the big iBook/Powerbook confusion and SO-DIMMs??

[bridla]

help me people!

I am just getting started with a VJ setup and have decided I want to get myself a notebook but am a poor student so cost must be kept to a minimum. Saying that, i have got up to about ?1500 to spend and as I am at college can get substantial discount off apple with their education store. I have also looked at quite a few bits of software and would like to run VDMXX.

But the big question is iBook or Powerbook?? Some people have told me ibook is not powerful enough and lacks essential features and I need a pb and others have said ibook is fine. Can anyone currently using either or both tell me what the deal is?

Also, seperate issue. When building your order you get the option of upping the RAM memory. Say I was choosing 512MB DDR333 SDRAM, I get two options one with 1 SO-DIMM and another with 2SO-DIMMs. Can anyone tell me the difference between the two?

thanks, ben.

[lotech]

I'll leave the Powerbook/iBook arguements to the Mac Zealots out there but the ram is a good question.
A SO-Dimm is the memory format for laptops. Laptops generally only have 2 slots for memory - to save money manufacturers usually use 2 256mb SO-Dimms to make 512mb of ram, as they are cheaper. But if you plan on upgrading - which you will over time, you will only be able to keep one 256mb chip and have to pretty much throw away/sell the other.
If you can afford the 512mb in one chip go for it, or get just 256mb and buy more ram from someone other than Apple. The markup on memory is quite good for them and you can usually shop around and get it at half the price of what they will charge for it when buying your laptop.

[lotech]

After a quick look on Apples site, it seems the iBook only has 1 SO-Dimm slot and 128 permanently installed onboard. So your options are a little more limited on the ibook.

[akira_k]

The iBook does have one slot for memory, thus the max RAM it can take is 640MB. The Powerbook will go up to 1GB

As I said in another thread I am still waiting for anyone to prove to me that the differences between an iBook G4 and a similar spec Powerbook are big enough to justify the extra cash it costs. Of course we're talking for VJ performance.

[lotech]

The powerbook actually supports up to 2gb of RAM btw

[cycle60]

a 1gig ram chip is available for the G4 ibook although it's a bit pricey -- check www.ramseeker.com for current pricing.

i believe the 12" PB and the G4 iBooks have the same bus speed and use the same speed ram, which (imho) makes the 14" iBook a better value. that said, rumors of apple notebook revisions are in the air.

[akira_k]

The iBook line is about to "cycle" so don't spend money on one yet..

With cycle I mean they will push the line a notch, dropping one processor (the 800) and shift it all to the left, adding a bigger one in the top of the line.

[krezrock]

the video card is the same.

[vjTranceKoder]

a note about your financial situation:

buy used. Find a nicely spec'ed out PB on eBay and use escrow service to buy it. You'll get much more for your money and will most likely have a few buck to spend on other gear. Escrow may not be necessary in the UK but I've learned through experience to use it in the US when conducting a high priced ebay transaction.

that's my four cents.

[uncomun]

Not sure about the brand new ones, but the old iBooks did NOT have an S-Video out, whereas the PowerBooks do.