Rating: 
Summary: NEW MODEL OUT FOR SAME PRICE
Review: DO NOT buy this model because Apple has just come out with the next generation iBook which sports hefty hardware upgrades including a 1.33ghz processor and integrated Aiport Express. It sports the same price.
Rating: 
Summary: THE PERFECT LAPTOP!
Review: For those of you looking for a great laptop, look no further! I had owned Apple computers through the 80's and into the early 90's. But I, as many others, switched to IBM/Windows compatible computers when they broke the $1000 mark about 10 years ago. The vast software choices and the low price made me think it would be OK to switch. Through the years, I struggled with windows operating systems, and with each new release of Windows, they copied more and more off the Macintosh operating system. But even with Windows XP, Microsoft still could not get it right. Applications frequently lock up, and you still need to restart your computer every day or so in order for it to run properly. So finally, when it came time to purchase a new computer (as everyone does every few years), I decided to go back to Apple. This was the best choice I ever made! The 12" screen is so crisp and clear that you are not even bothered by the fact that it is really only 12". The operating system (OS X panther) has so many great features that you will wonder how you ever lived without it. It offers excellent compatibility with any windows network (I have found that sometimes it works better on windows networks than windows pc's do!). If you have never used a Mac before, the operating system is easy to learn, plus the online help will answer any questions you may have. Another big advantage is the speed the G4 processor has over a Windows compatible machine. Don't be fooled by it being rated as a 1 GHz processor, because a 1 GHz processor in a Mac is much faster than a 1 GHz IBM compatible computer. Furthermore, the battery life is amazing for a laptop (approx. 5 hours). The computer comes with 2 USB 2.0 Ports for endless expansion possibilities. Also, you can add an AirPort extreme card for wireless networking, which makes it easy to get online anywhere in your home or office. This is a great little laptop for the student or business professional!
Rating: 
Summary: Cool features, flaky hardware
Review: I bought my 12" iBook about 4 months ago. I did not read any reviews before I bought it, I kinda wish I did. I felt like writing a review so that future buyers know what to expect.
PROS:
This was my fist MAC product. I must say, I was very impressed with the quality of GUI. There are several cool feature in MAC OS X that you can get used to. You can become very productive in a very little time due to its ease of use. If you are UNIX fan like me, then you will definitely like MAC OS X. The IBook is light, battery life is good. You can do almost everything with the applications that come with it.
CONS:
Within two weeks after I bought my iBook, the display stopped working. There was a known issue with the graphics adapter. I had to send it to Apple repair and they replaced the motherboard. The turn-around time for repair was quite impressive. I got my iBook repaired within a week. When I got it back, the display was not as bright as it was before and it had some other problems. I had to send it in again.
After, two months, I bought my Airport express card. The wireless signal was very weak, I could not see my wireless hub beyond a distance of 10 feet which is pretty bad. I had to send my iBook in again for third time. I got it back after a week, It worked fine for sometime but wireless started flaking out after a week. I had to send it in again for a fourth time. I finally have it in my hands. I hope I will not see any more problems with it. I am lucky that all these problems happened while it is still under warranty. I definitely recommend buying a three year extended warranty. I do not know if my iBook is just a bad apple.
Rating:
Summary: GREAT LAPTOP FOR GREAT PRICE
Review: I BOUGHT THIS LAPTOP IN JUNE AND SO FAR, NO PROBLEMS AT ALL. i LOVE GARAGEBAND!! THIS LAPTOP IS IDEAL FOR A STUDENT. ONLY THINGS I DON'T LIKE ARE THE SMALL HARD DRIVE AND THE SCRATCHES THAT APPEAR ON IT DAILY. OTHERWISE, IT IS GREAT, THANKS APPLE!!!!
Rating:
Summary: Once an avid PC user, but now will never turn back
Review: I had been using PCs for my entire life. When I started college last year, I bought a Dell laptop that was pretty horrible. My roommate had a Dell laptop that worked great, but I guess it was just an omen for me to switch over. I had always wanted an Apple only because they looked so cute, but then I realized how versatile and amazing this machine is. I have an older model of the iBook, but it still works better than any PC I ever had. I have saved myself hours and hours of stress, because the network in my apartment complex for the internet is always getting viruses. Luckily for me, all these viruses were formatted for Windows. That alone is worth every penny I spent on my iBook. Apple makes incredible, high quality products. Until you try it out yourself, you won't believe the difference. The ONLY problem I have encountered with this new computer is that some Web sites are not compatible with the Mac OS, but pish-posh. There are easy ways around that. Trust me, I was a skeptical PC-user once, and now, I have never been so proud of a purchase, aside from my Volkswagen Jetta, but that's another story of excellence.
