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Is it worth buying an iBook anymore?
- Thread starter bass93
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I actually used a iBook G4 1.2 Ghz with 768 MB of RAM in college until last year. I would say you are far better off with your current set-up than an iBook and iPad combo. Like many have said here, I use my iPad primarily for content consumption, which can be great for classes (readings, projects, etc.) but not really very good for note taking. I find the biggest problem on the iPad is that I have to look down more to make sure my fingers are in the right place when typing, and this causes me to miss things that the lecturer is saying.
That being said the iBook (which i recently replaced with a MBP) ran fine. It's a little bulky, but with the right software it really was not a pain to use at all. Make sure you get the right software for it: Word '04 booted in 2 seconds, while Word '08 took 38 seconds. I used the original Adobe Photoshop and older versions of applications that are more graphics or cpu intensive. For me this worked really well as I was not a heavy user and didnt miss some of the newer features. Also, with the iBook its really easy to open the case and change the color of the glowing apple, which was fun!
That being said the iBook (which i recently replaced with a MBP) ran fine. It's a little bulky, but with the right software it really was not a pain to use at all. Make sure you get the right software for it: Word '04 booted in 2 seconds, while Word '08 took 38 seconds. I used the original Adobe Photoshop and older versions of applications that are more graphics or cpu intensive. For me this worked really well as I was not a heavy user and didnt miss some of the newer features. Also, with the iBook its really easy to open the case and change the color of the glowing apple, which was fun!
When my MBP went down with the chip issue, I stayed connected with the 12" G4. It isn't fast, but just to email, surf, write, etc it is fine.
Not worth much to sell, makes a nice backup for...doing this.
Not worth much to sell, makes a nice backup for...doing this.
Ditto. My G4 iBook is a perfect backup computer. That, and it plays Age of Empires pretty well. Also, it's kind of fun to have an older Mac around sometimes.
Yo Teach
I don't let my students use electronics in the classroom anymore. They tend to find stray wireless signals (or not so stray ones) and surf and more while I lecture. I think it's a terrible idea to hide behind a screen while in class. It's also distracting to the other students and the teacher.
And I wonder how useful those notes are. Sometimes students spend so much time on notes (either long hand or computer) that they don't actually engage with the material as it unfolds so they miss the opportunity to engage and ask questions.
So my advice is to get a legal pad, but most importantly, actively listen and interact while in class. That way we teachers don't get replaced by machines and you aren't turned into an automaton simply hoping for the best grade and spitting out useless information.
I don't let my students use electronics in the classroom anymore. They tend to find stray wireless signals (or not so stray ones) and surf and more while I lecture. I think it's a terrible idea to hide behind a screen while in class. It's also distracting to the other students and the teacher.
And I wonder how useful those notes are. Sometimes students spend so much time on notes (either long hand or computer) that they don't actually engage with the material as it unfolds so they miss the opportunity to engage and ask questions.
So my advice is to get a legal pad, but most importantly, actively listen and interact while in class. That way we teachers don't get replaced by machines and you aren't turned into an automaton simply hoping for the best grade and spitting out useless information.
the iBook is pre-Intel (the highest one was a G4), so you will be very limited to what you can do with it. Snow Leopard will not work, iPad will not sync.
As previously posted, iTunes 10 works just fine on PPC macs (well, anything that'll run Leopard, anyway, which the iBook will, and pretty well too with a bit more RAM).
Not a fan of the way anything that won't run snow leopard is instantly useless. They'll still do everything, and more, that they were capable of the day they rolled off the production line. Not sure it'd be the best choice in this case though.
How about selling the current MBP and replacing it with the 11inch air? Portability, plus an actual keyboard and stuff?
See also lowendmac.com
I agree with others- don't do it (and I see you are not)
I have five iBooks in my classroom and three of the five are beginning to show signs of failure of some sort. These machines have been treated very well at my school as most have been on teacher desks for the life of the machine. Given that the iBook would be so old, the worst case scenario (you sell your MBP, buy an iBook and iPad) might put you into a huge bind....if the iBook were to fail not long after your purchase you would be without a computer to sync to.
What about buying a two-three year old iMac since it sounds like you would not need the portability with an iPad- then you could get an iPad for portability and you don't suffer from a non-intel machine, darker screen, battery issues, etc. you might encounter on an iBook purchase. perhaps wait to do this until they upgrade the iPad so you can pick up a first gen cheaper or refub.
I have five iBooks in my classroom and three of the five are beginning to show signs of failure of some sort. These machines have been treated very well at my school as most have been on teacher desks for the life of the machine. Given that the iBook would be so old, the worst case scenario (you sell your MBP, buy an iBook and iPad) might put you into a huge bind....if the iBook were to fail not long after your purchase you would be without a computer to sync to.
