iBook questions

[sophiarosehips]

Hi,
I have a Mac iBook model number M6497. I use it off and on for wordprocessing, and it works fine. Not long ago, some of you helpful forumers answered my questions about using a flashdrive with it (thanks again). I come to you with still more questions. I went to Fry's hoping they would 1) have a Mac expert who could answer questions and 2) that they would be helpful. Disappointed on both counts. So I'm hoping you all will be more helpful, as you have pretty much always been in the past!!!
Anyway, in brief, I want to use my iBook to give powerpoint presentations to the U.S. History classes I teach. This raises the following questions:
1) What port do I have and what cord do I need?
The guy at Fry's muttered something unintelligible about the video (?) port (?). I apologize but computerese is very much a second language for me. The place where you plug the cord in for the LCD projector (which I have yet to buy). I have a couple of USB ports, an ethernet port, phone jack port, and then three more that are not immediately identifiable. He was pointing to one of those when he started talking fast and using words unknown to me. He said he didn't have the cord or something that would go to it because they aren't commonly made anymore, and that I had to look it up on the internet and see exactly what kind it was, and order it. And something about VGA.
2) If I get an LCD projector, will it be compatible with both Mac and PC, or are there compatibility issues?
3) Does my iBook need upgrading and if so, how much will it cost? Is it a better idea just to buy a new laptop? I want to save as much money as possible. Teacher's salary.
Okay, that's all for now. Thank you for your help in advance!
- Sophia

 

[ch33zw1z]

Is it possible to post pics of the ports on the laptop, and list which model projector you will be using? I googled the iBook model but get many results and not much specifics. Have you spoke with the tech department at the school?

 

[dclive]

Originally posted by: sophiarosehips
Hi,
I have a Mac iBook model number M6497. I use it off and on for wordprocessing, and it works fine. Not long ago, some of you helpful forumers answered my questions about using a flashdrive with it (thanks again). I come to you with still more questions. I went to Fry's hoping they would 1) have a Mac expert who could answer questions and 2) that they would be helpful. Disappointed on both counts. So I'm hoping you all will be more helpful, as you have pretty much always been in the past!!!
Anyway, in brief, I want to use my iBook to give powerpoint presentations to the U.S. History classes I teach. This raises the following questions:
1) What port do I have and what cord do I need?
The guy at Fry's muttered something unintelligible about the video (?) port (?). I apologize but computerese is very much a second language for me. The place where you plug the cord in for the LCD projector (which I have yet to buy). I have a couple of USB ports, an ethernet port, phone jack port, and then three more that are not immediately identifiable. He was pointing to one of those when he started talking fast and using words unknown to me. He said he didn't have the cord or something that would go to it because they aren't commonly made anymore, and that I had to look it up on the internet and see exactly what kind it was, and order it. And something about VGA.
2) If I get an LCD projector, will it be compatible with both Mac and PC, or are there compatibility issues?
3) Does my iBook need upgrading and if so, how much will it cost? Is it a better idea just to buy a new laptop? I want to save as much money as possible. Teacher's salary.
Okay, that's all for now. Thank you for your help in advance!
- Sophia

1. You need the VGA adapter. Go to any Apple store and for $29 they'll hook you up. Read more here: http://discussions.apple.com/t...eadID=1820146&tstart=0

2. The LCD projector would have a VGA input, usually, so it's compatible with almost anything made today and in the past decade.

3. If your iBook works for you then it doesn't need a thing. I would find anything older than a dual G5 setup hopelessly slow, and new machines (or referb Macs) are $800 and up, but you need to make that call. Again, if it works for you there is no reason to change.

 

[dclive]

Please note you'll probably get a better response if you post in the Apple forums. Mods may want to move this...

 

[sophiarosehips]

Originally posted by: ch33zw1z
Is it possible to post pics of the ports on the laptop, and list which model projector you will be using? I googled the iBook model but get many results and not much specifics. Have you spoke with the tech department at the school?

I have a pic, but don't know how to post it here. Sigh. I'm sorry to be a pill. How do I post it?

 

[sophiarosehips]

dclive,
Thanks (for both posts!--I wasn't sure where to post my message so if the mods want to move me I'm all for it). So from what you're saying this adapter is standard and will fit my iBook? I ask because the salesperson worried me with his talk of figuring out online which thingy I needed.
Do you know if it's difficult/expensive to upgrade my iBook? More RAM, or something? I'd like to prolong it's usefulness if possible and don't want to overload it once I start using it with the LCD, so if I can preemptively spend $100 for something simple like RAM I'll do it. Thanks again for your help.
- Sophia

 

[dclive]

Walk into an Apple store. Get their adapter. They will likely have them on the shelf. The adapter was listed in the link I posted, but any Apple store will carry it.

I wouldn't spend a penny on upgrading, but that's me. What hardware do you have in it now and what is slow about it?

 

[krnmastersgt]

Indeed, Fry's people tend to be useless, I'm quite sure I know more about basic computers than any of the workers at my local Fry's. Not sure you'll need the adapter dclive mentioned but it probably is something you'll need, in any case the computer is not worked harder by any means if you're using the standard display or have it hooked up to a projector so no need to upgrade if that is your concern.

 

[dclive]

Originally posted by: krnmastersgt
Not sure you'll need the adapter dclive mentioned but it probably is something you'll need

Which is it? Not sure it's required, or is it probably something OP will need?

(OP: You'll need it for VGA output.)

 

[krnmastersgt]

Originally posted by: dclive

Originally posted by: krnmastersgt
Not sure you'll need the adapter dclive mentioned but it probably is something you'll need

Which is it? Not sure it's required, or is it probably something OP will need?

(OP: You'll need it for VGA output.)

Well not sure if you did, but I'm having trouble finding the physical specs on the laptop, so I'll just assume you found a source/have experience enough with it.