[newapple71]

I am planning to buy a new laptop soon and i need some advice. i am looking at the 15" 1.67GHz powerbook and the 14" 1.33GHz iBook.
Will i be able to tell the difference in performance when using iMovie, iDVD, and other iLife apps between the iBook and Powerbook?
I realize i probably need to upgrade the RAM to 1 gig, but what about the VRAM? i won't be playing games, so i do not need VRAM for that. but i assume more VRAM is also better for working with video? since you can't upgrade the VRAM in the iBook, is it worth it to step up to the Powerbook with 128 VRAM?
Is the Powerbook display superior to the iBook? i'm not too worried about widescreen. mostly color and resolution.
This is my first Apple and i have never done video editing before. but since this will be my only computer, I would like to get the best performance i can so the experience will be as enjoyable as possible. Right now i am leaning toward the Powerbook because of the little extra bells and whistles, but if there is no difference in speed, display, etc, i really should get the iBook. editing video and burning DVDs is by far the most intense thing i will be doing.
Thanks for your help! i realize this is kind of a hardware question, but you guys always seem to give good, well informed answers to newbies.

[ftaok]

There is a large price disparity between your two chosen Macs. Of course the Powerbook will be a better computer, but the question is whether you'll notice the difference.
I would suggest you go to an Apple Store and play with both machines.
Just a few points regarding your questions.
1. I think you would notice a difference in speed with iMovie and iDVD.
2. The Powerbooks are generally regarded as having better quality screens than the iBooks. Better color accuracy and stuff like that. The iBook's resolution is 1024x768 whereas the Powerbook's is 1280x854?, so that could be a factor.
3. If you have the money, I think you'd be happier with the Powerbook. I think a better comparison would be the 14" iBook and the 12" Powerbook. You'd have the same screen resolution, but the 12"PB would be a more compact unit.
ft

[JCheyne]

I have a PowerBook and do all of my iMovie and iDVD work on that. I haven't worked with an iBook, so I cannot attest to its performance or screen quality, but since you are new to the forums, I want to echo ftoak's recommendation of going to an Apple store to see the difference first hand.
The service and advice available at an Apple store are the kind that set certain companies above all others. Everyone there knows their stuff. They don't bother you, but are available to make sure you get all the information you need. You'll have virtually unlimited tryout time with the hardware and software. Obviously, the believe that the more you know about Apple products, the more likely you are to invest in them.
My guess is that, once you've spent about an hour at an Apple store, you will know as much or more than anyone else about which machine is right for you, and you will be able to select your investment with confidence.

[moose_n_squirrel]

In reply to:

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Is the Powerbook display superior to the iBook? i'm not too worried about widescreen. mostly color and resolution.

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The iBook screen should be "close enough" in color for the iLife apps. For resolution, the iBook is 1024x768, which is totally bottom-of-the-barrel in regular-sized laptops these days. the 14" doesn't get you any more resolution, either, just the same pixels in a bigger screen. Should still be enough for iLife, but if you think you'll get into any of the nicer apps before you replace this laptop, you'll run into serious workspace cramping in the apps that use lots of palettes like Final Cut or Photoshop.
The iBook G4 should be fine for iLife. If you have to move up to a PowerBook, go all the way to the 15".

[newapple71]

Thanks for the help.
Unfortunately i do not live close to an Apple store. we do have a CompUSA, and i have spent a good bit of time looking at the computers there, but the staff is...ummmm.... not real knowledgable when it comes to Macs.
i do have another question. Will upgrading to 128 VRAM make a big difference working with video?
Thanks again.

[car1son]

Consider disk capacity & speed, too.
Capacity: For DV in iMovie, figure 1GB per 5min / 12GB/hr. (You can compress it down later, but in iMovie editing, it's big.)
Speed: My PowerBook labors to capture real-time video (from Firewire, via Formac Studio) to the built-in disk and often drops frames. Unless I'm saving to the external 7200rpm Firewire HD, which works much better.