[Tiga34]

Ok, so I have read a lot of the past posts about whether or not to get a new mac right now or wait for the new chips, and generally the advice is "if you need it now, buy it now", which is reasonable -- but here's another angle on this question.
Knowing that the chip architecture is going to change, will web based applications continue to be written for PowerPC macs? For example, Google earth is planning a mac release, but won't they just wait until the new chip comes out and write a version of their software that will only run on the new models? Why would any web based downloadable program go to the trouble of creating a version of their software for macs that will soon be obsolete? Maybe Google earth will run on PowerPC chips when it comes out, but what about future applications? Will a Powerbook purchased today still be fully useful on the web in 2 years?
I have heard many times that Apple itself as well as many third party companies will write dual versions of their software or use a universal binary for awhile but I also understand that gaming companies may not decide to do the same thing.
This could also affect peripheral devices--will there be drivers for new peripherals in a year or two for a PowerPC mac? How long will makers of cameras, printers etc continue to provide updated drivers for PowerPC's?
I realize these are open questions and we will just have to wait and see but I was wondering what people thought. As far as my own needs, my current computer is totally dead and I do want a machine immdediately--though I don't have a business that would fail if I didn't have a computer.
Those Powerbooks in the Apple store look very tempting and with my student discount I could afford to get a nice one. If I could just be sure the system will be usable for 3 years I wouldn't hesitate--but in a year if I surf the web will I find "PowerPC Macs not supported by this site" all over the place?

[d00d]

Knowing that the chip architecture is going to change, will web based applications continue to be written for PowerPC macs?
Actual web based applications (those that run in a web browser) don't care about the processor in the host computer.
For example, Google earth is planning a mac release, but won't they just wait until the new chip comes out and write a version of their software that will only run on the new models?
There is already a PowerPC version floating around the net. There is no windfall for them to compile only for Intel.
Why would any web based downloadable program go to the trouble of creating a version of their software for macs that will soon be obsolete?
The better question is what web based (I'm still not sure why you're calling it this) software would have any code that could possibly even be hard to compile for PowerPC. In other words, would they be writing any code that's particular to Intel? Any application that's retrieving data for the web doesn't need processor code level optimization.
Will a Powerbook purchased today still be fully useful on the web in 2 years?
Yes. The overwhelming majority of Macs will still be PowerPC based and blocking out 80+% of a platform you're developing for doesn't make any sense.
If I could just be sure the system will be usable for 3 years I wouldn't hesitate--but in a year if I surf the web will I find "PowerPC Macs not supported by this site" all over the place?
No, anything browser based definitely will not be affected.