MacBook Pro or G4 Powerbook?

[Fidhle007]

My girlfriend bought a Macbook and it has been giving her more problems than my 3 year old PC, and its only 6 months old. She babies the thing and the case formed a crack out of no where after 4 months. She is getting a lot of lock ups and frozen programs (especially Safari) as well. I think both camps over exagerate problems with both platforms. That being said, I have yet to use a PC laptop that runs as quiet, smooth, and cool as a Mac laptop. I love them as they are useable for what they should be used for, sitting with them on your lap, not plugged into all your peripherals on a desk like most people use their laptops.

Thanks for the input! The way I see it I'm trying to decide between a last gen G4 and first gen MacBook Pro. Kind of like a '91 e30 vs. a '92 e36. Hmm, I think I just answered my question....

[Fidhle007]

Anyone else have any opinions? I need to make this decision pretty soon.

[Ryan Stewart]

The Pros I have seen have been good. The build quality of the macbooks are crap.

I shopped pretty heavily before getting my Dell but out of everything on the market the MBP would have come in second had they made a smaller one. Build quality is my big beef with them because of my Thinkpad experiences (mainly that I think they could survive a war).

Also, to expand on TJs statement about using a laptop as a desktop. One advantage to some other brands of laptops besides apple is docking stations. I have an ultraportable dell that fits into a docking station that I have hooked up to two monitors and all the extra shit. Makes the transition a one touch affair.

[rwh11385]

given you are a fruity tutty artist, apple is probably your thing. buy this http://www.engadget.com/2004/04/12/the-pink-ibook/

hard drive failures, battery failures, screen problems, as fucked up OS as windows sometimes, and the hassle of having them fix it at the Apple Store by the ironically named "Genius bar" is a great reason to say fuck apple, unless you like overpriced underperformance stylish toys that limit you... and then I could call your new iPhone and tell what a dumbass you are.

[rwh11385]

Also, to expand on TJs statement about using a laptop as a desktop. One advantage to some other brands of laptops besides apple is docking stations. I have an ultraportable dell that fits into a docking station that I have hooked up to two monitors and all the extra shit. Makes the transition a one touch affair.

My dad had a 20lb "desktop replacement" Dell a few years ago, and would hook up a a wireless keyboard, a monitor or two, and bam - desktop usability. But it could be taken overseas to another desk and not have to move things to an External HD, etc. It's nice to be portable, esp as laptop performance has grown - and shit, you can easily mod and upgrade a Dell laptop with more memory, new HD, etc.

[1991 318is]

It comes down to software. Contrary to Mac's ad about Windows people having to do a hardware upgrade to run new OS's, you have to buy a whole Mac machine past a certain point which is about where you are at now. Boot Camp only runs on the Intel chipset Macs. Adobe Apps are OS version specific after a certain point. Ironiocally some of the most current Adobe video editing apps require Boot Camp and Windows. There is no choice. Go with the latest version on the Mac OS you can get. Go with a laptop only if you absolutely need one. Forget being cool and going to a coffeehouse to check your e-mail. Buy the Mac Pro and get it over with. Laptops are slower, run too hot to put on your lap, don't last as long, and are more expensive to repair. Macs cool by turning the case into a heatsink and solving the problem by saying they are not laptops, they are desktops. They even have a tech bulletin that says putting them on you lap can give you burns.

[1991 318is]

and one more thing. Your analogy of a 1991 E30 and a 92 E36 isn't quite accurate. They are the digital equivalents of MsDos and windows 3.0. The analogy of cars to computers just doesn't make sense. You need a NEW computer not a NEWER one.

[Fidhle007]

You need a NEW computer not a NEWER one.

I agree with you on that, to some extent: While the future of Mac products will be with the Intel chip, the specific MBP that I am looking at is one of the original models which are currently being cleared out to make way for the new models. The G4 that I am looking at is the last of the G4s, the fastest one up until the MBP came out. So my thinking behind the e30/e36 analogy is that all the bugs have been worked out of the G4 system by the time the machine I'm looking at was made, whereas the MBP is a brand new item and has not yet had a chance to be fully put through it's paces.

I have spent a lot of time with Mac Pros at various recording studios I've worked with, and while they're awesome, they are well outside my price range and not a practical item to be hauled around by a touring musician. For a home studio, I would certainly go that route but for now, portability is a plus.

Also, why does everyone keep arguing video editing points with me??? Where did I say I was going to be editing videos??? I am a MUSICIAN. I will be editing MUSIC. I will also need to do some graphics and photo editing, but I already have the software for that and it's *gasp* mac based.

The "Genius Bar" is news to me, as I have never set foot in a mac store in my life and have no intention of starting anytime soon. I fix my own shit, I always have. With the right tools, every job is doable.

To all you PC people who can't seem to understand the fact that for my needs, a mac is best suited for the job, I have this to say: Think about how often ricers try to tell you how cool and upgradable their civics are. Now think about how much you laugh, because while your BMW may need more maintenance and cost more for parts, it does it's job much better. I have had years of experience with both macs and PCs and at the present moment I am buying a mac as it suits my needs.

All that said, can I get some advice one which MAC I should get?




Sheesh, buying a computer is almost as much seeriuz biznez as teh intranetz. :hitler:

[Ryan Stewart]

Your mac v pc analogy as ricers sucks since they have the same hardware now.

If portability is an issue get a smaller powerbook, if you want the best performance get the Pro. If you have to keep asking here then you should just get a spine and buy what suits your needs, instead of getting annoyed with peoples suggestions/opinions.

[Fidhle007]

I know my analogy made no sense, I just like stirring up the PC people. It's funny.

I just wanted an opinion on whether I should spend more money than I have and get something more up-to-date, or get something not as new and have some money left over for car parts. Both will be the same size (15") and with similar trim.

[Ryan Stewart]

Here is an idea, get which one you want. No matter what you get people are going to say its the wrong choice.

[Fidhle007]

Let me put it this way, Recaro or Intel?

:P

[Ryan Stewart]

Let me put it this way, Recaro or Intel?

:P

Your analogies always suck. Seriously, just give it up.

[Fanzotti]

Plain and simple... quit listening to these goons and pay attention to fanzotti.

I've been using Mac for years, it should be obvious to all that they are the best.

Powerbooks are too expensive. I've been rocking a ibook for 3 years without any problems. I am constantly traveling around the country with it and dragging it around in my back pack.ce

Get the new macbook for 1299. They pretty much do everything the powerbooks gonna do and there built like a rubbermaid at a third of the price. This way in a couple of years you get a new one. Powerbooks are only worth it if you really need it.

Oh and pc's suck. Open your mind with a MAC.

[Digitalwave]

Sorry to burst your bubble but the best music editing software out there (Pro Tools) is available for both platforms so you don't HAVE to get a Mac. I hope you aren't using Garage Band...