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Eckslusive · Apr 27, 2003, 01:03 AM

I'm a bit confused about iBook. I've just wanted to purchase one just to surf the web, do simple word processing, basic photoshop and indesign..and I dont have a lot of money right now, So i'm thinking of buying used. But when I look at the iBooks, whats the diff between iBook (Firewire) and iBook (Dual USB)

Does that mean that the Dual USB one has no firewire?!

Luca Rescigno · Apr 27, 2003, 01:16 AM

Nope.

Originally, the iBook had a single USB port and that was it. A year or so later (when they were still the old, colored clamshell type) they added Firewire and the new revision was called the iBook (Firewire). And finally, several months after that, the case was redesigned to be the small white one that is around today, and a second USB port was added so users could connect a mouse and another USB peripheral. So that was the iBook (Dual USB). The Dual USB version does have Firewire.

If you want to buy used, I'd suggest getting up to speed on the iBook models that are available. I can give you a quick run-down here:

- First of all, avoid any models under 500 MHz. Those are the clamshell ones, which are nice, but they're somewhat overpriced and underpowered, and the screen provides a very low resolution. Unless you find one for $500 or less, perhaps $650 at the most for a 466 MHz one, skip these ones.

- 500 MHz iBooks are on a slow bus speed, which decreases performance. Also, they tend to have very small hard drives, just 10-20 GB. You can't change the hard drive so the only option is to add an external hard drive. However, 500 MHz iBooks are fairly cheap, and they are the first to use the small white case instead of the big, curvy, colorful one. Depending on the configuration, they're worth $600-$800.

- iBooks that are 700 MHz or faster (or 600 MHz ones with CD-ROM drives instead of the combo drive) have a more modern, powerful graphics accelerator. If you can afford it, I'd definitely spring for one of these. They're worth between $750 and $1000.

You say you want to do basic stuff. Do you want to watch DVDs or burn CDs? If so, get a Combo drive model, which will cost about $750 for a 500 MHz, $850 for a 600 MHz, $1000 for a 700 MHz, or $1100 for an 800 MHz. If not, you can get a plain CD-ROM version, which will save you about $100-$200 off the prices I listed. Also, Apple made a few DVD-ROM iBooks, but only 500 and 600 MHz. Those are (as expected) between the price of the Combo and the CD-ROM versions.

Anyway, good luck!

Eckslusive · Apr 27, 2003, 09:43 AM

Wow thanks...I also need a HD for my iBook. I have a used one from my PC, which has the format of FAT32. Can I still use it in my iBook?

Luca Rescigno · Apr 27, 2003, 04:24 PM

You'll need to be more specific about the hard drive. What do you mean you'll "need one?" iBooks have hard drives built in, and you can't replace the internal one without a lot of effort and the danger of ruining the computer.

Where is the hard drive from? Your PC... is your PC a laptop or a desktop? You should plan on using the hard drive externally but you'll need to buy a Firewire case to put the drive into. Anyway, if it's a desktop drive (3.5" wide) then you can get a non-portable case for it, but if it's a 2.5" wide drive from a laptop, then you can get a portable case that gets power from the Firewire port. 3.5" cases require power from a wall jack.

Finally, you cannot use a FAT32 disk on a Mac - you'll have to reformat the drive to HFS+ (the filesystem used by Macs) which will erase everything on it. Then you can use it with the iBook.

The Placid Casual · Apr 27, 2003, 04:36 PM

Great advice Luca Rescigno...

Although I have to say that I have a iBook 466SE (Clamshell) that I still use daily... and if you can get one cheap enough, would be a great buy...

I have maxed the RAM, taken off OS 9 and run 10.2 only, and increased the HD space... It is still a decent enough machine!

I only use it for email, web browsing, and accouting, waching DVDs etc, but it runs Word very well, and I even boot up Indesign and graphics things on it from time to time with no real complaints...

If you can get one cheap enough, I would snap it up... I paid �300 for it with a 2 year warranty in the UK last year and for basic stuff it is great...

It is also very, very solid indeed...

Depending on price, it is still well worth a look...

Peace,

Marc

SupahCoolX · Apr 27, 2003, 04:37 PM

Go here for specs, pictures, and info on all the iBook models made over time.

Eckslusive · Apr 27, 2003, 06:16 PM

Originally posted by Luca Rescigno:
You'll need to be more specific about the hard drive. What do you mean you'll "need one?" iBooks have hard drives built in, and you can't replace the internal one without a lot of effort and the danger of ruining the computer.

Where is the hard drive from? Your PC... is your PC a laptop or a desktop? You should plan on using the hard drive externally but you'll need to buy a Firewire case to put the drive into. Anyway, if it's a desktop drive (3.5" wide) then you can get a non-portable case for it, but if it's a 2.5" wide drive from a laptop, then you can get a portable case that gets power from the Firewire port. 3.5" cases require power from a wall jack.

Finally, you cannot use a FAT32 disk on a Mac - you'll have to reformat the drive to HFS+ (the filesystem used by Macs) which will erase everything on it. Then you can use it with the iBook.

