Thoughts on the iBook G4?

[Imported]

I so want a PowerBook but can't afford one..

So I'm looking at the iBooks now.. it's either that, a comparable Windows notebook, or just upgrade my computer [right now a 1.8A@2.4.. hope to get 3Ghz+ on a 2.4C?]

I want the 12" iBook.. but with the 1Ghz cpu.. so I might compromise with the 14".. damnit, I'm gonna go to the Apple store before work to see what size works best for me.

Any opinions from current iBook owners? How do you like them? Anything I should know about them before getting one?

And Apple haters need not apply.

 

[Imported]

I know someone has to have an iBook.. :\

 

[777php]

they came out with a G4 ibook? sweet! does it have a 14" model out?
forget this...off to apple.com

edit...argh...its 1.35 inches thick. no 1" sleekness of a powerbook.

 

[Eug]

Nice machine. Depends on what you need it for though.

I'd prefer a 1 GHz 12" though, not the 14".

 

[Imported]

Originally posted by: Eug
Nice machine. Depends on what you need it for though.

I'd prefer a 1 GHz 12" though, not the 14".

Yea, I'd prefer a 1Ghz 12" also, but they don't have it.

I'm mainly looking to use it for studying, taking notes in class, being able to have a computer while on the campus. I wanted some light, small [reason I'm looking at 12"], and portable.

Was also looking at the Dell D400, but it's pricey once I put in some of the features the iBook has [namely the combo drive].

 

[Hubris]

Originally posted by: Imported

Originally posted by: Eug
Nice machine. Depends on what you need it for though.

I'd prefer a 1 GHz 12" though, not the 14".

Yea, I'd prefer a 1Ghz 12" also, but they don't have it.

I'm mainly looking to use it for studying, taking notes in class, being able to have a computer while on the campus. I wanted some light, small [reason I'm looking at 12"], and portable.

So why do you need a 1GHz? The 12" comes in 800mHz; not a terribly huge difference.

 

[notfred]

Dammit, the new iBooks are out already? I wasn't expecting them till around christmas. I want one.

BTW, I do own an iBook (700mhz G3) and I've been very happy with it. Mine is a 12" and I like the 12" screen better than the 14".

 

[n0cmonkey]

I dig my iBook.

 

[Imported]

Woah, I just discovered the student discount..

$1200 for a 12.1" with the following:
? 384MB DDR266 SDRAM (128MB built-in & 256MB SO-DIMM)
? 40GB Ultra ATA drive
? Combo Drive (DVD-ROM/CD-RW)
? AirPort Extreme Card
? Bluetooth Module
? Keyboard/Mac OS X - U.S. English
? 12-inch TFT XGA display
? 800MHz PowerPC G4
? ATI Mobility Radeon 9200 w/ 32MB DDR video memory

Upgraded memory, HD space, and got the AirPort card.. is Bluetooth necessary [I'd save $45 by not getting it and the only Bluetooth capable item I have is my cellphone]? I already have a bluetooth dongle for my PC.

 

[sk560]

Originally posted by: notfred
Dammit, the new iBooks are out already? I wasn't expecting them till around christmas. I want one.

BTW, I do own an iBook (700mhz G3) and I've been very happy with it. Mine is a 12" and I like the 12" screen better than the 14".

yeap... totally agree... the screen of 12" is better !!!!! this is my 2nd 12" iBook.... 800 Mhz... for work.

the problem w/ my 1st one (Nov 2002) was the shinny case and palm rest.... very easy to get dirty. apple fixed the problem and came out w/ a new revision..... sold it and got the current one. i haven't seen the new G4 iBook... i would expect it has better case.

 

[notfred]

Originally posted by: Imported
Woah, I just discovered the student discount..

