PowerBook Mystique Mailbag - December 9, 2005
by Charles W. Moore
Min. PB for OSX
Thoughts about the 12" PowerBook
Minimum Mac Laptop
Powerbook upgrade thoughts...
Minimum Book For Tiger
Laptop Laidback Stand
Wallstreet Wireless Problems
From Joel Ingulsrud
Pismo w/500MHz G3, 1GB RAM, 40GB HD and 2 x 7200mAh NewerTech batteries, dual booting Mac OS 9 and OS X 10.4.3.
The superior ergonomics, Wi-Fi range and (most importantly) battery life--8 hrs running web, email, database and PIM apps untethered--has spoiled me.
I've never been this happy and productive for this long with any computer since the Mac Plus.
Sure hope they bring back dual batteries and RF-friendly casing material with the Intel PowerBooks.
Regards,
Joel Ingulsrud
Hi Joel;
Thanks for the comment. Your rig would really scream with a G4 upgrade. :-)
I concur with your wish list, but I'm not terribly optimistic. I think Apple would have a barn-burner on their hands if they introduced an updated Pismo-type PowerBook.
Charles
Thoughts about the 12" PowerBook
From Robert Tanis
Hello Charles,
Just a few comments regarding the current 12" G4 Powerbooks.
Seven months ago I bought the 1.5 GHz SD version and later added RAM up to 1.25 GB. Have experienced no problems with the trackpad. I use this PB 8 hours every week day. The only problem encountered was a screen illumination issue where the left half was noticeably darker. Apple replaced the screen and it has been fine since that repair.
Things I like:
Scrolling trackpad is very useful, so much so that I'd strongly advise getting a 12" with this feature.
Love the feel/action of the keyboard.
Sitting in front of this Powerbook the screen is bright and sharp. Off to the sides it is no longer bright, but that is not an issue for me.
Battery life has been very good. After 7 months CoconutBattery shows I still have 95 % of the original capacity.
Appreciate the light weight when I carry it home at the end of the day.
Things I don't like:
There are times when the screen size is just too small (Photoshop Elements, All InDesign).
In summary, I plan to use this 'Book for the next 1+ years until Apple has passed by need for Rosetta.
Best,
Robert
Hi Robert;
Thanks for the report. I figured Apple would probably get the scrolling trackpad fixed, but one has no guarantee of whether the 1.5 GHz model is an early or late production unit when buying refurb.
I work on a 12" iBook, which has the same screen, and it is a treat, except for, as you note, it being a bit cramped.
Charles
From Scott Newman
Charles,
As always, I really enjoy your stuff.
My last 4 Macs: White iBook 500, White iBook 700, 15" Ti-Powerbook @867 mhz and 12" 1.5ghz PowerBook. My wife uses the iBook700. I use both of the PowerBooks on a daily basis (one at home, one at my office).
The 867mhz Ti-Powerbook (w/ATI9200 32megVRAM) is quite nice running either 10.3 or 10.4. Lot's of small things are faster with 10.4.
The 12" 1.5ghz Powerbook is obviously fast enough; however, I almost never operate it at full processor speed because the resulting fan noice and heat are not worth it. Based on some fairly detailed tests I've run, using a 1.5ghz PB in the "Automatic" CPU energy saver mode is roughly equivalent to having a full-speed G4 processor at 1.0 to 1.1 ghz. Only when ripping DVD's or CD's, or using Photoshop Elements, do I feel the significant extra speed of the 1.5ghz vs. the full-speed 867ghz in my older Ti-Powerbook. When the processor is in "Automatic" and is asked to do one single thing in one application, you can feel the processor cycling up to a higher speed. However, for routine stuff, having the processor in "Auto" is like having a slower processor.
Finally, you give up *A LOT* of wireless reception sensitivity when using any Powerbook as compared to any white iBook. I've known this since forever, but it's such a big difference, it's worth considering. For someone who needs fringe wireless reception, PowerBooks just don't work unless you equip them with a kludgy QuickerTek external antenna.
