iMac addicts, talk to me about apple laptops!

[supernova]

I'm considering getting one and I'd like your opinions. :-)

Which model do you have, which do you like? What do you like about them? etc.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

1. I have a G4 iBook, and I love it.

It's last year's model, so they have some newer, fancier stuff available now, but I'm quite pleased with this one. It's easy to use, fairly light, the batteries seem to hold up pretty well (though I usually plug it in if I'm at home), the screen is nice and bright, and the keyboard has a good feel. When I bought mine I added some extra memory, which you might want to do as well, depending on which one you get.

[supernova]

3. How long does your bat last?

On average? IOW, is it worth it to consider getting a backup battery?

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

4. It depends a whole lot on what you're doing.

Right now mine is fully charged, and the little battery icon shows I have 4:57 left, but all I'm doing is web-surfing. If you are playing a DVD, for example, it will be good for only maybe 2-1/2 hours. You can set it up so the screen dims slightly to save power. It's not a bad idea to have a spare battery if you plan on taking it where you can't plug it in, like on a long plane trip. I have a spare, though I've never needed it.

[supernova]

12. Web surfing and writing

are probably the two main activities I'd be doing on a battery.

That's a pretty long-lived battery. The one in the laptop I'm using right now only lasts 2.5 hourse max.

[evlbstrd]

2. I love mine.

It's a PowerBook G4 Aluminum, so an older model. But it's plenty powerful enough to run Photoshop and other power-hungry apps. It's also very thin and light. It's replaced my desktop Mac forever.

[supernova]

5. Hee, I wanted one of those

rainbow colored ones they put out a few years ago, but I guess they've stopped that.

Good to know it runs PS well. I'm out to get into the picture bidness.

[evlbstrd]

9. The original clamshell iBooks?

More obsolete than the one I have.

[supernova]

13. I know, but

they're still damn pretty to look at. :-)

[sakabatou]

6. The only contention is that the newer models will heat up

like a frying pan.

[supernova]

8. Eek!

So, you shouldn't put it on your lap? :-(

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

10. Mine is on my lap. They do get warm, but not dangerously so.

There was a recall of some batteries, similar to the Dell batteries, a couple months ago. My particular battery wasn't included in the recall, and I think that has been taken care of. All laptops of all brands get warm because they are compact and have no way to cool off their insides.

[sakabatou]

18. Only on certain models like the MacBook Pro

They peaked at 120 degress F. And that wasn't the computer. The measurement was taken off from the desk the laptop was sitting on.

[bbernardini]

7. Which is the least expensive one that can run XP?

My wife wants us to get a new laptop, but needs to be able to run Windows so she can work from home.

[HarukaTheTrophyWife]

11. Any of the new MacBooks can.

I think they start at $1,000, but you could probably get a cheaper one refurbished. Also, if she just needs Office for work, the OSX version is completely compatible with the Windows version.

[bbernardini]

17. Actually, she needs to run Lotus Notes and some other things... nt

[Karenca]

14. iBookG4

Love it - I'de never go back to Dell.


No problems here---doesn't crash, no viruses, and easier to use.


IT'S ALSO SO MUCH PRETTIER!

[grace0418]

15. I just got a 15-inch MacBookPro and so far I love it.

I've been using macs for years (I'm a graphic designer) but this is my first foray into a laptop. I got a Wacom tablet and a second (flat panel) monitor for when I'm doing serious design work. But then, when I want to go mobile I just unplug them. It's blazing fast, it's teeny-weeny, it's clean and simple, and it's all-around fantastic. My husband (a pc software engineer) is so jealous of me. Oh, and I got the new (second) generation of the intel processor and it doesn't heat up that much as far as I can tell.

[supernova]

16. Yeah, the 15 inch

is what I'm looking at. The what is it.. 17 inch just looked too huge for me to lug around. :rofl:

Nice to know the dual cores don't heat up as much.

[begin_within]

19. I have never liked the screens on the Apple laptops. Not bright enough.

If you are doing photo work, artwork or video work, I don't think the displays on the laptops are bright enough to really show the colors well, unless maybe you are in a pitch-dark room and get used to it. Just my opinion. CRT displays are much brighter and show the colors more clearly, which is better for photo editing in color. But Apple no longer makes any CRT displays, everything is now LCD. Just my opinion, though. I'm sure you can find lots of people who love the Apple laptop displays.

[supernova]

20. Yeah, I'm one of the LCD lovers

I find it sharper and easier on my eyes. edit: But I respect your opinion.