The world's best-loved consumer portable gets an impressive makeover with a superfast PowerPC G4 processor, a new architecture, a slot-loading optical drive and enhanced wireless... more
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A review by CaptainKidd on Apple iBook G4 - PPC G4 1 GHz - 14.1" TFT July 26th, 2003
Author's product rating:
Speed
Look & Feel
Comfort & Portability
Robustness & Durability
Value For Money
Advantages:
build quality / reliability / ease of use
Disadvantages:
cost / built in media drive
Recommend to potential buyers:
yes
Full review
Apple Ibook - 2003 mode / 77 key keyboard / built-in tracking pad .
At present the Apple ibook comes in two main configurations namely :
1) 900 mhz G3 processor 14.1” TXT XGA LCD DVD / CR-rw Combo drive 40 gig Ultra ATA Hard drive 256 meg RAM ( price £1000.00 incl. VAT )
2) 800 mhz G3 processor 12.1” TXT XGALCD CD drive 30 gig Ultra ATA Hard drive 128 meg RAM ( price £800.00 incl. VAT )
Both variations share the following charcteristics :
ATA Mobility Radeon 7500 graphics card with 32 mb VRAM / 56k internal modem / 2 * USB (12 Mbps )/ 10/100 Base-T Ethernet / 4000bps ( 5eee 1394 ) Firewire / Video Out / Audio out ports . 512 L2 cache / built-in battery level indicator / Kensington security slot . Weight approx. 4.9lb ( 2.2 kg ) .
Ram can be upgraded to 640 meg , and an AirPort can be added for infra-red wireless networking .
~ Looks ~
A white polycarbonate case , internally fortified with magnesium for strength , this laptop oozes charm . The lid has the Apple logo which is illuminated when the beast is turned on . Underneath is the battery level indicator , which illuminates when a small button is pressed . The left hand edge holds the main connectivity ports , when the right hand side provides the drive bay and power socket .
The front edge provides the lid release and also hidden lcd , which pulses if the machine is left on and the lid closed - nice touch that .
Open the lid , and the translucent keyboard is most striking , and a joy to use . Above the keyboard you find the power-on button and two speakers .
~ Software ~
The main operating OS is OS X , which is a unix based operating system . However in keeping with previous OS releases , much of the tradition OS views are there to be found .
As OS X is unix based and therefore totally non compatible with previous OS releases , Apply also include OS 9.2 , which automatically loads should non compatible software be loaded . This runs in its own enviroment , and in practice has been found to be very stable , as is OS X .
Also supplied is the latest release of Appleworkks ( v 6.2.5 ) , which is similar in function to Microsoft works , only much more user friendly and powerful .
Then you have the iLife suite , comprising of iT unes , iMovie and iPhoto , that make editing of images / movies and music a thing of simplicity . Then you have iCal ( calendar ) , iChat ( real time online chat using AIM ) and Sherlock , which just has to be one of the best search engines available today .
Next you have Internet Explorer 5.2 for Mac , Outlook Express and Mail ( Apples Outlook Express replacement ) . NOTE : Microsoft have recently announced that they are no longer to support the Macintosh format , and so the current versions of IE and OE will be the last . While doing this ,however , they will still continue to update MS Office for Mac ( ! ) . This should not be of concern though , as Mail is preferred over OE and there is always Netscape Navigator and Apple’s own forray into the web surfing , namely Safari . Furthernore you also get three games ( GNU chess , Deimos Rising and Otto Matic ) , and Worldbook .
~ In Use ~
The display is crisp and superbly clear . Brightness is controlled via F1 and F2 keys . Sound is crisp and clear albeit a little quiet . Again control is via key use , name F3,F4 and F5 keys . When using these control keys , the relevant icon appears in ghost format above current application , and disappears just as quick .
When using OS X , you also see on screen the ‘Dock’ which is fully animated and works in a similar manner to Windows Start Menu , as well as the usual Application menu , synomimous with the Apple GUI .
The supplied software is easy to use , even without previous experience , a thing that Apple have always prided themselves on . Should you encounter any problems the Help menu is a comprhensive and useful .
Nice features on the desktop include battery level supplied in icon and % formats , speker volume level and modem icon , that when in use provides spent on-line time . I particularly like iTunes which makes copying your CD collection onto hard disk simplicity , so you always have your musical likes to hand .
As I said before , the speaker volume is not too high , but this is usual with most laptops . However using external speakers or headphones really brings out the quality of playback .
