MacBook vs Powerbook G4 opinions?

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Level 1

95 points

MacBook vs Powerbook G4 opinions?

So I've had my Powerbook since December 2005 and it's feeling like it's getting long in the tooth - specs-wise, as well as the HD being nearly full.

Specs are...
Machine Name: PowerBook G4 15"
Machine Model: PowerBook5,8
CPU Type: PowerPC G4 (1.5)
Number Of CPUs: 1
CPU Speed: 1.67 GHz
L2 Cache (per CPU): 512 KB
Memory: 1 GB
Bus Speed: 167 MHz
Boot ROM Version: 4.9.6f0

I was interested to know how a modern, high-spec MacBook (not Pro) stacks up against a) my Powerbook and b) the MacBook Pro. I wouldn't really miss the aluminium finish as, on the palm rest, it's poor quality and is shielding too much WiFi reception, so I'd actually value something sturdier (ie. MacBook plastic).

My Powerbook tends to be slow and the fan comes on for not very much nowadays (ie. several Firefox tabs and vids) in a way it didn't when new. How powerful would the new MacBook feel? Certainly the 2.12GHz would be quicker than my 1.67GHz - surely it's a negligable difference up to the Pro's 2.2GHz, and they're both Core Duo 2 4Mb shared L2, right?

ie...
* Would I miss the drop from 15" to 13.3"?
* Question - can I run the MacBook (or Powerbook indeed) from an external monitor, with the lid closed, at a greater resolution than the machine allows, or just at the max?

At the same HD, same optical drive, similar CPU between the MB and MB Pro, main difference would seem to be the screen size and gfx card, right? Intel 64Mb shared vs Nvidia 128/256Mb dedicated. My Powerbook was never able to run, let's say, Second Life's 3d world without getting hyper on the graphics - would taking the basic MacBook pose similar problems re: gfx?

I'd certainly plump for the 2Gb memory if taking a basic MacBook. Am I right in thinking this could not be extended further?

And would I be wise to buy before Leopard is released? ie. Are there likely to be anymore hardware releases before then that render a new purchase now less current?

Just trying to size things up.

Powerbook G4

Posted on Jul 19, 2007 2:37 PM

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Answer 1

JoeyR

Level 6

8,305 points

Jul 19, 2007 2:52 PM in response to theparakeet

There are actually quite a few differences between the MacBook and the MacBook Pro:

1 - Intel's latest and greatest chipset, Santa Rosa... which allows you to use a full 4GB of memory and has an 800MHz front side bus (compared to 667MHz in the MacBook and earlier MacBook Pros).

2 - You get an express card slot if you ever need any expansion devices that would take advantage of that.

3 - You get nVidia's newest mobile graphics processor with either 128MB or 256MB of dedicated graphics RAM.

4 - You get a larger display with higher resolution.

5 - The new MacBook Pros use LED backlighting vs. the older fluorescent backlight found in the MacBook.

6 - The aluminium case on the Pro is much more scratch resistant than the plastic case on the MacBook (and doesn't show finger prints like the black MacBook).

7 - There are two internal fans in the MacBook Pro which means they don't need to work as hard as the single fan in the MacBook. Under moderate loads, the Pros are quiet... under identical loads, the MacBook fans tend to rev up quite high.

8 - You get the backlit keyboard with the MacBook Pro. I'm not ever really working in an environment dark enough to use it... but it's kinda cool and I guess it's useful if you're in a poorly lit environment.

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Answer 2

First Magus

Level 7

21,299 points

Jul 19, 2007 3:11 PM in response to theparakeet

My Powerbook tends to be slow and the fan comes on
for not very much nowadays (ie. several Firefox tabs
and vids) in a way it didn't when new. How powerful
would the new MacBook feel? Certainly the 2.12GHz
would be quicker than my 1.67GHz - surely it's a
negligable difference up to the Pro's 2.2GHz, and
they're both Core Duo 2 4Mb shared L2, right?

I replaced a 12 inch powerbook with my BlackBook and can tell you it's a much better computer than my powerbook was. It does run a little warm. For normal use mine runs between 55º-60º C. If I watch MLB.TV and run a few programs at the same time it runs about 74º-80º C.

ie...
* Would I miss the drop from 15" to 13.3"?