$1200 for a 12.1" with the following:
? 384MB DDR266 SDRAM (128MB built-in & 256MB SO-DIMM)
? 40GB Ultra ATA drive
? Combo Drive (DVD-ROM/CD-RW)
? AirPort Extreme Card
? Bluetooth Module
? Keyboard/Mac OS X - U.S. English
? 12-inch TFT XGA display
? 800MHz PowerPC G4
? ATI Mobility Radeon 9200 w/ 32MB DDR video memory

Upgraded memory, HD space, and got the AirPort card.. is Bluetooth necessary [I'd save $45 by not getting it]? I already have a bluetooth dongle for my PC.

If I had a use for bluetooth (which I don't) I'd opt for having it internal rather than the dongle, just cause it's nice to not have to plug anything in to use the machine. However, chances are the bluetooth dongle you have for your PC will work fine on the iBook. You can also generally get ram cheaper by ordering the laptop with the minimum amount from Apple and then buying ram from crucial.com.

 

[notfred]

Originally posted by: sk560

Originally posted by: notfred
Dammit, the new iBooks are out already? I wasn't expecting them till around christmas. I want one.

BTW, I do own an iBook (700mhz G3) and I've been very happy with it. Mine is a 12" and I like the 12" screen better than the 14".

yeap... totally agree... the screen of 12" is better !!!!! this is my 2nd 12" iBook.... 800 Mhz... for work.

the problem w/ my 1st one (Nov 2002) was the shinny case and palm rest.... very easy to get dirty. apple fixed the problem and came out w/ a new revision..... sold it and got the current one. i haven't seen the new G4 iBook... i would expect it has better case.

I like mine w/ the shiny palm rest better than the newer one. Doesn't look as plastic.

 

[hawkeye81x]

Overpriced?

But if I had too choose. Either really small 12" or really large 17".

 

[Imported]

Originally posted by: notfred

Originally posted by: Imported
Woah, I just discovered the student discount..

$1200 for a 12.1" with the following:
? 384MB DDR266 SDRAM (128MB built-in & 256MB SO-DIMM)
? 40GB Ultra ATA drive
? Combo Drive (DVD-ROM/CD-RW)
? AirPort Extreme Card
? Bluetooth Module
? Keyboard/Mac OS X - U.S. English
? 12-inch TFT XGA display
? 800MHz PowerPC G4
? ATI Mobility Radeon 9200 w/ 32MB DDR video memory

Upgraded memory, HD space, and got the AirPort card.. is Bluetooth necessary [I'd save $45 by not getting it]? I already have a bluetooth dongle for my PC.

If I had a use for bluetooth (which I don't) I'd opt for having it internal rather than the dongle, just cause it's nice to not have to plug anything in to use the machine. However, chances are the bluetooth dongle you have for your PC will work fine on the iBook. You can also generally get ram cheaper by ordering the laptop with the minimum amount from Apple and then buying ram from crucial.com.

I didn't know I could buy memory elsewhere.. guess I'll do that then. I do like the idea of the internal Bluetooth though.. and it can connect to their wireless mouse/keyboard, though I'd probably never use it.. so the external dongle will work just fine I guess. Now to go to the Apple Store tomorrow, Friday, or Saturday..

 

[RossMAN]

Originally posted by: notfred
Dammit, the new iBooks are out already? I wasn't expecting them till around christmas. I want one.

BTW, I do own an iBook (700mhz G3) and I've been very happy with it. Mine is a 12" and I like the 12" screen better than the 14".

I'm used to a beautiful 15.0" SXGA 1400x1050 display so downsizing to a 12" would be dramatic but it is VERY portable.

On a 12" how much scrolling do you do on web pages. It the web page window is maximized, do you have to scroll a lot?

 

[Imported]

Ooooo.. I just checked prices on the 12" Powerbook.. under $1500 for it with the Airport card [the only thing I'd need added].. Wish I could justify the almost $400 price difference.

 

[Platypus]

I have a G3 ibook, it's too bad Apple is just trying to get rid of all their 256k L2cache they have left over by passing them off