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imac or powerbook?
i'll try this here since my last desktop vs laptop thread i posted on a mac forum somehow turned into a mac vs pc debate.
i've been researching the 17" imac and the 15" powerbook for a while now but i still can't decide what would be best for an "Internet Joe" / gamer such as myself. i'm leaning towards the powerbook because it has an ATI card instead of an nVidia card. a lot of people don't have a problem with playing first person shooters on a laptop but i'm still not sure how that'd work with the smaller keyboard. i'd be using my microsoft optical intellimouse instead of the trackpad.
opinions? and please, no fanaticism.
i've been researching the 17" imac and the 15" powerbook for a while now but i still can't decide what would be best for an "Internet Joe" / gamer such as myself. i'm leaning towards the powerbook because it has an ATI card instead of an nVidia card. a lot of people don't have a problem with playing first person shooters on a laptop but i'm still not sure how that'd work with the smaller keyboard. i'd be using my microsoft optical intellimouse instead of the trackpad.
opinions? and please, no fanaticism.
Powerbook. Get something that's portable. Even if you can't think of a use for it now, you'll find one later. Not to mention being able to sit on your bed instead of at a desk is infintely more comfy... :P
Definitely the PowerBook. It's more portable and it also has a more powerful graphics card, although I don't have anything against nVidia like most people seem to. Still... I wish they'd offer the ATI Mobility Radeon 9600 as an option for the 12" PowerBook too. Oh well. The nVidia GeForce FX Go5200 ain't that bad either, I guess. Can't wait to get my 12" soon!
Be sure to invest in a good gaming mouse also. I'd highly suggest the Logitech MX series. Playing Vendetta with a trackpad is tough. I tried it for about a week and I just couldn't stand it.
Be sure to invest in a good gaming mouse also. I'd highly suggest the Logitech MX series. Playing Vendetta with a trackpad is tough. I tried it for about a week and I just couldn't stand it.
hrrm.
i use a powerbook. playing vendetta on the smaller kboard is sometimes a pain, but manageable... unless you need as many binds as i do.
i strongly suggest using a mouse with it (i do that too, havent touched the 'pad in a few months now), if only for the multiple buttons-- unless you're one hard-ass single-button fan.
also, up the ram on the pbook. by 128 or 256 MB. the built-in 256 just lack punch.
oh! and get something to put between keyboard and screen (i use a sheet of DIN A4 paper), else the screen gets greasy (no kidding). and keep an antistatic cloth handy.
about the 12" pbook... it's cute. but no good if you need to get work done. 15" at least (the large screen helps). the 17" is overdoing it IMHO. if you need a really big screen taht's portable, get a desktop and put wheels on it.
i use a powerbook. playing vendetta on the smaller kboard is sometimes a pain, but manageable... unless you need as many binds as i do.
i strongly suggest using a mouse with it (i do that too, havent touched the 'pad in a few months now), if only for the multiple buttons-- unless you're one hard-ass single-button fan.
also, up the ram on the pbook. by 128 or 256 MB. the built-in 256 just lack punch.
oh! and get something to put between keyboard and screen (i use a sheet of DIN A4 paper), else the screen gets greasy (no kidding). and keep an antistatic cloth handy.
about the 12" pbook... it's cute. but no good if you need to get work done. 15" at least (the large screen helps). the 17" is overdoing it IMHO. if you need a really big screen taht's portable, get a desktop and put wheels on it.
I like teh 12"!
i did not say that i don't like it. i said, when you have to do some work exceeding enhancing pics and posting on forums, you need a bigger screen.
personally, i would have every single variation of the powerbooks (and ibooks), to fit my clothes, mood and surroundings. IF i had the money, that is.
personally, i would have every single variation of the powerbooks (and ibooks), to fit my clothes, mood and surroundings. IF i had the money, that is.
Mac or no Mac Logitech mice = paperweights, use a nice, cheap, 3 button generic optical mouse(wired)
/me slaps toshiro
I major in graphic design and I'll be using the 12" PowerBook. My previous computer was an iBook, and I went through a whole year of Photoshop and Illustrator work with it with no problems. A resolution of 1024x768 is plenty for logo and letterhead design, as well as photo editing. When it comes to bigass posters that go beyond the standard tabloid size (11"x17"), it may become cumbersome. It's still manageable though. Eventually I'll get a G5 for myself after I graduate, and maybe a Cinema Display to be used for one or the other.
The 15" and 17" PowerBook to me just doesn't look that appealing in terms of portability. The 17" PowerBook is a frickin' monster. It might as well be classified as a portable desktop. I just can't imagine carrying that huge thing around, let alone trust myself to something that expensive.
