Apple iBook PPC G3 600 MHz - 12.1" TFT

Advantages: Has everything you'll need out of the box. iTunes is almost perfect, looks extremely cool
Disadvantages: Occasionally slow, and extremely expensive for students

So...the new apple iBook, eh? Wafer thin, and shiny white it seems - a far cry from it's garish plastic predecessor. This is Apple's latest approach to the student and small-business market, and quite frankly, it's a winner. Weighing in at 2.2kg and a smidgen over 1 inch thick, it's more than capable of slipping into a backpack, yet has everything you'll need preinstalled - and those things you want (like games, etc) are remarkably easy to install ...
...looking. It's clear and simple to use, yet powerful enough to satisfy almost any level of competence. Apple is noted for it's customer service, and I certainly have no complaints. If you need a general, well-rounded computer which looks pretty damn fine, then the iBook is the one for you. ... Read review

Advantages: Lightweight, attractive, powerful, easy to use
Disadvantages: no floppy drive, not enough available software

...support if anything goes wrong. Apple provide you with Hardware diagnostic facilities and if that does not work they will come and collect your machine and return it to you within two to three days. Pretty impressive! I love my little laptop and would definitely not exchange it for a PC laptop. Once I have saved up and installed virtual PC my happiness will be complete! Highly recommended, why not take a look at one? ... Read review

Advantages: Powerful PowerPC G3 laptop
Disadvantages: Screen just a teeny bit too small

...if you upgrade via the Apple store). The iBook has two USB ports, a FireWire port and an AV port. With the AV port, you can either plug in headphones to hear the sounds that come out your machine, or if you purchase the £15 cable (Apple Store again...), you can hook your iBook up to a telly. Perfect for iMovies. The case seems quite tough, and even without the rubber bumpers of the previous rainbow-coloured iBooks it still is quite strong. It's made ...
...That is the ideal solution. Apple do charge a lot for the CD-RW and Combo editions. I have used Apple Technical Support, and they seem 'average'. In the past, when my mouse died on me (probably of overuse), I rang them up, and if like me you have an iMac, you have to read out the number located underneath your computer. Great serial number placement guys... But on the iBook, at it's very low weight, this sort of thing would be much easier. Also, ... Read review

Advantages: Cool shape, easy to use, fast and powerful
Disadvantages: Only aviable in two colors, green and grey

...interest, I chose the green. Apple could improve by adding more colors to the range, I'm sure a 'Ruby Red' would attract far more interest. The best thing about the Special Edition is the DVD Drive, allowing you to take your favorite Hollywood movie wherever you go. If you've got a movie to share with friends, you use the new AV port and enjoy the show on the big screen. The durable construction of polycarbonate and rubber protects the iBook from ... Read review

Advantages: Long battery life, gorgeous looks, brilliant screen, very very fast, reliable.
Disadvantages: Relatively heavy, Mac software often harder to obtain

Even opening an iBook is a sensual experience. The top opens with a snap, with a clamshell like top curving round the sides. This reveals a keyboard that can be lifted up to add RAM and the remote networking card. Inside, there is a 366MHz G3 chip, which i have found in practice to be faster than a Pentium III-600 in daily use. The machine has 64meg RAM - more might be nice for £1395 Startup is rapid, far faster than most Windows machines. This ...
...the earlier OS8.5, most of the differences being in the menu system. The trackpad used to control is flush with the case, and very sensitive. In use, the system is intuitive, reliable and fast, with system crashes almost unheard of. The screen is similarly pleasing to use, and is bright enough to use the computer outside. The computer lasts for 6 hrs on a charge of the batteries, which takes about 30 mins for a full charge. After this time, the ... Read review