iBookG4--can anyone help me decipher the lingo and decide if it's the best laptop for me?

September 7, 2005 10:03 AM

I'm starting my graduate program this year and have decided I need to get a computer of my own (no more all-nighters in the school computer labs) but think a laptop would best suit my needs as I can carry my work from home to school, etc. I've been researching a bit and I'm attracted to the iBookG4 (14") but to be honest I don't know a whole lot about computers and so would appreciate some more "expert" opinions. I enjoy the student discount (and let's face it, the free iPod mini doesn't hurt either) but am unsure as to whether or not I need to upgrade the hard-drive or even what the benefit of a Superdrive will be to me. It comes with 512 MB memory, a 60GB hard drive, and an 8X Superdrive (which can be downgraded to the DVD/CDRW drive). Most of this is greek to me. Also, do I need to get the AppleCare Protection Plan? I'm trying to keep things relatively inexpensive but am willing to spend money for quality. Thanks!

If anyone disagrees with the choice of the iBookG4, is there another direction I should be heading?

posted by popsicletoes to computers & internet (19 comments total)

Applecare is definitely recommended.

Aside from that we really need to know what course you are doing and what software or type of software you expect to use. If you're just writing in a word processor your needs are going to be very different from a scientist using specialist software for example.
posted by edd at 10:09 AM on September 7, 2005

If you're not really a tech-head, then the best plan is to set your budget and buy something at that price point.

For your specific questions:

Do you need to upgrade the hard drive (from 60 GB I assume)? Probably not. I assume you're not majoring in film (where you might need to store video on the drive) or CS (where you need to store code and lots of w4r3Z). 60 GB is enough for most "normal people".

Superdrive benefit? Only if you need to burn DVDs. This can be useful for backups and you may find yourself wanting the capability in the future. If it's not much extra money, I would suggest getting the Superdrive.

Applecare? Most Mac laptop owners on the 'net seem to think it's a good investment. It's insurance though, so it may pay for itself or it may not. If you want extra peace of mind, I would suggest getting it.

Also, I'd suggest budgeting for software. Perhaps a copy of MS Office for the Mac or Apple's own suite.
posted by GuyZero at 10:13 AM on September 7, 2005

A superdrive will read and write CD's and DVD's which would be useful for backing data up.

60 gig is more than enough unless you have a very big CD collection and plan to load them all into iTunes. 512 meg is also fine.

You'll probably need something like Microsoft Word, Excel and Powerpoint. There are (free) alternatives but consider the ramifications if you can't load this format to do some work - or worse, your professor can't open a document you've written.

If budget really is an issue, consider a Windows laptop.
posted by ralawrence at 10:15 AM on September 7, 2005

Superdrive = DVD recorder
512 MB RAM = enough, probably
60GB hard disk = enough, probably
14" iBook = huge, for no reason. Get the 12" instead. It has the same about of data on screen, just smaller and infinitely more portable.
Applecare = waste of money. Put it on your household insurance instead.
posted by cillit bang at 10:15 AM on September 7, 2005

If you are buying Microsoft Office, make sure you get the student/educational discount.
posted by cushie at 10:17 AM on September 7, 2005

(about = amount)
posted by cillit bang at 10:18 AM on September 7, 2005

I'll definitely be purchasing the MS Office for Macs (teacher/student version?) if I do get the iBook--the ease and compatibility with others will make it worthwhile I think. But in response to edd I'm starting my MA in sociology and will be writing a lot and using AtlasTI for computer-assited qualitative data analysis...but that's about it I think.
posted by popsicletoes at 10:22 AM on September 7, 2005

Ditto cillit bang. I have the 12" PowerBook and Mrs. Docgonzo has the 15" iBook. It's too big.
posted by docgonzo at 10:28 AM on September 7, 2005

If you can, get to a store to see the laptops in person. You might be surprised to see how little difference the size makes. I decided the 14" was a waste of money, and opted for the 12". It's perfect.

As to the specs: A 60 GB hard drive is more than enough, but I would max the RAM. The reasoning is pretty simple: Newer software requires more memory; so eventually, you have to either stop updating software or buy a new computer. The more memory you have, the longer you can stretch the computer's lifespan.

