My first and favorite lap top!
Written: Dec 02 '02 (Updated Dec 08 '02)
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Pros: Ultra: portable, light, friendly, space-efficient, novice/intermediate laptop, crisp and colorful image, ROCKS!!!
Cons: Maybe a little expensive but well worth it.
The Bottom Line: For basic needs (word processing, burning CDs, watching DVDs, spreadsheets, Internet, games, photo shop, making movies), I got it all in my lap! Just me and my G3!
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| garethusa's Full Review: Apple iBook (M8485LL/A) Mac Notebook |
I remember the day I got my iBook. The box was so cute that I didn't even want to open it. Once I did, I found a stylish laptop waiting to be explored and put to use.
However, I was afraid to touch it. I just wanted to admire its beauty, its style, and imagine the things I could do with it.
I ordered my iBook via www.apple.com prior to the end of 2001. This was before the 14" screen came out and before the 700 mhz G3 processor was out too. I built my iBook to have a combo drive (DVD/CD-RW), 384 MB (256 MB was standard), and 30G hard drive space (20G was standard; the 30G option gives you 27.85 G for your personal use after the other space is given to internal programs.)
Cool things about this laptop:
Weighs 4 lbs. and doesn't need any additional hardward that you snap on or off...
Has sleep mode so once you open the laptop, it automatically is ready for you to use - no time wasted for the computer to reboot
Very sleek and stylish that you turn heads at the Barnes and Noble coffee shop when writing up a storm!
Absolutely portable everywhere; fits in your backpack, suitcase, underneath your car seat, and you can even store it on your bookshelf.
Easy controls on a keyboard for volume and bright control
Everything you need is in the box, except a detailed owner's manual. I don't know if this is necessarily a good thing, but I guess you get to know your iBook better through trial and error, experimentation, and just snooping around the computer.
I used the iTunes program first as one of the reasons I got the lap top was to burn cds and take my library of music everywhere I go. The sound system is actually beyond decent for a laptop, filling up my room and audible throughout my apartment. Hook it up to some iStix or Sony speakers and you have a great jukebox!
The burn program is super easy that you can begin making cds once you load up all your music you want.
Even though the world uses MicroSoft for word processing, database, spreadsheet and power point presentations, Apple has the same programs Apple-style with AppleWorks. AppleWorks lets you translate MicroSoft files such as Word and Excel to use on the Apple computers as well as save your created AppleWorks files as MicroSoft Word or Excel. Of course, you lose some meaning in the translations (as in any language), but you can work on the same file back and forth. (I did take the MicroSoft demo for Apple and it was very colorful and busy..so much more than the MS package you use in the office. It was more of a turn off but it really looked sharp!)
I was concerned that the 12 inch screen would be small and difficult to work off of; but quite contrary. I think it is the perfect size, great for everything I do on the iBook - even watching movies. The colors are vibrant and all the fonts and icons are alive. I can't believe this is a lap top! If everything could look this awesome.
The computer comes with its power cord (that can be used in a variety of ways), a very very basic manual, a warranty booklet, and back up compact disks for rebooting your computer if you wanted to every start fresh. It also comes with a test disk to run checks on your iBook every now and then.
I find the keyboard to work extremely well, but if my hands were any bigger, I would probably feel arthiritic after a couple of hours of typing. Mouse pad takes a bit getting use to but once you get the hang of it, easy to guide your cursor around.
Every iBook comes with a 1 year warranty and 90 day tech support; you can purchase extended warranty for 3 years, which includes tech support. Any time you need help, call 1-800-MY-APPLE and get the help you need.
I have had my computer for close to one year now, and I had a few keys on the keyboard stop responding. Because I was in warranty, Apple quickly sent a box to put my iBook in and send it for a repair. Quicker than I could say "I miss my iBook," I had my computer back. No shipping costs came out of my pocket. No fees to repair (got a new keyboard) and the best customer service anyone can receive - I found that I could rely and have peace of mind with buying this computer and with Apple.
I have always loved Apple products and I knew my first computer was going to be one. I was actually in the market for the iMac but I totally fell in love with the iBook when I first saw it. As a creative writer, I wanted the flexibility of taking my lap top anywhere to catch those inspiring moments!
One thing that I think may be exaggerated in the specs is that the battery can last up to 5 hours. I think I may have had four hours just using games or word processing, but add in DVD or iTunes, depending on the volume and light (brightness) intensity, battery power can reduce quickly. Usually for a movie, I have had success with close to 2 hours.
I am sure there is still more to learn about this excellent product (I am still exploring) and I become amazed that I extremely happy with my purchase.
It's easy for me to say switch from Windows because I've never cared for it since it is a rip off of Apple in the first place. But I certainly can recommend anyone to try it. Eating the real thing is better than glass.
You may eventually have to buy some manuals to get to know your iBook, but it will be well worth the knowledge and experience to handle such a fantastic piece of technology. There is really so much you can do.
And you can always go to www.apple.com to update the latest downloads to upgrade your software. Apple even has a great built-in network of users to get together at the site.
I wouldn't want anything else than my iBook!
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 1671
Operating System: Macintosh
Processor: PowerPC G3
Processor speed: 501-600
Screen Size: 12 inches
RAM: More than 256
Internal Storage: CD-RW and DVD
Hard Drive (GB): 21-30
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Epinions.com ID:
garethusa
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 - Top 1000 |
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Location: Washington, DC USA
Reviews written: 83
Trusted by: 17 members
About Me:
Meeting planner; enjoy yoga, jogging, writing, music, cats, travel and cooking/eating :-)
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