Satisfied with iBooks
Hi everybody.
I'm new here and read the rules and all that. So, I checked in the search thing for a topic similar to this, but I couldn't find anything.
Anyway, I'm a 14 year old girl who is completely and utterly sick of Windows. I am planing on getting a Mac. And I figured the portability of a laptop would come in handy for a student like me so I am considering buying an iBook G4:
1.25GB of RAM
80GB ATA HDD 4200RPM
Combo Drive
That's all I know so far. I have an external HDD and external 16x DVD Burner that are both compatible with Macs, so... Now, I figured since this is a big forum, someone is bound to have an iBook. I have a few questions:
1. Will the RAM be upgradable in the future? The RAM I chose I mean--the 1.25GB.
2. Is a 1.2GHz processor on the 12" noticeably slower than the 1.33GHz processor on the 14"?
3. Is the HDD noticeably slow at 4200RPM, as I am used to at least 5400RPM?
4. How is battery life on the current iBooks?
Along with those questions, my main one is are you satisfied with your iBook? Would I be better off getting something else? Now, keep in mind, I don't have much money, as I'm only 14. I am willing to save for a while, it's just that I can't get anything extremely extravagant.
I will basically be using it for e-mail, typing homework assignments, web browsing, storing pics and music, web design, and light graphic design. Is that too much?
Thanks so much for your help!
Regards,
Katie
[1560 byte] By [
KatieLew14] at [2007-11-10 15:21:59]
# 1 Re: Satisfied with iBooks
1. Yes the ram Is upgradeable.
2. I wouldn't think so, going from 1.8 to 2.0 on the G5 wasn't too noticeable.
3. I would doubt it, but I dont use a lap top. I'd ask someone who does ^^;;.
4.5 hours.
# 2 Re: Satisfied with iBooks
Your 14 and you can afford that nice of iBook? Is mommy and daddy paying for this? I am 14 too, and I work pretty hard for a 14 year old (2 jobs and many odd jobs in between) And I am barely finding enough with out a little financial support from my mom, and selling all my gadgets I got already to afford a basic model iBook (Just adding BT and 256 mb RAM later on) But how in the heck can you get that much money?
Oh yea, on tha question number 1, if you added the extra Gigabyte of memory, You cannot upgrade anymore, for two reasons 1) You have reached the max that the comptuer can have {1.25 GB} 2) you only have one mrmory expansion bay
# 3 Re: Satisfied with iBooks
my parents said they would pay for half. i have to raise the other half myself.
# 4 Re: Satisfied with iBooks
and is the 1.25GB RAM upgradable or not? you both said two different answers. thanks for the replies though! :)
# 5 Re: Satisfied with iBooks
Originally posted by KatieLew14
and is the 1.25GB RAM upgradable or not? you both said two different answers. thanks for the replies though! :)
1.25GB of RAM (or 1 1GB chip and 1 256MB chip) is the maximum amountof RAM, the current Mac portables can hold.
Very sweat setup you have there. I wish I could afford it.
I will basically be using it for e-mail, typing homework assignments, web browsing, storing pics and music, web design, and light graphic design. Is that too much?
I do about the same, except some coding, games and more intensive graphics, and my iBook setup is a 1.07Ghz with 768MB RAM, 12", with 40GB internal+60GB external and it runs fine most of the time. I'd say you're covered.
Good luck and feel free to ask any questions :D
# 6 Re: Satisfied with iBooks
thanks, kristiano! does it take a bit to load apps on a 4200RPM HDD? I never used one before.
# 7 Re: Satisfied with iBooks
oh, and one last thing. can you upgrade the graphics card some day if you wanted to?
# 8 Re: Satisfied with iBooks
Originally posted by KatieLew14
oh, and one last thing. can you upgrade the graphics card some day if you wanted to?
The graphics card is on the logic board. As far as I know, it cannot be upgraded. If it can (I think there's some kind of hack-I'm NOT SURE), than Apple was cease warranty support.
I use a 4200RPM HDD, it works okay for me.
# 9 Re: Satisfied with iBooks
Will the 4200RPM HDD freeze up if I run too many programs? I mean, I usually have at least 2-3 programs running at a time.
And does the iBook have the heating problem that I've heard the Powerbook has?
Thanks for your quick replies, Kristiano. :)
# 10 Re: Satisfied with iBooks
The HDD won't "freeze up" but if you don't have enough ram the computer will run sluggishly with a good amount of apps open. This is true of any computer though not just the Mac. At 14 I can't see that you would be doing that much to bog down your processor that much especially if you do max it out at 1.2gig of ram.
# 11 Re: Satisfied with iBooks
I just bought my daughter a 12 inch iBook for her 15th Birthday. 1.25Ghz G4, 768Mb of RAM. Works fine for everything she does with it...
baggss at 2007-11-15 18:11:24 >
# 12 Re: Satisfied with iBooks
thanks for the replies, guys. my one remaining question is does the iBook have heating issues like the PowerBook is said to? Thanks!
-Katie
# 13 Re: Satisfied with iBooks
1) The max RAM you can have is 1.25GB, so if you max it now then it won't be upgradeable in the furure. However if you don't max it now then it will be possible to upgrade in the future.
2) Nope, they will feel pretty much the same. Well they do to me anyway. That 133MHz difference isn't really worth the extra cash.
3) A bit slower, but not terribly so, you probably won't notice the difference for what you will be doing. Also the 4200rpm drive will draw less power which means better battery life.
4) Mine was about 5-6 hours when it was new, and its down to 3-4 now (a year on), so it's pretty good.
Personally for you I would say 1.25GB RAM is a bit excessive, if you are on a budget then I'd stick to 512MB or 768MB, as you probably won't notice much difference above that. I've been running mine on 256MB and it runs really well, so it should be fine with 512MB or above.
I'd recommend getting the 80GB hard disk and Bluetooth as you can't easily upgrade these later. Also go for the 12" model, as the 14" has no real advantages, it just adds bulk. The graphics chip can't be upgraded but it can be hacked to allow dual monitor support (extended desktop instead of mirroring), which is useful to have. The hack is safe and works really well. It also doesn't void your warranty as you can reset the PRAM to clear the hack.
http://www.rutemoeller.com/mp/ibook/ibook_e.html
I'm very happy with my iBook (well was very happy until it broke!), they are great little machines and will be perfect for what you are looking to do.
TOM
# 14 Re: Satisfied with iBooks
thanks, Tom. that's good advice. I really do appreciate it! :)
# 15 Re: Satisfied with iBooks
one question. if the laptops can only hold 1.25GB RAM anyway, what's the difference if you upgrade it now or later?
# 16 Re: Satisfied with iBooks
Originally posted by tomlevens
I'm very happy with my iBook (well was very happy until it broke!), they are great little machines and will be perfect for what you are looking to do.
TOM
First your iPod and now your iBook? Must be the stroboscopic interference from the wind turbine...:D
Bob at 2007-11-15 18:16:30 >
# 17 Re: Satisfied with iBooks
Originally posted by KatieLew14
one question. if the laptops can only hold 1.25GB RAM anyway, what's the difference if you upgrade it now or later?
cough instant gratification cough
# 18 Re: Satisfied with iBooks
Originally posted by KatieLew14
one question. if the laptops can only hold 1.25GB RAM anyway, what's the difference if you upgrade it now or later?
that's a good point.
iBimbo at 2007-11-15 18:18:32 >