Yes the HD in my iBook got damaged so I took it to a Mac Store and got it removed. And they asked me if I wanted to buy another one from them and I said no, cuase I have a Laptop PC at homew hich I dont use. And I'm planning to use that one.
The thing I'm wondering is that, the drive was FAT32 in the PC but I've already formatted it so it already erased everything. So i'm wondering, when i install the HD in the mac, will it see a HD or will it be like NO CAN DO, NO DRIVE.
and if it does recognize it, will it automatically format it for me?

The Placid Casual · Apr 27, 2003, 06:35 PM

Originally posted by Eckslusive:
Yes the HD in my iBook got damaged so I took it to a Mac Store and got it removed. And they asked me if I wanted to buy another one from them and I said no, cuase I have a Laptop PC at homew hich I dont use. And I'm planning to use that one.
The thing I'm wondering is that, the drive was FAT32 in the PC but I've already formatted it so it already erased everything. So i'm wondering, when i install the HD in the mac, will it see a HD or will it be like NO CAN DO, NO DRIVE.
and if it does recognize it, will it automatically format it for me?

The drive should be detected by the machine, but you won't be able to do anything with it... It won't reformat it automatically.

You will have to start the iBook off the 'OS install CD' and use 'Disk Utility' to reformat to HFS+ before you can install anything on it...

Eckslusive · Apr 27, 2003, 06:46 PM

Originally posted by Marc2211:
The drive should be detected by the machine, but you won't be able to do anything with it... It won't reformat it automatically.

You will have to start the iBook off the 'OS install CD' and use 'Disk Utility' to reformat to HFS+ before you can install anything on it...

So...I should install the HD, place the CD in, reformat, and then install the OS?

wataru · Apr 27, 2003, 07:39 PM

Originally posted by Eckslusive:
So...I should install the HD, place the CD in, reformat, and then install the OS?

Reformatting is an optional step in installing OS X. It's easy. Trust us.

Eckslusive · Apr 27, 2003, 08:58 PM

Originally posted by wataru:
Reformatting is an optional step in installing OS X. It's easy. Trust us.

not if its FAT32

velocipede · Apr 27, 2003, 09:45 PM

Originally posted by Eckslusive:
not if its FAT32

Actually, the Mac should recognize the drive without a problem. I've taken a hard drive that had been used on a Windows 98 machine, placed it in a firewire case and used it without formatting, no problem. I was able to back up files, read and write to the HD, all without issue. While I haven't formatted a FAT32 drive as HFS and installed OS X on it myself, I don't see why it should be difficult, since the OS should be able to see the drive. Just my 2 cents worth...

wataru · Apr 28, 2003, 01:37 AM

Originally posted by Eckslusive:
not if its FAT32

Yes if it's FAT32. I haven't tried it myself, but the OS will see it, if not as a FAT32 drive then as an "unreadable" drive, and will let you reformat it.

Eckslusive · Apr 28, 2003, 08:42 AM

but hey, theres no OS remember?

The Placid Casual · Apr 28, 2003, 09:05 AM

Originally posted by Eckslusive:
but hey, theres no OS remember?

You will be running off the CD remember...

If you aren't confident about the procedure, I would just get an Applecentre to do it and save yourself the stress...

Peace,

Marc

vickster · Apr 28, 2003, 10:10 AM

Dude, it's really easy, trust us. Just boot from the install CD and format...

vickster

Eckslusive · Apr 29, 2003, 12:21 AM

Originally posted by vickster:
Dude, it's really easy, trust us. Just boot from the install CD and format...

vickster

oh hey, can i use the install discs that i got from my PowerMac G4

Luca Rescigno · Apr 29, 2003, 12:30 AM

Possibly. It depends on two things:

1. The install CD from the PowerMac must be for an OS version that was released after the iBook came out. My iBook, for example, came with 10.2.1. I can't even use retail 10.2.0 CDs on my iBook because the earliest system for it is 10.2.1. If you can post exactly which model iBook you have, and what version of the system software your PowerMac CDs have, someone can tell you if they're compatible or not.

2. The CD from the PowerMac may not even work, just because some CDs can't install the OS onto a computer that isn't of the same type as the CD came with.

Eckslusive · Apr 29, 2003, 12:32 AM

Originally posted by Luca Rescigno:
Possibly. It depends on two things:

1. The install CD from the PowerMac must be for an OS version that was released after the iBook came out. My iBook, for example, came with 10.2.1. I can't even use retail 10.2.0 CDs on my iBook because the earliest system for it is 10.2.1. If you can post exactly which model iBook you have, and what version of the system software your PowerMac CDs have, someone can tell you if they're compatible or not.

2. The CD from the PowerMac may not even work, just because some CDs can't install the OS onto a computer that isn't of the same type as the CD came with.

The discs that came with my iBook was OS 9.2.2 and X 10.0.1...

BkueKanoodle · May 5, 2003, 11:23 PM

Fat32 will work with the mac, NTFS will not. I regulary have a 2.5 drive in a firewire drive that I share between my PB and Windows laptop.