One of the most practical and affordable portable solutions
Written: Feb 13 '03 (Updated Feb 18 '03)
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Pros: Unmatched portability, rock solid operating system, beautiful design
Cons: Slightly sub-par construction, case scratches easily
The Bottom Line: Despite its vulnerability to cosmetic wear, the elegant iBook is a superior machine that surpasses competitors in performance and portability by leaps and bounds.
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| kramerarch's Full Review: Apple iBook 12.1 in. (M8861LL/A) Mac Notebook |
The current version of the iBook is Apple Computer's best effort to date to provide un-matched portability at an attractive price. The 12" iBook is the size that a laptop SHOULD be, just small enough to fit in a briefcase or bookbag and take up no more space than any other item. Though even with its diminuitive footprint, it packs considerable computing power.
At the heart of the iBook is Apple's G3 processor. It is true that the iBook is the last of Apple's computers to use the G3, as every other model has moved up to the more powerful G4. Though Apple recently released the 12" G4 Powerbook, which some have called "The next iBook" because it shares an almost identical case but with upgraded performance - Apple has not indicated that the current iBook line will move up to the G4 at any point in the near future. Though the new 12" G4 Powerbook certainly packs in more power and flexibility, it comes at a price. While an entry level iBook retails at $999, the Powerbook starts at $1799, a considerable price increase.
What is important to note with the 800 Mhz G3 iBook is that for most users, the difference in performance between it and the new G4 Powerbook is minimal at best. For running all bundled applications, including Safari, Mail, the iLife Software Package, Microsoft Office, etc. - programs will run at indistinguishable speeds. The G3 is more than capable to handle most applications and accomplishes tasks with surprising speed.
Where the differences between the two product lines comes most into play is in more demanding applications, such as Adobe Photoshop and Premiere. The iBook will certainly handle these, but the Powerbook will do it better. And if burning DVD's is a concern - it's not an option on the iBook unless an external burner is purchased. Even then, it would still require considerable time to encode a DVD. Whereas on the Powerbook, a built-in Superdrive is an option and DVD-burning will take considerably less time.
When shopping for a 12" iBook, try to opt for the model equipped with the ATI Mobility Radeon 7500 Graphics Accelerator with 32MB of memory. Only the least expensive model comes with the 16MB card, and the jump in graphics cards has a noticeable effect on performance, particularly in graphics intensive applications.
Just as with any other Macintosh, the iBook benefits from the rock-solid Mac OS X Jaguar operating system. It is by far Apple's best operating system to date, virtually eliminating any sorts of system crashes and seamlessly integrating programs for an unparalleled computing experience. Jaguar now comes with Apple's new iLife software, which further builds on this idea of inter-program compatibility.
Beware though - Jaguar is certainly a power-hungry operating system. The iBook comes standard with 128 MB of RAM, the bare minimum to run Jaguar. With this standard configuration, Jaguar will drag during certain tasks. With the iBook, it is almost essential to purchase an additional 512 MB module, which can now be had for under $100, maxing out the computer's RAM to 640 MB. The difference in speed is considerable and is well-worth the price.
The iBook's built-in 16x8x8x24x DVD/CD-RW drive is extremely capable, with convenient integrated burning features incorporated into iTunes. While not quite as slick as the Powerbook's slot-loading drive, it operates extremely well and DVD movie playback on the iBook is almost flawless.
The iBook's built-in speakers are somewhat diminuitive (a natural trait for most laptops), though with the addition of an iSub, they come to life with surprising clarity. Thanks to removing the responsibility of carrying bass, the iSub allows the iBook's built-in speakers to primarily function as tweeters, creating for a rather impressive sound set-up that seems as though it comes from much larger and more expensive speakers.
The iBook's battery life is rather impressive for it's relative size. To maximize the battery's charge, turning down the LCD screen's brightness adds considerable life. With the brightness turned down, running on standard use, I have ranged anywhere from 2 - 3.5 hours on a full charge. Though this is still under Apple's advertised 5 hours, it is still impressive for a small laptop.
As stated above, be advised that if shopping for an iBook, the 12" model is the most rational choice. The 14" and 12" models benefit from the same screen resolution, meaning that no additional real-estate will be gained from the larger model, the image will only be slightly magnified. Though this also brings a less sharp picture on the 14" model. The larger iBook also offers about 45 minutes more use on a full battery charge, though of course, this means less portability. The 14" model is roughly the same size as the 15" G4 Powerbook and it may be worth it to consider an entry-level Powerbook in comparison to the 14" iBook. The 12" is less expensive, has a sharper screen and is much more portable.
It is important to note that the iBook does have some shortcomings. Most of these however stem from build quality. When closed, the lid does not feel as secure as many other laptops on the market. This can be remedied by Third-Party companies who offer supplemental pads to create a more effective seal between the screen and computer case when closed. Check out Radtech (http://www.radtech.us/) for such products.
Also when the lid is closed, dirt left on the keyboard from a user's hands can become imprinted into the LCD screen, causing difficult to remove marks or in a rare circumstance permanent scratches. To avoid this problem, the iSkin, a silicone covering for the keyboard, costing about $20, is a sound investment.
The iBook is an extremely durable and rugged case that is quite difficult to physically "break," though the case is quite prone to frequent scratches. The finish of the iBook is a beautiful translucent white with a glowing Apple logo - though the clear finish will scratch and show light scratches and swirl marks. Apple and several other vendors offer cases custom-designed to carry the iBook, many of which sell for under $50. These are certainly something to consider to protect the iBook - especially if considering keeping the machine for a long time. Radtech and similar companies also offers less expensive slip covers to prevent scratching, which start around $20.
Despite some of its cosmetic shortfalls, the iBook is a superior machine that undercuts competition in pricing and surpasses it in performance and portability by leaps and bounds. For just over $1000, it is a buy that cannot be matched.
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 1200
Operating System: Macintosh
Processor: PowerPC G3
Processor speed: 701-800
Screen Size: 12 inches
RAM: More than 256
Internal Storage: CD-RW and DVD
Hard Drive (GB): 21-30
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Epinions.com ID:
kramerarch
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Member: Lance Kramer
Reviews written: 15
Trusted by: 19 members
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