Is The Age Of Disposable Laptops.... er...Notebooks.... Upon Us? - Plus 'Book Mystique Mailbag [Updated}
by Charles W. Moore
“They just don’t build laptop computers like they used to,” some portable Mac aficionados lament, pining for the days of their old PowerBook 170 or 540c or even a fondly remembered clamshell iBook no doubt. Strictly speaking, Apple Computer no longer builds “laptop” computers at all by their own affirmation - the litigation-prophylactic officially endorsed term now being “notebook.”
The current crop of Apple MacBooks and MacBook Pros are, thin, lightweight, sleek, extremely fast, and more powerful and feature-packed than ever. A whole new dimension in the portable Mac experience, really. They are also more fragile than some Apple laptops of yesteryear, and run hotter than any 68k or production PowerPC laptop ever did (the prototype G5 PowerBooks were reportedly pretty sultry). It remains to be seen how long-lived they will be, but should that even be a priority issue, or should we regard laptop.... sorry, notebook.... computers the way we do automobiles - as high-ticket items that most of us replace on a fairly frequent basis?
When it can cost more than $1,000 for a screen repair, it simply makes no economic sense to spend that kind of money on repairing a computer that has a used a market value of, say $1,200, and you can buy a MacBook for $1,099. However, even if the machine proves as reliable as an anvil (as all my Apple portables have over the past ten years save for one exception - see below), after three years or so, its performance is going to pale to weak pastel compared with the latest offerings, and its residual resale value melted away substantially. It seems that the age of the disposable notebook is upon us, whether we like it or not.
Update: Shannon Jean of TechRestore Inc. has informed me that TechRestore offers an Overnight LCD Screen Replacement for MacBooks for $399, for MacBook Pro 15.4-inch for $499 and for MacBook Pro 17-inch for $699, which I'm sure will beat whatever Apple charges for screen replacements when these machines are out of warranty. The TechRestore prices These prices include a brand new LCD screen, installation and a 1-year warranty. For more information, visit:
http://techrestore.com/xcart/home.php?cat=328
It must be remembered that most those older PowerBooks were more expensive - in some instances a LOT more expensive - than today’s slim Intel-powered rocket-sleds, but the pain in the wallet was mitigated somewhat by confidence that you were buying a product that would likely last for a good long while, that could be repaired at reasonable cost if something did break, and in many cases could be upgraded with a faster processor to extend its useful service life.
In my experience, that was the way things played out. My first PowerBook - a 5300, served for seven years - in my daughter’s hands for about half of that. It still works, although the original 500 MB hard drive is making odd noises, and it’s really too slow for much except word processing and email these days.
My wife is still using our old 1998, G3 Series WallStreet, and that unit did suffer a major component failure - the central processor - at the three and one half-year mark, but it was easy and cheap to repair - I just swapped in a scrounged processor daughtercard, and it hasn’t missed a beat since - still in daily use at going on eight years of age.
My 2000 Pismo PowerBook has never manifested any troubles save for a defunct battery, and has been extensively upgraded with a G4 processor, a larger hard drive, a SuperDrive module, and extra RAM. However, the Pismo was relatively easy to upgrade, with its processor mounted on a removable daughtercard, rather than soldered to the motherboard as with all subsequent Apple ‘Books. While I’ve learned never to say never regarding processor upgrade potential, if the current generation MacIntels do eventually prove upgradable, it won’t be inexpensive, and a more recent refurb. will likely make more sense economically.
Now that Pismo, which was the top of the line back in 2000 with a 500 MHz G3 processor, 256 megabytes of RAM, and a 20 gigabyte hard drive, listed new for $3495.00, which was $600.00 more than the top 17-inch MacBook Pro sells for today. The Big 17-inch machine is formidable and awesome - I would love to have one - but I expect that by the time it’s six years old like my Pismo is now, it will be pretty much yesterday’s news performance wise - if it’s still running at all.
For example, if the MacBook Pro’s processor were to fry, as happened with my WallStreet, it would require a complete logic board replacement, which I would imagine costs well in excess of a thousand dollars. Ditto for replacing that big, beautiful 1680 x 1050 widescreen display. Depending upon how old the computer was at the time of the component failure, it might or might not be economically sensible to repair the MacBook Pro rather than writing it off. I have mixed feelings about Apple’s AppleCare extended warranty, but in the case of a high end MacBook Pros these days it could be a prudent purchase, which of course jacks the de facto price of the machine substantially.
