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Who here thinks the ibooks feels cheap???
- Thread starter taeclee99
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The dual USB iBook was my first laptopand in some respects I liked the design better than my Powerbook. But, I can think of several reasons for the various changes:
1. The change to the opaque white polycarb case:
A.) The polycarb case (shell) used to be clear and painted white on the inside. This caused huge problems if a tech had to open it up, as the paint often chipped or scratched during assy./disassy. As such, most owners complained and Apple had to install brand new shells. This actually happened A LOT and cost Apple tons of money.
B.) Quite a few people complained about scratches and hairline cracks in the shell (a la the Cube). Any scratch in the clear/painted shell was easily seen. The opaque white shell now, though not as cool, doesn't show scratches as readily as the previous version did.
2. Plastic handrest/palmrest and keyboard:
Repairs to iBooks often require removal of the palmrest. And since previous palmrests were made of metal, the Apple often accidentally bend the palmrests during disassembly. Once they bent or got kinked there was no way to fix them...which meant they had to replace them with a brand new one. Why they couldn't just build the new ones with a silver-colored plastic material instead of that off-white crap is beyond me.
3. I am also of the opinion that the previous iBooks were cannibalizing Powerbook sales back then due to:
A) the iBook's übercool design
B) a lag in Powerbook upgrades at the time
C) the TiBook's infamous hinge problems.
1. The change to the opaque white polycarb case:
A.) The polycarb case (shell) used to be clear and painted white on the inside. This caused huge problems if a tech had to open it up, as the paint often chipped or scratched during assy./disassy. As such, most owners complained and Apple had to install brand new shells. This actually happened A LOT and cost Apple tons of money.
B.) Quite a few people complained about scratches and hairline cracks in the shell (a la the Cube). Any scratch in the clear/painted shell was easily seen. The opaque white shell now, though not as cool, doesn't show scratches as readily as the previous version did.
2. Plastic handrest/palmrest and keyboard:
Repairs to iBooks often require removal of the palmrest. And since previous palmrests were made of metal, the Apple often accidentally bend the palmrests during disassembly. Once they bent or got kinked there was no way to fix them...which meant they had to replace them with a brand new one. Why they couldn't just build the new ones with a silver-colored plastic material instead of that off-white crap is beyond me.
3. I am also of the opinion that the previous iBooks were cannibalizing Powerbook sales back then due to:
A) the iBook's übercool design
B) a lag in Powerbook upgrades at the time
C) the TiBook's infamous hinge problems.
taeclee99 said:
the way i did it dident work like that, i took the shell off and stirped the white paint off then i painted it black from the inside, i dont want to screw with the inside case as you would have to paint on the outside so it's flake off slowly.
taeclee99 said:
I think the iBook white plastic design is lovely, but have to agree that compared to a PowerBook they do feel cheap - the difference is noticeable in the keyboards and especially the trackpad. Also I noticed the lid of the iBook bounces as you open it! Am very glad I chose a PowerBook, though the iBook is still a very nice machine.
dietcokevanilla said:
I think the trackpad will now be the same as the powerbook's seen as its using the same scrolling technology.
I've always thought the ibooks were less sturdy than PowerBooks, especailly because of that screen bouncing thing, they just dont feel solid. However science says different. And the magnesium frame makes them pretty solid. I don't like the fact they scratch so easily.
Are you surprised that a computer costing a lot less than a powerbook (i.e. is cheaper) feels a bit cheaper?dietcokevanilla said:
taeclee99 said:
I definitely like the toy-like feature of the iBook - a move away from the computer geeky Mhz, frontsite car and whatever - towards consumer goods. I think two distinct different lines are good for Apple - one for the high-end professionals and one for everyday users.
