Welcome to the MacNN Forums.

mattscabana · Jul 27, 2003, 07:33 PM

After a long time with an older iMac I have not only considered getting a new mac, but have ruled out the desktop and gone for a laptop. I don't do anything terribly intensive most I would do is use Dreamweaver for web page design. Otherwise it's just the typical school work for a high schooler. Currently I'm planning on getting the iBook 14'' with the custom built option, aka the last button on the ibook page. I can get it for 1650 through the education discount.
This brings me to my question is there anything I should really worry about with it. I know with the powerbooks it's warping and key marks on the screen. Anything like that for iBook and how durable is it going to be?

The Placid Casual · Jul 28, 2003, 07:03 AM

Powerbooks these days don't warp, and the Alubook redesign has eradicated the 'keymarks on screen' problem...

I would personally look in that direction, and go with a G4 based machine... Powerbooks are available for really ridiculous prices with an Edu discount these days. You also get many more built in features like Airport Extreme and Bluetooth...

Then again, the iBook does have some compelling features, and runs cooler, but resale and feature wise, I find it hard to look beyond a Powerbook...

Peace,

Marc

arnette · Jul 28, 2003, 09:07 AM

my ibook 900 doesn't mark the screen, runs WAY cooler than a Powerbook would.

The only fit/finish thing I could think about getting annoyed with is that the latch portion of the lid closes closer to the computer base than the two outer corners. But it's within design tolerances, I'm sure, and really isn't a problem. That's just a nit-pick for the sake of nit-picking.

If you need a computer for HS and surfing the net, email, chatting, etc. then I would recommend the ibook. That way you'll be primed and in the market for the 2nd. generation G5 Powerbooks when they're ready. <drool>

mattscabana · Jul 28, 2003, 06:52 PM

Forgot to mention, I'm paying for it with my own money that i've been saving up for the last couple months, that's why I'm not going for the extra couple of hundred bucks for the powerbooks. I really don't like the 12'' one it's much too small for me.

The Placid Casual · Jul 29, 2003, 05:03 AM

Originally posted by mattscabana:
Forgot to mention, I'm paying for it with my own money that i've been saving up for the last couple months, that's why I'm not going for the extra couple of hundred bucks for the powerbooks. I really don't like the 12'' one it's much too small for me.

Cool, the iBook is a great machine... I really hope you enjoy it! A machine you have funded out of your own efforts is always that bit sweeter too!

Peace,

Marc

radarbob · Jul 29, 2003, 07:58 AM

It is hard to quantify the value of portability. I take my iBook to work every day (my bosses hate that!), various rooms in the house, to the bookstores, library, on trips. As spiffy as the new G5 PowerMac is a laptops's portability more than makes up for any raw computing performance shortcomings.

mattscabana · Jul 29, 2003, 10:00 AM

Yeha radar, I'm hoping that I can value it as much as possible. And the portability is the only thing stopping me from getting a new imac or g5.

peen · Jul 29, 2003, 01:20 PM

Originally posted by mattscabana:
Is there anything I should really worry about with it and how durable is it going to be?

Well having purchased the 14"r myself I can say there is nothing to worry about with regards to the build quality of the machine.

I would also say that it is probably going to be more durable than a PowerBook since it is made out of 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.

I ripped those last two paragraphs from the Apple site since it explains it better than I could.

I went with the 14" since it is much more ergonomic, as I don't have to stretch my neck as much, and is much easier to read.

The only thing that I am a little gutted about is the slow burning speed problems that have plagued the iBook's CDRW, however I have yet to buy me a spindle of Verbatim's.

You can see my original post when I received my iBook at:

http://forums.macnn.com/showthread.p...hreadid=169085

Cheers.