Customer Reviews
7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:
 5 Stars, but this iBook Wants More Ram, Apr 11, 2023
I have a friend of a friend who works at an Apple store and just recenlty he let me play with all the new stuff, some old stuff too and here is my impression of the new, improved 14 inch iBook. First off, and I feel like shouting this, but I won't, how come Apple is still putting out iBooks without enough ram to run them properly? After all these years of releasing underpowered machines, they finally came 'round right with the PowerBooks by bumping up the ram to 512 megs instead of the lousy 256 they're pushing the iBooks out the door with. So add another 75 bucks to the price. Which is still a pretty good deal, considering now that Apple has built in Airport Extreme. This machine comes with the combo drive and unless you need to record video it'll do you fine and you'll save a couple hundred bucks to boot over the model with the Superdrive.
This G4 is way speedier than the old iBook 700 I'm still using. That old G3 processor just does not measure up to the G4. However the screen seems brighter and crisper.
I'd just love to give this computer a five star rating, but shame on you Apple for not bumping up the ram. You have made a darn fine machine, otherwise, and the ram required to run System X right would have made it just about perfect.
Jack Priest, Sailor Home from the Sea
14 of 15 people found the following review helpful:
Don't make the mistake of the masses, switch to a Mac, Mar 26, 2023
After all of my life using Windows software, Windows-based OS, systems built for the flawed programs and having my computers overtaken with spyware, bugs, worms, viruses, adware etc... I did about a years worth of on-line research and took the plunge into buying a laptop that only 5% of the population acknowledges. I am thoroughly impressed and surprized at how happy this computer has made my computing needs enjoyable.
First off, as other readers have said 1.33 GHz vs. 2.whatever processer speeds don't really mean a whole lot. (compared it to friends 2.4GHz and my ibook was faster) So, don't let these well publicized numbers sway you
Second, NO VIRUSES! Let me say that again...NO VIRUSES! The platform apple uses for their OS is rock solid. Most Mac users use no anti-virus, spyware, adware etc. programs because there is not (to my knowledge) a way to infiltrate the system. NO VIRUS CONCERNS!!!
Third. The programs in the mac are so intuitive...The computer was built by Apple, the programs were built by Apple...so everything is where it should be. It is easy to find everything you want and nothing you don't. This part is hard to put into words. Basically, if you need a file you can find it, easy.
Fourth. Other computers may look initially enticing by their low prices...but buyer beware...don't compare apples to oranges. The only two purchases/upgrade I think are essential are to max out RAM (which should be done by yourself to save big $$$, which doesn't void your warrantee (apple actually gives you directions to do so and it's very easy)) and to buy Microsoft Office if you must comply with most who use Microsoft for easy cross communication between platforms.
I will NEVER buy another computer system which solely operates on Microsoft products, with viruses, files scattered throughout, crashing, etc...I wouldn't even consider it.
Do your research, talk to some apple owners, you won't miss you're PC for a minute once you have that beautiful mac in your possession.
So many other reasons to switch...once you own a Mac, you'll never go back.
12 of 64 people found the following review helpful:
 iBook review - for those looking to "switch"?, Mar 16, 2023
Let me qualify this review by making it clear that I am not a Mac user. My only experience with Mac's is a few mins spent each time I visit Apple store. I am writing this for those thinking of a switch from XP to Mac. I know it will be unpopular with Mac fans but hope it helps you XP users make the right decision.
iBook pro's,
1. It looks sleek, smooth and sexy. Nothing in PC world is this well designed.
2. No weekly patches coming from Redmond to apply.
3. No anti-virus or anti-spyware needed (?)
4. Longer battery life than PC laptops but not by much.
5. Can't really think of anything else other than the different and coolness factor.
Con's,
1. Screen, screen, screen. The 14" ibook just look awful with Mac OS X's anti-aliased fonts. XP's Cleartype seems really really clear in comparison. (Search for "Quartz Extreme" for more details on Apple's website)
2. Need to spend $160+ to put in 1GB RAM (in contrast XP runs similarly fast on just 512MB, about $30 expense for an extra 256MB stick).
