Getting a new Powerbook Soon!

[Hooahman]

Hey everyone,
I have never owned an apple before, but after seeing my friend's yesterday I am seriously considering one for school. I am currently finishing 9th grade and after my first year of high school have realized how useful a laptop can be for me. I have a desktop PC which I currently use for gaming & everything like that. This laptop will be used strictly for school & video editing (we do a lot of that at school these days). What I currently have configured on apple.com is a 15" Powerbook G4 @ 1.67GHz, 1gb RAM, 80gb HD @ 5400RPM, 8x DVD±RW/CD-RW Superdrive, ATI Mobility Radeon 9700 128mb, and the Applecare Protection Plan. With the student discount, this pans out to $2563 (before tax and S&H). This brings up my first question. Should I purchase the Applecare Protection Plan? It is $240. Since this will be my first Apple computer, having 3 years of over the phone support may be useful for me. Can anyone comment on this?

Secondly, what software should I buy for my apple? I will only be doing school work (word documents, powerpoint presentations, etc) and minor video editing on it. I have decided to get the student edition of MS Office 2004 ($149). The powerbook comes with iLife 2005. Should I purchase iWork 2005 ($50 after student discount)?

Thanks in advance guys!

EDIT: Typo!

 

[max]

My dad (practically coputer iliterate) got a PB G4 Aluminum (I think) like 2 or 3 years ago. Some guy called from Apple like last year summer ish. He said I could upgrade warentee for only 2 or 300 something. Although nothing majorly wrong since I still wish I had not said no. Lot of freezups and weird things. But nobody's perfet, even Apple.

As for Office we got Student 2003 I beieve. The guy at the apple store said it the exact thing as non student just cheaper. But only PC has Access (Database) not apple. I believe Entorouge is used instead. And oddly enough Apple doen't require ID. Anybody can purchase the Student version. How weird.

As for the book and lower IBOOK version with G4 is available for about only a $1000 if video editing is decided not important after all. But The one you said is not bad therwise. $2299 at CDW.com. Only 512mb instead of 1GB but 512mb of ram is not much either.

Thanks,
max

 

[xthisisRomancex]

here are some ways to save money
1) Buy your ram from a third party vendor. you will get it way cheaper.
2) You do not have to buy the apple care when you purchase you powerbook. You can purchase apple care within 1 yr of the orignal purchase.
that is my $0.02
--
on another note congrats on making the switch and remeber that if you have ant problems, questions, or if you just want to talk about your mac. Post it here will willl be more than happy to listen and help

 

[speedydave]

Also keep in mind that, if you are a high school student, you're not applicable for the student discount. K-12 teachers, as well as college teachers AND students, are applicable for the discount. Read the terms/acceptance page carefully.

 

[Hooahman]

Thanks for pointing that out Dave...I didn't realize that . Does that go for everything, like Office 2004 and all the academic priced software?
Thanks for the tips also xthisisRomancex.

 

[SamR]

Yes the student discount goes for everything. Might I advise as you're only a freshman in high school, maybe saving and getting like an iMac or iBook if you really need a laptop? I would get something much cheaper ($2500 is a lot of money) Then get the really nice powerbook or whatever in 3 years when you've fully used your ibook and get the nice one for college. As a sophomore in college, I don't even have that nice of a powerbook and couldn't imagine needing anything like that especially in high school.

 

[alexmaccoll]

No i think its fair enough if he wants to spend that money. I'm in year 10 (UK) dunno what that is in the states (14YO), and i got my 12" aluminium after saving.
They are sooo much nicer than the ibook....
Alex

 

[alexmaccoll]

Whatsmore the VRAM makes a **** of a lot of difference for video editing. I got into Final Cut Pro and Premiere, and sold my old ibook G4 exactly because of that. The 128MB on the 15" is even better, my dad has that.
Alex

 

[Hooahman]

Might I advise as you're only a freshman in high school, maybe saving and getting like an iMac or iBook if you really need a laptop? I would get something much cheaper ($2500 is a lot of money) Then get the really nice powerbook or whatever in 3 years when you've fully used your ibook and get the nice one for college. As a sophomore in college, I don't even have that nice of a powerbook and couldn't imagine needing anything like that especially in high school.

