[Katiebug]

I'm a lifelong PC user, except for my first computer - an Apple IIc. My current machine is absolutely ancient; approaching 5 years and dying a slow death - Win98SE and a 400 MHz processor can only take you so far. I'm so tired of Windows and blue screens, I could scream. I have wanted a Mac for a long time, and last summer got a free iPod when I bought my new car. That really cemented my desire to make the switch. I'm planning to get the 14" iBook with the 1.2 GHz processor. I have an educational discount through my fiance. /forums/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif We went in to the local Apple store last weekend, played with the new machines, and I'm ready to buy. I just have a few questions left...
1. My primary uses for this computer will be: general internet use, instant messaging, a fairly good amount of music downloading (legally) and burning CDs, keeping up my digital photo collection, and occasionally typing a report or making a PowerPoint presentation for grad school. The guy at the Apple Store said that based on what I'd do with it, the PowerBook would be overkill and I can get a great laptop that will do what I need it to do for less by choosing the iBook. I was really surprised that an employee encouraged me to spend LESS money in his store, was he generally correct in that assesment? The iBook seems like a great little general use laptop.
2. My MP3s are loaded onto my iPod. Is it possible to transfer them to the new iBook via the iPod, or will I need to spend a few days burning the ones on the PC that I want to transfer (my PC burner is only 8X - that could be a real pain)?
3. Is the SuperDrive upgrade worth it for $180 more? I don't have a digital camcorder or anything along those lines, so I'm not sure I see a reason for upgrading unless it's the best thing since sliced bread. /forums/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/tongue.gif
4. Is Apple Care worth the money? Even with the educational discount it still seems expensive for just an extended warranty...
5. I have DSL - is it a fairly simple thing to just plug into the iBook and set up my connection? Also, I'm planning to get the AirPort base station - any issues with it?
6. I'm planning to upgrade the RAM myself - Crucial is the company I've always used for RAM, and it looks like they have much better prices than Apple does. Crucial also recommends 512 MB minimum for the system. I was thinking of adding 512 MB after getting the laptop. How hard is it to install additional memory in an iBook?
7. Does the iBook run hot? I have an ancient PC laptop (think early Pentium) that gets super-hot when the CD-ROM or hard drive spins up for any length of time. I'm anticipating doing a lot of web surfing and such from the comfort of my couch and I don't want a laptop nearly hot enough to burn me. Can you comfortably place it on your lap for an hour or two? /forums/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/crazy.gif I know it sounds dumb but it's not exactly something I can try at the Apple store!
Thanks for answering my questions...I'm planning to purchase by the end of next week!

[Deinhard]

Katiebug...
I have an older, 500MHz iBook but I think my experience with it over the last 2.5 years will answer your questions.
1. Any of the tasks that you describe are perfectly suited to the iBook. In addition to those that you list, I also do web design and graphics work. I completed my MBA using this little number, so it will definitely suffice.
2. I'm not really clear on the whole transfering MP3's issue. However, if you check out VerstionTracker and look for iPod software, there are a variety of utilities that let you copy your songs back from your iPod.
3. My next 'Book (haven't decided which one yet) will have the SuperDrive if for no other reason than DVDs hold a lot of stuff.
4. AppleCare is by far the best add-on you can purchase when you pick up a portable computer. It's a lot easier to work on desktops than portables, and being able to get it fixed for free is worth it. I had a few problems with mine about 6 months after I purchased it, and AppleCare saved me.
5. There are no issues regarding DSL or Airport that I am aware of...except (and this isn't really an issue but a plus), I've heard that the iBook gets better Airport reception than the PowerBooks. This may have changed with the current revs, though.
6. If they haven't changed the design, adding RAM is very easy. Simply pop off the keyboard, unscrew a small panel, and pop in the RAM. It took about 15 minutes total.
7. My 500MHz doesn't run hot at all. In fact, that's why I bought it. I was using an older WallStreet model PowerBook that developed some sort of problem and was running hot enough to make me sweat. Someone else should comment on the faster models.
Depending on how Apple shakes out the models over the next 6 months, I'd be hard pressed not to get another iBook. The only thing you have to decide...what size do you want?
Deinhard

