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iBook/Combo vs. PowerBook G4/667: Mac OS 9.2.2 speed tests

March 18, 2002
by Stephen Hildreth
Editor-in-Chief

How much faster is a PowerBook G4/667 than a 600MHz iBook/Combo when running Mac OS 9.2.2? I ran a few unscientific tests using each machine in its standard configuration (as it comes from The Apple Store) and a stopwatch. Here are the results (all times are in seconds):

PowerBook iBook Test
86 68 Boot OS 9.2.2
4 6 Wake from sleep
4 6 Launch IE 5.1
2 4 Relaunch IE 5.1
3 4 Open Word 2001
7 6 Open 92K Word 2001 document
3 4 Scroll 31 page 208K Word 2001 document
20 31 Open 23MB Photoshop 5.5 image

Last week I ran similar tests using Mac OS X 10.1.3. The two machines are much more evenly matched when running Mac OS 9 rather than Mac OS X. The PowerBook's increased boot time probably results from it having 512MB of RAM, as opposed to 128MB in the iBook. There is little difference between the two machines when you're performing basic finder tasks, surfing the web, or running office applications--both are equally snappy.

Photoshop took advantage of the speedy G4 processor when opening a 23MB image. But of all the tests I ran, that was the only one where there was an appreciable difference between the PowerBook and the iBook. I'll see if I can dig up some tests that better highlight the differences between the two machines.

If your intentions are to run office applications, send e-mail, surf the web, play iTunes, and store digital pictures, you really can't lose with either machine. Since the difference in speed is negligible, it really comes down to personal preference and price. Mac OS X users and graphics pros should probably stick with the PowerBook and its G4.

 

Week's Best MacBook Prices:
Specials for PowerBook Central Readers

17" MacBook Pro
2.53GHz i5: MSRP $2299
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B&H $2199
MacConnection $2049
MacMall - Your #1 Apple Superstore! $2199.99

15" MacBook Pro
2.4GHz i5: MSRP $1799
2.53GHz i5: MSRP $1999
2.66GHz i7: MSRP $2199

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2.4GHz 2.53GHz 2.66GHz
B&H $1739.95 $1929.95 $2099.95
MacConnection $1669 $1799 $1969
MacMall - Your #1 Apple Superstore! $1739.99 $1929.99 $2099.99

13" MacBook Pro
2.4GHz: MSRP $1199
2.66GHz: MSRP $1499
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2.4GHz 2.66GHz
B&H $1159 $1449
MacConnection $1049 $1349
MacMall - Your #1 Apple Superstore! $1159.99 $1449.99

MacBook Air
1.86GHz/120GB HD: MSRP $1499
2.13GHz/128GB SSD: MSRP $1799
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1.86GHz 2.13GHz
B&H $1427.95 $1707.29
MacConnection $1439 $1729
MacMall - Your #1 Apple Superstore! $1447.98 $1707.27

Apple Store
Apple Refurbished
June 2009 models:
17" 2.8GHz MacBook Pro: $1869
15" 2.66GHz MacBook Pro: $1529
13" 2.53GHz MacBook Pro: $1189
13" 2.26GHz MacBook Pro: $929
13" 2.13GHz/128GB MacBook Air: $1549
13" 1.86GHz/120GB MacBook Air: $1249
Oct 2009 models:
13" 2.26GHz White MacBook: $849
March 2009 models:
15" 2.93GHz MacBook Pro: $1949
Jan 2009 models:
17" 2.93GHz MacBook Pro: $2199
17" 2.66GHz MacBook Pro: $1949
Oct 2008 models:
13" 1.8GHz/128GB MacBook Air: $1449
13" 1.6GHz/120GB MacBook Air: $1199

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