Interested in a mac laptop. Need advice.
I have never owned a mac anything and I am interested in getting a laptop. I would mostly use it for things related to ipod and for traveling. I would just bypass my home pc for ipod and use the laptop, I would also love to be able to take a computer when I travel and be able to load new cd's on my ipod that I buy on a trip etc as well as manage email.. I don't imagine I could use the ipod on a windows pc and a mac laptop anyway... am I correct on that?
My thing is I don't know the big differences between the "power book" and the "ibook" model. Would the ibook be able to rip cd's at a good speed and transfer to the ipod compared to a home pc? I would like to stay under $1500. From what I have read I think the ibook would be sufficient. Is the ibook superior to windows laptops as far as using the ipod? If I get some advice on this I'm sure I will have more questions. Thanks...
# 1 Re: Interested in a mac laptop. Need advice.
You can use a mac formatted iPod on both mac's and Pc's at the same time... All you have to do is use Ephpod for the pc, or a similar program. As for the difference between the iBook and the Powerbook, the powerbook is a higher end laptop, and has better processors. It is generally used by professionals. The iBook is a normal laptop that serves the purpose of being a portable computer. The new G4 processor makes it nice and fast, and the colour theme matches with the iPod.
If you want to stick to a certain budget, then the iBook would be better. If all you will be doing is using the iPod, and normal applications, then you will be fine. You won't necessarily have more features by choosing a mac laptop to a pc laptop when hooked up to the iPod, as both are fully compatible, and can run iTunes.
# 2 Re: Interested in a mac laptop. Need advice.
I'm a fan of lists, so I've listed what IMO are some pros and cons of a PC notebook vs iBook.
PC Notebook
Pros:
- IMO works well with iPod (check forum for specific PC issues)
- Lots of iPod software: iTunes, EphPod, Musicmatch etc.
- More performance (CPU/RAM/HDD/extras like Wifi and bluetooth)for your dollars
- Better software for downloading mp3s
- Possiblity to easily network your notebook with your home PC
- Of course: more compatible blablabla
Cons:
- Most PC notebooks are ugly
- Will probably not have a powered Firewire port = you have to charge your iPod using the AC adapter or get a PCMCIA firewire card
- Windoze
iBook
Pros:
- Looks sleek and also matches the design of the iPod
- Mac OS and everything that is great about using an Apple
- Powered FW port
- Adds functionality to your iPod e.g. iCal
Cons:
- Pricey if you want more RAM, bigger harddrive, Airport (wifi) etc.
- Cliche MAC vs PC compatibility issues
- Not a lot of good software for downloading mp3s
I'm both a PC notebook and Mac user and would recommend you to get an iBook if you want a nice-looking machine and want a computer that's easy to use and maintain, and don't mind to not have the fastest and latest technological specs. The iBook range has recently been upgraded from G3 to G4 processors, meaning they are really worth buying now as the price is still relatively low.
If you want performance and compatibility, but do not care so much about the looks of your notebook, go for a PC.
In terms of compatibility and usage of an iPod with a PC or Mac, I do not think that there are big quality differences if any. I use my iPod with my PC notebook and iTunes, and I haven't had any problems... iTunes does exactly what I expect it to do - I don't think there is added value of owning a Mac in this respect.
# 3 Re: Interested in a mac laptop. Need advice.
Actually, RAM is no more expensive for a Mac than it is for a PC -- you don't have to buy special RAM for a Mac. Just make sure you're getting the right thing. Otherwise, it's the same stuff and you can buy it anywhere you'd buy parts for a PC.
The Mac/PC compatibility issue is becoming less and less of an issue as OS X improves. Windows still doesn't like Macs, but my Mac gets along with our Windows network here just fine. It also takes PC formatted disks, no problem.
Who needs to break the law when you have iTunes? There are a ton of P2P programs that use the Gnutella network that work in OS X, but downloading music is not the smartest thing to do right now, IMHO.
# 4 Re: Interested in a mac laptop. Need advice.
As Kari pointed out, cross-platform compatibility is no problem... But as mentioned before, you cannot beat the functionality/compatibility of having two PCs instead of a Mac/PC combo. It is true that RAM prices are the same for Mac and PC, but spec-wise, you get more CPU speed, RAM and HDD for your money. I am by no means a Windows protagonist, I've been a Mac User since 1990, but I do think that when you're making an investment such as a notebook, all rational options should be considered even if it means (blasphemy!) getting a PC. The usual "Switch" arguments are getting kind of boring, I've been hearing them since I got my first Macintosh Classic...
