t43 vs. powerbook g5

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jsklar · #1 Post by **jsklar** » Mon Mar 28, 2005 2:45 pm

assuming apple releases a g5 powerbook in june with the 12" model having a decent speed (1.8+ ghz)... and without changing the pricing scheme

that means for like $1399US i could get a pretty decent 12" g5 powerbook... and build a really fast PC desktop in the next year or so for real cheap

...or i could get a t43 2668-C2U for $1720US

can someone convince me why its worth it to get the t43 still?

thanks,
j

stgreek · #2 Post by **stgreek** » Mon Mar 28, 2005 2:52 pm

If you like the powerbook, go for the powerbook. If you like the Thinkpad, go for the Thinkpad. It is YOUR personal choice, and that's the only thing that matters.

That said, I really doubt if Apple will manage to cramp the G5 in a 12" notebook. This thing is HOT and eats batteries for breakfast. The T43 with the 9-cell will provide you with a comfortable screen (14" or 15") for around 5-6 hours. The reason I chose Thinkpad over Powerbook is that by dual-booting Windows and Linux on my T-series I have no need for a desktop. But as I said, it is your choice and your needs, not mine

rocketman · #3 Post by **rocketman** » Mon Mar 28, 2005 3:00 pm

jsklar wrote:assuming apple releases a g5 powerbook in june

Ain't gonna happen

#4 Post by **daeojkim** » Mon Mar 28, 2005 3:07 pm

I prefer windows over OSX first of all.

As far as hardware goes it will be hard yet since G5 has not been released yet there is no official specs for it afaik. G5 is definitely a good processor but head to head performance has not been tested yet with Sonoma with same OS and application. May be it can be done using Linux and some common application. True performance would depend on OS and application.

By June a lot of T43 prices will fall and more models will be offered. But also more fair comparison would be between T43 and 15" Mac then size and price would be similar. Graphic card on 12" may not be as powerful as T43 models.

I question macs case durability. I had a titanium and the constructions seemed good at the beginning but after about 3 years things were falling apart, such as LCD back case was separating (they use glue to put it together). Latch was stuck so it would not click shut. The keyboard left messy marks on the LCD. May be mac will solve this issue.

Certainly mac hardware is prettier but I am more concerned about durability. We mention again and again the keyboard, IBM keyboard is the best in any laptop, better than macs. I have been through DELL, TOSHIBA, HP, Sony, Mac laptops and nothing is as good as TP keyboard.

IBM is easier to maintain and get parts for every single parts for the notebook. I don't know how convinient is that for MACs.

I am not trying to convince you but my personal experience tell me why i would prefer TP.

and as stgreek said G5 run very hot. In the desktop version (the one with monitor and CPU in one) they used liquid cooling to cool that thing.

At the end of the day it is your choice. Test both and make your choice based on your preferene and experience.

asiafish · #5 Post by **asiafish** » Mon Mar 28, 2005 4:00 pm

First off, there is no PowerBook G5, and there won't likely be one any time soon. What we in the Mac community DO expect is a dual-core G4, which should be just as fast or faster than a G5 single, and offer decent battery life (Apple would never release a portable with poor battery life).

Next on durability, PowerBooks were always VERY durable laptops, with the singular exception of the Titanium, which proved a dissappointment. The current Aluminum style has been around for about 3 years now, and so far have held up extremely well, with none of the build-quality problems of the Titanium.

Keyboards are another area where the current Aluminum models are MUCH improved over previous PowerBooks. No, it isn't quite as good as the Thai keyboard on the current T-series, but it is as good or better than the keyboard on my old T22.

I own the very latest 12" PowerBook G4 and a T42p, so I think I can speak for the build quality of each. I would call it a dead heat, with the PowerBook better in some aspects and the ThinkPad in others. The PowerBook is definitely slicker in its integration, nothing protrudes, slot-loading drive and of course smaller dimensions. The ThinkPad is probably a bit more robust (metal can dent where plastic will give), has a slightly better keyboard, and of course the screen is bigger.

I personally find the ThinkPad more ergonomic because of the Trackpoint (I hate touchpads), but OS X and the total lack of viruses and spyware makes Windows look like a bad joke. Both are clearly premium products, though they are very different.

The correct comparison for the T-series is not the 12", but rather the 15", which weighs about the same, and costs a bit more. The 12" is more competition for the X-series, though clearly aimed at a different user as it includes the optical drive. Many Mac users (myself included) are eagerly waiting for a smaller PB without the optical, like an X series with OS X.

