Powerbook Vs. Thinkpad

[GoEatFood]

alright, this is real off topic...

so, the ship time for my FVU is about a month...I don't really mind waiting that long...it just sucks and I need something now!

so, today I went downtown and spec'ed out the powerbooks and ibooks...(really like the way they look)

after playing around in the store with the different models I found the keyboard keys to feel kinda cheap and thin...and the touchpads to be pretty bad...I spent most of my time looking at the power books...the new TigerOSX is really awsome...but, buying a machine because of the OS on it seems stupid. plus, having to buy all new programs(photoshop, macromedia, and what ever else I might need.) now, the question comes up...in about a week I will have enough money to purchase a powerbook or ibook I like the 12 inch model simply for portablity...now, comes the question...

I really want the thinkpad as they are prob the best laptops on the market right now for what I need quality wise, price wise, and compent wise...but, as I said I need the laptop now!

would anyone suggest purchasing an ibook or powerbook to pass the time and then to use as a second machine?...(I will not buy anything from ebay) I know it's pretty much personal preference but, any guidence would help a lot...

or I guess another choice would be to get a different thinkpad model...with out the month wait time...well, anyways any one using a mac with the tiger osx that can give me info about how the machine runs that would be great...

[admsteiner]

If you're going to get a second machine, I assume it doesnt have to be as fast or spiffy. So why not get a T42 2378-R4U. P-M 725 (1.6Ghz), 40GB HD, CDRW/DVD-ROM, Intel 2200BG, 14.1" XGA and it's 1,196.10 on the EDU and credit card sites.
That and they have 111 in stock.

--Adam

[Orbitz]

Sounds like he is interested in a smaller form factor for a second machine..i.e. the 12" powerbook.

I have thought about this as well...just out of curiosity with Mac's. In the end, it just seemed like a bad idea to inject a Mac into my XP world and then have to deal with buying all new software (Office etc.) and deal with trying to keep it sync'd to my XP's box(es). The cost just didn't seem worth it...tho I agree I like the looks of the little Powerbook and it does seem like a fun idea to have a mac to toy with...

[DavidNZ]

I think Apple could go a long way to increasing their sales if they shift the economics of utility toward the customer's side, especially in the context of those of us (I count myself in that group) who are often quite tempted to switch environments.

Make the shift painless. If that means lobbying third-party software vendors such as MS, Adobe, etc. to offer 'transition' licenses for their software (at significantlly lower prices than what would otherwise need to be paid to switch), then I bet the small share Apple holds in the market would increase exponentially. That and better keyboards!

[asiafish]

One thing to consider on the software cost is educational versions. Microsoft sells "Student and Teacher" versions of Office on both Mac nad Windows platforms, and to qualify all you need is to have a school-age child in your home. Now many don't qualify, but many people who would never think of looking at educational versions DO qualify.

I have a 10-year-old daughter in the 5th grade, and have Office 2003 Student and Teacher for Windows ($149) and Office 2004 Student and Teacher for Mac ($149). For $300, which is cheaper than Office Professional for EITHER platform, I have both.

As for the PowerBook itself, there are pluses and minuses to having both platforms. I am at the opposite side of the wall, with an entirely Mac household except for my lone T42p. As far as networking and synchronizing files, it is just as easy to sync files between a Mac and an XP PC as between two Macs or two XP PCs. Accessing my ThinkPad from the PowerBook is just like accessing any of the other Macs in the house. Likewise, accessing the Power Mac (family print and file server) or my PowerBook from the ThinkPad is exactly the same as accessing a share on another Windows machine.

Where you really do have to think about it is really in software. Office is easy, and almost everything major has both Mac and PC versions with identical formats, cost is the only issue. You may find, as I did, that some tasks are nicer on one platform than the other, and that you will divide your work between the two, with overlap.

For example, I do a lot of videoconferencing. Video chatting is MUCH better on the Mac, and the software comes with the OS. On Windows all of the easy applications are of much lower picture and sound quality than iChatAV for Mac with an iSight camera. I CAN video conference with my ThinkPad and a USB webcam I have laying around, but unless the PowerBook is unavailable, I wouldn't dream of doing so.

Likewise, despite having academic versions of PhotoShop for both platforms (6.0, not CS), I always use my ThinkPad for manipulating photos. Apple is known for better handling of color, but my 12" PowerBook with its XGA screen just cannot come close to 14.1" SXGA+ screen on my T42p. That, and I have my UltraNav set up so the touchpad is a slow-speed mouse, allowing very fine detail work.