3. All accessories are extremely high priced. How about $60 for a mouse?
4. No upgrades, everything except RAM slot is very hard to reach. 2 dozen mini-screws before you reach hard disk!
5. Need to buy new softwares, I have almost everything needed for XP already.
6. Non-scrolling & single button touchpad.
7. Paying atleast 30% premium compared to similar hardware with Wintel laptops.
8. Stuck with propreitary things Apple does, no innovation or competetion like in PC world.
9. Need to buy Apple's extended warranty because very few people can open or repair it. And laptops can't be fixed at home unlike desktops.
10. It is heavier than many Wintel laptop with low volt processors like Pentium M.
11. Lots of softwares and devices just don't work on Mac.
>>What good is a laptop that would give you strain with its tiny fancy fonts?
>>What good is wasting your hard earned money for nothing special?
>>What good is a fancy laptop if it can run only propreitary software from Apple and very little else?
In short, don't fall for that iPod "halo effect" that Wall Street analysts are talkin about. The iBook/Powerbook look very good but are no good for most XP users, unlike iPod. XP itself is very stable by now, just needs lots of patches/updates. Don't waste your time & money on this.
9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:
Awesome Apple I book!, Feb 27, 2023
I am a new convert to the apple world. I have been a pc user since my first computer. My last pc pushed me over the edge. It kept crashing, with the dreaded blue screen, and it would take ton's of effort to get it restored. It also cost me tons of money to get it restored.
I went to the apple store in Roseville, Mn to purchase my ibook. The staff there were totally awesome, and very friendly and helpful. I did upgrade the RAM on it though.
Once I got my i book unpacked, the set up was a breeze. It is very user friendly, and easy to figure out. I have been able to figure everything out, and it works on the first try. (I am not mechanically inclined in the least, so this is a big deal.) I also purchased AirPort Express, which allows me to be wireless for internet and printing. That is really great. With AirPort you can be up to 150 feet away from your base and still be wireless.
I am using the safari for the internet, and it works beautifuly. I was not sure how I would feel about using something different from internet explorer, but I have to say that it is just great. I also love how the desk top looks, and it is so easy to use.
If you are having any doubts about switching to apple, just go for it, you won't be sorry. Apple makes a superior product to the alternatve of pc's.
18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:
Apple iBook = Excellent Value, Feb 7, 2023
If you already have a desktop computer and are looking for a notebook for wireless Internet access, e-mail, word processing, and other portable applications, the iBook is ideal. The higher priced PowerBook is a great machine, but the iBook offers a much better value, even when compared with competing Microsoft Windows PCs. Even "PC Magazine" ranked the iBook as #1 in its price range.
I own a dual-processor 1.25mHz G4 desktop and was expecting the iBook to feel sluggish by comparison. But it is surprisingly fast. Just be sure to have at least 512mb of RAM. 256mb is the bare minimum, in my experience. A second RAM chip is easy to add on your own.
As with Apple's other products, the iBook's build quality is top notch. There's very fine attention to detail. The battery life of five hours is impressive. The LCD screen is bright and crisp. It's a solid machine all around.
Then, there's OS X, the UNIX-based operating system. That alone is worth the price of admission. It is such an elegant, powerful, intuitive and robust OS. If you're currently using Microsoft Windows and have had problems with security and other issues ... boy, are you in for a pleasant computing experience!
The bundled software is a good start for home users. AppleWorks has word processing, spreadsheet, database and drawing modules. This program will open and save Microsoft Word documents, too. Then, there's iLife, a suite of great easy-to-use multimedia programs for editing video, making DVDs, creating music, and managing your digital photo library. (If your iBook comes with iLife '04 installed, you can send in a coupon to Apple to upgrade to the new iLife '05 package.)
The iBook has wireless capability (Airport Extreme) as a standard feature. I've been able to access the Internet with my iBook at coffee shops and the local mall. If you buy an Airport Extreme transceiver, too, you can have a wireless network within your home.
The iBook ... right out of the carton, everything works just as you'd like!
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Based on 10 reviews.