had read that the PB's keyboard is one of the best for all laptops -- PC or Apple -- and I concur. The iBook felt cheap and didn't provide the feedback that I wanted.
And then there's the "cool" factor. I must admit the PB looks much cooler than the iBook... I still get looks when I pull the PB out of my bag while everyone else has a generic, black Dell laptop in front of them.
But these are my personal preferences. The iBook is a solid choice, too, and I have friends who love their iBooks. Again, it comes down to personal preference.
Go to an Apple Store or reseller and try both of them out. And then compare their features. For instance, do you need DVI outputs? Larger hard drive? Is the CPU and graphics processor fast enough for your needs?
For the money, you can still get a 14-inch iBook and still save a few bucks over a 12-inch PB.
Good luck!

Powerbook vs. ibook, purchase?

I am sifting through specs and trying to ascertain if the specs between a new ibook and used older powerbook are exactly the same except the video card, will the powerbook still be superior and how?
I will be doing illustrator and photoshop. How will they both perform.
If I plug in an external larger monitor, how well will the ibook vs. the powerbook run?
Any other tips are welcome.
Thanks,
Christy

Hi Christy
I think if you went with the powerbook you would be extremely happy. I was in the same dilemma as you and eventually decided to go with the powerbook. I really wanted a superdrive and you just can't get that on a 12inch ibook. You can however get an external but I prefer to have an all in one machine.
Also my husband uses illustrator and photoshop on his powerbook and he said it seems to work much better than his previous ibook. His previous ibook specs weren't as good though as the current ibook.
The ibook only allows you to mirror what you have on an external monitor but the power book lets you have different things displayed on the screen and the external monitor. You can do that with the ibook but you need a hack.
Hope this answers some of your questions.

Using iBook 12" for PhotoShop CS2? Durability compared to PowerBook?

I'm thinking about getting a new Mac. I would really like an iMac 20", but that may be too much to spend right now.
I'm thinking an iBook would give me portability, as well as being able to connect to a monitor and keyboard while at home. I suppose it is like a Mac Mini, but with a built in monitor and keyboard.
My questions are:
1. How well will the 12" iBook run PhotoShop CS2, with 1.5GB of RAM? (Is the PowerBook 15" much faster?)
2. Is the iBook more durable than the PowerBooks? I prefer the look of the PowerBook, since the iBook looks like a student laptop, but if it's more durable, I guess I can live with that.
3. Is the 4500 RPM hard drive a big drawback compared to the 5400 RPM drives in the PowerBooks?
I will mainly be using Adobe CS2, Macromedia Dreamweaver and Microsoft Office.
Thanks for any help,
Steve

Hi Steve,
I have a 12" iBook G4 with 1.5gb of ram and I run the adobe creative suite just fine. The ram is definately going to help you in terms of running multiple CS applications at once.
As far as the hard drive is concerned...of course a 4200rpm drive is going to be slower than a 5400. But I dont consider it to be too much of a drawback. Most of my work in CS is done with an external firewire drive spinning at 7200 anyway.
As far as durability goes, i cannot comment on a powerbook as I have never owned one. I keep my iBook in an incase iBook sleve, its with me all the time and so far has been well protected. However, Powerbook or iBook...if you drop it..its going to get damaged in some way.
Good luck with your decision.

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)

Best way to upgrade to a PowerBook from an iBook

I'm getting a used Powerbook G4 and have an iBook G4 what is the best way to get everything(software, settings, OS, etc [iBook has Tiger, powerbook will have Panther]) over to the PowerBook?
iBook G4 12" 768MB RAM Mac OS X (10.4.3)

Tim,
Even though your new PB may be used, you can use the
Setup Assistant in 10.3.x (Migration Assistant in
10.4.x, located in the /Applications/Utilities
folder) that would normally start up when you first
boot up a brand new computer.
You want to connect the two computers together with a
FireWire 400 cable, and boot the iBook with the "T"
key held down so it starts up in FireWire Disk mode.
The Assistant will do the rest/is self explanatory.
See these KB articles:
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?path=Mac/10.4
en/mh1642.html
or
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=25773
I recently updated to PB myself from a 3 yr old iBook
and this process worked flawlessly. It may take a
while, but it works!
Good luck!
After this process would I end up with Tiger on my (new to me) used PowerBook or would it still have Panther? I guess what I'm asking is, would the PowerBook end up exactly like my iBook is now, OS and all?
iBook G4 12inch 768MB RAM Mac OS X (10.4.3)

Can an iBook G4 charger work on a PowerBook?

Hi! I used to own a 12" 1.33 GHz iBook G4 until it was broken, and now I'm buying a G4 PowerBook 15" 1.33 GHz model. Will the charger from my iBook work with it?

You can get a reliable and inexpensive, third-party PS here:
Newer Technology 65W AC Power Adapter PowerBook G4, iBook G4 & G3
I bought one of these for a friend over five years ago and it is still chugging along. You do not show a geographic location but the US company I linked shipped to many countries outside the US.

12"ibook or 12" powerbook

ok first thank you all for your answeres, but i'm still stuck on the choice of powerbook or ibook.
could someone give me a final desion based on the information that it will primarilly be used for internet,itunes,photo editing (maybe movie editing), and the odd game or two.
pleeeeease can you tell me wich one i am better off with
p.s.i prefer the look and feel of the powerbook

I suggest you look at the hundreds of posts on this, and the iBook Discussion board to make your choice. There is not a better way than that, because the people who answer the questions kinda get tired of repeating their answer over, and over, and over again.
I have an iBook. I'm a poor college student and didn't want to pay more for a Powerbook even though I did like it more initially. I use my laptop for iTunes, E-Mail, Internet, iChat and Microsoft Office. I don't play games and don't do movie editing, and thus, the iBook was a natural decision for myself.
If you have the money and see yourself doing a lot of movie editing and playing a lot of games, the extra speed of the Powerbook may be worth it to you. Again, it wasn't to me, but it varies from person to person.
If you have the money and are willing to splash it, I would go with the Powerbook, with the faster processor, et. al. If you want just an entry level Mac that still performs very well, get an iBook. You're not getting an inferior laptop if you get an iBook; just one that's not as powerful.

IBook screen versus Powerbook

I own a powerbook 1ghz 12" and I'm looking to replace the screen. Do the powerbook and iBook share a screen? Can I pick one up off of one of those?

I've been looking around for a good price and I'm not completely impressed with what I have found. Especially when you can find a 95% complete powerbook for oh twice the price as just the lcd screen The installation wont be a problem since I've completely taken apart the computer.

IBook use Powerbook charger?

My iBook charger has begun to work intermittently. I had a Powerbook G4 titanium before this iBook and the same time happened to it. Eventually, it began to spark, and I had to replace it.
My question is, can I use the Powerbook charger on my iBook? I thought I read somewhere not to do that, but it seems that since the replacement chargers Apple sells is for both the Powerbook and iBook that I should be able to do this. I just wanted to ask before I tried it.
Thanks!
Sharon

Hi Sharon,
Yes, you can use it. iBooks and PowerBooks use the same 65w adapter.
http://store.apple.com/1-800-MY-APPLE/WebObjects/AppleStore?productLearnMore=M89 43LL/A
John

Powerbook vs ibook

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