Has everything you'll need out of the box . iTunes is almost perfect, looks extremely cool
Disadvantages:
Occasionally slow, and extremely expensive for students
Recommend to potential buyers:
yes
Full review
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 for yourself compared to windows. Its chassis is extremely tough, and is more than capable of sustaining a few tough knocks.
Included is the MacOS X operating system, which frankly puts windows XP to shame; It looks beautiful from start to finish, makes perfect sense to use and is practically indestructable when things go wrong. Also included are a fairly accomplished wordprocessor/spreadsheet/ database package; Internet Explorerl and iTunes....
iTunes is by far the best piece of software I've ever seen for collecting and organising music. Again, it makes perfect sense to use (except with one small niggle around collecting music from CD's) and it's simple, uncluttered appearance makes a refreshing change from Windows Media Player. Furthermore, it offers almost perfect connectivity with separate MP3 players - I simply plugged mine in, and it was recognised automatically without any messing around with settings.
However, it is by no means perfect. It's quite slow to start up, and installing all the included software takes quite some time when you first open the box. Some of the included software only works with previous versions of MacOs, and so when you try to run them it goes into "Classic Mode" - the switch takes around 3 minutes. Although the build-quality is excellent, I have concerns about the screen-hinge : it doesn't go all the way backwards, and should it get knocked, it could potentially snap off. One serious flaw is the lack of a floppy disk drive; unless you have your own printer, there is no convenient way to transfer data except via the internet (say, by sending files as email attatchements) Given that we all need to keep certain files private, and swap information with each other, this is extremely inconvenient. Although these are by no means mortal sins, detracting more from the pleaure of the experience than the actual useability of the computer, but they do make a difference.
All in all, this is an exceptionally cool computer, and I would recommend it to anyone who is 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.
More details
Memory / capacity
Good
Ease of use
Very easy
Range of Extra Features
Excellent
Instruction manual
Satisfactory
Manufacturer Support
Good
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