Hello. I have never used an Apple, but I am ready to give them a try!

In saying this, I have the opportunity to buy either a Tangerine 300MHZ ibook for $300, or a white G3 600MHZ Ibook for $500...both brand new...

I will use to type and surf the net mainly...

What are the pros and cons of each, and which is the better buy...

Thanks.

[euphras]

Get the white one, higher screen res., faster processor, smaller footprint...

[wataru]

The toilet-seat ones are barely even usable with their 800x600 maximum resolution. Definitely go with the white model.

[Big Mac]

None of the above. The tangerine is very old, and the G3 iceBooks (500-900MHz) were defective as a whole and caused people endless problems. But in response to your post, wataru, while the first and second revision clamshell iBooks are of very limited use, the Firewire clamshells are still great Macs! My 466, while showing its age, still allows me to perform the tasks I require of it. It will likely remain my only laptop until I'm desperate for a new one or until I can justify the luxury purchase of its replacement.

[d4nth3m4n]

it was more the 700-900mhz icebooks that were suspect. my 700 14" is long dead now, but my 500 is still up and kicking.

[RadarBob2]

I guess you want to minimize your $$ outlay because you want to give Macintosh a try - sounds rather non-committal


I say jump in with both feet. The more you CAN do with a computer the more you WILL do with a computer. So buy as late a model as is practical for your pocketbook.

I was using my 300MHz iBook for six years and only recently replaced it with a used 900MHz ibook. so I say from experience that an original iBook is still usable, but it is limited and saving a couple hundred bucks is not worth the limitations. As you learn what you can do with your iBook you'll want more capability and you'll end up buying a newer one.

There are 3 major iBook milestones: the original, the "icebook", and the G4 iBook (still an *icebook* technically, I guess). And soon(?) the fourth - the intel iBook. Anyway, the 500 - 900 MHz models are, as a practical matter, all the same except for processor speed. I prefer not to get into nit discussions about when a superdrive was available or the video card, the base size hard drive, etc.

IMHO I did not want to spend the "premium" for a new iBook - and I find my 900 MHz model perfectly adequate. And I'd say my wife's 700 MHz iBooks is equally adequate. Something in this range with the specs I suggest below should get you through the next 3 years (that's my plan anyway) for a moderate investment.

Here's what you want if you can swing it: 40GB drive, 640MB memory (or more!) and OS 10.3 (a.k.a. "Panther"). When you discover iTunes and iPhoto you'll be glad you did. If not, 20 GB drive MINIMUM and you can always upgrade memory easily; but plan on about 100 bucks for a 512 MB memory stick. OS 10.2 is fine, but 10.3 actually runs a bit faster, and "expose" feature is way cool. Whatever you buy, Max out the memory ASAP. That's the best performance bang for the buck you can buy for any computer.

I bought my iBook at www.techrestore.com A six month bumper to bumper warranty and a no hassle return policy if you find it's not what you want.

[volcano]

I say neither. If I were you, I'd purchase the 1.2GHz G4 iBook the Apple Refurbished store has for $719. It may be a $200 increase, but you'll get far superior wireless connectivity (Aiport Extreme Card vs. the original Airport Card, which the 500MHz iBook probably won't have pre-installed), USB 2.0 instead of USB 1.1, a decent video card (Radeon 9200), and included copies of OS X 10.4 (Tiger) and iLife. Plus, you also get a 1 year warranty directly from Apple - not a third party warranty - and you can extend that coverage for up to three years.

Just go to http://store.apple.com , scroll to the bottom left-hand side of the screen, and click on 'Apple Refurbished' under the 'Special Deals' title.

[iREZ]

what are you thinking?

$500 on a g3!?

scour ebay or go to apples refurb site, the minimum you should go for is the 800mhz G4 ibook which should be selling for $650 MAX.