Hey everyone,

I did some searching on here and reading of past threads about laptop reommendations. The iBook models seem to be recommended just as well as a T40 IBM. None the less I'll be a sophmore in college this coming fall of 2004 so I can't afford the T40 IBM. I'll admit the iBook 14in looks great and packed with features even though I've used PCs all my life. None the less, my budget is less than or equal to $1500 and I'd like the laptop to be portable to carry and travel with (planes/cars). I've also looked at the Averatec 5000 series and the eMachines 5310 model. Basically the laptop will be used for school (MS Word, Powerpoint), Internet (College I'm going to has wireless all over campus so WiFi hookup is key), Instant Messaging, Web Design and Music. But I would hate to buy the iBook only to find out that I can't send/receive MS Word files or that printer hook up is a large task. Is there the ability to run Office applications on an iBook? Right now I use a 750Mhz HP laptop with Windows 98 ME. To get to the point, which model would you all buy: Averatec 5110P, eMachines 5310, iBook 14in, or Dell 8600.

Thanks Everyone,
Lance

Generally speaking, iBooks are much easier to use, hook up to networks, etc than are PCs. There is a Microsoft Office for Macintosh. There are a few exceptions though. I would suggest you contact the computer staff where you go to school and ask about Macs on your campus network.

I would chose the iBook. You can certainly do all the things you mentioned with the iBook, and it may have some advantage in areas like battery life (though it has been cut somewhat by the newer mobile processors from Intel). Hookup issues like printers and WiFi are as easy if not easier, and MS Office products and the resulting files are cross-platform (except for MS Access). As a student you can get MS Office for Mac rather inexpensively (under 100 bucks as I recall), and even without it Apple has added some extra tricks in the latest version of Mac OS. (Their included basic text editor TextEdit can now read and create MS Word files, for instance.)

Still, while I think the iBook would be a fine choice, you should certainly check it out yourself. Go try one out in person. It'll take a bit of getting used to OS-wise, but even if I throw out my experience with Macs there may still be some advantages. For instance, Apple's laptops have a slick "sleep" mode that I haven't seen the equal of anywhere else. Close the lid, and it sleeps. Open it up, and it wakes up instantly leaving you right where you left off. Very nice for transport around campus all day.

"Apple's laptops have a slick "sleep" mode that I haven't seen the equal of anywhere else. Close the lid, and it sleeps. Open it up, and it wakes up instantly leaving you right where you left off."

I agree 100%. Best sleep mode period.

Make sure you avail of the student discount at the Apple Store (physical or online). For example, the 14-inch 1GHz iBook is $100 less with the educational discount.

Also, if portability is a main criterion, I would consider the 12" model. It's a lot easier to lug around. Screen resolution on both 14" and 12" models is 1024x768 albeit with smaller fonts on the 12" model. I'd use the money I save to upgrade to a PowerBook and/or add more memory and drive capacity.

I've had the 12" PB G4 with SuperDrive and 80GB HDD and love it.

[This message has been edited by bp888 (edited Dec 22, 2003).]

I'm not exactly an objective source, but I have to chime in anyway.

If you are doing MS Office, you'll find that Office for he Mac is great. If you're doing presentations, Keynote will wow your audience even more than Powerpoint -- and, once you get used to the differences between it and Powerpoint, you'll like it better and find it easier and faster to use. Powerpoint works on the Mac as well, of course, but Keynote was developed by Apple, so it integrates a bit more.

For music, you'll love iTunes on the Mac. I don't even know where some of my CDs are anymore. I ripped them all to iTunes and long forgot about them. Now, if, for some reason, I get an actual CD (instead of downloading), it gets ripped and then forgotten with the rest.

Safari is a very good web browser, with nice tabbed browsing, a great wat to handle bookmarks, and easily blocked pop-ups through a single click.

Mail is getting better. Now that Panther has come out, I think it's better than Entourage, the Microsoft offfice mail app for the Mac.

iChat AV is great. You will no longer need to call your Mac friends on the phone, since audio conferencing through iChat is just as good -- and no long distance charges. There are a few things I would like to see improved: better grouping of buddies (this sucks now), multiple person audio/video chats (you can do multiple person text chats but not AV), a few tweaks here and there to the interface, and a couple of bug fixes. We're only on version 1, so I'm sure we can expect some improvements down the road.

Tie it together with the other integrated apps: Address Book, iPhoto, iMovie, iCal, etc, and you'll be set.

Additionally, I think right now is a good time to get an iBook. They just went through a major revision in October, jumping to G4 processors and gaining 802.11G and Bluetooth support, along with some other nice improvements.

