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Downgrade to Upgrade – PowerBook vs. iBook G4

The author's iBook G4 connected to damn near everythingYou know the story. PowerBook beginning to creak, the feeling that if you want cash in the chips at least you’ll get something for it, and the weekly search online for reviews, comparisons, tests and then its out there. Boom – I need a new PowerBook. But do you really? Read More…


The author's iBook G4 connected to damn near everythingYou know the story. PowerBook beginning to creak, the feeling that if you want cash in the chips at least you’ll get something for it, and the weekly search online for reviews, comparisons, tests and then its out there. Boom – I need a new PowerBook. But do you really?
And don’t we all know the trouble? The PowerBook G5 is due around the beginning of the year, and I’d love to get one but when? “No time soon” says the oh-so-secretive Cupertino. So it’s back to the current lineup which is none too easy now.
Having been a PowerBook user for a long while now, when it came to the time to trade up and buy a new machine it was interesting to see the results of all the iBook/PowerBook comparisons. These days and after the last iBook refresh Apple is packing quite a punch into their snowy books. And one look at the pricing of the 12-inch model PowerBook makes you ask yourself who would really pay that much?
So I went and did it – downgraded from a PowerBook G4 Titanium 867MHz to an iBook G4 1.2Ghz and really there is no difference in performance. Most of what I do is text, Web and some photo stuff I am not sure whether one needs the high spec PowerBook if you’re a low spec kind of guy. Having had a work iBook for a year has taught me that the wear and tear is so much better, in fact it’s in a different league, than the slick PowerBook G4 Titanium.
P.S. But there is always that dream for the razor thin portable, a 21st century PowerBook 2400c. Remember those beauties? if Apple can create an iMac G5 imagine what they could do to a high end PBG4 revision.
Have you had to choose between the PowerBook and the iBook G4?

By Jason O'Grady

Founded the PowerPage in 1995.