get my son new iMac G5 or iBook/Powerbook???

I vote for the iBook, becuase:

It had just been updated
Its portable
It is durable
Will do everything he needs.

Consider taking him to the apple store and Giving HIM the choice. Since this is his gift. Also, think about saving the difference of the two, putting it aside for the next mac for High School.

Also,

If you are interested in moving your iMac to a new home, with some profit,

email me

patrickcool1988 AT yahoo.com

Depending where u live (I am in Calfornia), I might be interested in it. Basically as I am thinking of using it in my room for Schoolwork, net, and a DVD or two, and having the G5 as like the center of the house, storing all the music and such. Plus, it allows me to hone my skills as I am hoping to work at the Genuis Bar someday... Which makes me think.. maybe your son might want to tweak with it instead... tho, its not a walk in the park,... so I hear.

-Patrick

wow, you are getting a lot of responses... good for you.

For my kids, I got an eMac for one and an iMac for the other. In both cases they were not concerned about portability.

eMac is probably about the most performance for your money in the whole Mac all-in-one line.

A Downside to any portable is that they are notoriously easy to steal. The theft rate of laptops is startlingly high (last time I saw a survey of various school campuses), so please keep that in mind, especially if your son tends to leave things around or is not as conscientious as you would wish.

But if you go for a laptop, the iBook will be way sturdier than the PowerBook.

And as folks have indicated, the iMac G5 is more powerful and generally faster, and has more disk storage than most models of the iBooks and eMacs. So if he plays lots of computer games, or does graphic intensive applications (art or photo of video) then the G5 would be a better choice for performance.

One small but often undiscussed issue with having two personal computers is the issue of keeping them in sync - either by being networked or FireWire connected, and being sure to run synchronizing software between them regularly (there are several programs you can buy that do this). To save the hassle of sitting there and saying, 'now which computer did I write that project paper on?'

I vote for the iMac G5.

If you say he's in 7th grade, I doubt he actually needs a laptop for school (you wouldn't have told us to debate between portable or not).

What does he do with his computer?

Plus, if you said he'd need a laptop for high school, then it might be better to get a nice desktop and a nice laptop later no?

I'm sure he'd also have more fun on a 17-20'' screen than a 12-14'' screen and the processor and graphic card are quite more powerfull too.

Nonetheless, you should also ask him or be like "oh these computers are nice I prefer this one.. how about you" to see what he prefers.

Hope it helps

Eddi

If he is planning on playing games... then the 20'' iMac w/ I gig of ram (Min).

My final thought still stands.

Let him decide

Ann,
Unless the notebook were a necessity, in which case most of us will sacrifice the latest technology, the negative is that he would then have 2 Macs that are behind the curve, instead of one that's up to date. He really should have the opportunity to learn about and use the latest technology. That includes future software applications that might perform significantly better on the G5 processor.

Apple is moving to intel chips in the next 2 years.... thus, I have the feeling that apps that are optimized for the G5 are already out, since many developers would be focusing on the intel switch.

Take it from a high school student. Laptops may be nice and portable and be easy to show off, but when your son gets to high school and begins to seriously write long papers, a real keyboard will definitely come in handy. My laptop is great, but typing on it is going to give me Carpel-Tunnel 🙂

I too fear carpel tunner, as i have to type alot and i use the computer alot,( 11th grade)

You can always connect a reguar keyboard

IBook is nice to have if you have a more powerful machine at home, otherwise I would say that powerbook is a better choice.

now that the issue of ergonomics has been raised (even if lightly, re 'carpel tunnel', the smaller laptop keyboard, and a smiley;) -- there is one more ergonomic consideration:

That is, laptops have their keyboards and screen attached (close to each other), so the screen is significantly lower than most ergonomic recommendations.

The usual ergonomic recommendation is for the top of the screen to be at the top of the horizontal line of site (look in many desktop computer and monitor setup manuals, you will see such a diagram). (E.g.: iMac G5 User guide, Appx B, pg 67), and for the fore arms to be horizontal as the fingers rest on the keys.
But laptops will always have their screen lower, so that your hands can type on the keyboard. A necessary trade-off for having a one-piece portable unit. (This applies to any manufacturer or brand of laptops as they are currently designed.)

It is something else to keep in mind as you move through the choice.

I am well aware of the direction Apple is taking, and I fail to see why that should affect my thinking. I expect to buy the latest G5 for personal use prior to the Intel machines' intro. I'm fairly certain everything will still work, as usual.

As for allowing the average 7th grader to make specific $1,000+ purchase decisions, it's surprising how that refrain changes once parenthood arrives.

"As for allowing the average 7th grader to make specific $1,000+ purchase decisions, it's surprising how that refrain changes once parenthood arrives."

As a father of three, I can tell you that while children are indeed expensive, it can be even more expensive to spend money on gifts or large purchases without consulting them at all.

It is not offensive or even difficult for me to ask my children for their input. On the contrary, it makes them feel that their opinions are important and that they do have a say in matters. It certainly helps build respect - other than the "I'm your father, that's why!" kind.

You are making a large purchase and even if money is not an issue, you certainly want to see the computer used - right? Ask him what he wants to do with the computer and don't assume for him. You will not end up buying the right tool for the job if you overlook his input.

Why would you take this responsibility upon yourself? I would have to chime in with those who suggest you involve your son in the process. I would imagine for any purchase of this size, it would be parental hubris not too. Just imagine if he thinks ibooks are dogs how dissapointed he will be if that is what shows up for him and he is then told this is your computer for the next 4 years or so and you spent all that money for the wrong thing that he will not want to use.

The question I would ask you is, why wouldn't you ask him? And why wouldn't you take him to an apple outlet and let him try the different ones and give his opinion. Is there some compelling reason you have not to let him choose? You keep on saying its the child's happiness that counts but If you are trying to surprise him assuming what will make him happy, the surprise could end up being on you.

Very true Barry..

I know in the Case of my lil brother (8th grade):

He wanted a powerbook, not an ibook, and could not be swayed...

why?

cause he thouhgt the ibook looked girly.. he preferred the metalic design..... plus he wanted to play doom 3 on it...
and

he had saved up alot of money over the last few years to buy a computer he wanted.. so we let him decide.

- Pat

(I think i started the "let him decide" bit)