Cam59 said:
thanks for the help! I think ive got everything figured out now what about appleworks and microsoft student and teacher edition? I know u guys hate microsoft but what would be the best thing for me? Also, Im either gonna do the 12 inch iBook or PowerBook for 2 years before i go to college. Which laptop would be best for me (I know that question is asked a lot but Ive been debating this back and forth). Thanks for all the help.
We have to know what you want to do with your Mac. tunes, surfing, word processing, iMovie, iPhoto, Photoshop, etc. Unless you are a power user (ie photoshop, illustrator, Final Cut Pro, etc.) an iBook would be great...and even an iBook would run those programs...just not as fast so depending on how much you would be a "power user" would depend on what to get. I am buying an iBook for my wife at work as we speak and they are G4's and what I hear is they are great!
As far as appleworks vs office student (same as reg. office) we need to know what you want to do. AppleWorks can read an write documents that Word/Excel (PC or Mac) users can view accurately pretty well unless you get into lots of tables or major formatting stuff. If you are simply sharing a paper with a profess. or teacher apple works would work great. If you are doing extensive tables, use power point, very extensive spread sheets then Office would be better. Another reason to get the iBook is you get lots of free software with it that you don't get with the Powerbook. Apple Works only comes free on ibook...not Powerbook. iBook Software Collection
Straight from AppleStore.com: Every iBook comes loaded with top-notch software including Quicken for Mac to make managing your finances a breeze, AppleWorks 6 to keep you productive, World Book Encyclopedia to tell you what you need to know about practically everything, Sound Studio for easy digital audio editing. And for those times when you just want to have fun, iBook also includes Tony Hawks Pro Skater 4, Deimos Rising, and Mac OS X Chess.
Remember, the Powerbook will only come with OSX software apple, not the ones listed above. I would say the best thing to do is buy the iBook (if this is the one you decide on) and try appleworks out. If you decide you want MS OFfice student it doesn't cost any more to go back and buy it and you can get it at any school reseller or apple.com easily for around $150. Doesn't have to be bought with the Mac. this way you can try it out.
Good luck,
Johnny