My trusty powerbook G3/400 (pismo) is starting to go. The diagnosis appears that it might be the logic board. Since it already has the slightly pink screen issue, it's time to replace it. My laptop is my only desktop. I'd been using it w/ MOTU 828 and AudioDesk for recording, as well as email, word processing, web, etc.

I can afford to spend around $1000 or so, options in this price range are either refurbed 2004 iBook G4/1G 14 w/ inch screen or older G4 powerbooks between 550-667 mHz w/ 15 inch screen. I seem to recall hearing that the early TiBooks were loud, so I lean towards a newer iBook. I'd prefer a laptop, however I also see that I could buy a refurbed G5 iMac for $1100.

Any advice on which to get? Will an iBook be sufficient for recording or should I go with the G5 iMac?

thanks,

Seth

Hmmm, I spent a bit of time on apple's message board and other bbs last night. Seems like there are definitely noise issues with older TiBooks (the ones I could afford), and possibly loud fan issues with the new G5 iMacs.

I guess it's either gonna be a newer iBook, or maybe I'm just going to spring $300 for a G4/500 or 550 processor upgrade for the pismo and see if I can keep this old laptop running for another year or two.

Seth

You would probably be happier with the newer ibook. You're most likely going to want to use some firewire gear in the near future (especially a hard drive).

drbam

Whatever I buy, firewire is an absolute must since I'm using MOTU 828 firwire interface to record onto my laptop. The G3/400 that I'm currently using was the first apple powerbook with built in firewire.

Seth

>>The G3/400 that I'm currently using was the first apple powerbook with built in firewire.<<

My mistake – I was assuming your's was a pre-firewire unit. ;-)

drbam