For other tasks, like writing, email or surfing the web, it really doesn't matter and I use whichever I have with me. If I plan on gaming, I bring the ThinkPad, while if I will be video-chatting with the family while I'm away, I bring the PowerBook. If I am taking a longer trip as I will in two weeks (5 months military training), I'll bring both.

As for the Apple hardware itself, only the iBook has cheap-feeling keys. The PowerBook has a very different keyboard feel from the ThinkPad, but equally good. Apple's keyboard is metal-backed and mounted rigidly to the chasis, so there is absolutely zero flex. The keys also have a very nice travel, though they have a bit more lateral movement than ThinkPad keys do. I'd give the slightest edge to the ThinkPad, but the PowerBook is very, very close.

If you want to save money on software and still have a compact machine to play with now and to use when you want to travel light, perhaps an X-series ThinkPad would be a better match. That way you could use all of the same software as on your larger T42. Of course, with an X-series you don't get to play with OS X, which contrary to what you suggest, is a very good reason to buy an Apple machine. It has no viruses, no spyware and thus almost no hassle. Apple and Microsoft have stollen so many of each other's interface ideas over the years that most of what you know for Windows works equally well for Mac, and vice versa.

I've actually switched platforms 3 times, and am finally resolved to just owning both.

[egibbs]

I actually owned a PB for about a week last year before I brought it back and ordered a T42p to replace my T20.

All of the OPs initial observations are right on. The keyboard felels cheap and squishy, and the Touch Pad sucks. The OS is awesome but the cost in both time and money of converting all your applications over and learning new stuff is pretty steep.

It took me 3 days to get my email calendar, and contacts out of Outlook and into MacMail, I finally wound up buying a little $10 proggy to do it (this BTW is mostly Microsoft's fault, but if Apple wants people to switch they need to address it). We won't even talk about what happened when I tried to convert my MS Money data to Quicken (also MS's fault).

Forget about easy maintenance. If you want to change the HDD plan on using a free weekend to do it.

And from a sociial standpoint I'm not really sure which company is more evil - MS or Apple. MS is having to watch their steps very carefully lately, while Apple just seems to get more and more arrogant.

All that said, if you just want a machine to play around with and have the cash the PB is a very cool toy.

Ed Gibbs

[Batuta]

...

[asiafish]

Ignorance strikes again.

While going from a PC to a Mac does require repurchasing much of your software, the same is also true in the other direction, so it isn't fair to lump that in as a Mac cost, it is the same either way. Some of apps won't even need to be duplicated as the more enlightened software companies provide "hybrid" Mac/PC discs. I use Dramatica Pro for story planning, and not only is it shipped on a hybrid disk, it comes with both serial numbers and the license allows installation on up to three computers, any combination of Macs and PCs.

As for the hardware, it isn't any more expensive than PC hardware. Yes, you can get a cheapo Dell desktop for $100 less than a Mac mini, but it is less computer as well, with integrated graphics and other serious compromises. Macs start with a slightly (very slightly) higher price tag, but they come quite fully equipped and so once outfitted for actual use, are often cheaper.

PowerBooks are no more expensive than X or T series ThinkPads, and iBooks are no more expensive than the R series. Yes, you can get a clunky Dell laptop for less, but Apple is a premium brand like IBM, and is cost-competitive with IBM.

I just love how non-Mac users are so quick to bring up the marketing problems of the mid 1990s as though they are still current. Apple machines today are very well priced against the first tier PC competition, which is only fitting as they are a first tier brand.

[egibbs]

You call it Apple's arrogance, but Apple fans are actually proud of Apple's attitude to simply ignore what's going on in the rest of the PC world.

I was referring to suing anyone who publishes something they don't like, pulling evey book by an author from their stores because he wrote someting they don't like, forcing ipod owners to upgrade to ever more restrictive DRM every two weeks to be able to download songs, etc.

Ed Gibbs

[asiafish]

While iTunes has more restrictive DRM, the way it affects the user hasn't changed. The change was to block Real from using its backdoor to the iPod, which Real didn't pay for. iTunes music store purchases were always copy protected, while non ITMS content never has been, and that remains the case.

[Orbitz]

Just out of curiosity...and ever further off topic...will Mac's sync with Exchange Server?