I personally think the new 1.33ghz 12" iBooks are a super good deal right now, primarily because of the faster video processor. It's true that they only have 32megs of VRAM, but most of the time, people don't do anything that requires more VRAM. However, the faster video CPU in the new iBooks is quite nice--and definitely faster than the Nvidia graphics w/64megs of VRAM in my 12" PowerBook.
Regards,
Scott Newman
Hi Scott;
Thanks for your comments. Must be interesting to be able to compare a bunch of (relatively) current 'Books on a day to day basis.
Your observations about running at reduced speed underscore my contention that 1 GHz (or perhaps 867 MHz) is my low-end threshold.
Thanks for mentioning the point about Airport reception. Not an issue for me up to now. I'm not wireless equipped, and so far don't miss it (much). I have a couple of Ethernet networks wired in the house that can connect my two production 'Books fairly flexibly, and the nearest Wi-fi hotspot is 50 miles away — beyond the range of even an iBook. ;-)
I agree about the graphics support. One benchmark by MacSpeedZone I think showed that the current iBook outperforms the current 12" PowerBook in most video categories despite having half the VRAM. The exception would be if you wanted to drive a big external monitor.
Charles
From Ron Glick
Dear Charles,
I dote on your every word that I can find (mostly through MacSurfer), but your Powerbook dilemma got me to take keyboard in hand...
I use one of those 12" 1.33MHz PB's...Having a 5 year old testosterone-based life form, and the resulting soft butter dents had me leaning in the iBook direction myself. Partly for him, I gave up the 15" PB a couple of upgrades ago. Though I tend to upgrade my iron annually, nothing in the Mac 'Book space has moved me to do it... due July/ August last...I am still running Jaguar and it does seem to be aging to me...Have not upgraded to Tiger because it is past time for new hardware and not buying it offers essentially a $C note discount on the next Big Thing. I too long to see if the reputed Intel switch speed burst is true...so I sympathize, and I too am waiting...
As you know, all iron slows down as we own it (subjectively, of course ;-)
Hey, glad to hear someone else hangs out everything in the wind all the time...the (older) kids (mostly WIndoze) constantly bust me for too many programs, too many windows open...
BTW, I like Camino better than Firefox (cannot wend my way through all those open windows with non-alphabetical menus) and tho seemed to have a rash of kernal panics at first blush in v 1.0b1, they seem to have disappeared...Using my new FIOS (Verizon...5 MBs down, about 2 up...stop drooling, turns out that all or even most of the pipeline constrictions are not all on the way into the house), Firefox may be a tad faster, but not much than either Safari or Camino.
Interestingly, I just moved to one of the kids' Mac mini (1.25MHz, with a new 512 MB RAM popped in), which I am on now, in preparation for sending the PB back to the Mothership for a new bottom case (warped on a powersubass. repair)...and I do believe this little puppy is faster than the PB?!...Since I do dearly love this 17" new LCD real estate, the lingering question now is do I really need a PB, and should we snap up one of those intermittent early rev G5 iMacs at Apple Refurb for $899, putting the mini out to pasture with the stereo and TV in the LR?
Thanks for all your insights... happy healing on your hands...
I am always interested in a dictation program update BTW...
Ron
Ron Glick, MA, MS, MSSW
...over 28 years helping people live better...
Spiritual Coach
Relationship Coach
Yoga and Meditation Guru
http://www: RonGlick.com
Hi Ron;
Thanks for your thoughts and for reading. For rough duty, the iBook definitely has much to recommend it.
I recommend upgrading to at least OS 10.3, which is a big improvement on Jaguar. FireFox 1.5 is pretty smooth, although I like Opera 8/9 a lot too.
There shouldn't be much performance difference between the mini and iBook. I'm a die-hard laptop fan, but whatever works for you.
