Theocacao: New PowerBook

New PowerBook

Is there anything better than getting a new Mac? Yes, but a new Mac is a really close second. My Pismo G3/400 has served me well for a long time, but I really needed a new portable. I opted for the 15" inch model.

Beyond the increased speed and Core Image support, this upgrade also means I have dual monitor support. Having two windows on the world is a huge productivity boost. The backlight keys and scrollable trackpad are super-fancy too.

Like the Mac mini, there's something philsophically interesting and just sorta science-fictiony about how much can be done with such a compact device.

I realize that posting pictures of a PowerBook pushes the bounds of accepted geekiness, but here they are anyway. Shield your eyes if you must.

The box:

With lid closed:

Open and running:

New PowerBook
Posted Jun 19, 2005 — 8 comments below

Greg — Jun 19, 05 254

I work for an AppleCentre in London. My question is this:
Since you know that new Intel-based PowerBooks are due some time next year, and that the current range is well overdue for an upgrade between now and then anyway, why did you purchase a PowerBook anyway?
I've had a lot of customers ask this of me, and apart from the usual "there's always a new update around the corner" and "if you wait now, you'll always be waiting", I'm not sure what else to say.
What were your justifications for making the purchase now?

Jesper — Jun 19, 05 255

Greg, it seems his justifications were that he really did need a new portable, like he said in the post. If they've blown off the PowerPC architecture because it'll be hard to bring out G5 PowerBooks, they're not gonna deliver those now just before switching to Intel. My guess is that he's been holding out until the WWDC to see if a G5 PowerBook was coming, and decided to buy a PowerBook anyway, architecture change or not.

Scott Stevenson — Jun 19, 05 256

I had projects starting that I needed a portable for, and the G3/400 wasn't going to cut it. Knowing when to wait for the next rev is something of a grey area, and depends on the needs of the individual.

If you have a 1GHz PowerBook that you use for web, email and word processing, it probably doesn't make sense to upgrade now. If your PowerBook is your livelihood and you have something slower than 1GHz, I don't think it makes sense to trudge through the mud for a full year just for the idea of having the newest thing at the end of it. That's a full year of time you could be enjoying.

Phil — Jun 19, 05 257

How do you find using two computers? I know you bought a mac mini a while ago. I used to have a Powermac and Powerbook but I found it easier to ditch the Powermac and just use a single computer.

Dan — Jun 20, 05 258

While I think the PowerBooks look cool, I think they're overpriced next to the iBooks. There's software you can get to enable screen-spanning over 2 monitors (as I have done) and with the speed and hardiness of the current models, there's little reason to go for a PowerBook it seems.

What do you use your second screen for to boost productivity? Other than occasionally displaying the iTunes window, I can't find any real benefit (I use XCode a lot).

Scott Stevenson — Jun 20, 05 259

The iBook is a very good machine, but it maxes out at 14" at 1024x768, and doesn't have a Core Image-capable video card. The mid-range PowerBook does support Core Image and has a 15.2" screen at 1280x854. That's a huge difference for me.

There are few situations where a second screen doesn't help me out. Xcode is probably one of the best examples. I can have the project on the left and either IB or the running app itself on the right. Same goes with working on web sites: code on the left, site on the right.

Erik — Jun 21, 05 260

Good call. I don't plan to upgrade my 1.25ghz PowerBook until after the first round of next-gen PowerBooks have been put through their paces by an army of early adopters. I actually just upgraded from 512MB to 1.2GB RAM, and am enjoying the speed boost. I may go all the way to 2GB eventually, but by going gradually I probably appreciate it more.

That said, I do agree that the 12" iBook for $999 is a steal. Anyone who doesn't need what the PowerBooks offer should absolutely go for one of these durable bad larries.

Craig S. Cottingham — Aug 24, 05 357

"My Pismo G3/400 has served me well for a long time, but I really needed a new portable. I opted for the 15" inch model.

Beyond the increased speed and Core Image support, this upgrade also means I have dual monitor support."

I'm typing this on a G3/400, and Safari is open on a 19" KDS Avitron. I assume in this statement you're explaining why a PowerBook instead of an iBook -- as far as I can remember, Pismos have *always* been capable of driving two displays.

Comments Feed