/me slaps Humpy
The newer Logitech mice kick ass. The new MX technology offers a resolution of 800 dpi for its optical sensor. The metallic and black color scheme also compliments the new aluminum PowerBooks quite well. Reviews of it have continuously given it high ratings. And from experience, my older Logitech mouse had pinpoint accuracy and withstood a lot of abuse. I don't know where you'd get the impression that they'd be so inferior.
Nevertheless, any type of mouse is really better than a trackpad. Although I'd go against getting a wireless mouse for now. The batteries tend to make it heavy and your responsiveness becomes sluggish during games, which was part of the reason why I got owned so much after 3.2 rolled around. Bottom line, get something that's comfortable for you, that isn't heavy, that is sturdy, and a mouse with a good reputation for accuracy.
I major in graphic design and I'll be using the 12" PowerBook. My previous computer was an iBook, and I went through a whole year of Photoshop and Illustrator work with it with no problems. A resolution of 1024x768 is plenty for logo and letterhead design, as well as photo editing. When it comes to bigass posters that go beyond the standard tabloid size (11"x17"), it may become cumbersome. It's still manageable though. Eventually I'll get a G5 for myself after I graduate, and maybe a Cinema Display to be used for one or the other.
The 15" and 17" PowerBook to me just doesn't look that appealing in terms of portability. The 17" PowerBook is a frickin' monster. It might as well be classified as a portable desktop. I just can't imagine carrying that huge thing around, let alone trust myself to something that expensive.
/me slaps Humpy
The newer Logitech mice kick ass. The new MX technology offers a resolution of 800 dpi for its optical sensor. The metallic and black color scheme also compliments the new aluminum PowerBooks quite well. Reviews of it have continuously given it high ratings. And from experience, my older Logitech mouse had pinpoint accuracy and withstood a lot of abuse. I don't know where you'd get the impression that they'd be so inferior.
Nevertheless, any type of mouse is really better than a trackpad. Although I'd go against getting a wireless mouse for now. The batteries tend to make it heavy and your responsiveness becomes sluggish during games, which was part of the reason why I got owned so much after 3.2 rolled around. Bottom line, get something that's comfortable for you, that isn't heavy, that is sturdy, and a mouse with a good reputation for accuracy.
i'm quite happy with my microsoft usb optical intellimouse. :)
it's taken a beating over the years i've owned it so i'll have to replace it soon though.
i'm a little picky with mice. these are my requirements:
1. scroll wheel and back/forward buttons
2. optical (this is a must-have)
it's taken a beating over the years i've owned it so i'll have to replace it soon though.
i'm a little picky with mice. these are my requirements:
1. scroll wheel and back/forward buttons
2. optical (this is a must-have)
I got a wireless mouse... A logitech... It outperforms every wired (laser and std) mouse I've ever used. It's teh cheapest one, the "Cordless Optical Mouse", and it runs on AA batteries. Which is why I keep my PS/2 mouse plugged in.
/me kicks Arolte for slapping him
i'm not exactly majoring in graphic design, but in mechanical engineering.
and with CAD apps you do need a big screen (xcept if you wanna do the 2d plans with a magnifying glass ).
and if you make any tables in xcelor have to wrok simultaneously in two programs...
no, no, no, a bigger screen is vital when really working on it.
i'm not exactly majoring in graphic design, but in mechanical engineering.
and with CAD apps you do need a big screen (xcept if you wanna do the 2d plans with a magnifying glass ).
and if you make any tables in xcelor have to wrok simultaneously in two programs...
no, no, no, a bigger screen is vital when really working on it.
I say wait. ATI will be releasing an upgradable video-card for laptops. Wait for it.
You mean the Radeon Mobility 9600? :P I think the GeForce FX Go 5200 is upgradable too, though. Check the specs...
Magus: HAH, have you seen the inside of those powerbooks? Good luck replacing the card!
*dies laughing*
*dies laughing*
The GPU in the iBooks and PowerBooks are all soldered on to the motherboard. If you're REALLY skillful at ripping those internal components apart with the right tools without damaging anything, by all means upgrade to your hearts content. But there's no guarantee that it'll work even if you did.
yeah. and even if it worked, any problems that would normally run on warranty would be your problems, not apple's...
and who would trash a 3-year warranty (provided you pay for the upgrade) on a notebook taht you just bought? and if the warranty runs out, upgrading the pbook might not be worth it because you'd want to buy a new one, seeing that upgrading would be much more of a hassle than just buying the new one that is currently out in the stores.
and who would trash a 3-year warranty (provided you pay for the upgrade) on a notebook taht you just bought? and if the warranty runs out, upgrading the pbook might not be worth it because you'd want to buy a new one, seeing that upgrading would be much more of a hassle than just buying the new one that is currently out in the stores.