# 5 Re: Interested in a mac laptop. Need advice.
A friend of mine has a last generation 14" iBook and then purchased a 15" powerbook. While the iBook was great, the screen was not up to par with the powerbook. It was a night and day difference.
The iBook screen remined me of those big projection tv's where you get weird dark areas if you're not looking at it directly face on. And even then I was always moving my head up and down because there was no really perfect spot to view. The powerbook on the other hand looked great even from across the room at a sharp angle.
Now I don't know if that's something that's been changed with the latest iBook updates. I don't think it was anything wrong with his particular machine because I've seen other laptops with that issue.
My advice is go look at them in person if at all possible. When deciding to spend that much, go and play first. The iBooks are great budget machines but spending the extra for a powerbook [look used/refurb!] makes a big difference.
MikeM at 2007-11-15 18:12:35 >
# 6 Re: Interested in a mac laptop. Need advice.
My new iBook G4's screen is fine. My Toshiba laptop was much, much worse about the "big screen tv"-ness.
I feel like the iBook G4 was a good value, especially at the student price of $999. It's small, light, thin, highly portable, easy to use, has a clear screen, easy to type on keyboard, and it's quick. I had a 500mhz iMac with 640 megs of RAM...this is an 800mhz G4 with 256 megs of RAM and it's much, much faster.
The form factor is a big thing for me -- I like how it's small and attractive, light and thin, and easy to carry.
I used to be the biggest PC bigot ever...I *hated* Macs with a passion. I switched last year because all we use in our journalism program here at ETSU is Macs I needed to be able to open my files from my dorm room. So I bought that iMac. The rest is history...you couldn't pay me to go back now, and I wish I could take back every negative thing I ever said about Macs, because I was completely and totally wrong.
# 7 Re: Interested in a mac laptop. Need advice.
There are Great, great deals on G3 iBooks right now. They boot in OS 9 or OSX (which will be useful if ever you want to use older versions of Quark, P'Shop X, etc.) and are perfectly fast enough and powerful enough for what you need. Moreover, a 900 MHz G3 iBook that's been max loaded with 640 MB of RAM will perform better than a stock G4 800 MHz iBook. Buy a G3 iBook and you'll have money left over for Airport, a Canon S400 camera, or other fun kit.
You won't get a better value for money laptop than an iBook, and you'll have a real job finding cheaper.
# 8 Re: Interested in a mac laptop. Need advice.
Originally posted by MikeM
My advice is go look at them in person if at all possible. When deciding to spend that much, go and play first.
You only really have two choices if you decide on Apple - iBook or Powerbook. If you are still looking at Wintel laptops then the choice is huge so it is important to go look see. There are no doubt laptops out there that may appeal to your tastes and requirements.
If it were all just about bang for bucks then most of us would (unfortunately) be using Wintels, but Apple make superb hardware and software that is just so much better to use. I don't think you can go wrong with an Apple laptop, and for your budget the iBook looks ideal, though if you can find an ex-demo Powerbook or refurb then you want to torture yourself over the choice. I am thinking about one of the new iBooks to replace my LCD iMac, but I have become very attached to the iMac (sad...! LOL)
# 9 Re: Interested in a mac laptop. Need advice.
DO NOT buy an ex-demo or display model -- my aunt did that and the machine has never worked right. She's taken it in for service multiple times, and the modem still doesn't work, and it only boots up half the time. A refurb has to pass stringent standards, but I don't think the demo models do.
# 10 Re: Interested in a mac laptop. Need advice.
Originally posted by SlutMonkey
- Not a lot of good software for downloading mp3s
There is plenty, and you can use the same networks as PC users with a better interface :P
# 11 Re: Interested in a mac laptop. Need advice.
I was just wondering, I'm buying and iBook in about 2 weeks, is it possible to just put all my files straight onto my ipod and then onto my iBook or does the iPod need to be formatted before I use it on the iBook.
And if so can i use it for both machines after it has been formatted?
Bobos
Bobos at 2007-11-15 18:18:46 >
