Apple lust
I have recently become rather distracted by Apple lust. That is,
I’d like to get a new computer and I’m ready to go back to Mac.
All the signs are there: open source and the UNIX core
have made Macs
amenable to the stuff I want to do that I couldn’t a few years back on
a Mac (stats work and such), the interface and the design are so much
prettier and nicer than my Windows box, they just don’t crash, I want
to be able to use some stuff that you can’t get in Windows (NetNewsWire
and iLife especially), and they’re light and slim. And the new OS
X Tiger comes out soon. Also, loathe to admit it as I am, the new
Office 2004 for Mac has some sweet features, including the Notebook.
I’ve had my eye on the 15″ G4 PowerBook with the SuperDrive. But
does anyone know enough about the relative merits of the 15″ vs. the
12″ PB with SuperDrive? Would I be O.K. with the smaller
one? Mostly, I’m concerned about going from the 15″ screen I’m on
now back down to a 12″…. But the slightly slower processor and some of the other pieces are also something to think about.
Unfortunately, I do not have $2000 right now (although I might have
some wiggle room in a couple of months). So for the time being, I
will have to think adulterous thoughts in my heart. Not quite idle desire, but something like it.
UPDATE: I got some good suggestions in the comments. I
should be a bit clearer that I intend to use any new computer to do
statistical work, using either Stata or R.
It sounds like the
1.33GHz G4 on a 12″ (with SuperDrive) is adequate. True?
‘Cause I can get one with Apple Care (3 year extended warranty) for
$1750. Or do you all think that the high-end iBook would do it?
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