I have been an avid Macintosh user for well over 15 years now. I enjoy the simplicity of the software and the clearness of the picture, especially when I was doing web design.
For the past 5 years I have been using a Mac Powerbook 1400c, and it has been a great computer to have, yet it is extremely heavy to carry around, weighing nearly 10 lbs. Now you might think well heck, that isn’t very heavy, but for a lap top it is, especially when you have joint problems, and shoulder problems.
When the brand new iBooks came out in May, I saw the commercial, and thought to myself, wow, as soon as you get a new job, you need to get one of those, it is small, and portable (everything I needed is included). As many people know the original iBook, came in colors, such as orange, blue, green, etc. etc. This ibook came in a very professional looking white that makes it stand out from all other computers, but looks are far from the only great part of this computer. The moment you take your computer out of the box, and plug it into the wall you are ready to go! The new iBook, is powerful, as well as practical.
The iBook comes with a 500 mghz G3 processor, which makes it as fast as a 800+ mghz Pentium III! The basic model comes with 64 Megs of RAM, which is expandable to an extra 512 Megs of RAM . Included peripheral slots are; 10 gig hard drive(expandable to 20gig), 2 USB ports, 1 firewire port, 10 base T ethernet, and a 56k modem. It also includes a slot inside for the airport card. One of the nice features that is on this ibook, compared to earlier models, is the stereo sound, where the other iBook only had 1 speaker, this model includes 2. Also as in all iBooks/Powerbooks, it comes with a track pad instead of a trackball for the mouse. Those are the basics of the base model iBook. Now you have a choice is included for your CD-ROM drive. You can get your standard base model (which is what I got), that comes with a normal24x CD-ROM ($1299). There is the DVD-Rom model ($1499), as well as the CD-RW model ($1599), and the Combo (DVD/CD-RW) model ($1799). Each of these models are all wonderful, and are there for what you would like out of your computer!
Why I got the basic model of this computer
When I went to the local macintosh dealer to look at the models, I wasn’t originally planning on purchasing the computer. I figured I could walk away, boy was I wrong! I fell in love with it right away and simply had to have it. I had just received my first real job, and figured I could well afford this item now, as well as it being practical for my job. I asked about the combo drive and the CD-RW drive models, both of which had to be ordered. When I talked to the salesman, he was telling me to really think about not getting the combo drive, if I already owned a DVD player. I really thought he was right after thinking about if I really wanted to watch a movie on my computer or my tv set! I knew I would never use the dvd part of the computer unless I was on a trip, and more than likely still wouldn’t use it. Also with the use of firewire, and usb, I could get an external at any time, if I choose to! So that left me thinking about getting the CD-RW version of this model.
I decided to speak to a different salesman, who turned out to be the manager of the store. He told me since he didn’t work on commission he was being as straight forward with me, and help me cut cost effectively. We talked an discussed the CD-RW, which had to be ordered and would take 3 weeks to get, but at the same time, had to be paid in full when purchased. He explained to me that the CD-RW was going to be in more limited supplies since Apple mistook the outcome of need for the combo drive, as was shipping it as a normal supply to stores. We talked about the difference in getting the iBook included with a CD-RW($1599), and the Regular base model($1299), with an external firewire CD-RW($249 with a $40 rebate coupon). When discussing this option he made a valid point that if I was going to want to copy a CD to burn, that instead of putting it onto my hard drive and burning it onto the local CD-RW drive, I could just automatically burn to the CD-RW drive, because this would give me the power of having 2 CD drives, one that reads, and one that writes, much like a tape recorder. He explained it as if you were making a copy of a tape, and putting it into a dual tape player. This made the most of sense, and helped me to make my decision immediately! With the base model, and the external CD-RW drive, I would be basically saving myself 100 dollars, and I would be able to take my new iBook (my child now) home!
I happen to be very lucky when purchasing the iBook. The place where I purchased it was running a special that with the purchase of the iBook, and Apple protection program or Airport (which the 3 year apple protection program makes sense so you are guaranteed for it to be fixed no matter what), and you get extra 64 Megs of RAM (which runs about $70), and an Airport card(normally a $99 value). I took the deal, and I am happy to say my computer cost less than any other computer I have ever purchased for myself!
I have had very few problems with my new computer, all software issues, which is a OS problem, not a iBook problem! The computer comes with a great software package, which has iMovie, iTunes, and Apple Works, as well as all your internet needs included(Explorer, Netscape, Outlook, AOL, as well as a dialer to get connected)! You can go with the internet software and get connected to the internet with Earthlink if you choose or you can go with your own provider!
You can’t help but fall in love with this computer! I never want to turn it off! Thank you Apple for finally coming out with a product that is not only great, but affordable!!