Ok, I am finally getting to the point where I actually need a laptop. I've been looking at the 15 inch PowerBook G4 @ $2,299 @ 867mhz. Here is my delima. I can get a PC-Laptop for about $1,200 with comparable features and much higer Mhz. Are the PowerBook G4's worth the extra money, and if so, why? Like BurntAsh the major uses are for web and app development (for when I am away form the office) DVD's, maybe a game or two, and multimedia related editing (graphics and somtimes sounds).
I think I am going with a PC notebook, the macs just aren't appealing to me anymore. And I will load it with linux, mac os x isn't THAT great. I played around with it a bit on an ibook and it just didn't take for me. Since I won't be gaming much on it, linux on a cheap pc notebook will be all I need.
The thing that I worry about PC-Laptopts is I know no one who is actually happy with their laptop citing things like they feel 'cheap', or just don't run very well and get names like IBM Stinkpad or The Dell Happybake-Oven. That kind of worries me since I will be using the Laptop a good portion of the time.
Any more opinions?
Go for the Powerbook! First off the G4 gives you much more bang per MHz than x86 processors so that the speed difference won't be as big as it might appear. But, of course, a 2GHz+ intel chip will still be faster than a G4. So if you need lots of CPU power you will have to go for a PC notebook.
When it comes to battery lifetime (something I consider very important with laptops) nothing beats the macs. Think of 4 hours+ battery lifetime. And that's not a theoretical value that you might achive when the CPU basically idles all the time but that's the amount of time you can actually work with it. Linux on laptops is fine but the one field where it lacks is power saving features. This combined with the fact that most PC notebooks consume more power anyway might realistically give you battery lifetimes of little more than 2, maybe 3 hours.
Don't make the mistake to go for a no-name notebook that might be appealing just because it's cheap. I've seen too many people who were very unhappy when they discovered their bargain turned out to be a piece of crap. That litterally fell apart as soon as the warranty expired. You'll never see something like this happen to a mac. Especially not the powerbook series. I've worked with one of the old G3 powerbooks for a while and just by touching it you know where your money went. It just feels right. Solid, high-quality hardware that just works and works well.
[quote author=Ashcrow link=board=11;threadid=6855;start=0#64007 date=1050713305]
The thing that I worry about PC-Laptopts is I know no one who is actually happy with their laptop citing things like they feel 'cheap', or just don't run very well and get names like IBM Stinkpad or The Dell Happybake-Oven. That kind of worries me since I will be using the Laptop a good portion of the time.
Any more opinions?
[/quote]
I have a Dell Latitude C840. I love it. I use it more than my regular desktop. Dual-boot to Windows 2000 and Slackware, everything works under Linux, good support, good performance, etc.
I'm kinda looking at the Dell Inspiron 600m and the Gateway 400 Special or at least the 400 series. Anyone have any comments?
Don't get the gateway. I don't know anyone with a gateway laptop who is happy with them citing things like broken parts or being shipped obviously refurbished hardware for replacements, etc ... The Dell would probably be a better choice as long as it isn't the model that was burning peoples laps.
By the way, I broke down and ordered the G4 Notebook. I'll review it with screen shots and all when it arrives ;D.
[quote author=Ashcrow link=board=11;threadid=6855;start=0#64056 date=1050809357]
By the way, I broke down and ordered the G4 Notebook. I'll review it with screen shots and all when it arrives ;D.
[/quote]
Bastage!
[me=praetorian]wants an powerbook[/me]
Oh man I can't wait!!
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