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ibookhelp

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Sep 21, 2005
13
0
I'm looking at getting a portable & am desperately seeking advice. Which would you recommend?

ibook G4 800
640 ram
30 gb hard drive
$525

or

ibook G4 1.33
1.5 ram
80 gb hard drive
$1075

I do graphic & web design, and primarily work on an older dual 800 quicksilver which still has some life. Just looking for something to utilize on the road & possibly abroad. I was wondering if the ibook 800 would satisfy my needs. Obviously the price is better, but is 640 ram enough? Which do you think is the better value? Thanks in advance.
 

26139

Suspended
Dec 27, 2003
4,315
377
Recommendations...

ibookhelp said:
I'm looking at getting a portable & am desperately seeking advice. Which would you recommend?

ibook G4 800
640 ram
30 gb hard drive
$525

or

ibook G4 1.33
1.5 ram
80 gb hard drive
$1075

Processor: 800 vs. 1.33= 50% faster
RAM: 640 vs. 1.5= 100% more
HD: 30 vs. 80= 167% more
Price: 525 vs. 1075= 100% more

Do the math...looks like a good deal to me!
 

Mord

macrumors G4
Aug 24, 2003
10,091
23
UK
the 800 is a hell of a deal, i'd jump on it any day, it really depends if you'd rather have 500 bucks or the speed.
 

masterjedi73

macrumors 6502
Jan 12, 2004
439
4
You can see the iBook i have in my signature. it's pretty slow, could probably use a ram boost, but I only use it to surf the net in my living room. I have the G5 for everything else, and that will be upgraded tonight.

I'd get the faster computer. In a few months, they'll both be obsolete anyway. lol
 

ibookhelp

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Sep 21, 2005
13
0
appleretailguy said:
Processor: 800 vs. 1.33= 50% faster
RAM: 640 vs. 1.5= 100% more
HD: 30 vs. 80= 167% more
Price: 525 vs. 1075= 100% more

Do the math...looks like a good deal to me!

still not sure which is the better deal. the numbers changed a bit, so now what do you think?

Processor: 800 vs. 1.33= 50% faster
RAM: 1.1 vs. 1.5= 36% more
HD: 30 vs. 80= 167% more
Price: 575 vs. 1075= 87% more
 

panda

macrumors regular
Mar 15, 2004
220
0
no brainer?

seems like price and specs aren't the only difference here.

one of them must be considerably newer / new?

i agree that the one one with the better specs probably makes sense, expecially as it must be newer, or new.

that said, i would go for a BRAND NEW ONE right out of the box, based on what you are saying. prices start at 999usd. even lower if there is a student discount. and i've also heard about ipods getting thrown in as well.

even without a larger hd and stock ram, 999 sounds irresistable to me.

whaddyathink? :)
 

Artful Dodger

macrumors 68020
So put in the factor of they are both 12"? I think the 1.33 has a few things extra that the other does not and this is also something to consider. Price wise the 800 is great but does it have USB 1.1 or 2.0, AE, BT, amount of ram that can be maxed to.
Those small things can add up but if you don't need it for speed then even a better deal. Hey if you find you don't like it just put it on the MR Marketplace and someone will snag (sorry buy) it ;)
 

California

macrumors 68040
Aug 21, 2004
3,885
90
Artful Dodger said:
So put in the factor of they are both 12"? I think the 1.33 has a few things extra that the other does not and this is also something to consider. Price wise the 800 is great but does it have USB 1.1 or 2.0, AE, BT, amount of ram that can be maxed to.
Those small things can add up but if you don't need it for speed then even a better deal. Hey if you find you don't like it just put it on the MR Marketplace and someone will snag (sorry buy) it ;)

Uh, that 1075 price is $999 new at the Educational Apple store at your nearest campus. And you get a free ipod if you buy it like, today.
 

ibookhelp

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Sep 21, 2005
13
0
Just thought maybe the difference in hd & speed would be worth saving $500. Kind of want something to tie me by until maybe 2gen Macintel books come out. Who knows, I could be waiting a long time though.
 

Artful Dodger

macrumors 68020
California
Quote:
Originally Posted by Artful Dodger
So put in the factor of they are both 12"? I think the 1.33 has a few things extra that the other does not and this is also something to consider. Price wise the 800 is great but does it have USB 1.1 or 2.0, AE, BT, amount of ram that can be maxed to.
Those small things can add up but if you don't need it for speed then even a better deal. Hey if you find you don't like it just put it on the MR Marketplace and someone will snag (sorry buy) it


Uh, that 1075 price is $999 new at the Educational Apple store at your nearest campus. And you get a free ipod if you buy it like, today.

I think we missed the point from each other as 800 was 800GHz and the 1.33GHz was a new iBook. Edu price is here http://store.apple.com/1-800-780-5009/WebObjects/EducationIndividual?type=higherEd
As for the Previously enjoyed iBook $525 is a great price.
Yes with the new one you get more but pay more as well and only you (ibookhelp) know how deep you like those pockets to remain $$$ ;)
 

panda

macrumors regular
Mar 15, 2004
220
0
still a no brainer?

as pointed out...

a new one, straight out of the box, with full guarantee, bt, usb2, airport, faster, better graphics...

versus

ca 2-3yr old machine?

still would go for the new one. well worth the price. :)
 

California

macrumors 68040
Aug 21, 2004
3,885
90
panda said:
as pointed out...

a new one, straight out of the box, with full guarantee, bt, usb2, airport, faster, better graphics...

versus

ca 2-3yr old machine?

still would go for the new one. well worth the price. :)

Yeah, buy the new one. take care of it. Keep the box and packaging pristine. Sell it on eBay when you see the PB/desktop apple you want. You'll get a much better return on your money that way. "Specially if you sell it while still under warranty.
 

moonislune

macrumors regular
Sep 11, 2005
157
0
Go with the 800 if...

ibookhelp said:
still not sure which is the better deal. the numbers changed a bit, so now what do you think?

Processor: 800 vs. 1.33= 50% faster
RAM: 1.1 vs. 1.5= 36% more
HD: 30 vs. 80= 167% more
Price: 575 vs. 1075= 87% more

I recently faced the same dilemma. I actually paid $650 for mine. I use it primarily to surf the net, run itunes, convert video in quicktime, give keynote and powerpoint presentations, and some website programming using GoLive CS. It also plays dvds, divx, and other movies flawlessly. When it comes to the speed difference, the G4 800 runs comparable to my 1ghz g4 at home.

A few considerations... you will probably have to spend another $100 on a new battery to get the 5 hours max life, and you won't get the free ipod.

Also the Apple store has refurbed Ibooks for $699! That is one heck of a deal!

Apple Store Refurbs
 
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