[elusive_1]

Welcome.
I bought my first mac over 2yrs ago (ibook 600 12") and it is a great machine for general use and some other specific tasks. The iLife apps are great! Worth the small price (free for you since you will be getting a new machine, but $50 for the rest of us) that we all knew would eventually HAVE TO happen since great software can only stay free for so long . Now to your questions:
1--The guy at the store was correct. No need to overkill your purchase. ibook=great for general use.
2--I don't have an iPod and don't want to assume anything and tell you the wrong thing, but I would assume you should be able to synch and adjust what you have on it...sorry, that's a crude response, but I assume it should not be that difficult...at least not as difficult as waiting around for an 8Xspeed CD-R burn.
3--SuperDrive is NOT worth the upgrade if you have no intentions of using it and don't even have the equipment (digi cam) to take advantage of it, but as 'Deinhard' mentioned, you can hold alot of stuff on those DVD-R's....
4--I have had my ibook for over 2yrs and did NOT buy AppleCare. I just baby that machine and took the risk. So far, so good. My only complaint is that I am sure my battery is dying or dead since I get MAYBE 30min of a charge at half screen res and I don't think Apple Care would have covered that anyway. I just have to force myself to go to the AppleStore and buy a new battery, but I try to stay out of that place because my eyes light up and I don't want to go broke!!
5--I have cable, so I am unsure of how to answer any questions regarding DSL, but I hear its not impossible to negotiate a net connection. Do NOT waste your money on the AirPort base station. Yes, it looks great, but as long as you have a product that conforms to the wireless standard (802.11b or the new 802.11g) then you will be fine. I use a Belkin wireless router that I purchased for $40, but you could be safe with products from D-Link, Netgear or Linksys. Save your money unless you must have the coolest looking wireless access point.
6--I've heard good things about Crucial and they were fine with me since I did purchase a 512MB stick from them. Forget about buying the Ram from Apple. Save your money and go with Crucial.
7--My ibook has never ran hot on my lap.

Hope this helps .......

[gyroscope4]

it sounds like you're right on track. i too have an older 2-year-old ibook (12", 600Mhz). i love it, and the only thing that is preventing me from replacing it with a new ibook is that this one still works so darn well! one thing to note about the 14" vs. 12": both screens have the same number of pixels, so the larger screen won't really gain you any more screen "real estate." given the extra cost and weight, i know i'd go with a 12" again.
1) yes. even my old 'book does everything you describe quite well. the apple guy was right, and good for him.
2) there is no "built-in" function to transfer music from you ipod to your mac, for copyright protection purposes (i suppose). but as a previous poster mentioned, there are several utilities and applescripts listed on versiontracker that will do just what you want. so don't bother burning cds.
3) can't comment on the superdrive. wish i had one, but i don't even burn cds very often.
4) i would definitely get applecare. laptops are subject to far more wear and tear than desktops, and the parts and labor are much more expensive. i don't have applecare, and i was really kicking myself when my hard drive went bad a couple months ago. i'm just glad it wasn't something more serious, like the screen or the logic board.
5) using your existing internet connection should be fine. it may be that you'll just plug it in and have it work.
6) i haven't used crucial myself, but they're highly recommended by many people in these forums. installing ram is easy.
7) my ibook gets warm in the corner where the hard drive lives, but not hot. i'm kind of paranoid about it getting too hot and damaging components inside (especially since my original hard drive recently died), so i have it propped up on my desk to allow more airflow under it. i don't think it would ever get hot enough to burn you (but hopefully someone else can comment on faster current models), but i think the little rubber feet on the bottom of the ibook are meant to keep it just off the desk to allow air to flow under and cool the machine (i seem to remember reading that somewhere...).