Rating:
Summary: Terrific little computer
Review: I just got this delivered two days ago, along with an Airport Extreme card, and it is fantastic. The installation of the wireless card was very easy (took a couple of minutes), and the elegant operating system found it and configured it instantly. A couple of screens later, it connected to the wireless router (made by Compaq), connected to a DSL modem, with better speeds and reliability than my Compaq laptop ever was able to. It also found my desktop mac (which has a DVD burner) very quickly and networked to it easily. The screen is bright and surprisingly very readable for its smallish 12.1" size. But the screen size tradeoff is an extremely portable package, which has a fit and finish second to none.
The program suite (iLife, Safari, etc.) is excellent--Safari is an Apple-only browser, which works much faster than Explorer did in a previous Mac and is at least as fast as Explorer is on my Compaq laptop.
Also, don't let the chip speed fool you. This 1GHz G4 (which has the exact same specs as the Powerbook 12" model Apple sold just a few months ago) is faster than my 1.6GHz P4 laptop, and is at least equal to (I'm not kidding) to the 2.8GHz HP desktop I have at work. That desktop has "integrated Intel graphics" and the iBook has 32mb of dedicated graphics memory, so maybe that has something to do with it, but the desktop also has 512mb memory, while the iBook has 256mb. I will be upgrading the memory by adding a 512mb chip shortly, which will make the speed of this thing increase that much more.
As far as compatability, if you qualify for it, get the academic version of Office for Mac (just released 2004 version) for less than $150.00, and you'll have all the MS office programs you need, which create files completely compatible with the Windows versions.
When work is done, however, the iLife programs (which has photo management, movie editing, the iTunes music jukebox (and iTunes store), DVD creation, and music creation programs) are a joy to use--your creative side really comes out, and the end products are very polished.
In summary, you can't go wrong. Amazon's price is competitive with what the other online places charge, plus with the free shipping and no tax, and if you use the Amazon.com credit card, the 3% credit (which adds up to over $30), Amazon may just well be the best place to buy it.
Understand that I have nothing against Windows computers, and use them happily... It's just that these macs with the OSX operating system are much more polished, and a pure joy to use.
Rating:
Summary: Sorry I got this model
Review: I love this ibook but found a real problem with it: the left side of trackpad heats up to a level that is uncomfortable. Not only that, but it actually hurts to work on the computer. The battery is on the right side, but it's the front left side that gets hot. So I had to resort to a wireless keyboard and mouse, which is great, but it misses the point. Now I avoid at all cost to work directly on it. And it's not so much about the heat but it feels like there is an electro-magnetic charge around that area which makes any body part close to it hurt.
I have noticed that on other models that the battery is underneath the keypad so it doesn't cause the same problem. Has anybody else have had this problem?
The other day, I actually took out the battery to look if there was something I could it, and there was some white liquid over it--looked like the battery was leaking. I called customer service and sent it on Monday, got it back on Wednesday, it was very impressive service! Even though they solved that problem, I still feel there is something wrong with this design.
I would recommend that if you are interested in this model, to maybe look at another one where the battery is not on the front of the computer.
Rating:
Summary: Great notebook, BAD wireless card
Review: I purchased a 12.1 combo drive for my wife and, upon receipt of the ibook, was struck by several things.
First the unit itself is very cool looking. Obviously, this thing was meant to make a fashion statement. It is sleek, simple and has appealing lines. Nicely done as far as the appearance of the model goes.
Second, I went to configure the thing to use the interent and other devices an found it very easy to use. The software suite is excellently done and it only took me 15 minutes from opening the box to using the internet and checking my email.
Then I ran into a major problem. I tried to use the Macintosh proprietary wireless card. It was easy to pop the keyboard off and plug the thing in. No connection. I moved it closer to the Airport. No Connection. Finally, in exasperation, I moved the thing right next to the Airport. Three bars (out of a possible 5) in connection strength. Yay.
