Hello,

I need your help making a decision. My 400MHz Titanium Powerbook
(40GB 5400RPM drive and 768 MB RAM) needs a new motherboard and optical
drive. The cost is apparently $430.

Question is: is it worth it? Or, should I look to get a newer
portable? Or, wait, or....

The PB has been a second computer in our house for some time. We
have a dual 1.8 G5 PowerMac with a 20inch Apple display for our primary
machine. That's where I do FinalCut Pro work, etc. The PB was
primarily so my wife and I could surf at the same time, so I could do
some work somewhere other than the basement, or so we could take movies
for the kids on trips. It hasn't been essential for some time.

So, the situation hasn't changed much, the only thing is that I may
need to have some portability for some part time work (Word, Excel,
Keynote, HTML, maybe FinalCut Exress); but that's neither certain nor
pressing.

What to do? I could sell the PB (maybe) on eBay and see if anyone
wants to give me anything for it. I could do the repair and keep it. I
could do the repair and sell it. Aside from keeping it, I could buy a
refurb PowerBook: I've been looking at either a 1.33MHz or 1.5MHz refurb
12-inch, either $999 or $1299. Or, I could wait to see what the new
Intel-based PBs bring, pricewise.

Given my needs, what would you recommend? Is it time to move on?
Will Keynote 2.0 be too taxing for the 400MHz TiBook, if I end up doing
a lot of work there?

Thanks!!!!

Todd

In article <nomail-E370C8.20575020102005@news.verizon.net>,
"F. Todd Wilson" <nomail@nomail.net> wrote:

> Hello,
>
> I need your help making a decision. My 400MHz Titanium Powerbook
> (40GB 5400RPM drive and 768 MB RAM) needs a new motherboard and optical
> drive. The cost is apparently $430.
>
> Question is: is it worth it? Or, should I look to get a newer
> portable? Or, wait, or....
>
> The PB has been a second computer in our house for some time. We
> have a dual 1.8 G5 PowerMac with a 20inch Apple display for our primary
> machine. That's where I do FinalCut Pro work, etc. The PB was
> primarily so my wife and I could surf at the same time, so I could do
> some work somewhere other than the basement, or so we could take movies
> for the kids on trips. It hasn't been essential for some time.
>
> So, the situation hasn't changed much, the only thing is that I may
> need to have some portability for some part time work (Word, Excel,
> Keynote, HTML, maybe FinalCut Exress); but that's neither certain nor
> pressing.
>
> What to do? I could sell the PB (maybe) on eBay and see if anyone
> wants to give me anything for it.

Parts will likely bring you more than the entire unit, since it's not
working. BUt then, you have to take it apart.

> I could do the repair and keep it. I
> could do the repair and sell it.

Don't mess with the repair if you're going to sell it. You'll only lose
money.

> Aside from keeping it, I could buy a
> refurb PowerBook: I've been looking at either a 1.33MHz or 1.5MHz refurb
> 12-inch, either $999 or $1299.

If you're looking at a 12", consider the iBook as well: almost the same
spec at a lower price. Unless you need dual-monitors (yes, there's a
hack, I know) the iBook typically delivers better bang for the buck than
the 12" PB.

Were it me, I'd either buy a new PowerBook 15" now, or wait until the
Intel machines come out. The new PowerBook 15" represents a noticeable
(though not necessarily worthwhile) upgrade from the previous spec, but
the 12" got nothing. If you're willing to consider an iBook, the 12" has
been good value for the money for some time, particularly compared to
the 12" PB.

These remarks are entirely off-the-cuff, and may be in error. I welcome
corrections, made politely. As always, YMMV.

--
Later,
John

johajohn@indianahoosiers.edu

'indiana' is a 'nolnn' and 'hoosier' is a 'solkk'. Indiana doesn't solkk.

In article <nomail-E370C8.20575020102005@news.verizon.net>,
"F. Todd Wilson" <nomail@nomail.net> wrote:

> Hello,
>
> I need your help making a decision. My 400MHz Titanium Powerbook
> (40GB 5400RPM drive and 768 MB RAM) needs a new motherboard and optical
> drive. The cost is apparently $430.
>
> Question is: is it worth it? Or, should I look to get a newer
> portable? Or, wait, or....
>
> The PB has been a second computer in our house for some time. We
> have a dual 1.8 G5 PowerMac with a 20inch Apple display for our primary
> machine. That's where I do FinalCut Pro work, etc. The PB was
> primarily so my wife and I could surf at the same time, so I could do
> some work somewhere other than the basement, or so we could take movies
> for the kids on trips. It hasn't been essential for some time.
>
> So, the situation hasn't changed much, the only thing is that I may
> need to have some portability for some part time work (Word, Excel,
> Keynote, HTML, maybe FinalCut Exress); but that's neither certain nor
> pressing.
>
> What to do? I could sell the PB (maybe) on eBay and see if anyone
> wants to give me anything for it.

Parts will likely bring you more than the entire unit, since it's not
working. BUt then, you have to take it apart.

> I could do the repair and keep it. I
> could do the repair and sell it.

Don't mess with the repair if you're going to sell it. You'll only lose
money.

> Aside from keeping it, I could buy a
> refurb PowerBook: I've been looking at either a 1.33MHz or 1.5MHz refurb
> 12-inch, either $999 or $1299.

If you're looking at a 12", consider the iBook as well: almost the same
spec at a lower price. Unless you need dual-monitors (yes, there's a
hack, I know) the iBook typically delivers better bang for the buck than
the 12" PB.

