Some advice:
Powerbooks do sometimes get updated, so ask around if its been a while since the last model came out. But dont wait forever. If you do buy one, support your local Mac dealer, and ask him a lot of questions before you buy. Waiting for intel processors or whatever is silly, that pie in the sky new faster whiz bang is always around the next corner but your life is going on now. Upgrades: You can easily upgrade the ram, (buying after market ram is simple and easy to do and will save you a lot of money) and you can get a much bigger hard drive, which is also easy to install, but thats about it. Get the superdrive, trust me. Sure Powerbooks are expensive, but a Mac can make money, and they make creating things simple and fulfilling. PLEASE: Buy Applecare, its a no brainer. Your first problem with the computer will more than pay for the 3 years of peace of mind. There’s tons of great software for the Mac, simple elegant brilliant stuff, check out shareware from small developers, and if you like it, make sure you buy it. Teach your kids that downloading software and music without paying for it isn’t what you want them to think is ok. When you get one, SWEAR to do these 3 things: never drink near it, period. (You WILL spill it into the keyboard) Never put the laptop on a table plugged into the power cord where the cord can be tripped over, yanking a powerbook off a table and shattering the screen was the #1 repair at the genius bar. And after you get your new baby, spend some time finding a backup plan thats easy to use, comprehensive, and one you will use. Then force yourself to do it, NOTHING is sadder than someone who lost a years worth of birthdays and weddings and kids growing up and thousands of dollars of purchased iTunes music because they didnt back up.
Take the time to donate your old mac (and software and your old printer) to a family member, church or school, and consider adding some time to show that person how it works too. New printers are so cheap, and donating will make you feel good.
Hope this helps!
