[help] Ibook?

Forgive if I post this in the wrong section, if its wrong, feel free to move it to the right section.

I've had a major tough week at school. My PC laptop was stolen a couple days ago while I was working at school =( Because it was personal property and it was on school grounds it is insured. So the next step for me is to start thinking about a new laptop.

I'm a poor teacher making little money, so I need to watch the budget. After researching and connections, I have found that I can get a iBook for the following specs

iBook G4 12-inch - $1100

* 1.0GHz G4 processor

* 256MB of PC2100 DDR SDRAM

* 30GB Ultra ATA hard disk drive

* Combo drive (DVD-ROM/CD-RW)

* Built-in 10/100BASE-T Ethernet

* 54-Mbps AirPort Extreme ready

* Built-in 56K V.92 modem

* Mac OS X

* AppleCare Protection Plan 3-year warranty

Now, I am a PC person. I built desktops and I love my PC that I have built. I have accumulated a lot of PC software over the years (Photoshop, Office, Dreamweaver are my most important applications). I would like to consider the PC laptop option as well because I've already bought a lot of the software that I need.

So my question is can I get a PC with the same similar specs as the iBook I found. Battery life, weight, and wireless are huge concerns for me because I travel with my laptop a lot. Any thoughts? Thanks for any helpful tips.

#162066

You can get a pc with similar specs than the iBook. In fact the pc could be faster, better, more for your $$$budget. Also, you would have to buy (I don't support warez) the software for mac that you already own on pc... That will cost a fair bit of money...

On the other hand, all the applications you mentioned have a free/open source alternative... ie: Photoshop - gimp. (macgimp).

For wireless situations I think the iBook would be better than the majority of pc's.

The iBook has a really good battery.

The iBook is also really light...

It would be worthwhile looking up *exact* specs and then comparing them to each other.

The iBook is for everyday use. ie: web, notes, email... It is not really for *power* use...

N.b. If you choose the iBook - get more ram than it comes with...

I personally am getting an iBook in a few months... I can't wait.

Good luck.

#162077

You can get a pc with similar specs than the iBook. In fact the pc could be faster, better, more for your $$$budget.

Any particular recommendations or places I could look up?

#162081

Max the RAM and take the plunge. For the specs you're talking about I think it's a bargain. If you're in an office printing via a LAN you may have some issues though. Check for printer/networking compatability if that's important for you. I have *zero* regrets about my 12" iBook. OSX is amazing, however not instantaneous as on a higher end PowerBook or G5. Its industrial design is unmatched; for example the AC adapter, of all the the everyday unremarkable things you think about on a laptop, is unbelievably great. You'll see what I mean after you get it. Anyway, worst case scenario, if you don't like it, next machine go back to PC.

#162083

Nice Homerpalooza reference. I agree with ji eun. Seriously once you go OSX you won't want Windows. I was a huge PC guy until a week ago when I got a PowerBook and there is no looking back.

#162084

Yeah, I just gotta find big discounts for software. Maybe teachers discount would work?

#162085

Yep, as a teacher you would get discounts... They aren't *big* tho... Software is as expensive as the hardware sometimes...

In Australia as a student I can get the Adobe Design Collection for $2,930.00. This is simply not feesable... Go the gimp...

Some graphic software comes with purchased hardware. ie: a wacom a5 graffix tablet comes with photoshop elements. You best shop around... I'm not sure but i think eBay might sell some unopened/unused packaged software...

Apc pc magazines have the latest pc lappy specs that you can check out. Good reviews too... A local library should have a bit of a back catalogue if yr after older stuff.

Google is yr friend otherwise.

http://barefeats.com/ is a good site to see mac speed comparisons...

Don't forget that the iBooks beauty is expensive(relativelly speaking). Compare practicality and physicality.

#162174