10-19-2005, 05:45 PM

Hi,
I have the 1.5Ghz PB model, and with the new powerbooks released today im thinking of swapping my PB with a new one by adding a little extra cash. Though i have some questions:
- is there even a noticable difference between the 1.5ghz and 1.67ghz?
- does the change to DDR2 increase processor performance (general work and design apps like photoshop)
- is it better to get a 120GB HD 5400 rpm or 100GB HD 7200RPM
- the new display on the 17" PB is said to be 46% brighter which seems like a big improvement

My current PB has 1.5GB ram, 80GB 5400rpm HD, 9700ATi 128MB, should I upgrade or wait for the intel powerbooks?

10-19-2005, 05:49 PM

If your current system meets your needs. I would save my money and wait.

10-19-2005, 06:01 PM

Originally Posted by rman

If your current system meets your needs. I would save my money and wait.

Well it depends if the new characteristics imporve the performance a lot or at all compared to the PB I have right now...

10-19-2005, 06:11 PM

Your current PowerBook is excellent, for starters. The video card you'd get would be exactly the same. The system bus is only 167 MHz on the new processor, so it can't take full (perhaps even any) advantage of the DDR2 RAM. As far as I know the only actual benefit it has is that it's lower power consumption. I personally purchased the 100 GB 7200 RPM model because I like speed, but if you think you'll use up the storage on it, get the 120 GB. If you decide to go with the 7200 RPM, that will improve your performance over your old PB slightly, though. The RAM won't make any difference besides in battery life, and the processor won't make a lot. Practically speaking? You should not upgrade. The performance increase will not justify the added expense. The only reasonable justification I could possibly see is the dual layer Superdrive, but since you didn't mention it, I doubt you'll take advantage of that, either. If you have the money and WANT to upgrade, that's up to you.

10-19-2005, 06:32 PM

Originally Posted by Meyvn

Your current PowerBook is excellent, for starters. The video card you'd get would be exactly the same. The system bus is only 167 MHz on the new processor, so it can't take full (perhaps even any) advantage of the DDR2 RAM. As far as I know the only actual benefit it has is that it's lower power consumption. I personally purchased the 100 GB 7200 RPM model because I like speed, but if you think you'll use up the storage on it, get the 120 GB. If you decide to go with the 7200 RPM, that will improve your performance over your old PB slightly, though. The RAM won't make any difference besides in battery life, and the processor won't make a lot. Practically speaking? You should not upgrade. The performance increase will not justify the added expense. The only reasonable justification I could possibly see is the dual layer Superdrive, but since you didn't mention it, I doubt you'll take advantage of that, either. If you have the money and WANT to upgrade, that's up to you.

Thanks, thanks for the clear explanation, from what you told me I dont see any point in upgrading. Maybe ill go with the new imacs...