MacPrices.net

Yes, You Can Soup Up An iBook; But Does It Make Sense? - Plus PowerBook Mystique Mailbag

by Charles W. Moore

A tutorial posted by the French Web site MacBidouille (or HardMac as the English language version is called) on hotrodding older G4 iBooks closer to PowerBook status has received a lot of Interest and comment around the Mac Web. It's the sort of project that appeals to many tech-oriented folks who like to tinker with, modify, and upgrade their computers. The operative question is, however, in objective terms, does doing something like this make any economic sense?

Actually, most upgrades of older system hardware beg the same question. In some cases, I think upgrading can be worthwhile and cost-effective. The 550 MHz G4 processor upgrade, larger hard drive, 8x SuperDrive, and FireWire 800 PC Card adapter in my Pismo PowerBook are a case in point. These modifications have extended be useful life of that wonderful old laptop by at least two years. But they don't make Pismos anymore.

The problem I have with HardMac's "iBook on steroids" idea is that while it is an interesting exercise, buying a used or refurbished 12-inch PowerBook or even a new iBook would be arguably a more satisfactory and cost effective solution. The upgrades and enhancements HardMac prescribes to upgrade at a 1.2 GHz 12-inch iBook, are as follows:

• 1x iBook G4 12" 1.2GHz or 1.33GHz standard (256MB/30GB/Combo/Airport Extreme)
• 1x superdrive 8x MATSHITA UJ-845S multi-formats (-RAM, -R, -RW, +R, +RW).
• 1x HD Hitachi 80GB 7200rpm 8MB cache (HTS721080G9AT00)
• 1x Apple Bluetooth kit for iBook (including the module, wires and antenna)
• 1x 1GB of DDR SDRAM SODIMM PC2100 or PC2700 (CAS 25330).

Plus some small hardware bits.

Let's check out what all that could cost.While the tutorial is presumably aimed mainly at folks who already own an older G4 iBook, we need to establish a ballpark valuation for the system for comparison's sake.

The Apple Store Special Deals currently offers refurbished iBook G4s 1.2GHz/ 256MB/ 30GB/ CD/ E/ 56K/ 12-inch TFT for $699.00.

Now the SuperDrive. FastMac offers an 8x Dual-Layer SuperDrive upgrade for the G4 iBook for $189.95
http://store.fastmac.com/

You would probably be able to pick up a bare drive for cheaper than that, but you would have to shop around. Note well that the location of the SuperDrive connector can vary from one model to another.

Moving along, I didn't come up with a vendor for the exact model of hard drive HardMac cited, but Other World Computing sells the 80.0GB Hitachi/IBM Travelstar 7K100 7200RPM 8MB Data Buffer ATA/6 9.5mm UltraSlim 2.5" NoteBook Drive (HIT0A28254), which is the same specification, for $219.00
http://eshop.macsales.com/shop/hard-drives/2.5-Notebook/

iBook G4 bluetooth adapter kit proved tough to track down a source for, but PowerBook Medic has iBook G4 bluetooth adapter kits, including all 4 pieces you need to give your iBook G4 bluetooth compatibility, for $ 89.95
http://www.powerbookmedic.com/iBook-G4-Bluetooth-Adapter-Kit-p-16632.html

Finally, RAM; Other World Computing offers 1GB (1024MB) PC2700 DDR SODIMM 200 Pin Memory Modules for iBook G4 1.2/1.3/1.33/1.42GHz Models for $134.99
http://eshop.macsales.com/

That gives us a grand total of $1,332.89. As I said, some of the bits and pieces could be likely be found elsewhere for less money perhaps, but the figures should be ballpark at least.

You can buy a brand-new 14" iBook with a 1.42 GHz processor, 512 MB of RAM, a RADEON 9550 graphics processor, built-in AirPort Extreme, built-in Bluetooth 2.0+EDR, scrolling trackpad, and sudden motion sensor, with a full warranty for $1,299, or go for a 12" 1.33 GHz model with a combo drive for $999.00.