Consequently, while today’s MacBook Pros and MacBooks offer tremendous value in terms of cost/performance from a historical perspective, their total cost of ownership (TCO) value could at the end of the day well prove considerably less attractive than that of the older, more expensive, but rugged, durable, expendable, upgradable, and repair-friendly machines of yore. Even if you experience no hardware failures, a three-year-old MacBook Pro or MacBook that can’t be processor upgraded will be a lackluster performer compared with whatever is available new then.
All of which is why I’m inclined to favor the MacBooks over the metal MacBook Pros as a best value choice these days. The MacBook is almost as fast (although a bit hobbled in the video department for serious high-end graphics work and gaming), more rugged externally, and a lot cheaper. Performance-wise, there isn’t a large gap unless you really need the more powerful video support of a dedicated GPU with its own video RAM in the MacBook Pro or its ExpressCard slot for expansion.
With the MacBook, out-of- warranty major repairs will make even less sense than with MacBook Pros. Replacing a bad logic board or broken display will most likely run you close to or even more than what you can get a refurbished example of the same model for, and with a fresh one-year warranty if you buy an Apple Certified Reconditioned machine. The MacBook (and Mac mini) have already pretty much become disposable computers, but unlike the MacBook Pros, they sell for much closer to “disposable computer prices.”
I think this is sort of sad, but it was probably inevitable. The dictates of style and the dynamics of contemporary marketing have made it so. I still dream of an easily user-serviceable and upgradable ‘Book made with easily accessed and replaced modular components - plug-in ideally (the MacBook’s relatively easy access to its hard drive is a commendable step in that direction). I would be willing to pay a premium for such a machine. However, it’s a wistful dream, as we seem to be headed (mostly) in the diametrically opposite direction with the current ‘Books, and could the mini’s not-to-be-opened-by-users motif be a sign that hermetically sealed, unrepairable, throwaway computers are not far off?
In practical terms, what this means for me is that I will almost certainly continue focusing on low-end machines for my own systems. My 46 months old G3 iBook and seven month old refurbished (actually the model introduced in September 2003) 17” PowerBook, not to mention the faithful old Pismo, are all still working great, but if any of them breaks, it will most likely get replaced - not repaired. Something like a hard drive failure would perhaps be worth repairing.
When the time comes, a new MacBook will definitely be high on the shortlist, but I’ll be taking a hard look at what 17” MacBook Pro refurbs are going for at the time.
Mac Advice
Notebook substitute
Mac Advice
From Phillip Estrada
Dear Mr. Moore:
I was wondering if you can help me out. I saw some of your articles on PB Central. You seem to have a lot of experience with the Apple computers. I currently own a Sony VAIO A-290 laptop. This model has the 1.7 Pentium M processor, 1GB RAM, 100GB Hard drive, Windows XP, ATI 9700 graphics with 64MB VRAM, TV tuner (Giga Pocket software) WiFi, and a 17" WUXGA gloss screen. I have had this computer for almost 2 years with no problems.
Previously I owned a Quicksilver G4 tower, 17" Powerbook G4, and the first generation G5 iMac. I really enjoyed OS X I had no problems with the Quicksilver or the Powerbook but lots of problems with the iMac. I was able to sell my Apple computers to purchase newer models and lost very little money. Before I purchased the Sony laptop I had the G5 iMac. I really liked the form factor of the iMac but as you might be aware of the first generation had very loud fan noise.