~ Processor speed ~
Prospective buyers should not be put off by the low speed rating of these computers , especially compared to PC models who often have speed ratings in excess of 2ghtz , as Apple computers use the range of power processors manufactered / designed by Apple / IBM / Motorola , which use a totally different archtecture to Intel / AMD processors , but are on a par with there counterparts .
~ Battery Life ~
The iBook comes with a Li-Ion battery , which when used conservatively and in conjunction the usual enrgy saving features eg, screen dimming after x.x minutes inactivity , can supposidly last for up to five hours . In practice I have achieved in excess of 3.5 hours continuous usage without the need to recharge , which isn’t bad . Re-charging from empty takes approx 1 hour. Additional batteries can be purchased at a cost of around £90.00 .
~ Tracker Pad ~
Approx 3" * 2" in size , and very accurate . However not all like such pads , and non Mac users will find the concept of a single button click hard to grasp in the beginning . Fear not though as any USB mouse can be attached , and function without software drivers , giving the use of stardard PC mouse usage . External mouse use also increases speed .
~ Built-in fan ~
All computers have built-in cooling fans . In use it has to be said that your lap will get quite warm , yet in four weeks of use , only once has the fan come into operation , and that was approaching the 3.5 hours of use mark . While the noise of the fan was noticable , it was not overly loud , but was powerful enough to feel the cooling air from the rear air vents .
~ Disappointments ~
I have the lower spec. 800 mhz / cd version . What would have been nice is the inclusion of a CD-r as standard . Similarly , the higher spec. model could also have included a DVD-R/ CD-r combo drive as standard. Such drives are becomming commonplace in the PC laptop market , and could influence future buyers , given the similar costs of Apple / PC laptops . The cost between the two detailed models ( £200.00 ) , seems a little steep , when you only get an extra 10 gig hard disk space , 100 mghz processor increase and upgrade to DVD / CD-rw Okay , you can buy external devices , but it the additional cost may be off putting ( probably dearer than buying the higher spec. model ) , and having built-in burning software and no way of making use of it is a huge disappointment .
~ Preferences ~
Having used both Apple and PC laptops , I do prefer the Apple in use . The software tends to be of better quality and easier to use , and build quality is superb . The downside in use however is the amount of software available , however all the big names are available eg. Photoshop , MS Office , etc. etc. , and file sharing isn’t a major problem . additionally most high profile games do get ported to the Apple platform , although it does take a while for it to arrive . Not being a huge game player , nor needing high PC compatibilty , I find the Apple all that I need . Well worth a look , but if you can afford the additional cost , go for the higher spec model .
Advantages: Fast, sexy, easy to use, capabilities, weight, size, I could go on and on! Disadvantages: See update for details
...my computer back from the Apple Repair shop only to discover that it froze each time I plugged it in to charge it up and run it simultaneously. Went back to the shop, they had no idea what was wrong, so I decided to wait until I reached the US, by which time the problem appeared to have sorted itself out. A few weeks passed without incident, when my computer began freezing sporadically again. I took it in to my school's computer shop, where it was ... ...to a fresh start. Maybe Apple will redeem itself, only time will tell. -------------------------------------------
***FURTHER UPDATE*** (August 2005) As aforementioned, my hard-drive crashed in October, barely four months after buying the laptop. Then my keys began to chip. In early March, I sent my computer back to Apple to get the logic board replaced so I could have keys again, and also to get a faulty ethernet jack replaced, both of which were ...
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Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful
Advantages: Compact, stylish, great performance, good battery life. Disadvantages: Not PC Compatible
...are real, working computers from Apple and I’m here to tell you why you should buy one.
Specifically I’m here to wax lyrical about the iBook, specifically my iBook bought when I was feeling rich several months ago. But before we get to the nitty gritty, first lets have a little introduction to the concept of Apple computers. Bear with me if you know the difference between PC’s and Apple Macintosh, but it never ceases to amaze me the number of people ... ...The vast majority are Apple Macintosh computers running a different operating system innovatively titled Mac OS (the OS standing for Operating System, creative eh!). Despite the dominance of the Windows PC in the 1990’s, many computer users, particularly graphic designers and music makers remained fiercely loyal to the Apple brand of computers. Despite not having a massive range of software available and being perceived as being more expensive than ...
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Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful
Advantages: Beautiful design; Great operating system; Combo drive is useful; Excellent software Disadvantages: Lots of software to install after opening the box
...anyone, particularly current PC users: Apple has a lot to offer.
Setup
The computer came with a fully charged battery, which I thought was a nice touch: often rechargeable batteries need charging for up to 24 hours before you can use them. This meant that I was able to turn the iBook on immediately after getting it out of the box, and start setup.
