Now there's even more to love about the iBook. With a choice of displays, high-speed processors, capacious hard drives - plus AirPort wireless networking and FireWire, USB and... more
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A review by jimjamyaha on Apple iBook G3 12.1" TFT December 27th, 2001
Author's product rating:
Speed
Fast
Look & Feel
Excellent
Comfort & Portability
Good
Robustness & Durability
Excellent
Value For Money
Excellent
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
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 Reviews
I'm in love Review ofApple iBook G3 12.1" TFTby
water-witch
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
Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful
Speed
Look & Feel
Comfort & Portability
Robustness & Durability
Value For Money
very helpful
20.10.2002
(04.01.2003)
Cool as iceBook Review ofApple iBook G3 12.1" TFTby
bigbtommy
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, ...
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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 ...
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Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful
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 ...
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Advantages: Ease of use, Cost, Fun Disadvantages: Not very expandable, quite heavy
I wanted a reasonably priced laptop which could not only perform number-crunching calculations but also to play some games. So I went out in search for this laptop and it wasn't long before I found it! Afriend of mine mentioned the reliability and ease of use of a Mac, so from there I started looking at the iBook, to my surprise the original iBook had little RAM and a small hard disk, so I waited for the release of the iBook SE, a laptop that has ... ...processor, PERFECT! I had found it. So I bought this laptop and a copy of Mac OS9 (I was previously a windows user) and found that as my friend had suggested it was easy to use, but what he didn't tell me was that a new version of Mac OS was due out in the next 3/4 months and having read reviews on it I realised that I had made a good descison as Mac OSX is amazing and beats windows every time. I suggest anyone looking for a fun, good performing ...
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Protocols & Specifications: ITU V.90 , Hayes AT command set
Networking
Networking: Network adapter
Data Link Protocol: Ethernet, Fast Ethernet
Compliant Standards: IEEE 802.3, IEEE 802.3u
Power
Power Device: External
Voltage Required: AC 110/220 V ± 10% ( 50/60 Hz )
Compliant Standards: EPA Energy Star
Manufacturer's product description
Now there's even more to love about the iBook. With a choice of displays, high-speed processors, capacious hard drives - plus AirPort wireless networking and FireWire, USB and Ethernet ports - the iBook connects to hundreds of peripherals designed to fit your life. Fact is, whichever model iBook you go with, you're going to jump-start your digital lifestyle. Pop open the lid and you'll have all the digital tools and toys you need to surf the Internet, create cool websites, share digital photos, build a music library, and edit your own movies. As small as it looks, the new iBook is roomy on the inside, with ample space for your MP3 music files, digital images and desktop movies. Let your imagination run free. You'll push your creativity to new heights with iBook, thanks to its simplicity and sheer power. Create stunning photographs, edit movies, build your own music library, run your favorite applications - or simply kick back and be entertained. True to its heritage, the iBook was designed with ruggedness in mind. That's why it's made of ultra-tough polycarbonate - the same material used in bulletproof glass - and has an internal magnesium frame for added strength. The hard drive is rubber-mounted for impact resistance. And there are no doors, protruding latches, or levers to break or get snagged. You also get all the software you need to get the most out of your iBook. With a choice of iBook models, you're sure to find the one that fits just right. iBook will become the center of your digital space, giving you world-class performance housed in a thin, stunning enclosure.
Battery
Technology: Lithium Ion
Capacity: 42 Wh
Run Time (Up To): 5 hour(s)
Operating system / software
OS Provided: Apple MacOS X 10.1 / MacOS 9.2.1
Software: Drivers & Utilities, AOL, Microsoft Internet Explorer, Adobe Acrobat Reader, FAXstf, AppleWorks, EarthLink, Apple QuickTime, Apple iMovie 2, Apple iTunes 2, PCalc, Otto Matic, World Book Mac OS X Edition, Apple Mac OS X Mail
This really is what it says it is - Toshiba, the mark of quality and reliability, and Portege, meaning it is portable. The Toshiba Portege is an excellent laptop.
==My Experience==
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