[asiafish]

Yes. Both Apple's Mail program and Microsoft Entourage will work with Exchange, though it is slower than on a PC.

[Orbitz]

Very good to know. I am half thinking about grabbing an ibook for my wife...then I get to have both and X41 and an ibook to play with Her needs are primarily email, web browsing...light word processing and spreadsheets tasks and she thinks the TP's look to "serious". Maybe and ibook would be the ticket for her. I would have gone that route allready if I would have known running it alongside XP machines wouldn't be such a huge work project...thanks asiafish.

[GoEatFood]

I think I might consider getting the low end powerbook with my EDU discount and the isight thing...as you had actually made clear to me buying an apple for the OSX is worth it...the whole no viruses and no spyware actually make it seem like it's worth it...plus, they really do look cool. my first reason for even considering buying one. I really like that seach feature they have also...

asiafish, would you say forget about the ibooks? as they are cheaper do you think I'd run into more problems with them? also, how are the speakers on the powerbook that is one of the only things I didn't really check...

every one I know around me is going to hate me and tell me I wasted my money...haha, I could careless it is MY MONEY...anways, if I do get one I'll be getting it in a week or two...haha, I'll even have it before my thinkpad...which I ordered in april.

[jack NYC]

I have been both a Mac and PC user. I do video editing and photography. For many years the only choice was Mac, that obviously is no longer the case.
2 years ago after the invasion of Iraq I went freelance and so I had to give up all the goodies CNN had given me. We had been using Powerbooks to edit video in the field. I spec'd for myself going with PC or staying with mac. I talked to the actual guy who wrote the Avid software and read head to head reports with photoshop on both systems. It all came down in both dollars and in performance to go with XP. I am soooo much happier with my Thinkpad than i ever was with the Powerbook. There is this really weird thing about many mac users, its like talking to someone who is in a cult, they just arent interested in looking at things with any amount of objectivity. Its not worth the discussion, mostly because you will be hard pressed to find a disucssion. Macs and especially powerbooks are much more expensive. I saved over 1k by going with the IBM over similar PB and I got a much better machine. 3 HD's inside my laptop!!! try that on a powerbook. I am so glad I switched and my colleauges with Mac's are always calling me for support. I have no clue why there is the notion that macs dont break.
My 2 cents

[Bob Collins]

Not so sure about the Mac vs PC thing when it comes to video editing. Simply put, I have compared my OLD Powerbook G4 400 to my Dell Dual 733 (yes i know it's old, but it works fine) for some basic Photoshop work. Importing a PDF of 6MB to Photoshop 6 on my Dell took 8 minutes, while bringing the machine to a near halt. The PB took about 10 seconds. Convert image to TIFF on the Dell took another 8 minutes. PB took another 15 seconds. Using the same imagery I found filters and effects did the job in no time on the PB while the Dell took a longer time.

It is the tool that you select that matters most. Get the one that does BEST what you do MOST.

Also, you do not have to purchase office apps from the big players, try Open Office. I run that exclusively and love it. A bit slow on startup, but who cares if your app starts in 3 or 15 seconds, once it is running is where it matters.

I have been a PC type for long enough to have heard all the war stories, so ignore those and look at what does what for you. As for Photoshop, do you really need CS for your work? If not look at Elements 3. For $90 it is darn good, and does everything I have needed. Of course it may be too limited for you, if that is the case, pony up for CS and write it off on your taxes for yout business, big deal. You would spend that anyway, unless of course you want to pirate out your single purchase on many of your machines.

[asiafish]

iBook v. PowerBook

The iBook isn't any less reliable than the PowerBook, if anything, the polycarbonate body is probably harder to damage than the aluminum on the PB, which while it looks cool, will dent if you hit it hard enough.

As for useability, they are really about the same. Large PowerBooks have better screens, but the small PowerBook and small iBook use the exact same panel. Build quality is nicer on the PowerBook, and the keyboards are vastly superior (iBook keyboard is removeable, PowerBook is rigid mounted).

For performance, other than processor speeds, the only real differences are hard drives, which are all 4200 RPM in the iBook and 5400 RPM in the PowerBook, and video. iBooks still use ATI 9200 video cards with 32MB of VRAM. The 12" PowerBook uses a GeForce 5200 FX with 64MB, while the large ones use the ATI 9600 or 9700 (not sure which, check the Apple site) with either 64 or 128MB.

