On Feb 13, 2007, at 5:11 PM, John McKernon wrote:
I was thinking about getting a new 2.33 GHz Intel Mac PowerBook to
replace
my aging 1.25 GHz Power PC PowerBook, and was wondering if anyone
on the
list could tell me how much faster at compiling RB applications for
debugging the new laptop is likely to be compared to my current
one? I'm not
interested in how fast finished apps run, just how fast the IDE
does the
compile-and-run thing.
I've read the specs and the various reviews, but nothing beats
hearing from
actual RB programmers.
If it's a huge improvement, it might be worth the $$ to offset the
time I
seem to spend waiting every time I hit Cmd+R from within the IDE.
Any thoughts or suggestions?
Compiling is significantly faster. But the incremental compilation in
7r1 may make that less important now.
I would consider getting a MacBook rather than a Pro. The *only*
advantages of the Pro are:
- faster video accelerator (but a MacBook can still run, say, Quake
III very well)
- backlit keyboard
- bigger screen
OTOH, the MacBook:
- is *way* cheaper (I put together a black MacBook with 2GB RAM,
160GB HD and AppleCare for $1600)
- has *much* better WiFi and (I think) Bluetooth range
- is probably more rugged
- is *much* easier to work on (I've never seen or heard of a laptop
in which it is as easy to swap out the hard drive or memory); and
- is in all other ways equal
In particular, note that the MacBook CPU and associated chips are
exactly the same speed as an equivalently-clocked Pro. So compiling
on a MacBook is just fine. You also get all the same ports, the same
webcam and a remote control.
There is a very good case to be made for spending some of the
difference in price on an external 20" or even 24" screen. Then
you'll have the screen space when you're in the office, and the
portability when you're on the road.
In either case, make sure you get 2GB RAM. That's a really good sweet
spot for these machines. Also note that a 160GB HD can now be had for
not a whole lot of money, so you might like to buy with the smallest
HD capacity you can, and do the swap yourself. This advice is much
easier to follow if you get the MacBook.
Oh, and the superdrive is an option on the MacBook, so you'll
probably want that.
Regards,
Guyren G Howe
Relevant Logic LLC
guyren-at-relevantlogic.com ~ http://relevantlogic.com
REALbasic, PHP, Ruby/Rails, Python programming
PostgreSQL, MySQL database design and consulting
Technical writing and training
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