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Mac Forum / General / Portable Macs / February 2004iBook questions
Hi all I'm thinking of buying an iBook (first time iBook user, and soon to be teacher), and had a few questions I was hoping someone could help me with.... First, I'm a bit confused about the Airport Extreme...do I need an Airport Terminal of my own, or by having the airport card allow me to pull in the signal from anywhere ? Second, I was thinking of getting the 12" 933mHz iBook...but I've heard that the 14" is a much better deal. Is there that much difference between the two models to justify the cost? I've also read a good deal about how the iBooks may be reaching the end of a cycle...any truth to this, or is it purely speculation? I'd hate to buy a new iBook only for there to be a signifigant price drop or a newer, better model come out within a few weeks Thanks for all your help...much appriciated! > First, I'm a bit confused about the Airport Extreme...do I need an Airport > Terminal of my own, or by having the airport card allow me to pull in the > signal from anywhere ? You need to be within range of a base station. Within range is 150ft give or take. Usually that means you need to have your own base station attached to your network connection, unless you have a generous neighbour with a connection you can share. > Second, I was thinking of getting the 12" 933mHz iBook...but I've heard that > the 14" is a much better deal. Is there that much difference between the two > models to justify the cost? The 14" is bigger, heavier, has a faster processor, and longer battery life. That's about all the differences. One thing to note are the screens are the same resolution, 1024x768, the pixels are just bigger on the 14" Personally I think the 14" is a waste of space. > I've also read a good deal about how the iBooks may be reaching the end of a > cycle...any truth to this, or is it purely speculation? I'd hate to buy a > new iBook only for there to be a signifigant price drop or a newer, better > model come out within a few weeks There are always new models coming out. There's no obvious opportunity for a new model release in the very near future.  SignatureBarry Barry@netbox.com <http://www.netbox.com/barry> ------ (I should put something down here). > Second, I was thinking of getting the 12" 933mHz iBook...but I've heard that > the 14" is a much better deal. Is there that much difference between the two > models to justify the cost? The 12" iBook does not exist in 933 version, only 800Mhz. The 933 is 14" only... I have on of those and am very happy with it. Just boost up the ram. I wouldn't go for the 1Ghz though, I think the price difference isn't as justified as it is btween th e800 and 933 models... ope I helped ;-) Signature--- philming@bouncelibertysurf.fr ICQ - 6030703 remove "bounce" to reply by mail > > Second, I was thinking of getting the 12" 933mHz iBook...but I've heard that > > the 14" is a much better deal. Is there that much difference between the two [quoted text clipped - 7 lines] > justified as it is btween th e800 and 933 models... > ope I helped ;-) Er...I meant the 800 Mhz 12". Sorry 'bout that. Is the 933 Mhz model that much faster? I'm a grad student going to be a teacher, so I'd mainly be using my iBook to write papers, access the web, e-mail, and the odd program such as kidspiration. Would the 800 Mhz be enough computer for me? > Is the 933 Mhz model that much faster? > I'm a grad student going to be a teacher, so I'd mainly be using my iBook to > write papers, access the web, e-mail, and the odd program such as > kidspiration. Would the 800 Mhz be enough computer for me? I guess it would be enough. O took the 933 for several reasons : First you never know what you're going to be using it for in a few months, especially macintoshes. Who knows, maybe you'll get access to a digital camcoder or something and will want to do some movie editing stuff, and there you'll be happy to have a little more power to play with. Second, the cache on these computers is only 256k. (512 on Alubooks) So the frequency increase DOES appear when used, probably more tnan on alubooks. Third : Lifespan. I guess a 933 Mhz machine will probably stay "uptodate" longer than a 800Mhz machine. i'd say it will last around 6 more months before becoming totaly obsolete compared to the 800... So I guess the price difference really is more justified between the 800 and 933. On another hand I guess the main question you need to ask yourself, is to know if you want a 12" ibook or a 14". 14" is much more comfortable, 12" is more cariable. I think your choice should take that into account as well... Signature--- philming@bouncelibertysurf.fr ICQ - 6030703 remove "bounce" to reply by mail >>Is the 933 Mhz model that much faster? >>I'm a grad student going to be a teacher, so I'd mainly be using my iBook to [quoted text clipped - 8 lines] > stuff, and there you'll be happy to have a little more power to play > with. <arguments snipped> For the record, I'd go with the 800 MHz on a point-by-point disagreement with every one of your arguments. :) In two years, they will probably be up to 1.8 GHz. At that point, the difference between 800 MHz and 933 MHz looks pretty small. That $200 buys you an extra 133 MHz and an extra 10 gig on the HD... and the bigger screen, which may or may not be something you want. For me, it's a negative, so I'd pass and spend $75 for a an extra 30 gig on the hard drive. <snip> > On another hand I guess the main question you need to ask yourself, is > to know if you want a 12" ibook or a 14". > 14" is much more comfortable, 12" is more cariable. I think your choice > should take that into account as well... This advice, on the other hand, I whole-heartedly agree with. Comfort is everything in a notebook. My suggestion to the OP is don't look at this as 800 vs 933. There's really no difference. Look at this as 12" at roughly 5 lbs vs. 14" at roughly 6 lbs. (Note: The above does not attempt to take educational discounts into account. Educational discounts are sometimes, though rarely, steaper in some products than others. It sounds like you'd qualify; check conditions and prices. Contents under pressure, slippery when wet, do not remove this tag.) Signature"Any sufficiently advanced stupidity is indistinguishable from malice." > In two years, they will probably be up to 1.8 GHz. At that point, the > difference between 800 MHz and 933 MHz looks pretty small. You're probably right. nevertheless, I just got rid of my ld good G4/400 Yikes to get the iBook. For sure, G5 are out and everything but I still think I would have kept the Yikes for an extra few months (probably till the next generation of iBooks were out) to replace it if it had been 500 or 600 Mhz. I was just getting to th epoint where I really HAD to change my machine... --- philming@bouncelibertysurf.fr ICQ - 6030703 remove "bounce" to reply by mail > > On another hand I guess the main question you need to ask yourself, is > > to know if you want a 12" ibook or a 14". [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > This advice, on the other hand, I whole-heartedly agree with. Comfort is > everything in a notebook. First I wanted the new PB 15" - but I was disappointed by the not-really-up-to-date screen resulotion. Comparing 12 and 14", I've taken the 12": the 14" screen is bigger, but does not offer a higher resolution. 933 vs. 800 won't be significant for my working purposes, but for battery life. I've taken the 12", and I'm rather happy with it. I guess, the HD will be replaced by something siginificantly bigger, compared to the actual prices. Good luck, Martin > > > Second, I was thinking of getting the 12" 933mHz iBook...but I've heard > that [quoted text clipped - 16 lines] > write papers, access the web, e-mail, and the odd program such as > kidspiration. Would the 800 Mhz be enough computer for me? Yes, absolutely. I have one for use around the house to jot down thoughs and keep up my journal and now and then to take on the road. It is a great deal. M-P. |
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