PowerBooks are faster, but not enough to make that much difference. Usually people spend the extra for the look and the screens on the big ones, or just the look on the small one (its lighter too).

Personally, I'm delighted with my 12" PowerBook, though I'm equally smitted by my 14" T42p.

[yukit]

Powerbook Vs. Thinkpad

Both. I came to this conclusion when it came time to upgrade my wife's Dell desktop. She basically needs three apps: web browser, mail client & iTunes.
It made more sense to get her a Mac than a new PC.

iBook v. PowerBook

She would be fine with iBook (or Mac-mini) but I wanted to play with a Mac & OSX, so it makes more sense to get a PowerBook. I don't know if I should get more RAM (512MB standard) when I place my order.

[asiafish]

Definitely DO NOT by your RAM from Apple, they are even worse than IBM about gouging it. Crucial, Kingston or whatever company you trust for your PC ram will also do fine for a PowerBook. In fact, the T42 and current Apple laptops use the exact same memory, so if you have a smaller chip from your ThinkPad it will go right into your PowerBook.

512MB is plenty to run OSX well, but if you do content creation like Photoshop or want to play with iMovie or iDVD I'd recommend bumping it up a bit. I do a lot of video and photo stuff on my PowerBook and upgraded it from 512MB to 1.25GB but found that it made almost no difference, so I moved the 1GB module over to my ThinkPad and put the 512 from the ThinkPad into the PowerBook.

OSX handles memory a lot more efficiently than Windows, so you don't need as much as you you are used to with XP. Despite what much of the press likes to harp on, even 256MB will run OSX rather well as long as you stay with only two or three light applications at a time.

[yukit]

Definitely DO NOT by your RAM from Apple, they are even worse than IBM about gouging it.

I am almost certain that PowerBook comes with 256MB x 2 for the 512MB configuration. I figured Apple may provide a slightly better deal if I have to waste a 256MB stick.

My T40p came with a single 512MB stick:)

yuki

[asiafish]

The 12" has 2X256 but the 15 and 17 inch come with a single 512 and an empty slot. No luck on Apple giving you a break, just get your ram elsewhere and shove the spare 256 into your ThinkPad.

[JaneL]

OK. I just had to split off an entire string of messages to the moderator's private forum which was caused by the ongoing battle between several forum members. You know who you are. Put a sock in it. Now.

[emorphien]

If you're going to get an Apple, go with the iBook. It's almost as much computer as the powerbook but it costs less. They're also sturdier than the powerbooks.

[asiafish]

First off, are you looking at the 12" models or one of the larger ones? In the 12" models, the iBook and PowerBook are much closer in capability than for the larger ones.

The large PowerBooks are widescreen models, with high resolution screens and ATI 9700 video. The 14" (large) iBook does not compare with them at all, as it is basically the Apple equivalent to an R-series with a 14" XGA screen. Except for an extra 133MHz, larger hard drive and the larger screen (same resolution), it offers no additional capability beyond the 12" iBook, but in a much larger and bulkier package.

Comparing the 12" iBook and the 12" PowerBook is where the decision is much more difficult. 12" iBooks are probably the best value in the Apple lineup, starting at around $1000. There are compromises though, mainly the small hard drive (30GB) and the video. The screen itself is the same as the one on the small PowerBook, however when an external monitor is connected, you can only mirror the LCD and external monitor, not span meaning that both monitors only display the same image on the iBook. In addition, the iBook only has an analog video out which converts from a 1/8" miniplug (not sure if its proprietary as I don't own an iBook) to VGA and SVideo out on an included dongle.

The PowerBook has a mini-DVI connector, and includes DVI and VGA/SVideo dongles, with a TV dongle sold for an additional $20. The advantage is that the PowerBook's GeForce 5200FX can span, allowing you to put your toolbars and palettes on one monitor and your document, image or whatever on the other. I often use PhotoShop this way with a 19" CRT for the image and all the tools on the PowerBook's LCD. The PowerBook also has 64MB of VRAM compared to the iBook's 32MB, though I haven't used high-enough resolution for this to be a big advantage.

Of course what most people notice on these two is the styling. The iBook is more rugged (it was designed for students to toss into their backpacks), but the PowerBook isn't really delicate. I carry mine in a Brenthaven case but do use it a lot, and have never had an issue. In fact, I used the second generation (1.0 GHz) model 12" for over year without any incident, and when I sold it two-months-ago to buy the new one, I actually got only $200 less than I paid for it brand new. How's that for resale?

