06-04-2005, 02:29 PM

So, I am by neccesity a dual-platform person. I grew up with Apple IIs and then Macs, but eventually became proficient on the DOS and then Windows side as well--especially when I started to buy my own hardware with my allowance.

What's funny is that the same considerations still exist, for different reasons. I use a Mac at "home"--in the sense that my Mac is my real PC. I keep all my media on it, prefer to do serious work on it, etc.

I have x86s on 2K/XP at home for servers or otherwise mostly for gaming, compatibility with the rest of the world, and because im a network consultant by day and kind of have to. Predictably, my Windows hardware is more frequently upgraded than the Mac, for cost reasons. Also, the more 'serious' work I do on the Mac doesn't constantly scream for the latest and greatest as gaming does on Windows.

On the other hand, once you get a couple years out from your Mac purchase, its relative performance does begin to detiorate. The product cycle may not be as fast on the Mac side, but it does exist. And in a way, it can be a little more frustrating as it is more subtle.

My G4-867 (1GB RAM) doesn't feel that old most of the time--but if I give GarageBand, Tracktion, FinalCut, Photoshop, etc too much work to do the system shows its age.

Recently, I needed to buy a notebook. I had to consider business, educational, and entertainment needs over platform devotion. That dictated a Windows machine, so I've purchased a high-end gaming model. I'm happy with it, it meets those needs, all good.

My question is, then, I want to supplement it with a more portable iBook of some variety. The iBook will be more productivity focused. So, I want it to be able to handle some Photoshop/Illustrator, etc work--probably the heaviest lifting it will need to do. But mostly it will be for writing documents, image editing, layout, scripting and coding, browsing, email....like that. All the stuff that I still need to do when I'm not going to be troubleshooting windows or gaming. Plus, as a beginning developer, I'd like to take advantage of the return of Mac as a development platform with all of the advantages of OS X there.

So, those of you who are still reading this, how far do you think I should be willing to go 'back in time' in the iBook line? I really haven't kept close attention to the evolution of the models. I'm interested in both 'gut checks' on people who have owned/used different models and also any provisos about any capabilities present or lacking in any particular models/configurations that I might not pick up on from casual investigation.

Thanks!

--=GAMECAT=-

06-04-2005, 02:59 PM

Well, I think you're going to want a G4 for the needs you described (and for the sake of longevity), so that limits you to October 2003 as the "oldest" models. The differences you'll discover among the G4 iBooks are really basically limited to processor speed and an improvement in L2 cache that occurred early on in the G4's history. Basically then, I'd search for the best deal you can find on the size you want (12" or 14"), with probably a minimum processor clock of 1 Ghz. Memory will also be a key factor, so select one that has [i]at least[i] 640 MB or upgrade it yourself once you make the purchase.