Apple iBook Notebook 14" M9628LL/A (1.33 GHz PowerPC G4, 256MB RAM, 60GB Hard Drive, Super Drive, Built-in AirPort Extreme)

Rating:
Summary: iBook 14.1 inch 1.33GHZ Superdrive, superb-- expensive
Review: I bought my iBook from Amazon.com through a referer website. Macintouch.com listed the price significantly lower than I could find anywhere else. The price difference turned out to be a rebate but that is fine for me. The rebate document was available through the rebate link off the product page and all the information required was here when my iBook arrived. I bought the two day shipping and was disappointed when, at the end of my transaction, the estimated date for shipping was seven days after my purchase then another two for the shipping.I was especially disappointed since the product page claimed the product would ship in one to two days. Fortunately the iBook shipped early-- two days later. It was packaged very safely and worked right out of the box.

People have told me that buying the 14.1 inch iBook was a waste since

Rating:
Summary: Apple iBook Is an Excellent Value
Review: If you already have a desktop computer and are looking for a notebook for wireless Internet access, e-mail, word processing, and other portable applications, the iBook is ideal. The higher priced PowerBook is a great machine, but the iBook offers a much better value, even when compared with competing Microsoft Windows PCs. Even "PC Magazine" ranked the iBook as #1 in its price range.

I own a dual-processor 1.25mHz G4 desktop and was expecting the iBook to feel sluggish by comparison. But it is surprisingly fast. Just be sure to have at least 512mb of RAM. 256mb is the bare minimum, in my experience. A second RAM chip is easy to add on your own.

As with Apple's other products, the iBook's build quality is top notch. There's very fine attention to detail. The battery life of five hours is impressive. The LCD screen is bright and crisp. It's a solid machine all around.

Then, there's OS X, the UNIX-based operating system. That alone is worth the price of admission. It is such an elegant, powerful, intuitive and robust OS. If you're currently using Microsoft Windows and have had problems with security and other issues ... boy, are you in for a pleasant computing experience!

The bundled software is a good start for home users. AppleWorks has word processing, spreadsheet, database and drawing modules. This program will open and save Microsoft Word documents, too. Then, there's iLife, a suite of great easy-to-use multimedia programs for editing video, making DVDs, creating music, and managing your digital photo library. (If your iBook comes with iLife '04 installed, you can send in a coupon to Apple to upgrade to the new iLife '05 package.)

The iBook has wireless capability (Airport Extreme) as a standard feature. I've been able to access the Internet with my iBook at coffee shops and the local mall. If you buy an Airport Extreme transceiver, too, you can have a wireless network within your home.

The iBook ... right out of the carton, everything works just as you'd like!

Rating:
Summary: Best bang for the buck
Review: If you're a hard-core Windows user, PLEASE STEP AWAY FROM THE REVIEW!

Now that they're gone, let's talk about the iBook. It isn't the most powerful computer in Apple's line-up, but it's their least expensive portable. Look at what you get though.

CD/DVD burner...built-in
Wireless connectivity...built-in
Productivity software...built-in
USB 2 and FireWire...built-in
AV out port...built-in
Industry leading support after the sale...included
Movie creation software...included
DVD creation software...included
Music management...included
Music creation...included
Photo archiving and manipulation software...included
Protection from viri and trojan horses...included

Actually the last is a bit of a tease. No known viruses or trojan horses can get past OS/X. The only vunerability is if you type in your admin password and physically install an exploit. MS Windows should be so protected out the box.

Where it's lacking

Only 256 m of memory...Memory is relatively cheap. Apple should have put in at least 512 m.

60 gig hard drive only runs at 4200 RPM. This is slow. Apple should use faster (5400 or better) drives. Especially if you plan on using this as a multi-media editor for music or movies. While you can put in a faster drive (Not easily though. The iBook is a tough nut to crack), you'll void your warrenty doing so unless it's done through an Apple certified service center. Fortunately, there are several manufacterer's of USB 2 and FireWire based external drives ranging from 20 gigs to 250 gigs and up. If portability is an issue, make sure the drive can be buss-powered. The iBook can supply power for such drives through its USB 2 and FireWire ports.

No FireWire 800 ports. While this irks me, it really isn't that big an issue. There are few (so far) devices that use FW 800.

Only a 32 meg video card. If all you want to do is play games, you'll most likely be disappointed by the iBook's graphics card. If this is an issue, spend a little more and get a PowerBook which has a 64 meg card.

No backlighting options for the keyboard or screen. The PBs have this (15 and 17 inch), but it is not an option on the iBook. Not that big a deal unless you are a mole living in total darkness most of the time. The light off the LCD provided me with enough light (Barely) to see the keyboard in low-light conditions.

While it may seem like I have a lot of complaints about this computer, I actually prefer it in many ways over its much more expensive sibling, the PowerBooks. When the time came for a new portable to replace my G3 based Pismo (Apple fans know what this is), I chose the iBook instead of the PB. With my cost savings, I bought more memory and an external USB 2 80 gig Hard drive.

Last thing and then I'll shut up. I recommend the excellent AppleCare 3 year protection plan. Remember that it is a laptop and like any other small electronic device, can be damaged more easily than its tower cousins.