While the iBook is a bit tougher, the PowerBook is a bit nicer. First off, it looks cool. More important, however, it comes with a 60GB or 80GB 5400 RPM drive compared to the iBook's 30GB 4200 RPM drive. This is a big deal, as upgrading the drive on either of these machines is a real PITA and can be quite costly (about $100 at most shops). Perhaps even more important than the drive, the PowerBook has a MUCH nicer keyboard than the iBook. The iBook keyboard isn't as bad as most Dells, but it isn't up to what ThinkPad users are accustomed to. The PowerBook, on the other hand, has a very nice keyboard that has absolutely zero flex on account of its backing actually being part of the chasis, requiring complete dissassembly of the computer to remove. While this is again a nuissance if your keyboard fails after your warranty expires (again $100 labor), the benefit is a keyboard so rigidly mounted that it even has less flex than the old ThinkPad 600 did. The keys themselves are high quality, though the feel is lighter than a ThinkPad, so it will take a bit of getting used to. It is not that it doesn't feel as good as a ThinkPad, just that it feels different. My typing speed is perhaps a bit better on the PowerBook, but I make fewer typos on the ThinkPad, if that explains the difference.

Finally, the iBook is significantly cheaper, but when you add the cost to upgrade to the PowerBook's specs, the choice if very different. Want a 60 or 80GB drive in your iBook (4200 RPM only unless you buy yourself and pay the labor for a private shop to install), then add $100 or more to the price. Want 512MB instead of 256MB? Another $50 (you buy it) or $100 (Apple installed). Want Bluetooth? Add another $80. Add those things to the iBook (PowerBook has all standard, including the faster drive) and they cost about the same. There is also no SuperDrive (DVD+/- RW) option for the iBook 12", only for the 14" and the PowerBooks.

The real decision has to be whether you want a bargain machine to play with OSX or a higher end machine. To put it in ThinkPad terms, its like comparing an R-series to a T-series. Both do the same thing, but the T (PowerBook) is lighter, faster, better looking and has better feel. Both will produce the same documents, render the same video and even play the same games, the real question is whether the better experience is worth the higher pricetag.

I'm snobby. I enjoy nicer things like old Swiss watches, high-end audio equipment and a custom-tailored suit (very reasonable in South Korea). For that reason, I consider the extra cost of the PowerBook over the iBook as a good value for what I am getting. Just as I didn't consider the R-series when I bought my ThinkPad, I'd recommend going straight for the PowerBook if it is within your budget. If it isn't, the iBook is still a very nice machine.

[Orbitz]

asiafish,

That was the most useful post I have read on any board for non-mac educated peeps (me ) that are thinking about a ibook / powerbook. Thanks!

As I understood in some of the other posts, Office doc's created on either the mac or an XP machine can be read, edited back and forth etc. with no inconvenience? Does this hold true for the entire MS Office suite i.e. word, excel, frontpage, powerpoint? From what I could tell, the only different piece of software that would be used would be the mac equivelent of Outlook..which if syncing with MS Exchange would be just fine? Any idea if the DVD player for mac's will play (ripped) DVD files from the HD?

In other words, if one was mixing Mac's and XP machines (as you are) what is the largest invconvenience you run into in a normal work day?

[AlphaKilo470]

Lately, I've been helping out a friend make a descision about buyig a Mac so he could run Final Cut Pro, which is what his video produciton class edits with. Yesterday, we were at the Apple store over at NorthPoint Mall and while there, I caught a glimpse of and even got to use the 12" PowerBook. While I personally would take a PC over a Mac (all my software as well as that of most people I interact with is Windows so it's nothing personall), that PowerBook was pretty nice. Imagine an X-series with an internal removable media drive and a silver paintjob, that's almost what it was like, except it was running Tiger instead of XP. The only thing I would have done is make the computer availible in a black rubber paintjob (don't get me wrong, the PowerBook looks great, I'm just spoiled by the ThinkPad's exterior design) and give the option of a trackpoint.

[emorphien]

As I understood in some of the other posts, Office doc's created on either the mac or an XP machine can be read, edited back and forth etc. with no inconvenience?

Often yes, but not completely in my experience. I have on more than one occaision run in to issues primarily with Word documents where formatting gets screwed up when using tables and whatnot if I take it to the Mac version of Office. The original was made on a PC, so I don't know whether the same would happen going the other way.

