Greetings.
Allow me to introduce myself. I have just finished my Masters (Physics) and intend to go on to further study (either an MSc or a DPhil depending upon results in a week or two). Just like in the other thread, I am a Windows/x86 user who is quite certain he would wish to switch to an Apple laptop. The conversion came about when I saw a DPhil student living next to me using his laptop. The laptop itself looked good: but many do. What caught me was the OS: Mac OS X Panther seemed a perfect replacement to the slowly self-bloating Windows XP. I tried Linux which is indeed free for those who have time on their hands. A laptop sounds like a good idea especially if I go for the MSc which is in London.
Since all the old PC architecture is changing anyway making a new PC folly at this time, and I also have no free time any more to play games, from the tasks left, I ask myself what is there that an Apple could not accomplish? I need a machine that just runs elegantly with capability for DVDs, music, LaTeX, Office, email/internet, eDonkey2000, instant messaging/video chat with foreign relatives and programming. Since all of these seem to be available cross-platform, I cannot see why I should not switch and wanted input from the learned members of this forum where I have been a lurker.
As far as one can see, the 1Ghz iBook should suit me just fine with self bought and installed RAM and the extra care policy. A student discount would taker a slight edge off the price. But what recommendations are there? Would a pBook be more suited? What is Windows emulation like on an iBook should one wish to use it? Can a few of the older games (e.g. Total Annihilation) be played thus? How about music: what is the sound output like and what sorts of speaker sets can be connected? Since I have a huge lossless music collection, what external hard disk is recommended? Also, I was considering using an external mouse and keyboard when in accomodation. I already have an eye on a Microsoft Mouse, but why do Apple keyboards seem so expensive from the apple store, especially the wireless ones: are there any alternative prices? And what about if it is desired to connect the iBook to a VGA monitor or TV? Is any additional component needed?
Many thanks for the consideration in reading this post.
Allow me to introduce myself. I have just finished my Masters (Physics) and intend to go on to further study (either an MSc or a DPhil depending upon results in a week or two). Just like in the other thread, I am a Windows/x86 user who is quite certain he would wish to switch to an Apple laptop. The conversion came about when I saw a DPhil student living next to me using his laptop. The laptop itself looked good: but many do. What caught me was the OS: Mac OS X Panther seemed a perfect replacement to the slowly self-bloating Windows XP. I tried Linux which is indeed free for those who have time on their hands. A laptop sounds like a good idea especially if I go for the MSc which is in London.
Since all the old PC architecture is changing anyway making a new PC folly at this time, and I also have no free time any more to play games, from the tasks left, I ask myself what is there that an Apple could not accomplish? I need a machine that just runs elegantly with capability for DVDs, music, LaTeX, Office, email/internet, eDonkey2000, instant messaging/video chat with foreign relatives and programming. Since all of these seem to be available cross-platform, I cannot see why I should not switch and wanted input from the learned members of this forum where I have been a lurker.
As far as one can see, the 1Ghz iBook should suit me just fine with self bought and installed RAM and the extra care policy. A student discount would taker a slight edge off the price. But what recommendations are there? Would a pBook be more suited? What is Windows emulation like on an iBook should one wish to use it? Can a few of the older games (e.g. Total Annihilation) be played thus? How about music: what is the sound output like and what sorts of speaker sets can be connected? Since I have a huge lossless music collection, what external hard disk is recommended? Also, I was considering using an external mouse and keyboard when in accomodation. I already have an eye on a Microsoft Mouse, but why do Apple keyboards seem so expensive from the apple store, especially the wireless ones: are there any alternative prices? And what about if it is desired to connect the iBook to a VGA monitor or TV? Is any additional component needed?
Many thanks for the consideration in reading this post.
. I would say an iBook would be great for the things that you want to do, but I think you might be happier with the performance boost in the PowerBooks. Either way though, they should both run all the things that you need. Windows emulation isn't always the greatest, but I've heard that should be improving when the new Virtual PC. There's also some open source projects for Windows emulation that should be fully released soon. The Apple keyboards are expensive, if you want to save some cash, definitely go with another brand. Hope that helps a little!
