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ibook g4 worth it?

A good source for reputable sellers of iBook G4

Although I agree that a refurbished MacBook from Apple Store is the way to go (and prices should be falling as new models are expected thsi fall), I also understand your desire to get started with an older model.
LowEndMac http://www.lowendmac.com/ is an excellent source of information on all aspects of older (and current) Macs.
They also run a biweekly list of prices and sellers for various models. Here is the link for the iBook G4 http://www.lowendmac.com/deals/best-ibook-g4-prices.html
Make sure to choose a seller who offers a warranty and to check the seller out on Google (search for "problems with [name of seller]" or similar terms]
And don't forget to check with the nearest Authorized Apple Reseller!
Good luck! let us know what you decide...
 
Here's something else the iBook has going for it: a built in modem. You just might find yourself stuck somewhere in despepate need of a fax machine. . . which the iBook will give you (although I've never used it). I've also used dial-up internet with my iBook when I was out at my grandma's once. Apple does sell an external modem to use with the MacBook, though.

Plus that matte screen is just fresh!
 
I bought an iBook G4 from a member here on MR back in like February and I love it. It's PERFECT for just browsing the web, iTunes, Mail, instant messaging, etc. I haven't really tried to do anything more intensive than that on it, but it's awesome at simple stuff, for sure.

I have actually found myself using it more than my iMac C2D lately. I'm typing this right now on the iBook. It's a 1.33GHz 12" with 1GB RAM. The last revision before the MacBook. No doubt that it's way slower than an Intel machine, but if all you wanna do is the simple stuff, it'll suit you fine.

As others have pointed out, though, you won't have a warranty if you buy one. If you're comfortable with opening up a laptop to change parts, that might not be a problem. For me, I have a friend that can work on mine for me if something breaks, so that's a good thing. I wouldn't open it up, that's for sure.

I paid around $500 for mine and I know I could have got a refurb MacBook, but I wanted a "beater" computer that I could take anywhere I want and not really worry about scratching it, etc., and I'm very satisfied with my purchase.

I'm also running the latest version of Leopard and it runs excellent. And with Spaces, screen real estate isn't really an issue.

I say if you want an iBook G4, go for it. They are great computers and especially if you can find one for cheap, I think you'll be very happy with it.

Anything beats using Windows, right? :cool:
 
I have an iBook G4/1.33 (the 12" model) that I use a surprising amount, considering that I have a much faster MBP available (the iBook is safer to use when my 3-year-old daughter is around). It's a great little machine, and I really enjoy it. It must be said, though, that even for web surfing it's getting long in the tooth--it occasionally struggles with Youtube, for example.

If part of your problem with XP is that you found it slow, I think you might be frustrated by an iBook. But if you do go the iBook route, I'd encourage you to look for the 1.33 GHz or 1.42 GHz models (the latter is 14" only).
 
question for the ibook, when you load a website on it does it show right away, or does it lag for like 5 seconds to show the website? my computer now is very slow on loading websites.
 
G4 web browsing video

nickel123 said:
question for the ibook, when you load a website on it does it show right away, or does it lag for like 5 seconds to show the website? my computer now is very slow on loading websites.
Click to expand...

Hey there,

You actually went to my website earlier: macunwired.net (Thanks for all the extra traffic! Since this post I have had about 10X the hits as usual!)... I have a video posted on youtube demoing the speed of a G4 iBook on the internet.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lJuD_FDJXo4

Note that I have a fast DSL connection... this video is mainly to show the rendering of the pages, not the load-time. If you have a internet service like satellite... there will be a long latency before the page starts loading.

I will post again soon with some of my experiences with iBook G4's. It is a hard choice between MacBook or iBook with the price differences and your needs.
 
macunwired said:
Hey there,

You actually went to my website earlier: macunwired.net (Thanks for all the extra traffic! Since this post I have had about 10X the hits as usual!)... I have a video posted on youtube demoing the speed of a G4 iBook on the internet.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lJuD_FDJXo4

Note that I have a fast DSL connection... this video is mainly to show the rendering of the pages, not the load-time. If you have a internet service like satellite... there will be a long latency before the page starts loading.

I will post again soon with some of my experiences with iBook G4's. It is a hard choice between MacBook or iBook with the price differences and your needs.
Click to expand...

you're welcome, i am interested in the products you sell so that's why i posted your link.
 
I have had 3 iBooks, one powerbook and a macbook. All of them were (the MB is) little sturdy machines that processed everything I threw at them.

The last iBook I parted with, went all across the country to my dad, who is a college teacher in the city where he lives and a high-school teacher in one nearby town. He recently started an on-line course and he needed a laptop for mobility (as he spends a good couple of hours of daily commuting), to create and grade tests, to research on the web and to keep in touch with his family (besides me, he has brothers and sisters living all across the country).

So I gave him my trusty iBook G4 (1.33 GHz, 1GB RAM, OS X.5.4) and he is really happy with it. He loves the small size and weight (as it is not the only thing he needs to carry on him) and it serves his needs wonderfully; I can even trouble shoot with screen sharing trough iChat.

So, Count my vote for the iBook.
 
I have come to my final decision. After countless hours of research, I figured that the macbook is way too far expensive for my budget, too many programs I am paying extra for that I don't need, and alot of various things I will not be using for until a new version of the software comes out. Anyways although the iBook isn't perfect, It suits my needs perfectly. All I am looking for, is a laptop, an apple mac laptop, and a latop that is faster than my current windows machine. And believe that the ibook g4 has what i need, the speed I need, and the look and style i want. Thankyou all who persuaded me in getting a macbook, I really considered it, and I wish I could own them both, but I cant, and don't need them both. The iBook will be perfect like others have said. It will sync songs to my ipod, maybe i will use AIM or Yahoo IM, i wil use it for typing school papers, and most importantly of all web surfing. I just need a basic computer. iBook g4 will deliver me everything I need. Thanks everyone for all your help! :apple: FTW!!!!!!

iBook G4 wins!
 
The only caution about an older iBook (as an owner of one) is that the battery life diminishes as they age so if you don't know how reliable the battery is, set aside a bit of cash to buy a replacement. Unless you'll always power it from an outlet, of course.
 
PaulMoore said:
The only caution about an older iBook (as an owner of one) is that the battery life diminishes as they age so if you don't know how reliable the battery is, set aside a bit of cash to buy a replacement. Unless you'll always power it from an outlet, of course.
Click to expand...

thanks for your advice, i will definately use it wirelessly so i will set aside some cash for a new replacement.
 
I get about 5 hours on my battery. I'm not sure if the previous owner replaced it or not, but it gets excellent battery life. I use it plugged in most of the time, though.
 
OP, I'm glad you made a decision, and I think you made the right decision given your budget.

Be warned though to thoroughly check over the iBook before you buy it. Make sure it works perfectly or acceptably before buying. Because it probably won't have any kind of warranty on it. Good luck and enjoy your machine whnever you get it!

Oh and BTW, if you do buy an iBook now ,for say $400, in 3 years it will probably be worth close to $0.

But if you buy a MacBook nbow for $900, in 3 years it will be worth, I don't know, 600?

So the MacBook might actually be a better buy financially :p
 
yes indeed i will look it over thoroughly and i will talk to the seller about a warranty for it. so i will do some good research on the ibook i buy before pressing "buy it now" financially i don't really care i mean if it goes down in value to zero dollars, the important thing is that i enjoyed it and it helped me with computer related stuff.
 
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