This occurred using the latest version of Office on both machines. A real PITA and clearly not everything is perfect.

[asiafish]

Office is fully compatible, however as previously mentioned, Outlook and Entourage are tricky. To make matters worse, Outlook's .pst files cannot be imported or exported with Entourage, and Entourage's identity files cannot be imported or exported to Outlook. I believe there are 3rd party utilities for this, but I never tried. My solution was back when I was in school and had a school IMAP account to uploaded all of my mail from Outlook, then download it to Entourage. Once everything was in both places, I set Outlook to leave all mail on the server, and Entourage to delete mail from the server only after 3 days pass, and it is deleted or moved from Entourage's inbox. Outlook can be configured the same way, but since the PowerBook is my primary communications machine, Entourage is my primary email archive. In fact, I delete older mail completely from Outlook, but keep it all on Entourage (my PowerBook has a larger hard drive than my ThinkPad - part of the decision).

Word files used to have occasional formatting hiccups when going back and forth, but Office 2003 Windows and Office 2004 Mac are fully compatible. the Mac version makes it easier by giving a compatibility wizard that can save any document down to previous versions all the way back to 97. I believe that document formatting problems can also be caused by moving to machines with different printers. I've had this happen going from Word 2000 for Windows (what I used until I bought my T42p last month) at home (Epson CX-5400) and Word 2000 for Windows at work (LaserJet 2).

You mentioned Frontpage, and this is a bad point as there is no Frontpage for Mac. I don't use Fronpage, so I cannot comment on suitable replacements with any knowledge. Of course, if there are PC apps that you must use, Virtual PC does a great job for occasional non-graphics-intensive use. I wouldn't play games on it, but I do use it for the few occasional when I need to access an Internet Explorer 6 only site and don't have my ThinkPad with me, and to play a few old DOS games, for which it is fast enough (I still love Silent Hunter).

Apple's DVD player is terrific, and will play files off the hard drive. Beware if you use region hacks though, the current PowerBook SuperDrive (not sure about the combo drive) doesn't have an available region free (RPC 1) hack, and since the only guy who really did such things has retired, I'm not expecting one. There is no software region bypass like the ones available for Windows, so if you use more than one region of DVD movies, you are out of luck on a PowerBook. This was a rude shock to me, as my previous 12" PowerBook (combo drive model) was hacked to region free. Now if I plan to watch any of my region 3 movies, the PowerBook stays home.

As for comparing the PowerBook to the X-series, you really can't. The PowerBook is over a pound heavier than the X31 (12" PB weighs 4.6lbs) and is actually very close in weight to my 14" T42p with the 6-cell battery. Also, the optical drive on the PowerBook (or iBook) is not removeable without dissassembling the entire machine (people have put in different DVDRW drives to get rid of region coding). I'm with you on the touchpad, which was one thing that kept me from getting an Apple laptop for many years. I tollerate the touchpad and like the new two-finger scrolling, but I still STRONGLY prefer the TrackPoint on my ThinkPad, and for that alone usually choose the TP for longer writing projects. As far as looks go, the PowerBook is just downright sexy. Take one out anywhere and people check it out. It is very small and the aluminum body is totally smooth, without any edges or covers to snag on anything. It is a very classy look. I really like the ThinkPad style, but the Apple wins in this category. Of course, the engineering of putting a 14" display and a removeable drive in the T-series at the same weight as the 12" PowerBook shows that Apple clearly put form before function, the slot-loading optical drive is vastly superior in both form AND function over the tray-loading drives on the current ThinkPads (older ThinkPads with thicker drives can take slot-loaders).

Hope that helps.

[emorphien]

I prefer tray loading due to the more basic mechanisms and reliability. Also durability will be more of an issue with the Powerbook than an iBook and even moreso than a Thinkpad. The Al powerbooks have improved since the awful days of the Tibooks, but they're still fragile by comparison.

[asiafish]

The slot drive has more to break, but it is probably harder to do so. I've had tray loading drives pop open (when I accidentally hit the button) and then catch on walls and the like (I know, shouldn't carry an operating laptop). I just like the total lack of protrusions on the PowerBooks a lot, and would trade the simplicity of the tray for the slot anyday. This makes even more sense on a ThinkPad, where the drive can be easily removed. If a slot loading drive did fail, swapping it out for a new one is much easier than on the PowerBook.