Sometimes metal and plastic just can't compair but some of us also go by looks and that makes people think it must be cheaper even before they really look at both or care to 
Before Apple came out with gloss white they had the semi-transparent fruity look. They can be distinctive without being gloss white.MacHarne said:
I went to a Uni. that had a notebook program. They gave us 12" iBooks. My first one I babied (700mhz) and loved because I was finally getting a portable Mac. 3 years later and 8 iBooks later (the logic board on those were nasty)I came to terms that iBooks were no longer a friend of mine. I graduated and purchased a PowerBook. I will never purchase an iBook after my experiences and the low grade feeling craftsmanship on those iBooks.
Future iBooks should be dressed like Dual Mirror PM cases. PowerBooks will be a sharper edged PM G5 style. Put a panic button on the keyboard for the first model Mactels.
Future iBooks should be dressed like Dual Mirror PM cases. PowerBooks will be a sharper edged PM G5 style. Put a panic button on the keyboard for the first model Mactels.
i disagree on that there is a difference between the g4 and g3 ibooks, i think ibooks in general have a clammy cheap keyboard and feel to them when compared to a pbook.
taeclee99 said:
Of course the iBook feels cheap. It is the cheapest laptop Apple sells. It's a pretty solid computer for $1000.
Anyway, "cheap" for a Mac is nothing like some of the crap-a$$ Celery-based PC laptop turds floating around the market.
Anyway, "cheap" for a Mac is nothing like some of the crap-a$$ Celery-based PC laptop turds floating around the market.
Lord Blackadder said:
This is true. People who think of an iBook as cheap have probably been spoiled rotten by a PowerBook. If you use the PowerBook as your reference, then yes, an iBook is cheap. If you are a switcher coming from one of the aforementioned floaters, an iBook is a solid machine.
iBooks are fine. What do you expect for a grand?
I used to have an iBook and then I got a PB and actually I missed the iBook's feel and looks. I may get bashed for saying it but the PBs keyboard sucks. It would be good if the parts underneath were metal but they're plastic and one thing I noticed is that the keys are not as good as they should be. My roommate's keys stick on her PB quite a bit.
The iBook is more durable, scratch resistant, easier to clean and it's a trade off these days for a little bit of power. My 933Mhz ran almost as fast as my 1.67Ghz PB. Sounds ludicrous but it's true. There wasn't much difference. The PBs do look sexier but the white is kinda modest and neat. I think they got rid of the glossy rest because of the look after it gets scratched up after a while.
I used to have an iBook and then I got a PB and actually I missed the iBook's feel and looks. I may get bashed for saying it but the PBs keyboard sucks. It would be good if the parts underneath were metal but they're plastic and one thing I noticed is that the keys are not as good as they should be. My roommate's keys stick on her PB quite a bit.
The iBook is more durable, scratch resistant, easier to clean and it's a trade off these days for a little bit of power. My 933Mhz ran almost as fast as my 1.67Ghz PB. Sounds ludicrous but it's true. There wasn't much difference. The PBs do look sexier but the white is kinda modest and neat. I think they got rid of the glossy rest because of the look after it gets scratched up after a while.
You are going to have an awesome computer that will make you the envy of all of your (if you have any) PC friends. The iBook is a very rugged computer, and it will serve you well. I started in the Mac world with an iBook, and I've owned two more since that one. You won't be disappointed, trust me.AcousticDoc said:this thread makes me feel bad for ordering a new 12 inch 1.33 ibook
sweet, thanks guys. I'm looking forward to using the portability and airport to start doing my work at free wi-fi coffee shops like all those other wannabe cool posers
Sweet. You will absolutely love it. I can't live without my iBook, and I know you'll grow the same attachment.AcousticDoc said:sweet, thanks guys. I'm looking forward to using the portability and airport to start doing my work at free wi-fi coffee shops like all those other wannabe cool posers
AcousticDoc said:this thread makes me feel bad for ordering a new 12 inch 1.33 ibook
Some people here just like to complain a lot. This thread has been done to death before. There's always lots of whining about how Apple does this and that wrong. Hey folks- how about this? What if Apple went away? Then you'd REALLY have something to complain about.
Enjoy your iBook. I love mine- and I also am exremely thankful there's a computer company around that actually caters to the experience of the user and puts thought into their products.