I am thinking of getting a Mac but am not sure which model. I use my computer as a desktop replacement for the following: Filemaker Pro 8.0, iTunes, Skype, digital photography, downloading and watching TV programs using bit torrent files, and web surfing. I have wireless internet and I have the Airport Express to stream music to my home stereo. I plan to purchase the new 80GB iPod. The feature I really like on my Sony laptop is the screen. With the high resolution glossy screen I get a lot of detail on my digital photos. I did not have this nice of screen on either the iMac or PowerBook. The glossy screen does not bother me. I went to the Apple store and saw the new MacBook. I really liked the screen and compared it to the Mac Book Pro with the matt finish screen. The MacBook seems like a really good buy and I am leaning more to the 2.0 Ghz model. My other options are the new 24" iMac or Mac Mini and 32" LCD TV. For home use I have a Sony 27" CRT and the In Focus X-1 projector. The 24" iMac looks like a great computer for the price but the 24" screen might be too small to use as a TV. The Mac Mini seems like a nice computer but how would the 32" LCD TV work as a computer monitor. The price of the MacBook is low enough so that I could purchase either a larger LCD computer screen or LCD TV. I very seldom move my Sony Laptop from my desk so a laptop is not a necessity for mobility. What would you recommend for my needs and which would be the best value for the money: Mac Book, 24" iMac, or Mac Mini with external display. Thank you very much in advance.
Phillip
Hi Philip;
It's very difficult to advise people about such decisions, because eveyone has different tastes, needs, and priorities.
The shortcoming of the MacBook and Mac mini for someone like yourself for whom driving large monitors is a priority is that they don't have a separate graphics processor unit, but use the Intel GMA 950 graphics processor with 64MB of DDR2 SDRAM shared with main memory. That's not to say that it wouldn't work, since it supports up to 1920 x 1200 pixels on an external display at millions of colors, but it's something to consider.
Now that all of the Mac notebools and consumer desktops come with Core Duo processors, they all have plenty of power, and form factor and video support become the central issues of distinction.
You may also be interested to learn that glossy displays are available optionally on the MacBook Pros (both 15" and 17") as well as the 13.3" MacBook, and the MacBook Pros have a conventional and more powerful GPU.
Of the three you justapose, MacBook, 24" iMac, or Mac Mini with external display, all could represent an excellent value for the money depending upong your requirements, but the MacBook Pro might be an attractive alternative as well.
Charles
From Alan
Charles,
I use my notebook/laptop at home on a desk and at work in the field, (Alberta Oil Patch) in a mobile office, on a desk. The power in the field is unreliable, diesel generated power with infrequent spikes and frequent power outages.
IÊwas thinking about a notebook replacement and I was thinking that the low end or second lowest iMac, in one piece, would be more transportable than a Mini plus separate screen. I also found an iMac carrying case maker but the URL is at home on my desktop Mac.
One thing I would need to carry back and forth is an good UPS/spike protectorÊthat would probably weigh almost as muchÊas the iMac. I do need the 17" screen for my work so the 17" iMac + keyboard & mouse + UPS + case would be about $1100 to $1300 and be about 25 or more pounds.
That's less than half the price of the 17" MacBook Pro but aboutÊ3 to 4Êtimes the weight. The Mini + 17" LCD monitor + keyboard & mouse + UPS + case would cost even less and weigh less as well.
I can see how the updated Mini has changed the notebook replacement picture.
I will probably just save the weight and avoid the power supply problems and spend some of that oil money on the 17" MacBook Pro. It's still more than twice as much as the Mini solution but it is simpler,Êbetter lookingÊand I can write off the costs.
Alan
Hi Alan;
Were I in your shoes, the 17" MacBook Pro would be my choice by a wide margin.
I love my 17" PowerBook.
Charles
Re: Notebook substitute
From Alan
Charles,
I loved that irony definition at the bottom of your signiture tag. I had to go back and look for the irony in your answer and I guess 'in your shoes' may have had some hidden 'if you can afford any computer, stop looking for a low cost missfit and buy the right tool for the job at hand' meaning.
Even if it was unintentional, I get what you mean. I will wait for the expected upgrade to 64 bit chips for a bit of future proofing before I buy it. I will be replacing a Windows notebook with a Mac + Boot camp or, hopefully, Parallels virtualization software to keep Windows 'sandboxed' or completely isolated from the outside world. Getting rid of AV software and doing almost everything on the Mac again will be worth the price of upgrading. I have that one piece of expensive, niche industrial software that will never be ported to the Mac. I just hope Parallels recognizes USB copy protection dongles.
Alan
Hi Alan;
Any irony in my reply was unintended. :-)
Interesting question about Parallels. Let me know if you find out the answer.
Charles