G4 iBook or G4 Powerbook?

[epi]

Hi people,

Gonna pull me finger out and invest, I'd like your opinions, what you reckon, which one is it to be?

Anyone know whether the iBook has a VGA out on the back for connectivity to external monitor? And is it slot in disc drive or is that a Powerbook only feature.

The laptop will be lounged around my bag... why can't they make scratch free material:/
14" iBook and 15" Powerbook have a huge difference in price... so it's a critical decision... the iBook looks more robust to be lounged around really.

Thanks!

[epi]

Another thing, regarding the iBook, I've seen some problem it gets when the screens just gets corrupt and you can't see anything as it's all screwed? Is this true, and is there an easy-way to resolve this or is it the end for that iBook?

[CocoPops]

If you can afford a pb, then do it.
The G4 iBook is a great machine, but if you've got the budget then don't go for the lower option.

If you want a screen bigger than 12" then it's the 14"iB or 15"pB. All of the iB's are only 1024x768.

Also the VGA/DVI out on iB is mirror video, the pB can handle spanning.

The pB can handle more RAM as well as it being faster DDR RAM.

The G4 in the iBook is an older G4 processor as far as I know with different levels of cach to the newer G4 pB.

I hope that helps, it's only a VERY quick break down, I could go into more detail if needed. I'm sure headbrace would have some impact too.

[epi]

Yeah, another thing is, its gonna be carried around in a shoulder bag, its of a canvas cotton type material, the bag will have sketchbooks and the like inside, will it get completely scratched? If so, is there a very very slimline casing for it? Plus if it begins to rain and the bag gets wet, it's good bye :[

So any ideas on that front?:]

[CocoPops]

There are some very nice "slip cases" for both the pB and iB. They are literally big enough for the 'book and no bigger. Thus you can put the 'book into the slip case and then put the slip case into a rucksack etc.

They are commonly made of neoprene, a bit like wetsuits, so whilst not waterproof, they are ok against splashes/drips etc.

I bought a Brenthaven rucksack for my pB as it also has a slip case inside it, from the outside it looks like a normal black rucksack, inside it is geared towards a powerbook and accompanying goodies.

[daverobev]

iBook G4s use older rev G4 processors with 256Mb L2 cache instead of 512 on the PBs.

iBook monitor spanning IS possible using a hack (ie, Apple disabled it in firmware so that people like you spend more cash ) that is basically (now, used to have to type loads of gunk into the open firmware) just a program you run. The pBooks have DVI out though. Much better gfx chips in the 15/17 inch ones (ATi m9600 vs m9200).

Personally I'd go 933 G4 iBook - yes they are more rugged, HDD is mounted on shocks, etc. 512Mb isn't that expensive ATM either...and you could put a 1Gb DIMM in if you wanted for 1152Mb.

OTOH, the pBooks are shagadellic

[epi]

yeah the pbooks are definately high powered machines, if I bought one, it'd be the 17" most likely, and it doesn't even fit in my bag, the problems just keep coming... :/

[epi]

So what are the reasons on you choosing to go with the G4 iBook rather than the G4 Powerbook? Cause you might just convince me to go for the iBook...

[CocoPops]

The ONLY reason to buy the 17" over the 15" is the extra pixels on the screen.
Hence my choice to buy the 15" SuperDriveand I've never regretted it.

[epi]

very true, but for things like graphics manipulation and such, surely a bigger screen would be a better choice?

[CocoPops]

There, you've decided.....

if you are even considering gfx apps, then forget the iBook.

[Space Cowboy]

Definately the PB.

[epi]

Ah cool, thanks guys!:D But the 17" pb isn't really that portable tbh, doesn't even fit in me bag:[

[CocoPops]

I'll say it ONE more time.....

Get the 15"!

[epi]

gettin the 17"... :p

[daverobev]

I'd get the iBook coz I'm a tightarse!! Yeah if I had the spare cash I'd deffo get the pB. And, in comparison, the iBook is good value.

But if its pixels you're after, and the "pro" features, powerbook aaaaall the way.