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hofman · May 13, 2003, 06:28 AM

I am very confused about the question if the white iBooks in the new 900 MHz edition has the "cheap" looking white plastic around the keyboard or if it actually has the orginal "metallic" looking plastic around it.

I have seend people saying both things - but have anyone got evidence yet?

Please be aware that the images om the Apple-website doesn't answer this question as the depicted models could be a cheaper or older model than the 900 MHz iBook.

Also be aware that a iBook in an Apple Store could be a 800 Mhz edition which could be featuring the cheap plastic while the 900 Mhz could feature the more metallic looking sort.

I am looking forward to eye-witness'es information about this subject.

pat++ · May 13, 2003, 07:37 AM

It's been discussed here in a long thread. New iBooks are all-white. What else to say?

hofman · May 13, 2003, 07:52 AM

Originally posted by pat++:
It's been discussed here in a long thread. New iBooks are all-white. What else to say?

How did people find out that it was all-white? Official information from Apple? Eye-witness? (I mean: One thing is discussion, another is facts

)

NYCFarmboy · May 13, 2003, 08:09 AM

New ibooks are all white.

If you like white, you will like the new ibooks.

If you liked the old silvery ibooks, get a 12" powerbook instead.

The new ibooks use a much cheaper grade of plastic, that is similar in appearance to what is used in opaque milk jugs. (seriously).

Cipher13 · May 13, 2003, 09:16 AM

The fact that Apple made them all the opaque plastic has finalised my decision not to buy an iBook.

Shame for Apple, I won't be getting a PB either.

Stupid decision.

hofman · May 13, 2003, 09:48 AM

Originally posted by Cipher13:
The fact that Apple made them all the opaque plastic has finalised my decision not to buy an iBook.

Shame for Apple, I won't be getting a PB either.

Almost the same thing here. The PB 12" looks very cheap with the keys imitating aluminium I think. This is the main reason that I am getting an iBook.

So I guess I have to live with the cheap plastic look. Although I still don't have tough evidence of the fact that the new iBooks are in this type of plastic.

pat++ · May 13, 2003, 09:57 AM

Originally posted by hofman:
Almost the same thing here. The PB 12" looks very cheap with the keys imitating aluminium I think. This is the main reason that I am getting an iBook.

OK. Then your mission, if you accept it, is to post pictures of your iBook so what we can have real pictures of the all-white finish, right?

hofman · May 13, 2003, 10:19 AM

Originally posted by pat++:
OK. Then your mission, if you accept it, is to post pictures of your iBook so what we can have real pictures of the all-white finish, right?

Correct, but I need the pictures before I buy the iBook

xtro · 10:30 AM

There are good pics in this thread at Ars.

natan · May 13, 2003, 12:31 PM

Or just buy a previous gen. 800, they're still pretty snappy

jokell82 · May 13, 2003, 03:21 PM

I saw one at the Apple Store in Tysons about a week ago, and people are really going way overboard on the new look. The exterior is almost exactly the same. The plastic is now white instead of clear with white underneath, but it's not the cheap plastic used on the previous "el-cheapo" models. The area around the keyboard *IS* different, but it isn't exactly cheap.

I think I like the 900 a little better than my 700 Combo...

hofman · May 13, 2003, 04:12 PM

Originally posted by jokell82:
The plastic is now white instead of clear with white underneath, but it's not the cheap plastic used on the previous "el-cheapo" models. The area around the keyboard *IS* different, but it isn't exactly cheap.

Now THAT is interesting information. I didn't realize that the iBooks in this way actually has existed in 3 forms: Metallic (1), Cheap all-white-plastic (2) and not-so-cheap-all-white-plastic (3).

I havn't seen the 900 MHz model yet and I am looking so much forward to it. I live in Denmark, they are not here yet...

jokell82 · May 13, 2003, 07:00 PM

The previous low ends, the ones I called "el-cheapo," I was able to see at a CompUSA when they came out. The exterior was very coarse...not smooth like the current exterior. It had a cheap feel to it. However, the current 900s do not. Not at all...

zepkin · May 13, 2003, 07:52 PM

I have read a lot of complaints about the new iBook's finish. I think a lot of people have not seen one in person and are assuming the finish is the same as the old low end model. Well, it ain't. The exterior is difficult to distinguish from the 800 model. It is opaque instead of clear, but it is still shiny. I think the new exterior should show fewer scratches, which is nice.

The interior is not cheap, but it is a different color. It is more of an off white color rather than silver.

For people freaking out, loosen up. Some might prefer the newer look, some might prefer the older. If you are looking to buy and iBook, you should not pass up the new models because of their look. They are still gorgeous little computers. With a memory upgrade, they are quite capable as well. Much more powerful than I initially anticipated.

Simon · May 14, 2003, 04:20 AM

Originally posted by Cipher13:
The fact that Apple made them all the opaque plastic has finalised my decision not to buy an iBook.

Shame for Apple, I won't be getting a PB either.

Stupid decision.

Who's decision is stupid? Your's or Apple's?

I mean, I hate that white finish too, but if you won't buy a portable Mac because of color, I think you didn't really need one in the first place, did ya?

I hate the white finish as much as you do, but I will buy a rev b 12" PowerBook once they're here. As you see, I'm not in a hurry, because it's just an additonal luxury Mac, not a work necessity.

Cipher13 · May 14, 2003, 04:24 AM

Originally posted by Simon:
Who's decision is stupid? Your's or Apple's?

I mean, I hate that white finish too, but if you won't buy a portable Mac because of color, I think you didn't really need one in the first place, did ya?

I hate the white finish as much as you do, but I will buy a rev b 12" PowerBook once they're here. As you see, I'm not in a hurry, because it's just an additonal luxury Mac, not a work necessity.

I don't care about the colour in the least.

I've used the opaque's side by side with the metals, quite literally, and believe me, the difference in quality is astounding.

I also can't justify the extra cash for the PB.

The new info on the 900 being different than the el cheap is very good news though.

Simon · May 14, 2003, 04:28 AM

Originally posted by Cipher13:
I've used the opaque's side by side with the metals, quite literally, and believe me, the difference in quality is astounding.

I agree 100%. That's the same impression I got when I played around with the old el-cheapo 700MHz. But now we are seeing reports about the new non-metallic all-white being much better, I hope so.

I also can't justify the extra cash for the PB.

Currently, I couldn't either. But I just have to spend the cash, not justify it.

Kidding. I'm really holding out for a rev b and praying it will be introduced in fall.

Parrot · May 14, 2003, 05:26 AM

I've just upgraded from an iBook/12"/30G/800 to a iBook/12"/60G/600. I too had doubts about the new enclosure. But I actually prefer the new case. The iBook looks much "whiter" than my old iBook 800.

The plastic shell is solid white rather than clear and painted white on the inside. It's still just as shiny, but probably a bit more durable. The plastic around the keyboard and trackpad is a white rather than an off-white/grey and has a rougher texture compared to that on the old iBook 800. Other differences- the hinge is now covered in white plastic rather than bare metal, the power on button is now bright white as is the adapter plug.
I think the new iBook looks better and definitely doesn't look cheap.

Parrot · May 14, 2003, 05:27 AM

Excure the typo....

..I upgraded to a iBook/12"/60G/900MHz