[linkstain]

Im not sure which is better, a maxed out ibook 12" or powerbook 12". Is their a diffrence between the G3 and G4 proccessors. Im an incoming freshman in college, which would you recommend to me. I like the fact that the ibook 12" has a faster proccesor and its cheaper, any reasons for this. Please let me know, because im lost. Im switching from PC to MAC. Oh by the way, this is the second time im posting this question, Im not sure if it got posted the first time I typed it. So if you see this post twice, sorry about that, my mistake. Thank you everyone for your assistance. -John B.

[Peter]

John,
Welcome to the world of Macs. I have owned both the iBook and now I have the 12" Powerbook. Spend the extra money and get the Powerbook. You will not regret the purchase. The G4 is better to run Jaguar and the upcoming Panther OS. The keyboard alone is the best reason to purchase it. The aluminum case doesn't scratch up like the plastic iBook. Be sure to max out the ram with whichever you choose to purchase.
Good luck man!
Peter

[CrecenS]

Don't buy an iBook now. The current hardware in them is not optimized for any of Apple's new applications, and the G3 processor is likely to be swapped with something else soon as well. The whole computer will likely be revised at the end of the year.
The PowerBook, however, is a great lil machine. It is brand new and will serve you well in the upcoming years.

[Larand]

I just graduated from college, and for the last two years I've used an iBook. I couldn't live without it. It's a rugged little machine. It survived daily trips to campus in my backpack in all kinds of weather (well, except snow--not much of that in southern California), endless note-taking, paper writing, web surfing, e-mailing, etc. and just never gave me a problem. Yes, it's gotten a little scratched on the outside, but I find it hard to believe any laptop wouldn't get scratched with this kind of use. Also, the G3 chip has the advantage of producing less heat than the G4, and IMHO Apple will be making G3 laptops for some time to come for just this reason. Jaguar runs just fine on both my iBook and my wife's (which is brand new), and I expect Panther will run acceptably as well.
Of course, the 12" PB is an attractive little thing too...you'll be happy either way. There are worse things in life than having to choose betwen an iBook and a PB. /forums/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif

[Yossarian]

I've been using an iBook since february, and I must say I'm really happy with the white little thing. I bought the middle-class one because of its small size, but it still comes with a DVD player and a CD-RW drive, as well as two USB ports and firewire.
The fact that the G3 chip generates less heat, makes the iBook virtually noiseless. The fan only kicks in for a little while when it gets hot (after an hour or two of use).
I have no trouble running Jaguar on it, and the iLife apps (iTunes and iPhoto are the ones I use) are running flawlessly too. All in all, if you're not planning on any heavy tasks like Photoshop or other professional activities, you're gonna be well off with a little white wonder like the iBook. /forums/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif

[clydeb11]

"better" for what? it depends on YOUR personal computer needs.

[Nobody]

I use a powerbook and teach using iBooks. I prefer my powerbook because it's faster and lighter. You can pretty much configure either one the same way (unless you are looking at a top-of-the-line powerbook), so then it comes down to look and price.