Were it me, I'd either buy a new PowerBook 15" now, or wait until the
Intel machines come out. The new PowerBook 15" represents a noticeable
(though not necessarily worthwhile) upgrade from the previous spec, but
the 12" got nothing. If you're willing to consider an iBook, the 12" has
been good value for the money for some time, particularly compared to
the 12" PB.

These remarks are entirely off-the-cuff, and may be in error. I welcome
corrections, made politely. As always, YMMV.

--
Later,
John

johajohn@indianahoosiers.edu

'indiana' is a 'nolnn' and 'hoosier' is a 'solkk'. Indiana doesn't solkk.

Entity F. Todd Wilson spoke thus:

> I need your help making a decision. My 400MHz Titanium Powerbook
> (40GB 5400RPM drive and 768 MB RAM) needs a new motherboard and optical
> drive. The cost is apparently $430.
>
> Question is: is it worth it?
No.
400MHz is on the margin of usability already. If you were a do-it-yourselfer
you could pick up the parts on eBay for $80 and the damage would be minimal.

Sell it on eBay and you might get $100.

-- Gnarlie •
http://Gnarlodious.com/Entities/Computer/Cube/

Entity F. Todd Wilson spoke thus:

> I need your help making a decision. My 400MHz Titanium Powerbook
> (40GB 5400RPM drive and 768 MB RAM) needs a new motherboard and optical
> drive. The cost is apparently $430.
>
> Question is: is it worth it?
No.
400MHz is on the margin of usability already. If you were a do-it-yourselfer
you could pick up the parts on eBay for $80 and the damage would be minimal.

Sell it on eBay and you might get $100.

-- Gnarlie •
http://Gnarlodious.com/Entities/Computer/Cube/

In article <null-6FF9D7.20181920102005@newsclstr01.news.prodigy.com >,
John Johnson <null@invalid.com> wrote:


> Were it me, I'd either buy a new PowerBook 15" now, or wait until the
> Intel machines come out.


Any idea when the new intel PowerBooks are due to come out?

In article <null-6FF9D7.20181920102005@newsclstr01.news.prodigy.com >,
John Johnson <null@invalid.com> wrote:


> Were it me, I'd either buy a new PowerBook 15" now, or wait until the
> Intel machines come out.


Any idea when the new intel PowerBooks are due to come out?

In article
<hal.i.burton-79B417.10435423102005@comcast.dca.giganews.com>,
Harold Burton <hal.i.burton********.com> wrote:

> In article <null-6FF9D7.20181920102005@newsclstr01.news.prodigy.com >,
> John Johnson <null@invalid.com> wrote:
>
>
> > Were it me, I'd either buy a new PowerBook 15" now, or wait until the
> > Intel machines come out.
>
>
> Any idea when the new intel PowerBooks are due to come out?


Nope, though they say "next year" some time. I would be hesitant to buy
that first version. The 15" is pretty sweet right now, and waiting is
probably not going to get you anything.

Buy now.

--
Ross Winn
Freelance Geek & RPG.net Columnist

In article
<hal.i.burton-79B417.10435423102005@comcast.dca.giganews.com>,
Harold Burton <hal.i.burton********.com> wrote:

> In article <null-6FF9D7.20181920102005@newsclstr01.news.prodigy.com >,
> John Johnson <null@invalid.com> wrote:
>
>
> > Were it me, I'd either buy a new PowerBook 15" now, or wait until the
> > Intel machines come out.
>
>
> Any idea when the new intel PowerBooks are due to come out?


Nope, though they say "next year" some time. I would be hesitant to buy
that first version. The 15" is pretty sweet right now, and waiting is
probably not going to get you anything.

Buy now.

--
Ross Winn
Freelance Geek & RPG.net Columnist

In article
<ross_winn-5587E7.10520423102005@news-server1.tampabay.rr.com>,
Ross Winn <ross_winn@mac.com> wrote:

> In article
> <hal.i.burton-79B417.10435423102005@comcast.dca.giganews.com>,
> Harold Burton <hal.i.burton********.com> wrote:
>
> > In article <null-6FF9D7.20181920102005@newsclstr01.news.prodigy.com >,
> > John Johnson <null@invalid.com> wrote:
> >
> >
> > > Were it me, I'd either buy a new PowerBook 15" now, or wait until the
> > > Intel machines come out.
> >
> >
> > Any idea when the new intel PowerBooks are due to come out?
>
>
> Nope, though they say "next year" some time. I would be hesitant to buy
> that first version. The 15" is pretty sweet right now, and waiting is
> probably not going to get you anything.



Thanks, that's the sort of guidance I was looking for.

In article
<ross_winn-5587E7.10520423102005@news-server1.tampabay.rr.com>,
Ross Winn <ross_winn@mac.com> wrote:

> In article
> <hal.i.burton-79B417.10435423102005@comcast.dca.giganews.com>,
> Harold Burton <hal.i.burton********.com> wrote:
>
> > In article <null-6FF9D7.20181920102005@newsclstr01.news.prodigy.com >,
> > John Johnson <null@invalid.com> wrote:
> >
> >
> > > Were it me, I'd either buy a new PowerBook 15" now, or wait until the
> > > Intel machines come out.
> >
> >
> > Any idea when the new intel PowerBooks are due to come out?
>
>
> Nope, though they say "next year" some time. I would be hesitant to buy
> that first version. The 15" is pretty sweet right now, and waiting is
> probably not going to get you anything.



Thanks, that's the sort of guidance I was looking for.

Harold Burton <hal.i.burton********.com> wrote:

> Any idea when the new intel PowerBooks are due to come out?

April 1st.

Harold Burton <hal.i.burton********.com> wrote:

> Any idea when the new intel PowerBooks are due to come out?

April 1st.