[kyle988]

I have the fastest iBook here ( 800 Mhz ) It does everything you want to do. now about heat it does get slightly warm under the HD but not hot and holding it on my lap doesnot bother me at all

[ib2yz4u2c]

I'm sorry, but overkill is not an issue here. It would not be overkill buying the latest 12" powerbook. With the educational discount, for $1399 you can get a 14" iBook G4 with a 1.2 GHz processor, 256 MB built-in memory, 60 GB hard drive, Combo drive, built-in Airport Extreme and 32 MB of video RAM, or for $1399 you can get a 12" Powerbook G4 (same resolution as 14" iBook) with a 1.33 GHz processor, 256 MB built-in memory, 60 GB hard drive, Combo drive, built-in Airport Extreme and 64 MB of video RAM. Its not overkill, its just a better value. If you want to go with a Superdrive, the choice is yours: 14" iBook G4 w/Superdrive for $1579 or 12" Powerbook G4 w/Superdrive for $1599. The iBook does come out $20 cheaper than the Powerbook when both have a Superdrive, so that price break might justify buying the iBook over the Powerbook, but IMHO there is a better value in the Powerbook. One thing I CAN promise you is that you will be wonderfully happy with either one.
Oh yeah, welcome to the forums, and soon to the Apple owners community!

[SueG]

Congratulations on your decision, and welcome to the forums.
1. This is posted from a 366 MHz three year old iBook with 576 MB, on which my kids learned iMovie. It can do all the things you list in your first item. You may find, when settled with iLife, that you want to do more. Do you think you might want to run GarageBand? That would increase your needs. Compare KeyNote with PowerPoint.
2. iPod for Windows - update to Mac. If your PC has ethernet, you may be able to network the computers to transfer files without too much trouble, check the switchers pages at Apple.
3. Spend the money on RAM instead,
4. or on AppleCare. It's insurance: you buy it and hope to lose money on it.
5. Don't worry overmuch about setting up the DSL, give the machine a chance to set itself up. All that's really needed are a username, password and DHCP in the right spaces, in my experience. I've been told that there were issues with the original graphite base station, but we have never had any with ours.
6. Good plan.
7. This one is fine in the winter; in the summer I put something between the lap and laptop.

[Deinhard]

I'll add a few more comments based on other responses.
When I think about heat in a laptop, I generally think about the bottom. However, in retrospect, the left front top of my unit gets a little warm with extended (over 2 hour) use. That's not to say that it gets hot.
I agree about the Base Station. Though I don't have an Airport card in my iBook (waiting for a tax refund check), I do have a Linksys wireless router. When I bought it, CompUSA was having a sale and I was able to pick up the wireless model for $5.00 more than the wired model.
And speaking of RAM... Apple has been criticized for the price of its RAM in the past. However, a few days ago on Screen Savers, they compared the price of RAM as it now is on the Store. Comparing Apple's prices to the prices for branded RAM, the prices at the Store were consistent with prices charged for RAM + installation (about $10.00 more). Then they looked at Dell. Their RAM was consistently higher than Apple's and for the 1GB sticks, Dell was about 2x the price as buying it direct. Looks like Apple listened.
Deinhard

[Katiebug]

Thank you, everyone for all the advice! It definitely makes me feel more secure knowing that this is a great product that folks are pleased with. I'm of the "use it till it dies" philosophy when it comes to my computers, and it's been a while since I had to go computer shopping.
One issue has cropped up - namely that I need MS Project for a class this summer and it's not available for Mac - but fortunately my work laptop is capable of running Project when I need to use it for school.
We are buying tomorrow - the Apple Store said if we wanted the SuperDrive, it would take a day or two to install but otherwise I can walk out of the store with my new laptop. My iPod is anxiously awaiting the new iBook. I think I'm getting AppleCare after all - my fiance's family has always had Apple computers and it's come in handy for them more than once.