Upgrading from 12" PowerBook to MacBook

aayzof · 14 Dec 2007 at 16:34

Hi,

I've had my 12" 1.33ghz PowerBook G4 running with 768mb RAM since 2002 and it's been pretty much flawless for 5 years. However, recently certain keys have stopped working, the machine is starting to slow and I fancy a change.

I'm thinking about getting the entry level MacBook and sticking 2gig of RAM in it. Do you think there would be a noticeable difference between my old machine and the new one? I really want to try leopard and the battery on this is 5 years old so it lasts literally a minute before shutting down. Leopard and a new battery would be like £150 so I figured I might as well get a new machine?

I mainly use it for internet, music, essay writing, photo editing and the odd game.

Thanks.

triggerthat · 14 Dec 2007 at 17:17

If you fancy the Macbook and got the money to splash, then go for it (get the MBP)

The wise choice would be to get your current powerbook fixed up.

artaxerxes · 14 Dec 2007 at 19:13

It will be night and day my friend. The horsepower in a Macbook compared to the Powerbook will be astonishing. For your listed apps the Macbook will be perfect. Also look forward to improved wireless.

I would say don't hold back if it were not for the very very strong rumours of a sub notebook in Aluminium coming at Macworld '08 on the 15th of January... which might be the fabled ideal 12" Powerbook replacement.

aayzof · 14 Dec 2007 at 20:42

Yeh I've heard the rumours concerning the subnotebook. To be honest the 12" screen is as small as I'm willing to go - moving upto a 13.3, although not massively different will be a small bonus. I wouldn't be able to afford the new subnotebook anyway! I'm going to head into London to pick up a base spec MacBook tomorrow then, I think!

Oh, also, does anyone know if the Apple store on Regent Street has refurbished products to buy there? Or are they only available online?

Thanks.

theheyes · 14 Dec 2007 at 20:48

The MacBook will blow away ye olde PowerBook.

aayzof · 15 Dec 2007 at 20:58

I went upto Regent Street today and picked up a base spec macbook for £601. I'm so so chuffed with it - I've been on panther for 5 years and changing to leopard is amazing!! The screen is MUCH brighter than my old PowerBook and the magnetic latch and everything is just amazing. I don't like the keyboard as much, however - that's gonna take some getting used to. On the whole though, for the money, I'm very happy!

Caged · 15 Dec 2007 at 21:00

Also people will pay a crazy price for that Powerbook on eBay, so it could be the cheapest upgrade you've ever made.

aayzof · 15 Dec 2007 at 21:11

Yeh I was thinking about selling it. It's pretty beaten up after 5 years, though - ethernet port is broken, tab key and volume up key don't work, dent in back etc. I might just keep it and let my family use it as a home pc. Can anyone recommend a good tool to calibrate the screen? I find the default tv gamma one pretty good with deep colours but its a bit off?

"andy" · 15 Dec 2007 at 22:12

how or where did you manage to get one for 600 ?

tom_e · 15 Dec 2007 at 22:22

"andy" said:
how or where did you manage to get one for 600 ?

HE discount probably

aayzof · 15 Dec 2007 at 22:38

Yeah I just went in there with my Nottm Uni library card and they gave me the HE discount. Just piddling about setting it up atm, well chuffed. all this stick and spaces stuff seems pretty pointless though? and spotlight is no different to what launchbar was doing 5 years ago? hmm.