iBook G4 or Mac mini? [Archive]

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Fats

09-18-2005, 08:54 PM

Hello folks!

The time has come for me to get a computer of my own, as I'm going to be up to my neck with assignments pretty soon and my Dad is getting sick of me sitting on the Powermac all the time! The problem is, I just don't know if I should get a iBook G4 or a Mac mini...

These are the two systems which I am considering...

iBook

http://a248.e.akamai.net/7/248/2041/849/store.apple.com/Catalog/US/Images/14inch_133ghz_sd_050726.gif

1.42GHz PowerPC G4
512K L2 cache @1.42GHz
512MB memory (DDR333 SDRAM)
14.1-inch TFT Display
1024x768 resolution
ATI Mobility Radeon 9550
32MB DDR video memory
60GB Ultra ATA hard drive
SuperDrive (DVD±RW/CD-RW)
Built-in AirPort Extreme
Built-in Bluetooth 2.0+EDR
Scrolling Trackpad
Sudden Motion Sensor

Mac mini

http://a248.e.akamai.net/7/248/2041/849/store.apple.com/Catalog/US/Images/142ghz_macmini_050111.gif

1.42GHz PowerPC G4
512MB DDR333 SDRAM
ATI Radeon 9200
32MB DDR video memory
80GB Ultra ATA hard drive
SuperDrive (DVD±RW/CD-RW)
DVI or VGA video output
Built-in AirPort Extreme and Bluetooth
Optional 56k Internal Modem

Obviously the iBook has one main advantage, I can work just about anywhere. But the Mac mini offers me a really great looking wee system with enough spare cash to get a nice "19 LCD monitor! I'll most likely upgrade either system slightly. I'll mainly be word processing, using the Internet and such which is the reason why I'm not going to get a Powerbook or something with a massive amounts of processing power.

Sigh...

Thanks to all that help!

Eidorian

09-18-2005, 09:01 PM

Only get the iBook if you REALLY need to move it. I bought a PC Laptop, just before the G3 to G4 iBook transition, when I started college. It was really cool to showoff that I could carry it around campus and compute anywhere. It eventually just got too annoying to carry and I stopped using it.

If you're going to be traveling around and NEED a to type up documents or real work get the iBook.

If you want a nice compact computer that won't break the bank get the Mac Mini. You might want to upgrade the RAM to 1 GB. That's my personal minimum on Mac or PC now.

Finally, get a 17" LCD or a 20.1" Dell Widescreen. I've found little gain from 19" LCD's over 17". The Mac Mini can handle the Dell 20.1" Widesceen LCD's and they're dirt cheap if you get the right coupons and discounts.

Sendok

09-18-2005, 09:02 PM

I would say iBook. I love my mac laptops. (G3 & G4 PowerBook)

Fats

09-18-2005, 09:36 PM

Thanks Eidorian, some very useful information there!

+Rep

Moses

09-19-2005, 07:22 PM

Go iBook. Not only does it have all of the features of the mini, but it is also portable. You could even get a 12" iBook, save the money and just buy an external monitor to use. That is what I do with my 12" PB.

And do not buy RAM from Apple. Find it elsewhere

Fats

09-19-2005, 07:40 PM

Yeah, I can't believe how much Apple charge for RAM. We ended up just buying 2 x 1gb of PC3200 off Dabs for £35 a stick. Hard to believe really.

I think that i've decided to go for an iBook. I tend to go back and forth a lot between my girlfriends house, so it would make sense really. As you say Moses, the iBook is fairly similar in terms of power compared to the Mac mini with the BIG advantage of being portable.

Eidorian

09-19-2005, 07:50 PM

I think that i've decided to go for an iBook. I tend to go back and forth a lot between my girlfriends house, so it would make sense really. As you say Moses, the iBook is fairly similar in terms of power compared to the Mac mini with the BIG advantage of being portable.It sounds like you'll need the iBook then. If you're going to buy RAM for your iBook remember there's only one RAM slot. 512 MB of RAM is already soldered on the motherboard. You can add an additional 1 GB in the open slot.

Moses

09-20-2005, 06:16 AM