Along with the iBook, pick up a book on OS X to help ease the transition to the new system. Go to Amazon and browse the ratings/reviews to find one that will be the best for you. Try to find one that is about OS X version 10.3, Panther, and not the previous OS versions. I like the books Robin Williams puts out.

You would not be disapointed with an ibook. Go for it. It will enhance your life! You can't say that about just any old computer.

Well, the newest Centrino notebooks are pretty competitive with your iBooks, without the hassles of incompatibility. My new IBM x31 (similar to the T40, but smaller and no integrated optical drive) ROCKS. The sleep mode flicks on quickly - no more lags like older notebooks. Highly recommended.

Look here for comparison of iBook prices:
http://www.macprices.com/14ibooktracker.shtml

The 14" iBook only has 1024 x 768 screen resolution, no better than the 12" iBook.
Check http://pricewatch.com for memory - $80 for 512 MB. A wireless card is $77 dollars refurbished.

I bought a 12" iBook G4/800 for $1,124 at MacWarehouse (with 512MB memory, free printer, free backpack) and $77 airport extreme = $1,201.

If you're interested in refurbished computers,
http://www.macprices.com/refurblaptops.shtml
ClubMac has iBook G3/800 for $729.
Apple used to have iBook G3/700 for $679, but they've sold out.

A used computer to consider is the 15" Powerbook 800 or 867. Sells for about $1,050-1,600 on eBay. The 800 was about $3,200 brand-new just 1 year ago, and the 867 was just discontinued. Their screens do have better 1280 x 854 resolution.
http://www.everymac.com/systems/appl...4_800_dvi.html

For plane power, search eBay for "APC laptop power". There's an APC inverter for $29 + $5.50 shipping = $34.50. Make sure you get the airplane & auto version - some are automobile only.

Good backup options. 64-128MB flash disks for $20 to move files between Macs/PCs. 20 GB mini-HD from Archos for $99 to backup your files. 120 GB regular-size Firewire drive for $60 at some office supply store sales.

Check http://dealmac.com for good prices on lots of little stuff. http://pricegrabber.com and other comparison shopping sites for software.

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On the PC side, Dell is offering an Inspiron laptop for $600. They have relatively reliable computers, and it's cheap!

Not as cute as the iBook though.

Mitchell

[This message has been edited by mitchell (edited Dec 24, 2003).]

I would highly recommend that you confer with your university to check on any computer specifications you will need for using the university's network (wireless card, networking card, etc.). Most universities have a list of "recommended" models and/or specs they insist upon.

Others already brought up the education discount that Apple provides to students and faculty. Again, be sure to compare your university prices to Apple's. Often the university's computer store offers an even greater discount on all computer related items than you will receive directly from Apple. Right now, the university I work for has a "new generation" 14" iBook with combo drive (DVD-ROM/CD-RW), wireless card and 3 year Apple Care Protection Plan for $1419. You won't find this deal at Apple's education store <http://www.apple.com/education/>

Your university computer store probably has returned items or floor display models sold at a discount. Many of the "old generation" iBooks are being sold as clearance items at a heavy discount ~$750. They probably have everything you need.

To save more money, you might also want to consider a refurbished machine. I've had good luck and great buys on some refurbished Macs purchased directly from Apple (once inside the Apple store, click on the red SAVE label under Special deals in the upper left corner of the page).

Ask your university about software licenses available to students. You may not need to buy the software package if your university has a group license avaible to students. If they do, this will save you a bundle of money.

All in all I am partial to Mac but there are good PCs out there too. Don't be fooled by the lower prices on Windows based PCs, however. Once you add in the peripherals (wireless card, networking card, adequate video graphics card, etc.) included with Mac computers, there is usually price parity between Macs and Windows PCs.

Lastly, be on the lookout for additional rebates from the manufacturer.

Cheers! And, good luck.

speaking of rebates, there's usually a printer rebate out there from either HP or Epson that enables you to get a printer for free-$50 after the rebate (with the purchase of a computer).

I got an Epson Stylus Photo 820 for $99 that came with a $100 rebate offer if you bought a Mac within something like 30 days. Ink costs half the value of the printer, though. It's wise to use it judiciously. Save web commerce transactions as pdfs instead of printing them to file away (a two-click process on a Mac), print in low quality, use black ink when possible, etc.

[This message has been edited by swise (edited Dec 30, 2003).]

Thanks everyone for the responses to my post. I have decided on the iBook, however not on the 12in vs 14in screen issue. I'm going to send an email to the school that I'd like to attend and ask about Apple discounts. Thanks again.

Lance