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For six years, the Internet Nexus served as my technology blog, but I've since started blogging at the SuperSite Blog instead. If you're looking for the blog, please head there. --Paul

Sunday, May 30, 2004

Again, thanks ... And a limiting of choices

In case you missed it, I would again like to say "thanks" to everyone that wrote in with advice about my next Mac purchase. I appreciate all the great feedback and am humbled by the sheer amount of email. Thanks.

While I haven't exactly figured out what I'm doing yet, I have limited the choice to two PowerBook models. The iBook is out for a number of reasons, though it was the sentimental favorite (and frankly, I think the new Powerbooks are kind of bland looking, compared to the beautiful Ti models): My first Mac was a 2001 iBook (500 MHz), which I still own and occasionally use (I bought it specifically to run Mac OS X). But ultimately, the iBook's trade-offs, and the nagging feeling that, G4 or not, the performance would just be lousy, caused me to cross it off my list. So here are the two PowerBook models I'm considering:

1. 15" PowerBook G4 1.33 GHz, stock model upgraded to SuperDrive ($2268). I would add 512 MB of RAM via Crucial (about $120) and, at a later date, upgrade to the AppleCare 3-year plan ($350) and add a second battery ($150). Pros: widescreen. Cons: Battery life, size.

2. 12" PowerBook G4 1.33 GHz, stock model, with extra battery ($1928). I would add 512 MB of RAM via Crucial (about $120) and, at a later date, upgrade to the AppleCare 3-year plan ($350). Pros: Size. Cons: Screen.

Here's the deal. While I'll likely use the machine around the house a lot, I'd really like something I can take on the road with me. I travel a lot for work, and enjoyed bringing the iBook around while it was still viable, and its small size, light weight, and initially excellent battery life made it a valuable companion on the road. But over time, the iBook's batteries lost their staying power, and the speed of the machine became a hinderance. So the 12" PowerBook seems like it would be a simple step-in replacement for the iBook: It's about the same shape and size. But then again, I did spend a year with a 17" iMac, and I've grown to love widescreen displays, so the 15" is of interest, even though it's more expensive.

Choices, choices.

A number of people who wrote in noted that Apple was unlikely to update the PowerBooks at the WWDC, which I think is likely true. On the other hand, Apple could theoretically update the PowerBooks again at any time, so I'm not sure there's any obvious time to buy. It will be some time in June, certainly.

Also, a number of people mentioned refurbished systems as a way to save money. I have absolutely no problem buying a refurbished system, and will be checking Apple's Special Deals page regularly to see what happens. However, I'm very keen on getting an up-date-date system, performance-wise, and don't want to settle on a previous-generation PowerBook. That is, 1.33 GHz is the minimum CPU speed I'll accept at this point.

[ Posted at 5:34 PM | Permalink ]