Rating: 
Summary: Great portable for consumers, with the Best OS!
Review: I have the 800 mhz model, and I have to say it's a great machine. Light in weight (I can hold it in one hand easily), fast, and super sleek. The operating system, OS X, is fantastic: powerful, beautiful, and it doesn't crash! The book comes with quite a bit of software, and despite what someone else wrote here it DOES run RealPlayer just fine, as well as display web pages properly. It comes with AppleWorks which can open and save in the Word format, so that is a non-issue. It plays DVD's perfectly, and iTunes 4 burns CD's as fast as my external FireWire drive. If the speakers were just a bit better (i.e. as good as the legendary Pismo model), I would give this Mac 5 stars. BTW, before relying on a Windows user for info about Macs, talk to a knowledgeable dual platform user such as myself. You'd find the stuff you hear (they are slow, over priced, Apple is dying, etc.) is just not true.
Rating: 
Summary: Perfect Laptop
Review: I remember when the 14" iBook first came out, many in the Mac universe spoke poorly of it. Obviously, it cost more, and while the usual core features had more juice (Hard drive, processor, RAM,) the difference was not overwhelming. The main beef, though, was that the resolution on the 14" iBook is the same as the resolution on the 12" iBook (1024 X 768). The only difference is that, on the 12 incher, those dots are really scrunched in. I've used many of the 12" iBookse I work in IT, especially with Macs, so I've seen it all, and so feel qualified to take a side on this one. The verdict: It's worth it. I went to apple.com, and and browsed to a 12" iBook with comperable fatures to the one I recently acquired. The price offered was 1350. I got mine for about 1500, which leaves about 150 to account for. Since other factors are basically equal, the difference is the screen. You want that difference. The 14" iBook feels spacious, a real trick for a lap top. The screen's extra size makes the lower half of the laptop bigger as well, so that there really is room for the keyboard, and a large palm rest. The clean lines of the design really bring out the most in the display, which is bright and clear. If you've never used a laptop, the screen feels bigger, simply because you're usually closer to it. Additionally, LCDs have a larger usable area than a CRT of the same size. As I sit here typing this review, I can tell: You feel this screen's size. Size does matter, especially with something like a laptop. If you get a smaller screen, you'll inevitably want a larger screen, but then you'll be stuck with an expensive purchase. So put in the extra cash now. If you have the means, treat yourself to 14" iBook. You'll be glad you did.
Rating:
Summary: Perfect Laptop
Review: I remember when the 14" iBook first came out, many in the Mac universe spoke poorly of it. Obviously, it cost more, and while the usual core features had more juice (Hard drive, processor, RAM,) the difference was not overwhelming. The main beef, though, was that the resolution on the 14" iBook is the same as the resolution on the 12" iBook (1024 X 768). The only difference is that, on the 12 incher, those dots are really scrunched in. I've used many of the 12" iBookse I work in IT, especially with Macs, so I've seen it all, and so feel qualified to take a side on this one. The verdict: It's worth it. I went to apple.com, and and browsed to a 12" iBook with comperable fatures to the one I recently acquired. The price offered was 1350. I got mine for about 1500, which leaves about 150 to account for. Since other factors are basically equal, the difference is the screen. You want that difference. The 14" iBook feels spacious, a real trick for a lap top. The screen's extra size makes the lower half of the laptop bigger as well, so that there really is room for the keyboard, and a large palm rest. The clean lines of the design really bring out the most in the display, which is bright and clear. If you've never used a laptop, the screen feels bigger, simply because you're usually closer to it. Additionally, LCDs have a larger usable area than a CRT of the same size. As I sit here typing this review, I can tell: You feel this screen's size. Size does matter, especially with something like a laptop. If you get a smaller screen, you'll inevitably want a larger screen, but then you'll be stuck with an expensive purchase. So put in the extra cash now. If you have the means, treat yourself to 14" iBook. You'll be glad you did.
Rating:
Summary: Know what you are doing.
Review: The iBook is def. not the worst computer. You should first get to know how to use it before freaking out on user comments. To display Thai, your iExpl. needs a plug-in. And why not try Safari Browser for a change. You must search for the free RealPlayer One more accuratly there is a link to the free version for Mac OS also, it's just not as ovious as the pay version (which is no dough because Real Media wants to make money off of their software). An I book comes with AppleWorks, thats Apples version of Office, so to speak(write). It can Import Word files as far as I know. I think that should solve your problems.
Rating:
Summary: I'm not complaining!
Review: This is my first apple product, and I'm not complaining about it, either. Unfortunately I bought mine a couple months before they came out with the same ibooks at the same price but with a G4!!!! AHHH! Oh well. Let me tell you that this ibook is very portable. It is only about five pounds, but it is surprisingly light. I use it as my main computer, and I've had it for a little more than a year now. It's sleek and beautiful. It has internet access. It has itunes, which is really awesome. You can put your cds in and then copy them to your computer. Although, I have connected a speaker to my computer because the speaker provided on the laptop is not that powerful, but it sounds great with the speaker attached. icalendar is great and easy to use. The mail service is awesome (I suggest you get .mac when you get any apple computer because it comes with an email system and a web site and all). It is a fast computer- it doesn't take a long time for programs to load like some other computers and it is really much cheaper than other laptops. I highly recommend it! One thing is that you have to buy a virtual PC program and Windows XP if you want to run windows applications. A+++!!!
Rating:
Summary: A terrific computer, a terrific value!
Review: When I was struck with the urge to buy a laptop, I spent a good deal of time reviewing the half dozen models that Apple had to offer. The Powerbooks were all the rage. My local dealer and many reviews pushed me in that direction; and, in truth, Powerbooks seemed to be technological wonders - the 17" screen model dazzled, the little 12" one could be had with a DVD-burning super drive, they had the superb G4 processor, etc. But three weeks ago, I took the plunge, and I ignored all that by securing the 14" screen iBook. It may be "slow" and "yesterday's technology," but that's not apparent to me - I love this computer! It has a brilliant, beautiful screen that is a delight to my 60+ eyes. It does everything I need in a flash, including multiple programs, songs, photo management (Adobe Elements 2), and movies with iMovie. The suite of included software, including Apple's digital hub, is fabulous. The machine is gorgeous (though, to be frank, some might say its bright, white finish is akin to a kitchen appliance), extremely sturdy, and it gets warm, but not hot. Best of all, perhaps, is the price: hundreds less than a Powerbook! This is especially true when you factor in the cost of Applecare, the extended warranty program... Applecare provides terrific protection and allows you three years of telephone support from Apple's excellent technical support team. "What's not to like?" I can only carp about three things. The speakers are pretty lame - "lo-fi," to be sure - but earphones cure that. Another USB input or two would be welcome, but a hub is the answer there. Finally, there is Apple's decision to eliminate a microphone input, this from a company on the leading edge of multi-media - what were they thinking?... So, for function, for appearance, and particularly for value, I'd urge you to take a long look at the iBook. It's just been bumped to 900MGz, and it has 256RAM standard, so unless you're into CAD/CAM or games with great graphics demands, it'll do the job for you, and you'll have money left over for some other toy(s).
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