I have taken sometime to think about this and I think that is an excellent suggestion. I have a knack for being attracted to top of the line equipment when I first start looking at stuff . I looked into it and have made a few critical needs. At least a 64mb vid card and a DVD burner. The iBooks only have 32mb vid cards, so I think I will go with the 12" powerbook with the DVD Burner. This also comes with iLife 2005, bluetooth, and airport extreme and is only $1700 (still a lot of money). Then I can buy a 1gb memory stick for $170. After S&H + tax it will probably all come to around $2,000. Does this sound like a good plan for me?

EDIT: Also, can anyone give me any info on the credit program Apple has? Like paying $40/month for 2-3 years or something? Anyone know how that works?

 

[rs2sensen]

1. Pay $90 for the developers program, you get one purchase a year at student price.

OR

2. Enroll in a free course at your local community college, and don't go. (This one is a cheap tactic, but for some, it might be their only shot at an Apple).

Software:
3. Search the internet for student discounts on software, there are lots of sites that offer student discounts to High School students.

 

[Hooahman]

I can't join the developers program as I am only 15 (must be 18 to join) . I also can't enlist in a community college, as I am still in high school . Thanks for the tips though .

 

[speedydave]

Lots of CC/JC's have concurrent enrollment classes that they offer, but they may be limited by age. I also agree with Sam's advice to go with something a little cheaper for now and get the PB later on. The iBooks are very versatile, and from what I've seen so far, somewhat underestimated. I personally wouldn't use an iBook for professional graphics work (majority of your work being Photoshop, video editing, etc), but that's also why I'm getting a PB.

 

[rs2sensen]

I can't join the developers program as I am only 15 (must be 18 to join) . I also can't enlist in a community college, as I am still in high school . Thanks for the tips though .

Can you just put a parents name down? Do you have any relatives currently in a college.

Lots of local colleges offer Middle School/Early HS courses. Also, I've heard apple doesn't verify if you are actually from the school. (please fellow members, don't yell at me for suggesting this, I'm just trying to get this kid a mac).

A course can be anything. I got mine on student discount, cuz I enrolled in a free stained glass class, which I never went to.

 

[Hooahman]

Do you have any relatives currently in a college.

Of course! I just remembered my uncle is the vice principal of a college down in Texas. I can have him buy it for me and then just ship it over here :mac:. Thanks for the tip!

 

[rs2sensen]

Glad to help! Good luck with whatever computer you get, if it's a mac, it's great!

 

[max]

I don't know about the rest, but like I said for Office for MAC Apple doesn't care. I got Office 2003 Student and they never checked ID. I asked the Apple store guy why and he said only PC checks ID, but nobody cares about Apple. Apple and MS don't ask for ID for Office for MAC Student. Only Office Student for PC. Not MAC.

Thanks,
max

 

[Hooahman]

Well, considering I have an uncle who can get it 100% legally, I think I'll just let him get it for me (paying him back of course!). Thanks though :mac:.

 

[rs2sensen]

http://www.academicsuperstore.com

has lots of High School student discount stuff

 

[Hooahman]

Thanks for the link and all the help from everyone. I really appreciate it . When I get my powerbook, I will be sure to stop by here more often!

 

[rs2sensen]

Yeah, this is an awesome forum, and there's lots of people here to help. Of course, it's also very addicting. I've only been here since the end of march, and I've already written 317 things. It's amazing, lol. But really, thats the nice thing about this site, we don't care about post count, I care a bit about reputation points (added by clicking on the thing next to the red light by a persons name in the post), as it makes me feel really good when I get them (like I did something). But hang around, and tell us what you think of your mac once you get it!