I set my MacBook next to my wifes 15 inch and they look almost the same. I can't tell a big difference.

* Question - can I run the MacBook (or Powerbook
indeed) from an external monitor, with the lid
closed, at a greater resolution than the machine
allows, or just at the max?

The MacBook can run with the lid closed and the external monitor can have up to 1920 by 1200 pixels resolution. More than the internals display allows.

I'd certainly plump for the 2Gb memory if taking a
basic MacBook. Am I right in thinking this could not
be extended further?

See this test. https://eshop.macsales.com/shop/MemoryBenchmark/AppleMacBook/

The core 2 duo MacBook officially supports 2 gb but 4 gb has been used. It can only utilize 3 gb but using the 4 gb size allows the matched pair sticks for best graphics.

And would I be wise to buy before Leopard is
released? ie. Are there likely to be anymore hardware
releases before then that render a new purchase now
less current?

I would get it now and upgrade later after Leopard is released. Only Apple knows if any other hardware releases will come about.

If you really need the graphics the Pro would be better but I must say I have been impressed with what my MacBook can do. I'm not a gamer so I don't need 3D graphics.

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Answer 3

Jul 19, 2007 3:15 PM in response to theparakeet

* Would I miss the drop from 15" to 13.3"?

Maybe, but, hopefully you can adjust your eyes to get use to smaller screen.

* Question - can I run the MacBook (or Powerbook indeed) from an external monitor, with the lid closed, at a greater resolution than the machine allows, or just at the max?
The max macbook screen res is 1280 x 800, but for external you can use the other resolution option that the display and os x supported, like I use Samsung 19" with 1440 x 900 resolution, and it allowed you to use external with lid closed (using wired or wireless keyboard and mouse)

At the same HD, same optical drive, similar CPU between the MB and MB Pro, main difference would seem to be the screen size and gfx card, right? Intel 64Mb shared vs Nvidia 128/256Mb dedicated. My Powerbook was never able to run, let's say, Second Life's 3d world without getting hyper on the graphics - would taking the basic MacBook pose similar problems re: gfx?
There is one of macbook weak point, not to superb with 3D gaming.
I'd certainly plump for the 2Gb memory if taking a basic MacBook. Am I right in thinking this could not be extended further?
While macbook still not using Santa Rosa like macbookpro, users reportedly able to put 3 GB (or 4 Gb but detected/allocated as 3 Gb), on macbook.

And would I be wise to buy before Leopard is released? ie. Are there likely to be anymore hardware releases before then that render a new purchase now less current?
Not allowed to comment about unreleased product, but I think you could survive with your Powerbook until Leopard comes, so you already save around $129.99 (price refer to amazon pre-order Leopard).

Just trying to size things up.

Good Luck.

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Answer 4

Jul 19, 2007 3:12 PM in response to theparakeet

theparakeet,

I'll add to the one reply you already have...

First, any new Intel machine, Macbook or Macbook Pro, is going to blow your Powerbook out of the water. Especially so if the Macbook is upgraded to 2 GBs of RAM.

However, you have far less chance of being disappointed, either now or in the future, by going with a Macbook Pro. While even a bottom-end Macbook will provide magnitudes more processing speed and power than what you are used to, and some of this power will bleed over into graphics, the dedicated GPU does make a considerable difference.

With your Powerbook, you are used to having that dedicated GPU, and even though your current one falls far behind the current mobile GPUs, it is well-matched with your Powerbook. This has important implications for your perception of how any machine feels. Right now, you must deal with slow GPU performance, but that is in the overall context of a slower machine.

When you bump yourself up to a new Intel portable, it will literally scream to your perception, but you will quickly become accustomed to the newer speed. It will be at this point that you, a dedicated GPU user, will notice that your graphics-processing capabilities lag far behind your raw processing abilities. You could end up disappointed.

If you can handle it financially, I think you would be happier with a MBP. If cost is an issue, a Macbook would still be much more powerful than what you are used to.

Scott

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