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Looking for a cheap laptop just for writing
- Thread starter Bogie
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Why not get a used iBook? You could get a used one for next to nothing. A G4 would more than serve your purpose. Even a G3 would be fine.
I'd go for an old iBook/PowerBook G3. I think you can even get a PowerBook G3 (except for the Pismo) for either cheaper or around the same price as an iBook G3.
I have an iBook G3 Clamshell and absolutely love the thing. The best engineered machine I've ever used.
I have an iBook G3 Clamshell and absolutely love the thing. The best engineered machine I've ever used.
What kind of writing are we talking about here, lots and lots of writing, poetry, staying up late at night (i do that alot)?
Alot of those old and used g3's and so on have pretty dull screens. If you are going to be writing alot, you might want to take that into consideration. If you going solely on price points then i would choose the iBook g4.
Alot of those old and used g3's and so on have pretty dull screens. If you are going to be writing alot, you might want to take that into consideration. If you going solely on price points then i would choose the iBook g4.
Well I will be doing a considerable amount of writing since I'm a screenwriter, but I don't intend to use it anywhere terribly exotic. This is just something to hold me over for about a year or so. I really just want something I can lounge with, write and maybe surf the net occasionally. Right now I'm looking at the Asus, the different ibooks and powerbooks and the IBM thinkpads (which supposedly have the absolute best keyboards for writers). I really don't want to go over 300 dollars if at all possible since I only intend to use it for a year.
Yeah these are ok, but they can be kind of slow. Especially starting up the machine. You'll get longer life out of a G4. I'd also recommend getting the 14". I'm a writer myself and there's nothing worse than hunching over a 12" laptop. Even the 13" Macbooks seem insanely bigger. Ergo, I'd definitely stay away from the beyond-tiny Asus.
I recommend a G4 or G3 iBook as well.
But seriously - you can't ask "Should I get a PC or a Mac" on a Mac forum!!!
But seriously - you can't ask "Should I get a PC or a Mac" on a Mac forum!!!
Shop on craigslist and look for a g3-g4 notebook in your price range. You'd be surprised by what you can find if you're lucky.
I picked up a 1.0 ghz 12 inch powerbook for $250 in perfect condition about a month ago. I doubt you might find something like that, but always keep trying to find the best deal.
I picked up a 1.0 ghz 12 inch powerbook for $250 in perfect condition about a month ago. I doubt you might find something like that, but always keep trying to find the best deal.
You know looking at these prices for these ibooks and powerbooks on eBay, I'm wondering if I ought to just suck it up and get a macbook and delay getting a macbook pro for a few years. I bought one when they first came out and my only real complaint with it was the sharp bezel which really starts to irritate the wrists after awhile.
The last Revs were 12"/1.33GHz and 14"/1.42GHz
Still speedy for today, and the 14" screen would be easy on the eyes (although I own an iBook G3 12" and I don't have any issues with the screen, it does however take some getting used to)
Still speedy for today, and the 14" screen would be easy on the eyes (although I own an iBook G3 12" and I don't have any issues with the screen, it does however take some getting used to)
Thanks! Yeah I think the 12 would be perfect for me because I usually use the laptop when laying down and I usually have it pretty close.
Just an advice, instead of using ebay, go on Craigslist or the MR marketplace. It's usually cheaper and you have less chances of a fraud. Also you don't have to pay for shipping if you can get it locally. People on ebay can pay crazy prices for computers.