Or Apple will sell you a refurbished PowerBook 12-inch 1.5GHz Combo Drive /512MB/60GB/NVIDIA GeForce FX Go5200 (64MB DDR)/AirPort Extreme /Bluetooth 2.0 + Enhanced Data Rates for $1,199.00, also with full warranty and AppleCare eligibility

Now, a couple of other points need to be noted. For one thing, you can't get a 12-inch iBook with a SuperDrive even as a build to order option, doubtless a marketing decision by Apple to reserve that feature for the more expensive PowerBook in the 12-inch size range, although, as noted, the 14-inch iBook comes with a SuperDrive at its $1299 base price. However, if you want the SuperDrive in your new 12-inch iBook, FastMac will be happy to oblige with their $189.95 SuperDrive update upgrade. Even if you add the SuperDrive, an 80 GB, 7200 RPM hard drive and a one gigabyte RAM upgrade to a new 12" iBook, you're still only up to $1,542.99, or just $200 more than the Hardmac hot rod, but you will have a faster processor, 1.5 GB instead of 1.256 MB of RAM, a much better and faster graphics processor that fully supports core image in OS ex 10.4 Tiger (which the RADEON 9200 in the 1.2 GHz iBook doesn't), the scrolling trackpad, and sudden motion sensor. I think there is more than two hundred dollars worth of extra value in that package.

Speaking of graphics cards, while the NVIDIA GeForce FX Go5200 card in the 12-inch PowerBook is faster than the Radeon 9200 in the 1.2 GHz iBook, the Radeon 9550 GPU in the recent 1.33 GHz and 1.42 GHz iBook is faster than the GE force, even though it use has only half of the amount of video RAM. Speaking of video, the 12-inch PowerBook supports monitor spanning, and the iBooks do not (another Apple marketing decision) there are third party hacks available that will enable monitor spanning with the iBook, but it's at your own risk. The PowerBook also supports analog sound in, where the iBook is limited to USB audio.

As for a 7200 RPM hard drive, it's certainly nice to have one, but the performance increase realized is not proportional to the nominal rotation speed increase. As noted above, one could upgrade to a 7200 RPM drive in an iBook (not Apple BTO), but given the complexity of hard drive replacement in iBooks, I wouldn't advocate it. Note also that even the latest 12-inch PowerBook comes with only a 5400 RPM hard drive, albeit still faster than the 4200 RPM drives in the iBooks (even BTO).

So there you have it. Personally, while creating a hot rod iBook could be an interesting and enjoyable project if you get off on that sort of thing, I just don't see it as a cost-effective plan. It's awfully hard to beat the value offered in either of the current iBook models from Apple, which has brought the stock iBook up to near-PowerBook status with the latest refreshment, presumably intended to keep sales up during the awkward interval leading up to the introduction of MacIntel 'Books next year. While it's true that the iBooks still have 4200 RPM hard drives, the superior graphics processor and greater maximum RAM capacity will compensate greatly in performance "feel," and could be the clincher unless you need to drive large external monitors, in which case the 12" PowerBook's 100% greater video RAM and support for monitor spanning may trump. As always, priorities will vary for different users.

PowerBook Mystique Mailbag

Re: iBooks w/o optical drives

From Oliver Starkey

Hi Charles.

You make some good points.  I won’t argue with you.  I posited the idea of Apple computers without optical drives on one of the Mac forums.  It was met with equal parts alarm and derision.  I see you posted my long letter along with your most recent article.  I wonder if it elicited a similar response.

Still, I wouldn’t rule out an iBook without an internal optical drive.  A subnotebook if you will.  It’s an interesting idea that data would be distributed on some kind of flash media rather than CDs.  Of course, the price of flash media would have to come down.   

I also think that Apple’s scheme for the iTunes store is far grander than most people imagine. I don’t think they would start selling video if they didn’t think selling full-length movies was in the future.  If they can do movies, they can do software.  If they did that it would almost turn Apple into a media company.  This might take some time to transpire.

I guess I am positing software distribution through the internet and through flash media.  I am also brainstorming.

I do hope the Intel computers come out soon. I think one UK site is saying that will happen before Christmas. That is probably much too soon. Nonetheless I enjoy the drama that comes with all this anticipation. I remember a switcher commenting on a forum that he was sorry he had missed out on all the intrigue and speculation while he was a PC user.

O.S.