CoolMacintosh.com: The Macside: "Choose Wisely: Powerbook or iBook"

By Nick Canfield
Apple has two amazing laptops, the Titanium G4 Powerbook and the iBook. They are both very capable machines and choosing one is harder that you think. Anybody in the market for a new laptop knows what I mean.

When trying to choose a laptop the first thing you must consider is what you need to do with it. The Powerbook is designed with professionals in mind and anybody who needs to do mainly graphics work wants this laptop. This machine's G4 processor running at either 550 or 667 MHz is extremely powerful and I recommend this laptop for anybody who needs to run processor intensive applications like Final Cut Pro 2 or Bryce 3D.

Photoshop users need to consider what they are dong with the application. People who apply a lot of filters etc want the Powerbook.

The iBook is a capable computer as well. Its G3 processor running at either 500 or 600 MHz, makes it a powerful consumer laptop. For those who do not need blazing fast speed or do not have processor intensive applications with high requirements, the iBook will do nicely. The iBook is also the laptop for the first time computer user. For people who do not need to do much aside from word processing and checking email, the iBook is perfect. I also recommend the iBook for students. It is very small, light, durable and its 5 hour battery means you can work on a paper nonstop or play Unreal Tournament all night.

In the matter of which to choose for gaming, it depends on the gaming you will be doing. The iBook can run pretty much all games out there, but it's ATI Rage 128 Mobility graphics card leaves something to be desired. I would recommend the iBook for less intensive games like Civilization and Majesty. Although you certainly can play games like the soon to be released Red Faction, more serious gamers will want to look into the Powerbook.

The Powerbook's G4 processor ensures that you will be able to play the latest games for a while to come. But what really makes the Powerbook a champion is the ATI Radeon Mobility graphics card that comes with it. The Powerbook can make Quake 3 Arena shine.

There is of course one final deciding factor, price. The iBook starts at $1,300 whereas the Powerbook starts at $2,200. If you have got some money to blow by all means get the Powerbook. But if you don't have that kind of money, the iBook awaits. If you have carefully contemplated what you need and how much you are willing to spend then you can make the right choice. But in truth, you can't go wrong with either one of this dynamic duo.

© CoolMacintosh.com

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Readers Specials

Audible.com
Listen to your favorite news and novels through iTunes.
www.audible.com

eBay
Check eBay daily for the newest Mac stuff! Including new and old systems, software, hardrives, CD-RW's, T-Shirts and more..
www.ebay.com

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Check out ClubMac's Blowout Deals daily for specials on Macintosh products!
www.clubmac.com

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Adding RAM is the most cost effective way to boost your computer's performance. Upgrade factory-direct today with Crucial Technology.
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