Setup itself was straightforward: I was instructed to insert 3 software discs in sequence, which ... ...messaging program for AOL and Apple users
Calculator - much improved with paper tape option to print out calculations, and scientific functions.
Stickies - post-it notes for the desktop: you can now include images and formatted text.
Address Book
World Book -useful reference tool
The Mac OS X Operating System
This is UNIX-based, and has a different feel from older OSs, and many improvements.
1. The Desktop and Look
Favourite and active programs ...
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Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful
Advantages: small, good looking, OSX operating system, good battery life Disadvantages: quite slow, for some the fact that it is an apple
...my first real experience with apple computers - I'm a student who is not interested in computers, but likes to have all the functions a computer can perform. Previously I had owned a 'time' computer - so appallingly unreliable I decided to get rid of it after a year. In all honesty, the best advice I can give to anyone considering purchasing an ibook is "try it". I borrowed a friend's ibook for a day and simply fell in love with the computer. Easy ... ...machine is as follows:
Apple ibook,
Screen: 12"
hd: 60gb
memory: 384mb
OSX operating system ]
Wireless base station and card
COST: all for around £1200
Despite the fact that the machine is white, the computer is very durable, as the white is coated in a layer of clear plastic which hides scratches excellently, and can be polished out. The keyboard feels a little flimsy at first, but what you first take for a lack of built quality turns out ...
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Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful
Advantages: easy to use, powerful, pretty Disadvantages: battery time, cost, compatability issues
...it also comes with 2 apple stickers :)
the speed of my iBook is good, and i would say that it hasnt dated too badly. the current iBooks differ mainly in their titanium shell (drools...) and their memory (drools some more, lol). my iBook came with 20gig, however programs like photoshop, dreamweaver and fireworks tend to chew that up. however, i anticipate getting at least another 2 years out of my lappy before i think about replacing it.
mac osx ... ...are roughly the same, if you know one you can use em all, IMHO. the main thing i kept forgetting in the begining was where the window controls are (close, min, max - left conrner) and to actually shut down a program, not just a window. programs which come bundled with my ibook such as safari, itunes and iphoto i *particularly* like, due to their ease of use. i have office for mac which works fine too. programs like photoshop actually work *better* ...
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Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful
Advantages: sleek, doesnt crash like a pc, one program stops not the entire computer, its got itunes! great for photo,video editing Disadvantages: cant use some mp3 players with it, sound editing software hard to get
...I'v used Windows for years, then I used Mac for a week, its annoying, but I finished the week. That week was my work experiance.
Then 2 Years later, I get offered a job placement, with a design and printing company who asked me for my Photoshop skills.Thats what they got, but they used Photoshop On A Mac.I began slowly, and surely enough I conquered Mac. I am not in the best of both worlds.
That is why I got myself, and iBook!
As I know moonlight as a Dj, and this is great for it, it takes a beating, takes Dj lifestyle, and is still kicking pass it all.
Perfection! I can Dj and Still Edit Photographs at the same time.
Excellent!! Thanks Apple...
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Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful
Advantages: Sleek design, Light weight, and Easy to use Disadvantages: Slightly out of date now
...This laptop has so much to give! I purchased an Apple Mac after stupidly trying to run the Adobe creative suite, and Logic on a PC. And I have to say after trying to set up a new Vista PC last week, I will NEVER get another PC.
This Mac is a great starter point for the first time Apple buyer. It is light enough to carry around, and has a very sufficeint 6hour battery life. Having a built in cd/dvd copier is a great bonus, along with the small charger plug unlike many laptops. The screen is very clear, brilliant for design work, and the built in speakers are good enough to listen to music on or to watch a movie.
I would even recomend a Mac over a Pc, for more basic computing, such as admin tasks and internet use....
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Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful
Advantages: slim light and powerful Disadvantages: its just too nice to scratch !
...Apple have created a thing of beauty here. The updated apple ibook now sports the blazing G4 Processor which is a world away from the previous G3 version. The machine is so user friendly its actually frightening, plug and play virtually everything you can think of ! Honestly, dont even think of purchasing anything else. This machine is worth every penny spent, and also looks like a peice of art. But dont be decieved by looks, the book is very tough and with its interior encased with rubber, it just takes everyday life in its stride. There is no better time to buy, and REMEMBER the G4 ibook is now being shipped with Tiger (OSX 10.4). What a machine. I would Recommend this machine to any switchers or anyone looking for a mac upgrade....
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Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful
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