iBook Questions
Hi!
I am thinking of buying an ibook, but as I have never used a mac before (yes, I admit I am a PC user) I have a couple of questions.
I have used PCs all my live, but as I need a notebook now this is my chance to switch.
Here are my questions:
1) Mac OS X looks great, but how much different is it to Windows XP? Is it easy to switch?
2) How noisy is the ibook? I need it quiet when I work.
3) 12 or 14inch display?
4) How much Ram is neccesary for Office, videoediting and maybe a game now and then?
5) How good is the TV output? I need that regularly.
6) How safe is the airport?
7) Performance? 800MHz sounds not much in comparison to a 3GHz pIV.
8) Is it easy to connect a mac to a pc and share files?
9) I have heard of the software VirtualPC. As I probably will still have to use some of my PC software I will maybe need that. How good is it?
10) If the ibook is really that great as it sounds why does apple have such a low market share? In america they have 3%, here in austria many people don´t even know what a mac is!!!
Thx for your answers
JBM
I am thinking of buying an ibook, but as I have never used a mac before (yes, I admit I am a PC user) I have a couple of questions.
I have used PCs all my live, but as I need a notebook now this is my chance to switch.
Here are my questions:
1) Mac OS X looks great, but how much different is it to Windows XP? Is it easy to switch?
2) How noisy is the ibook? I need it quiet when I work.
3) 12 or 14inch display?
4) How much Ram is neccesary for Office, videoediting and maybe a game now and then?
5) How good is the TV output? I need that regularly.
6) How safe is the airport?
7) Performance? 800MHz sounds not much in comparison to a 3GHz pIV.
8) Is it easy to connect a mac to a pc and share files?
9) I have heard of the software VirtualPC. As I probably will still have to use some of my PC software I will maybe need that. How good is it?
10) If the ibook is really that great as it sounds why does apple have such a low market share? In america they have 3%, here in austria many people don´t even know what a mac is!!!
Thx for your answers
JBM
Comments
To answer a few others:
3) Both screen sizes use the same resolution. I prefer the 12 inch as I like a portable to be, well, portable.
4) I'd recommend at least 512, ideally more.
6) Airport uses 128 bit encryption, so unless you have some secrets of national importance, it should be okay.
7) You can't directly compare processor speeds between different types of processors. I think the fastest PIV available is 3GHz, I'm not sure you can get that in a laptop, and even if you could, it would probably use some sort of speed step technology to throttle it back whilst not plugged into the mains. Another related consideration is battery life, on some PCs it's realistically only a couple of hours.
9) Virtual PC is slow. It depends on the type of Windows software you want to use. 3D games are out.
10) Ignorance.
[ 11-23-2002: Message edited by: RodUK ]</p>
The 12" vs. 14" question is one not commonly agreed upon at AppleInsider. I for one have a 14" and would not, for no money in the world, get a 12". Screen resolutions are the same, but the 2" (diagonally) difference makes things smaller on the 12" screen, which I think is a real killer of the eyes (especially if they aren't perfect to begin with, but even otherwise).
About portability: I think this here 14" iBook I have is the most portable mac I've ever had, and it's my fourth portable as to date (previously 180, 1400c, G3 bronze, ibook). It is the lightest and at the same time biggest and most potent (in that, you couldn't really replace a desktop computer by a powerbook 180 - I admit that the G3 was a mighty speeder in its day, but this iBook@600mhz is faster still).
So, whether you go for a 12" or a 14", you won't be able to fit neither into a pants' pocket, but both will go seamlessly into a backpack.
VirtualPC: don't count on it. Okay that today's 800 mhz ibooks are faster than mine, but VirtualPC on mine (even with the oldest feasible version of Windows - 98 -) is unusable. I occasionally use it to check what internet explorer 5 on windows does to one of my sites, or go for some WinMX, but that's it.
Sadly enough, VirtualPC on OS X is a world of pain and frustration which you better stear clear of if you know what's good for you.
As to how OS X relates to XP, I wouldn't know, being a Machound myself. I guess there is some difference, but nothing that some weeks of normal usage won't cure. Also, AppleInsider's Genius Bar currently holds more Genius than ever before, might you run into problems.
Noisy: nothing. Maybe the most silent computer I have ever used. I hear that there IS a fan in the iBook, which might cause some noise when kicking in, but seeing as I have never had it kick in (and you can bet that I am very demanding of my iBook), it might be something that happens only to people living 'round the equator).
The 14" come with 256 MB of ram standard, which is actually enough, if it is just for Office. Ideally, you could go to 384 MB (which I have) or even 640 MB (there are only four measures of RAM possible in the iBook: 128, 256, 384, 640, as 128 is soldered onto the motherboard, and there is one extra slot - unless of course you start fooling around with a stick of 64 MB - or have they upped the amount on the motherboard?).
TV output I don't know, but it should be just about what you expect. (thing is, you need this extra adapter thingy, costing maybe 30 euro, which I don't have).
Performance is another thing. I'm not 100% happy with it. Of course, a laptop will always lag behind a desktop, but still, as people today tend to buy a laptop as their sole computer... if you're really concerned with performance, I'd go for a powerbook - even a refurbished one -. However, the ibook's performance is nothing to sneer at, and I reckon the new models will be a LOT faster than mine (also as they are, in hardware, configured to take advantages of some of OS X's features, notably Quartz Extreme).
connecting to a PC, I have no experience with.