I am hugely disappointed in this. What is the point to having a laptop these days if you have to be confined to using a CAT 4 cable? Forget right about using it at a public WiFi location.
Bottom line: nice idea with poor delivery. Easily a 5 if the wireless card worked properly
Rating:
Summary: To all PC Users: Switch to the Mac and Never Look Back!
Review: I've used PC's my whole life, starting with the Commodore 64 and on. I currently have a Dell at home and at work. As much as I love Dell's service, I always encounter frustrating PC problems. You always need to update drivers, peripherals don't play well with one another. Finally after finding the courage, I purchased this iBook two weeks ago and it's the best decision I ever made. MP3 player, camera, wireless, Apple begs for the challenge and comes out with flying colors every time. It's difficult to put into words what it's like to own a computer that integrates itself within your lifestyle and not the other way around. PC users that are reading this, go to an Apple store if you can, you really have no idea what I mean until you try it out for yourself. Apple handles every task I throw at it, unlike temperamental PC's. If you're worried about few software choices, I took the iBook to work in the middle of a Windows haven and it handled everything I threw at it, including some my work Dell couldn't handle. I did have to add Office Mac, but the Apple offers far superior graphics and publishing abilities. I'm able to create richer documents and have yet to encounter a single problem with sharing among operating systems (mac's preference for .pdf is fantastic!) Work documents, spreadsheets, music, dvd watching on long flights (i'm getting just under 5 hours of battery life), photos of my family. None of it is a problem for this little guy and it looks great! The only draw back is if you are a gamer, this is not for you, either stick to a PC or buy a console. If you travel a lot like me, the iBook is as light as they come and finds all wireless access points on its own. It's great and is now cheaper than comparable PC laptops in weight with far superior performance. I picked the iBook because I wasn't sure about mac, I didn't want to spend too much. But now I'm already thinking about a Power Book and I'll never buy a PC again. p.s. invest in the RAM upgrade, minimum 512, it's worth every penny.
Rating: 
Summary: iBook brings a Mac portable to the masses...
Review: iBook is the consumer notebook computer, which Apple offers. I actually custom-configured mine at Apple.com, so mine varies slightly from the specs of the standard model listed here. It is the same G4 processor, but I have a 60 GB hard drive, airport extreme card, bluetooth module, and I upgraded the iBook to 768 MB of memory.
This iBook is a great way to step into the world of Mac. However, even a veteran Mac user will find an iBook a great machine. Do not allow the 1.07 GHZ chip to scare you. This is a capable machine. Furthermore, you can view all your favorite DVDs and burn CDs. The size of the iBook is one of the fantastic features. This notebook is small and light. I use my iBook all over the house with the airport extreme card I added. I might sit at the dining room table, on the couch, on the living room floor, in the office, or in my bedroom.
I do recommend you add some memory to the iBook, which can add yourself. The owners manual provides some instructions. I would recommend adding a 512 MB stick, which will bring you up to 768 MB, but even adding a 256 MB stick, would be good.
The iBook obviously runs Mac's OS X Panther (operating system). OS X is fantastic, with a lot of great features such as expose, iCalendar, Sherlock, etc. However, the iBook includes other Apple software titles too. iLife '04 is included, which has iTunes, iPhoto, IMovie, and iDVD. iMovie and iDVD are the easiest consumer applications for making movies and burning DVDs. They are fantastic. Everyone loves iTunes, and iPhoto is hands down the best way to organize your photos. What is so great about this? You're iBook is ready for all of this out of the box! Finally, Appleworks is included with the iBook. Appleworks is a somewhat out of date program, but it can still get your word processing, spreadsheet, and other tasks performed. However, if you want a top quality office suite, I would recommend you purchase Microsoft Office 2004 for Mac.
Back to the hardware, the video out on the iBook is the only thing somewhat less than satisfactory in my opinion. It has a mini-DVI output, and it includes an adapter, so you can connect an external display for mirroring via VGA connector. However, the notebook's LCD must remain on the same time, cutting your video memory in half. It isn't a huge problem for me, but the iBook does not have the extended desktop feature, when using an external monitor, that the Powerbook enjoys.
Overall, the iBook 1.07 GHZ G4 system is an amazingly portable notebook computer with acceptable performance. The included Apple software will keep you occupied, organized, and entertained.
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