I have used and enjoyed Macintosh computers for years, preferring them over the "C:" cursors of the pc's - I LIKE cute little icons, and "pointing and clicking" - I bought the iBook in October 2000, and have enjoyed it immensely- it actually has nearly 3 times the power of my desktop computer, so getting rid of that computer was not so hard.

There are a couple "glitches" in the Mac, but I am used to them, and work around them for the most part.... for example, on certain sites, or in chat rooms, the Macintosh (any Macintosh) only allows posting 256 characters. (That correlates to approximately 3 lines of text on a page.) If the person isn't too long-winded (in a chat) it isn't a problem, but the computer doesn't let you know that your words are going to be suddenly "cut off" - when you hit the "submit" button, your post just appears with the last part of your conversation gone.

Another item that is an inconvenience, at least for me, is that the iBook does not have a floppy disk drive - it DOES have a CD rom, and internal modem, but I was using 3.5" discs on my desktop computer, and now have no use for them, nor can I access the information that is stored there, unless I purchase an external disc drive ($160 - $750).

One thing I DO like about the iBook, is the internal modem - I have taken the computer with me often when traveling, and all I have to do is plug in a phone line (having set up a local isp in the area, first, of course, if I am traveling out of my local area) - so that all I then have to do is dial up, and I can be connected very easily.

I went to Boston earlier this year, and took the computer along, using it daily in the hotel. It enabled me to check my emails, and keep in touch with several friends. Since I was able to find a "free" isp in the Boston area, and signed on before leaving my home area, all I had to do is change the dial-up information, and I was all set.

The iBook is a nice looking computer, designed to attract students, and not just the college-aged. Macintosh intended it to be seen as "cute" so that it also attracts children, as well - and they hoped to prove that the iBook is the easiest computer to operate, that even a child could use it without fear. In fact the operating manual is ONE page long, describing how to get set up in three easy steps -

1. plug the single cord from the computer into a regular grounded outlet
2. open the lid
3. .......that's all there is to it!

I have the blue one, shown in the ad. It folds up easily, and has a convenient carrying handle that retracts to lay flat along the hinged edge of the computer. I paid $1500. for it, the middle of October last year, but I think that they can be found for less online, or even thru dealers. The color, while not deterring from the function of the computer, does lend itself to a "cute" image, that some businessmen possibly may want to avoid. *smile*

It has a full-color screen, with a vast array of attractive/charming/funny/interesting background possibilities, and is capable of a range of colors from "black and white" to "millions" of colors. As with other Macintosh products, the desktop is made up of icons (and the pictures are easily changed, and personalized).

There is no mouse, or mouse pad, but a surface, similar in function to a rollerball, but it is flat, and very sensitive. It takes some getting used to using the flat surface, to move the cursor around on the screen, but it is not difficult, and yes, even a child becomes proficient with it easily.

There is an internal battery, that when charged will run for about 16 hours - (I actually ran it unplugged for nearly 20 hours at one time, but the screen started darkening). It comes with a power cord, so keeping it plugged in at all times means that the power will not falter. The computer has a small but quite efficient speaker, and most sounds are clear and not distorted. Considering that it IS a laptop, the quality of the sound is surprisingly sharp.

Presently, I am using a cable modem, which plugs into the USB port. As stated in the "cons" - there is only one USB port, which means I cannot be online at the same time that I might want to add an external disc drive, or other equipment, that would require that same port.

(The printer cable does NOT run from the USB port, but has a port of its own.) There is also a plug-in for ear phones, so that the sounds could be left on, but could not be heard by others. Helpful if you are in class, or studying, or even in the family room, while the family watches television.

The Macintosh operating system is very user-friendly, using the AppleWorks application, that includes a word processing (text), spreadsheet, paint, draw, database, and communications, (modem dialup); and I have never had any difficulty or sluggishness with running 5 or 6 windows open at the same time, jumping from one to the other. It does not slow down the activity level, or even the ability to type on one page, enter information on a spreadsheet in a word processing document, check emails in 2 or 3 different accounts, and still wander through Epinions in yet another window (which we know is the MOST important).

This is NOT a forum to argue the complexities of "PC" vs. "MAC" - however, I will say this - while using a Macintosh is wonderful, and even "fun" - it is frustrating, sometimes, as so many downloadable things, and the viewing of sites, is limited to a windows format, or requires being on a pc.

Macintoshes have such wonderful graphics capabilities, and innovations in dealing with graphics programs - it would be nice if there would some day come a time that the two could be civil, at least, if not compatible. It is impossible to predict such a thing happening in the future, and the likelihood seems slim.

Overall, this is a fine, and fun little laptop, with its internal modem and handy CD Rom that enables me to listen to music while I type. I have never had any problems with the iBook, but doubled the memory of the hard drive at the time of purchase to 128K. It suits my needs and computing, but for a busier or corporate situation, it might not be enough.

If you are looking for a fun, easy-to-operate, "fairly" inexpensive computer that is easy to use, and understand, you will enjoy the Apple iBook. Personally, I like the "blueberry" with a matching color printer! It is so cute!

In review:
Price: $1500.00
Hard Drive Capacity: 6
Optical Storage: CD-ROM
Class: Power PC G3
Screen Size 12.1 (9.75" Wx 7.25" H)
Speed (MHz) 300
RAM 128, 64


Recommended: Yes

Amount Paid (US$): 1500.
Operating System: Macintosh
Processor: PowerPC G3
Processor speed: 201-300
Screen Size: 12
RAM: 128
Internal Storage: CD-ROM