iBook decision - 900MHz G3 vs. current models?

[mglists at ca.inter.net]

Greetings, all!

I'd appreciate any comments on the cost/benefit considerations I should keep in mind in
choosing 
between the following laptops:

iBook G3/900MHz vs. iBook G4/933MHz (both 14 inch models)

Assume that I would max out the RAM on either (640MB), and that I would install Airport on
one and 
Airport Extreme on the other, as well as install a 60GB hard drive and opt for the Combo
drive.

If I buy the G3 iBook, I can save about $450 over the G4 iBook. (Both of these options
would be new 
purchases, with Panther installed.)

MacReviewZone says the following in comparing the G3/900 and the G4/800 12" models:

"G4 iBook has longer battery life, slightly faster System Bus, . . ., better graphics
system, slot loading 
optical drive, optional Bluetooth, dramatically faster USB ports, faster optional wireless
networking 
(Airport). "

http://snipurl.com/G3900vsG4800

My question is, would there be enough of a performance improvement/feature set in the G4
iBook to 
justify spending the extra cash? I've been told that the G3/900, because of its larger L2
cache, turns in 
a sufficiently powerful performance that the extra money for the G4 iBook isn't really
worth spending. 

Does the fact that the G3 iBook can be booted in either OS9 or OSX matter that much?

I am not a heavy-duty user. I plan to use the iBook for DVD watching, web browsing,
emailing, word-
processing, synching with my Palm PDA, synching with my iPod and maybe getting into
digital 
photography. However, I do find that, over time, the uses to which I put my computer tend
to expand.

I would appreciate your suggestions.


Mike
Toronto