You can fund my most recent speil on dictation SW here:
Charles
http://www.applelinks.com/p5/index.php/more/charles_moore_reviews_ilisten_168/
From Rowan Conrad
Actually, i have no problems with Tiger with my original G3/400 Pismo. But I do not use demanding applications. I'd say the minimum 'Book depends on what you plan to do with it. So far my Web browsing, small data base, word processing, and some minimal photo messing still seems to work fine with Tiger. No falloff in performance since upgrade. Some things seem to work better, like AOL, but that may be the new edition of AOL more than Tiger.
Rowan Conrad
Hi Rowan;
Thanks for your comments. As I tried to emphasize in the commentary, the acceptability threshold will be drawn at different machines for different users, depending upon their computing requirements.
Charles
RE: minimum 'Book for Tiger
From Rowan Conrad
Yes, in essence i was agreeing with you. and standing up for my Pismo. I love it. will be sad when software etc. passes it by and have to upgrade. most capable trouble free computer I ever owned (and i started with Mac 128 and have owned at least a dozen Macs)
From Julie
Hi,
I loved your review of the Laidback stand but am trying to find something at a lower price due to a fixed income. I've been disabled and on bedrest for 5 years and have been using a Powerbook sitting on a muffin pan on my torso to dissipate the heat somewhat. Do you know of a site that has a compilation of laptop stands to use in bed I could compare prices on?
Thank you in advance,
Julie
Hi Julie;
Glad you enjoyed the review.
Unfortunately, the field of laptop stands for use while reclining is pretty thin. Frankly, I've never encountered anything that matches the laptop Laidback for comfort, and the price is what it is due to the quality of the unit. It should last like the piece of fine furniture it is.
However, one alternative that is more modestly priced would be the Dexia Rack. You can read my 2004 review here:
It's a nice little stand that can be used in bed, but does not provide the adjustable angle the Laidback does.
For more information, visit:
I hope this is some help.
Charles
http://www.macopinion.com/columns/roadwarrior/04/06/02/
http://www.macopinion.com/columns/roadwarrior/04/06/02/
From Robert Tanis
Hello Charles,
Recently I saved a PB 266 MHz, 13" Wallstreet headed for the dump. Replaced the problematic HD (with a 4 GB HD), added RAM (to 192 MB) and upgraded to OS 9.2.2. Managed to get both the DVD Player and the Zip drive to work. Since I have forgotten so much OS 9 lore (was a OS 10 beta user and never looked back) this has been an amazingly slow salvage, but rather satisfying and interesting. Feels good to have saved a perfectly MINT Wallstreet PB.
The good news is that the screen is bright and I have one battery which seems OK, but not as good as new. BTW, the battery is still under evaluation.
Now here is where I need help and perhaps you can steer me correctly. Want to connect to existing Airport BS. And I would love to be able to print from the Wallstreet. Present BS (Extreme 10.4.3) allows printing to HP LazerJet M5 printer.
Current Airport BS runs under OS 10.4.3. It does not show up in the WS. I am using Lucent Silver Silver PC wireless card which is recognized by the PB as it has active green LEDs.
Big question:
can I connect this old PB to my existing OS 10.4.3 Airport network? Would greatly prefer to not move the WS to OS 10.
Not a deal breaker if I cannot since I'd like to use this WS to read old floppy disks.
BTW, do not see any Airport control panels.
And I do not have easy way to download apps or updates to the WS at this point.
Thanks for your help/suggestions.
Robert Tanis
Hi Robert;
Congrats. on rescuing the old WS. I'm still getting great service from mine, also with OS 9.2.2. I don't think the WS is really up to running OS X satisfactorily, although some do it.
I have no direct experience setting up Airport networks. None of my 'Books has Airport, and my LANs are hard-wired.
However, there is what looks like a pretty good tutorial on the topic here:
Hope this helps.
Charles
http://www.infodiv.unimelb.edu.au/compss/infosheets/1stlevel/wirelessos9-config-v1.pdf
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