Sadly, Apple handicaps the iBook line (slower bus, slower ram, two year old video cards) so that the Powerbooks will still sell. That, and they are missing a few really nice I/O features and abilities.
The iBook will work out I imagine. There are just a couple of things I dislike about them. I just couldn't justify saving $250-300 when I was already spending over a grand - so I shot for the Powerbooks.
The good news is that it's pretty durable - unless you drop it with the LCD open, or, if the point of impact is the LCD panel. The iBooks are a little more forgiving when it comes to wear and tear. However, my advice is that you purchase a specialty carrying case, made especially for notebook computers and the accessories you'd need for it.
I suggest ebags.com for a backpack.
And it goes without saying - max out your ram.
Remember - import all of your raw DV footage to your external drive. Otherwise, FCP saves it in your Documents folder. There are settings you must configure before you start importing and exporting movies.
The worst part about Apple notebooks is the slow Hard Drives. You will notice a significant decrease in render times with your external. Also, when you get the money - buy a second, and maybe even a third external to use as backup. Or, if you have another computer - dump all of your work files onto it. Have some sort of backup routine. You will hate yourself for losing work. Save yourself the trouble and spend some extra cash to ensure the safe-keeping of your work.
Oh - and last but not least: Never drink or eat anything around your computer that doesn't have a cap. If you can't knock it over without it spilling - don't set it down anywhere near it. I know from experience that sometimes - you just need that caffiene fix to keep you going during an all-night edit session. I've had four friends ruin their powerbooks by knocking over juice, water, coffee, etc.
I guess it's really just common sense.
Don't be an idiot, and your computer will survive.