Andrew

stgreek · #6 Post by **stgreek** » Mon Mar 28, 2005 4:17 pm

asiafish wrote: I personally find the ThinkPad more ergonomic because of the Trackpoint (I hate touchpads), but OS X and the total lack of viruses and spyware makes Windows look like a bad joke. Both are clearly premium products, though they are very different.
Andrew

..which is why a T series with Linux loaded is clearly the best choice

sonoma · #7 Post by **sonoma** » Mon Mar 28, 2005 4:18 pm

If I was given a choice between the two I would definitely buy a T43 or T42p.

asiafish · #8 Post by **asiafish** » Mon Mar 28, 2005 4:22 pm

Linux is NOT OSX. There is no Microsoft Office for Linux, and getting DVD movie playback to work is difficult at best.

Yes, I know all about OpenOffice and the like, but using converter filters is no solution as complex documents usually require lots of reformatting when used in other than their native application.

Best would be to get OS X running on a ThinkPad, but until that is possible, I'll keep buying PowerBooks.

Andrew

beerak · #9 Post by **beerak** » Mon Mar 28, 2005 5:24 pm

It depends on the usage. If you're a programmer and you need Windows, than buy ThinkPad. But if you're a writer or you don't need programs running on Windows then go for G5.

asiafish · #10 Post by **asiafish** » Mon Mar 28, 2005 5:34 pm

There is no G5.

kev009 · #11 Post by **kev009** » Mon Mar 28, 2005 9:14 pm

asiafish wrote:Linux is NOT OSX. There is no Microsoft Office for Linux, and getting DVD movie playback to work is difficult at best.

Yes, I know all about OpenOffice and the like, but using converter filters is no solution as complex documents usually require lots of reformatting when used in other than their native application.

Gentoo -

Code: Select all

 emerge -D gmplayer openoffice-bin koffice

.
If you haven't tried open office 2.0, take all of your blind assumptions away and give it a go. It is pretty good and fixes a lot of compatibility problems. Koffice serves as a good backup. DVD playback with Gentoo is really as easy as that given you have sound working. Target the dvd drive directory in gmplayer or kaffine and you're good to go.

If you _really_ need it, crossover office is a great program for running Windows apps natively. I honestly haven't used it in months and I often work with Word docs. Enough Linux banter from me for one day (I'm still running XP on the T42, one of the reasons I got it.. the desktop is my primary Linux box)

#12 Post by **JaneL** » Tue Mar 29, 2005 12:09 am

>can someone convince me why its worth it to get the t43 still?
>

No. If you have to ask this question, then buy the Apple.

Plinkerton · #13 Post by **Plinkerton** » Tue Mar 29, 2005 12:52 am

(Apple would never release a portable with poor battery life).

iPod anyone?

asiafish · #14 Post by **asiafish** » Tue Mar 29, 2005 8:56 am

Huh? I get a solid 12 hours on my iPod, the new ones are up to 18. Yes there are players that run longer, but they are total cr@p (Dell DJ anyone?).

My G4 PowerBook runs for 4 hours, my friend's iBook for 5. Not the best in the industry, but definitely not "poor battery life" in anyone's book.

Andrew

asiafish · #15 Post by **asiafish** » Tue Mar 29, 2005 8:56 am

nonny wrote:>can someone convince me why its worth it to get the t43 still?
>

No. If you have to ask this question, then buy the Apple.

He can't, there is no PowerBook G5.

#16 Post by **K. Eng** » Tue Mar 29, 2005 10:05 am

iPod battery life was weak through the third generation iPod. The 4th Generation gets about 12 hours, which is satisfactory.

As for the original question, it sounds as if you already made up your mind. Buy an Apple if you want it, but don't expect a G5 notebook anytime soon.

Plinkerton wrote:
(Apple would never release a portable with poor battery life).
iPod anyone?

Plinkerton · #17 Post by **Plinkerton** » Tue Mar 29, 2005 12:53 pm

Yeah, I was referring to the previous iPods that got around 8 hours or less consistantly. I have one of those. I really don't need a longer battery life, and I still like the iPod, but you know... 8 hours was pretty weak. I'm glad they've stepped it up.

-Plink-

asiafish · #18 Post by **asiafish** » Tue Mar 29, 2005 1:15 pm

If I recall, those early iPods are easily upgradeable to the latest battery technology. Check www.macsales.com (Other World Computing) for info on battery upgrades, I think they charge only a bit more than Apple and give significantly more capacity.

Andrew

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