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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. |
