Spec Questions

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Spec Questions
Topic Started: Sep 30 2005, 08:59 PM (416 Views)
+ Bird-E	Sep 30 2005, 08:59 PM Post #1
Dedicated member Posts: 420 Group: Elite Member Member #76 Joined: June 25, 2005	As some of you may know, I've been considering switching to a mac for my future computer. Reading over the specs of various notebooks and comparing them to the ibook and powerbook line, I realised that I really didnt have a clue as to what most of these specs do. Okay so I'll be using the ibook 14 inch specs as a demonstration. 1.42GHz PowerPC G4 [I understand that this is the processor speed and type, and this affects the overall performance] 512K L2 cache @1.42GHz [hmm... further detail on the speed? I heard that the cache is responsible for actually processing the memory... is that why its called a processor x.x? 512MB memory (DDR333 SDRAM) [The ram. The older versions came with 256 mb sticks. I have no real idea as to what this does, but from what I gather its responsible for the performance of multimedia, the visual presentation, etc.] Id appreciate any help.



Zeerus	Oct 14 2005, 05:35 PM Post #2
Spank My Monkey! Posts: 1,596 Group: Admin Member #1 Joined: July 31, 2004	not too sure about the 512K L2 cache thing, but I can offer some info on the RAM. Basically RAM is the amount of space you have available at any given time. as an example, playing a 512 MB video would use 512 MB of RAM. Once you clear your cache or restart, your RAM is refreshed. It stands for Random Access Memory.



+ Bird-E	Oct 15 2005, 06:42 PM Post #3
Dedicated member Posts: 420 Group: Elite Member Member #76 Joined: June 25, 2005	Zeerus, you use a 12 inch powerbook dont you? Hows that treating you? Im not too keen on the aluminium casing on the powerbooks. is the velocity engine available on the entire mac line? Or is it just an iBook thing?- Quote: The Speed of Life The iBook’s PowerPC G4 processor works hand in hand with Mac OS X to give you a one-two performance punch. Mac OS X features preemptive multitasking that allocates processor cycles on an as-needed basis and protected memory that keeps you up and running even if an application happens to crash. Enhancing the performance of the PowerPC G4 is its aptly named Velocity Engine. The Velocity Engine processes data in huge 128-bit chunks, instead of the smaller 32-bit or 64-bit chunks, and can perform complex calculations two to four times faster than run-of-the-mill PCs. x_x



Zeerus	Oct 15 2005, 08:53 PM Post #4
Spank My Monkey! Posts: 1,596 Group: Admin Member #1 Joined: July 31, 2004	no, I still haven't made the switch to a Mac yet. Still working on PC, but once I get some more money I'll be purchasing either an iBook or an iMac. I need a notebook more than a desktop, so the iBook will probably be my first choice. I also dislike the aluminum casing on the PowerBooks. The white finish on the iBook is much more visually appealing



+ Bird-E	Oct 16 2005, 12:44 AM Post #5
Dedicated member Posts: 420 Group: Elite Member Member #76 Joined: June 25, 2005	Something about the ibook's plastic casing, makes it look sturdier, as if you could grip it with one hand. Those powerbooks have their ups though.. being so thin and powerful.



Zeerus	Nov 11 2005, 09:10 PM Post #6
Spank My Monkey! Posts: 1,596 Group: Admin Member #1 Joined: July 31, 2004	yeah, but I, for some odd reason, am looking for more aesthetic appeal in my new computer. Mainly my new comp will be purchased just for the eye candy, and nobody beats Apple when it comes to eye candy



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