getting an apple
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- vwsung18t
I've never worked on a mac before. I've narrowed it down to a 12" powerbook or a 12" iBook because i want something that is portable and they're cheap. I'm not sure what the difference is between the two except for cpu speeds. will the iBook be enough for my designing needs? or should i pay more for a powerbook?
- tfs__mag0
i've never used an ibook.. i've only had my 15" powerbook. I love my powerbook. it does everything i need it to at 1GHZ and 512Ram
- mitsu0
what do you use now? and what are the machines specs?
- vwsung18t0
i use pc's at home and work, at home i use a computer with
-amd athlon xp 2200+
-1GB DDR RAM
-80GB HD
-ATi Radeon 9200 64MB
-GeForceFX 5200 128MB
-17" Samsung lcd
-19" Lacie crt
but i need a laptop when i'm not at home or at work, which is often
- mitsu0
why are you getting a mac if you use a pc?
just curious
- vwsung18t0
a lot of full-time jobs i've been searching for uses mac only, just expanding my skillset, like learning a new program
- gregor0020
cause everyone knows that "macs are better for anything to do with graphics", so I've been told.
- ganon0
-powerbook has DVI out for an external LCD for monitor spanning (ibook only mirrors VGA)
-powerbook has more cache (512k compared to iBook's 256k)
-the powerbook has faster system bus speed (167Mhz compared to 133Mhz)
-powerbook's nVidia's 5200 being slightly better than iBook's Radeon's 9200
-no audio line in for the iBook
-iBook has less max out RAM capacity
-powerbook has 10 extra gigs of HD
-powerbook has built-in bluetooth
-you can get a superdrive in a powerbook
short-term: iBook can do it...long-term: you're gonna want the powerbook....
- mitsu0
one plus for ibooks though is that they are much cheaper, especially if you buy used.
- vwsung18t0
the cache and bus speed is the only thing i'm concerned about. i dont' know too much about apple processors, i know that they run faster than intel or cpu counterparts at the same clock speeds because mac OS runs faster. how much of a difference will the smaller cache and slower bus speed have when using programs like photoshop and illustrator?
- mitsu0
hey, vwsung, i took the same route as you, but went used in case i got buyers remorse. let's just say i made a wise decision.
:)
- ganon0
i think the doubled cache in the powerbook will show a noticeable difference when running photoshop & illustrator....
best way to decide is to get to an apple store and check'em out....
- adore0
i just bought a Sony Vaio (pc) notebook... fantistic machine..well worth the little extra....
16" UXGA,
80GB,
1024RAM,
DVD_+RW,
64MB ATI,
WIRELESS LANfor the PC user a top choice....
- adore0
...oh and it looks sweet too.....
http://web6.scan.co.uk/Products/…
- vwsung18t0
i went to compusa but they don't have photoshop on either notebooks, i doubt other places will have it installed either. at apple's online store, the powerbook is $500 more than iBook, $200 more for superdrive. there must be other differences between the two for that price. Is the case itself made out of different material?
- ganon0
yeah the case is different...plastic vs. aluminum....
apple stores have photoshop installed on the laptops, and some have illustrator as well....
- vwsung18t0
well the guy said he'll try to get photoshop on it last time i went, i'll go again and see if he actually did it
- vwsung18t0
thanks ganon, you've been a lot of help
- instantok0
are you a visual designer?...i only ask because those i have asked about the 12" laptops say the extra monitor space is sorely missed...with a monitor that is not a very big deal...but you said you want it for portability...in my experience the 15" powerbook is well worth the extra money...but i agree budget is a concern...if it is not your main machine the 12" should be fine...as others have said just open photoshop at the store and then open a document of typical size you work on...see how much you would have to alter your workflow...between the 12" models i would go with the powerbook...also...apple loans are pretty good right now...interest only for the first two years...i am now the proud owner of a g5, 20" display, and a large debt... :)
- brundlefly0
I have had both, two ibooks in the last year, and now a 17 inch powerbook. my gf has the 12 inch, I notice with the lack of an onboard cache it seems to stagger quite a bit compared to mine, and the screen looks a little dull also.
if you can, up to the base model 15 inch, it will make a ton of difference, from speed to screen realestate...a much better more competant machine
- kevinv0330
i would stay away from the iBook if you plan on doing any gfx work. if you plan on spending alot of time on your laptop get a pbook. i have 15in pbook and the screen real estate is enough to get by if your used to dual monitors (plus it has dvi out as someone already pointed out).
my gf has the iBook and it cant seem to handle any brush work in photoshop. it has a 4-5sec delay in updating the brush strokes. veeeeery annoying.
save youself some frustration.
;)