Low market share? marketing choices gone awry, I guess.
<strong>I for one have a 14" and ...</strong><hr></blockquote>
:eek:
[quote]Originally posted by der Kopf:
<strong>Ideally, you could go to 384 MB (which I have) or even 640 MB (there are only four measures of RAM possible in the iBook: 128, 256, 384, 640, as 128 is soldered onto the motherboard, and there is one extra slot - unless of course you start fooling around with a stick of 64 MB - or have they upped the amount on the motherboard?).
</strong><hr></blockquote>
You're right, it's still 128
[ 11-23-2002: Message edited by: RodUK ]</p>
My 12" iBook is totally silent except for those times when the hard drive is actively kicking around to access data. That silence is an under-rated part of the experience, one that I never even thought about until now. I know other folks who have PC laptops with loud whirring fans. Great question!
OS X compared to XP
Well, they both have soft glowy buttons.....at least XP has them until you get to poking around in the control panels and then you're virtually back in Windows 95, appearance-wise.....and complexity wise too. Try changing some network settings sometime in XP. Wowsers.
The thing you'll notice the MOST may be the simple fact that the Mac OS doesn't try to guess what you're going to do unless it's an autonomic action...like trying to access the internet. It's really amazing when your notebook automatically detects the best way to get on the net FOR you. If I'm plugged into an ethernet cable it goes out that way. If an 802.11 connection is available then it grabs that. If it can't find that those it tries dialing out. Things you don't want to have to go fiddling with yourself.
I could probably assemble a quick list of 20 things about the Windows OS that I'd like to see happen in the Mac OS, but the Mac OS wins for me.
RAM
Max it out, you'll need it for anything more intensive than Office. Memory's cheap...or it was when I last bought some.
TV OUTPUT
It's a pretty soft image of your computer's desktop that comes out through the optional A/V cable.....UNTIL YOU START PLAYING DVD's and THEN it's pretty damned sharp. That really surprised me! You also have an output for an external monitor or video projector...it does that in mirror-mode. Looks fine on a big monitor.
AIRPORT
Safe? No radiation if that's what you mean. Data encryption? I think it's 128bit, but I'd do a google search and read about that, were I you.
NETWORKING TO PC's
Haven't tried it yet with OS X, but it's supposed to be a better experience now. I'll try that later.
MARKET SHARE
I'm too busy making money with my Mac to worry why the great unwashed masses prefer to use PC's. I don't worry about what they wear, eat or drive either. I like what I like and that's the way it is!
If you want to just share files, it's just a matter of configuring windows file sharing on the Mac and enable it on the PC.
If you want more, like running terminal services, you need to get it setup right on the PC and then use something like <a href="http://www.microsoft.com/mac/products/rdc/default.asp?navindex=s9b"; target="_blank">Microsoft RDC</a>, which works amazingly well.
For things like network gaming, there's no problem. HTH.
<strong>Well, the others have done a good job answering most of your questions, but I'll answer the connectivity to Windows part. With 10.2 (which will be preinstalled), Windows connectivity is pretty good. Networking is a snap... at least on the Mac end. Of course the windows computer must be properly configured for networking with other computers (that may itself be a challenge... I don't know b/c I'm a mac user). You've got several options depending on what you're trying to do.
If you want to just share files, it's just a matter of configuring windows file sharing on the Mac and enable it on the PC.
If you want more, like running terminal services, you need to get it setup right on the PC and then use something like <a href="http://www.microsoft.com/mac/products/rdc/default.asp?navindex=s9b"; target="_blank">Microsoft RDC</a>, which works amazingly well.
For things like network gaming, there's no problem. HTH.</strong><hr></blockquote>
And with these remarks, torifile killeth this thread dead. Amen
But of course there are alot of compatability issues with many software not available for the Mac. Therefore all your existing windows software will not be able to use it on the Mac and u need to buy mac software
get the 14" if u are mainly working at home or if your eyesight is not very good. get the 12" if u want portability.
I believe the ibook is worth it due to its reduced price. Hope u join the mac community
<strong>
And with these remarks, torifile killeth this thread dead. Amen
<strong>
DON'T CHANGE THE SIG! It's one of the funniest I've ever seen (though I admit I haven't seen all that many). It is ... no adjective is adequate, you know, it's just ... oh well.
Maybe next time I will already post from an ibook
Thx
JBM
<strong>Thx for all your replies. I didn´t expect that much usefull information in one day, but maybe that´s a mac community thing. But I think I could get used to that
Maybe next time I will already post from an ibook
Thx
JBM</strong><hr></blockquote>
which size are you inclined to go for? (for size DOES matter, you know
[ 11-23-2002: Message edited by: JBM ]</p>
can't wait
-dkillian
I have the iBook Dual USB w/ 8 MB VRAM. Sucks for games, and no Quartz Extreme for me. The new Combo drive model looks sweet, and I can get a nice deal on ram (employee discount
Member
Posts: 126
From: Anchorage, AK <hr></blockquote>
How is Anchorage this time of year?
<strong>
How is Anchorage this time of year?</strong><hr></blockquote>
Cold.
Actually, it's unseasonably warm. The snow's melted off, which is causing some problems in the national parks. there was an article on Friday in the paper about how predators were having an easy time with prey, because all the prey species are in their winter coloration.
Thus, big white targets against the ground.
Check it out <a href="http://www.adn.com/life/story/2200102p-2270232c.html"; target="_blank">here</a>.