[Luke15_7]

Hi Mac experts!

I'm a new "switcher" in the making. I've had it will Billy & Co., but I also have years of experience with Linux, and just recently started using FreeBSD for my desktop at work. I'm looking for a Mac, and I bow to everyone's Mac experience and knowledge.

I've actually decided to get the new iMac G5 for my family's Mac, but I'd like to get an older Mac laptop for a few hundred dollars that can suite my needs and wants:

• Need: Firewire (for my iPod)
• Want: USB (2.0 preferably, for my flash drive, compatible with Mac)
• Need: wireless ability, either b or g
• Need: Will be used for podcasting - audio in, or external mixer or ...?
• Want: Ability to run Tiger, I like the eye candy of Dashboard and the usefulness of Spotlight, especially for a switcher like me not used to Mac.
• Need: Must be able to run OS X and not be a complete slug, I'm not interested in OS9 at all

I understand that GarageBand requires a minimum of 1024x768 resolution, and the earlier iBook G3's (tangerine? I'm confused by the names) is only capable of 800x600, so it won't run GarageBand. Any other inexpensive software (besides Audacity) that are good for recording podcasts, or am I better off with a newer laptop and running GarageBand?

I'd really like to stick to under $500, as I just got a bonus check from work. I don't know which older laptops have battery/power supply problems. I do realize that for "only" $999 I could get a new G4, but for just a bit over that I can get the new iMac G5 that I really want. My hope is just to be able to get an affordable laptop to learn the ropes on, get me wireless, and create podcasts wherever. As a complete newb, please let me know if I'm being completely unrealistic, or if things, like CraigsList, might be good places to look for value, but I'm not really sure what to look for, and what to be wary off.

Thanks for your help, let the opinions begin! Please take this Mac Newb that has come to the Light.

[goMac]

Originally Posted by Luke15_7

Hi Mac experts!

I'm a new "switcher" in the making. I've had it will Billy & Co., but I also have years of experience with Linux, and just recently started using FreeBSD for my desktop at work. I'm looking for a Mac, and I bow to everyone's Mac experience and knowledge.

I've actually decided to get the new iMac G5 for my family's Mac, but I'd like to get an older Mac laptop for a few hundred dollars that can suite my needs and wants:

• Need: Firewire (for my iPod)
• Want: USB (2.0 preferably, for my flash drive, compatible with Mac)
• Need: wireless ability, either b or g
• Need: Will be used for podcasting - audio in, or external mixer or ...?
• Want: Ability to run Tiger, I like the eye candy of Dashboard and the usefulness of Spotlight, especially for a switcher like me not used to Mac.
• Need: Must be able to run OS X and not be a complete slug, I'm not interested in OS9 at all

I understand that GarageBand requires a minimum of 1024x768 resolution, and the earlier iBook G3's (tangerine? I'm confused by the names) is only capable of 800x600, so it won't run GarageBand. Any other inexpensive software (besides Audacity) that are good for recording podcasts, or am I better off with a newer laptop and running GarageBand?

I'd really like to stick to under $500, as I just got a bonus check from work. I don't know which older laptops have battery/power supply problems. I do realize that for "only" $999 I could get a new G4, but for just a bit over that I can get the new iMac G5 that I really want. My hope is just to be able to get an affordable laptop to learn the ropes on, get me wireless, and create podcasts wherever. As a complete newb, please let me know if I'm being completely unrealistic, or if things, like CraigsList, might be good places to look for value, but I'm not really sure what to look for, and what to be wary off.

Thanks for your help, let the opinions begin! Please take this Mac Newb that has come to the Light.

iBook G3's won't have USB 2.0, and no iBook has audio in.

You might look at a Powerbook, as it sounds like that will suit your needs better. A Powerbook G3 or Powerbook G4 sounds like it would be a good machine for you. The last Powerbook G3's came with Firewire, and all the Powerbook G4's did.

Don't touch a iBook that came in a color with a 20 foot pole. Those certainly won't run Tiger.

[mduell]

I think the first revision of the iBook G4 would be good for you... the 800Mhz models go for $300-500 on eBay, and it meets all your requirements. The only annoyance is that the graphics chipset doesn't support Core Image, but you're not going to find a portable that does for under $500.