What about buying a two-three year old iMac since it sounds like you would not need the portability with an iPad- then you could get an iPad for portability and you don't suffer from a non-intel machine, darker screen, battery issues, etc. you might encounter on an iBook purchase. perhaps wait to do this until they upgrade the iPad so you can pick up a first gen cheaper or refub.
I don't let my students use electronics in the classroom anymore. They tend to find stray wireless signals (or not so stray ones) and surf and more while I lecture. I think it's a terrible idea to hide behind a screen while in class. It's also distracting to the other students and the teacher.
And I wonder how useful those notes are. Sometimes students spend so much time on notes (either long hand or computer) that they don't actually engage with the material as it unfolds so they miss the opportunity to engage and ask questions.
So my advice is to get a legal pad, but most importantly, actively listen and interact while in class. That way we teachers don't get replaced by machines and you aren't turned into an automaton simply hoping for the best grade and spitting out useless information.
I use a TabletPC or MacBook Air (Tablet PC for Maths because Im fast, but I cant type the symbols as fast as I can draw them, and MBA for CompSci) - simply because my handwriting is illegible, and the Tablet means I can actually read what I write. Even if one of my instructors banned electronics, Id still use my TabletPC (ie Ignore them completely - I have no issues doing this) - its a lot more useful being able to go and get the example sheet, or the relevant eBook while in the lecture, especially when your at the back of a 300+ person class. (This makes the Chalkboards relatively illegible, however fantastic the writing of the instructor, and means I rely on having the online notes just to follow the contents of the class) - If you think technology is always a burden, then you need to see how many colleges do it - everyone has laptops, but because everyone is paying, they tend to pay attention to whats being said (Its also hard to have in-class interaction with 300+ people, which is a large difference from K-12) - and I dont think they are distracting, especially not a TabletPC - as its flat like a pad, so there is no hiding behind it when your writing on it.
the ibook you are looking at is not bad for every day surfing ,and office , but if you have to sell your MBP in order to buy a ibook then you got my respect , for avoiding intel inside a Mac
but if you sell your MBP to get a iPad i guess that's a case for a shrink,
i could understand if you sell the MBP to get a 11inch MBA which is no bigger really then the iPad but more practical and a lot more powerful too
but if you go for a iBook then i would try to get the 2005 models especially the 14" 1.42 , because of the faster processor , faster system bus and better graphics card , the two finger trackpad and the sudden motion sensor which avoids headcrashes ....
but at the end of the day its your money /MBP and you are by law allowed to do with it what you want as long as you don't break any laws
the iPad might have some use for some , but remember once you sold your MBP and you find out it was a bad move ,selling the iPad wont bring you a MBP back
but if you sell your MBP to get a iPad i guess that's a case for a shrink,
i could understand if you sell the MBP to get a 11inch MBA which is no bigger really then the iPad but more practical and a lot more powerful too
but if you go for a iBook then i would try to get the 2005 models especially the 14" 1.42 , because of the faster processor , faster system bus and better graphics card , the two finger trackpad and the sudden motion sensor which avoids headcrashes ....
but at the end of the day its your money /MBP and you are by law allowed to do with it what you want as long as you don't break any laws
the iPad might have some use for some , but remember once you sold your MBP and you find out it was a bad move ,selling the iPad wont bring you a MBP back
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I just posted a new thread won
I just posted a new thread wondering if I should get an Air instead. It makes more since. Light, fast, etc. I'm thinking in that direction more. I love my pro, but it's getting a little sluggish. And after playing with a new 11 Air, I'm envious. lol.
the ibook you are looking at is not bad for every day surfing ,and office , but if you have to sell your MBP in order to buy a ibook then you got my respect , for avoiding intel inside a Mac
but if you sell your MBP to get a iPad i guess that's a case for a shrink,
i could understand if you sell the MBP to get a 11inch MBA which is no bigger really then the iPad but more practical and a lot more powerful too
but if you go for a iBook then i would try to get the 2005 models especially the 14" 1.42 , because of the faster processor , faster system bus and better graphics card , the two finger trackpad and the sudden motion sensor which avoids headcrashes ....
but at the end of the day its your money /MBP and you are by law allowed to do with it what you want as long as you don't break any laws
the iPad might have some use for some , but remember once you sold your MBP and you find out it was a bad move ,selling the iPad wont bring you a MBP back
I just posted a new thread wondering if I should get an Air instead. It makes more since. Light, fast, etc. I'm thinking in that direction more. I love my pro, but it's getting a little sluggish. And after playing with a new 11 Air, I'm envious. lol.