Registered: Dec 1999
Location:
Posts: 30

Laptop purchase - IBook?

I am selling my motorcycle (sob! - a beautiful custom Bonneville) and scraping together some funds to buy a new laptop. I am thinking of shucking Windows and going to the Apple titanium ibook. Anyone want to help talk me into or out of it? I want to make sure I consider as many problems and advantages as I can before I leap - this is a bit of money we're talking about.

Please - NO FLAMES

Kevin

Registered: Feb 2001
Location:
Posts: 138

iceBook or tiBook?

How important is screen size to you?
How important is portability? (i.e. does weight matter?)

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When I get a little money I buy books; if any is left, I buy food and clothes.

Registered: Sep 2000
Location: Rochester, NY
Posts: 284

Re: Laptop purchase - IBook?

quote:

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Originally posted by kevinmc
Anyone want to help talk me into or out of it

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Talk you out of what? Selling the motorcycle or buying Apple?

I'm willing to do the former, but not the latter.

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Registered: Feb 2001
Location:
Posts: 447

There was a thread about this that I'm too lazy to search for, but search for the title "Laptop for College"

Registered: Jan 2000
Location: Twin Cities, MN
Posts: 1683

quote:

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Apple titanium ibook

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Registered: Dec 1999
Location:
Posts: 30

I'll try to respond to the follow up questions in order-but I'm easily confused, so bear with me.

1. Screen size and portability are very important. I'm getting older so the eyes are bad, I'm scrawny so lower weight would be nice.

2. Go ahead try to talk me out of selling the bike. I've had it for twenty two years, put an enormous amount of time, money and work into it, it's beautiful (I'll try to post a link to a pic later), and I'll end up selling it for a song 'cause who wants a '69 British bike that is not even close to original? Obviously I'm conflicted.

3. I'm looking at the Titanium power book (not ibook as I mistakenly stated-sorry)
4. No bus - PT Cruiser ( I waited for that even longer than I had to wait for my Visor when they first came out)

Registered: Jan 2000
Location: Twin Cities, MN
Posts: 1683

quote:

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1. Screen size and portability are very important. I'm getting older so the eyes are bad, I'm scrawny so lower weight would be nice.

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Registered: Feb 2001
Location:
Posts: 138

quote:

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Originally posted by homer


That's be two votes for the TiBooks. One of the lightest laptops you can get with one of the biggest screens you can get.

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When I get a little money I buy books; if any is left, I buy food and clothes.

Registered: May 2000
Location: St. Paul, MN
Posts: 1429

I have nothing but good things to say about apple laptops. Many of my friends have them (private school kids bought them) and they work great.

All versions are durable, fast, expandable.. blah blah and OS X is pretty..

the [apple] laptops have long battery life, great ports on them and have well everything! I like them..


oh yeah! their farily light weight for hte power they provide!

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-miradu

Registered: Dec 1999
Location:
Posts: 30

Thanks - I agree that form factor makes the TiBook an obvious winner.

I have some concerns about using some existing Win programs. I'm a school teacher and use several programs (gradebook and lesson planning esp.) that are not available for the Mac platform. I know that some sort of emulator program is available - anyone have experience as to its reliability? Any and all windows programs run or are there some specific problems you're aware of?
I appreciate the feedback

Kevin

Registered: Feb 2001
Location:
Posts: 138

Emulators

I use Virtual PC. While I've not yet upgraded to the OSX compatible version, Connectix makes an incredibly useful and stable product. Like any emulator your programs will run a bit more slowly but it's not irritating nor particularly noticeable.

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When I get a little money I buy books; if any is left, I buy food and clothes.

Registered: Jan 2001
Location:
Posts: 278

Do you need the G4 that the powerbook offers? Are you intices by its Titanium case? If so get one of those if you wish to spend the extra dough. The iBook comes with a larger screen but it is still only 14", better than 12". I have never owned a Mac but the next machine I buy will be a TiBook.

--David

Registered: Sep 2000
Location: Rochester, NY
Posts: 284

quote:

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Originally posted by recordond
Do you need the G4 that the powerbook offers? Are you intices by its Titanium case? If so get one of those if you wish to spend the extra dough. The iBook comes with a larger screen but it is still only 14", better than 12". I have never owned a Mac but the next machine I buy will be a TiBook.

--David

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Actually, I checked out the 14" and the 12" in CompUSA over the weekend. Since the resolution for both is 1024X768, the fonts are a bit larger on the 14", but I'm not convinced the 14" is all that better, and the overall size and price is significantly more.

As always, I'd suggest going to your local CompUSA, or better yet your local Apple store (if you have one nearby) and check them out for yourself.

As for the Bonnie, you're probably right that you won't get much for it. The only point I could use to try and talk you out of it would be "The Itch" to ride come spring. Take it from someone who's been there: it'll get intolerable eventually.

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Registered: Aug 2001
Location: Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio
Posts: 51

If you plan on sticking with Windows I give a vote for a Dell. I have the Inspiron 8100 and it is one hell of a notebook. It is a great desktop replacement. Very powerfull and one of the best screens in the industry. The only downside is it is not the lightest notebook around. If you want something lighter than go with the 4100. I cant tell you how many people at work stop and make comments on the thing when they see it. I have never used a Mac so have no comment there. They do look like a neat notebook from what I have seen.

Registered: Sep 2000
Location: Rochester, NY
Posts: 284

quote:

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Originally posted by kevinmc
I have some concerns about using some existing Win programs. I'm a school teacher and use several programs (gradebook and lesson planning esp.) that are not available for the Mac platform. I know that some sort of emulator program is available - anyone have experience as to its reliability? Any and all windows programs run or are there some specific problems you're aware of?
Kevin

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It's gotta be weather balloons. It's always weather balloons. Big, fiery, exploding weather balloons.
-- ComaVN (from Slashdot)

Registered: Apr 2001
Location: Federal Way, WA
Posts: 19

quote:

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Originally posted by sowens

There's an Appleworks support site on the net, which of course I can't remember off the top of my head. Try checking under software on the Apple website.

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Registered: Dec 1999
Location:
Posts: 30

Thanks for everyone's input.
Re: appleworks - I'm really trying to verify that the emulation for Windows programs works. I know I could use an alternative database/spreadsheet program and make up a gradebook and lesson planner. However, the programs I currently use integrate with the school district's mainframe - I can download class lists, upload grades at the end of the 9 week period and include the state's curriculum standards into my lesson plans- with a click or two. Getting any spreadsheet/database to do all that (not to mention reporting features) would take a lot of time and effort. Time and effort I would rather spend on things that directly affect my students' performance.
I do appreciate all this help, though. As much as I like the TiBook and want to escape Microsoft, this is not an easy jump to make.