If you're buying an iBook, don't bother with the SuperDrive. Again, simple reasoning: If you were heavy into producing your own videos, you'd be buying a PowerBook. If you really need to burn a DVD once in awhile, stop by a computer cafe. In the meantime, save your money.

I always buy AppleCare, and it's come in handy. Check past AskMe threads for opinions. The consensus seems to run in favor.

Good luck.
posted by cribcage at 10:31 AM on September 7, 2005

ATLAS.ti will only run on a Mac under VirtualPC, and then only slowly. VirtualPC will cost you extra so you will have to budget that in, and it makes a Windows laptop considerably more appealing as a result.
posted by edd at 10:32 AM on September 7, 2005

Get the 12 inch, far easier to lug around school all day.

Ditto the others, 512 and 60 gig should be lots, unless you do a LOT of graphics. In which case, you probably need an external drive anyway. Small = portable = handy = more use-value.

I just switched from windows to mac after 20 years and have a powerbook which so far is great.
posted by Rumple at 10:34 AM on September 7, 2005

Yes, if Atlas.ti is a requirement, that argues strongly in favor of a Windows machine. Or, get a mac, and continue using the lab PCs for Atlas.

You should also look at used computers. Huge savings, and the old stuff isn't so bad if all you are interested in is word processing.
posted by profwhat at 10:49 AM on September 7, 2005

I join the chorus telling you to get the 12". Having been a student recently, and owning the 12" I'll tell you that the 14" is going to be too heavy and hard to get into a bag. You'll be working all over the place and carrying books as well. When I had my 15" Titanium and was writing my BA, it was difficult. You won't miss the screen size.

And as far as whether this is the computer for you, I'd say that I tell everyone to get this computer. It's a bargain, I love it, I think everyone would love it.
posted by scazza at 10:51 AM on September 7, 2005

AppleCare is insurance. I would never buy it for a desktop machine, but a notebook? Definitely. If anything goes wrong with the LCD (for example) you don't have a computer at all.

Unless a big screen is very important to you, go with the 12" iBook or upgrade to the 12" PowerBook.

Check out this comparison of 12" PowerBook and 14" iBook.
posted by TechStuff at 11:55 AM on September 7, 2005

The iBook is a nice machine. You will probably be happy with it.

Superdrive: this would be a good idea for backing up. Your home directory will probably be too big to fit on a CD, but you can organize things so it is not too big to fit on a DVD. If you plan on getting an external hard drive or just living dangerously, then you can disregard this.

RAM: 512 MB is OK, more is better.

This is as good a place as any to pass on some Office for Mac advice: if your Mac comes pre-installed with the Office demo (test drive, whatever they call it), and you are installing the real Office, run the Office installer to uninstall the demo first. Had a nasty problem with this.
posted by adamrice at 12:15 PM on September 7, 2005

The ibook has long (for a laptop) battery life. Much better than the powerbook.

Make sure you get a large HD if you're going to run VPC. (80 if it's available.). Make sure you get 1 gig of ram (gives nice breathing room.)

Search for the other Mac AskMefi questions as there's mentions of lots of good freeware/shareware/open source.
posted by filmgeek at 1:13 PM on September 7, 2005

Re: AppleCare. See our previous discussion on the matter.
posted by Who_Am_I at 1:25 PM on September 7, 2005

I just got the 12" on the weekend. There was little reason to pay more for the 1lb extra I'd have to lug if I got the 14".

I probably should have gotten more HD space. 40 is already tight. The base install is large, but if you're monolingual you can apparently strip out hundreds of megs of language packs.

So far I love it. I did however add another gig of ram. I put it in almost right away so I can't give you any comparisons.
posted by maledictory at 3:27 PM on September 7, 2005

My roommate is extremely happy with her 12" iBook - she's a fourth year grad student in Philosophy.

My only advice is to find out whether your new school has a discount - my uni has something like 30% off on all Apple products (including iPods - they are very educational).

I assume it also comes with wireless - my university isn't supporting ether net connections in the libraries any more, just wireless.
posted by jb at 6:09 PM on September 7, 2005