Jeremy Derr writes: >> 1) G3 Processor as opposed to the G4 Processor - not really much of a >> difference at this stage, as many applications do not take advantage >> of the Altivec instruction set in the G4. > >Altivec is not the only difference between the G4 and G3. Generally >speaking, a G4 is a faster processor at the same clock speed ... not by >much, but the difference is there. The G4 system also has a faster >system bus than the iBook, IIRC, and supports more memory (max 640MB in >iBook, max 1GB in G4).
Let's not get confused comparing apples and oranges, CPUs and the computers they go in. When the G4 was first introduced, benchmark after benchmark found it was no faster than the G3 -- until they created benchmarks that used the AltiVec version of Photoshop, etc. In that era, unless you used Photoshop or did video editing, the G4 had no advantage over the G3. Both processors have evolved since then. Today they each have an on-chip level 2 cache that runs at full CPU speed. They support faster bus speeds. And there have been other minor tweaks as well. Todays G3 and G4 performance can not be directly equated with the differences back when the G4 first shipped. But the big change came with Mac OS X, the first Mac OS to use the "velocity engine" by default. At this point, I would hesitate to recommend buying a new G3 model if you ever plan to run OS X. AltiVec makes that much difference with Aqua -- or at least it did before Quartz Extreme. Looking at the computers themselves, if you would benefit from the additional screen real estate, the ability to have a second monitor, or Mac OS X, seriously consider the PowerBook G4. If 1024x768 is fine, you don't need screen spanning, and you don't intend to migrate to OS X (or do, but don't need the best performance), the iBook is a stunning value. Issues such as system bus pale in comparison to things like video chips, drive speed, screen resolution, etc. Those are the real world differences that impact your ongoing use of the computer far more than a 25% difference in bus speed. >this has nothing to do with US-vs-Non-US... some people even here in >the states have reported static on the case - just gander over at >MacInTouch. Count me among them. Best solution: I now use a wireless mouse and keyboard at home. -- Dan Knight, president, Cobweb Publishing, Inc. <http://cobwebpublishing.com> <http://lowendmac.com> <http://digital-views.com> <http://digigraphica.com> <http://lowendpc.com> <http://reformed.net> Bill Gates was so impressed by the iMac that they were going to offer the blue-screen-of-death in a choice of colours. ;-) -- G-Books is sponsored by <http://lowendmac.com/> and... Small Dog Electronics http://www.smalldog.com | Refurbished Drives | -- Check our web site for refurbished PowerBooks | & CDRWs on Sale! | Support Low End Mac <http://lowendmac.com/lists/support.html> G-Books list info: <http://lowendmac.com/lists/g-books.html> --> AOL users, remove "mailto:"; Send list messages to: <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To unsubscribe, email: <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> For digest mode, email: <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subscription questions: <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Archive: <http://www.mail-archive.com/g-books%40mail.maclaunch.com/> --------------------------------------------------------------- >The Think Different Store http://www.ThinkDifferentStore.com ---------------------------------------------------------------
