Any Apple iBook G4 users out there ?

me

[sushiman]

I think I've finally had it with Windows and Fujitsu . Now that we are finally getting high speed internet access here , I am seriously thinking about purchasing an Apple iBook G4 which will be used primarily for internet , email , homepage making , and downloading music . I'd be interested in hearing any and all opinions about this machine . Thanks in advance .

[CaptainLou]

I bought a G4 Powerbook in December, I have absolutely no desire to ever return to Windows.

[aruanan]

We have one in the lab that I used this past summer. It was as stable as the Mac desktops--and this means much more stable than any of the PCs we have in the lab or that I have used in two previous labs. Someone in my lab who had used PCs for a long time just got a 12" G4 laptop and is very happy with it. My cousin's son has one of the new 12" G4s and has had no problems with it.

[cebadams]

I use a 15 inch powerbook myself but have used ibooks in the past and like the all. Buy lots of RAM, though to get the most out of OS X.

Couple that ibook with an airport card and a wireless router and use it throughout your house. I use mine on my deck in the summer.

[quidnunc]

I have a G-5 and OS 10.3.2 is extremely stable and easy to use as long as you keep the permissions in good repair and use Alsoft's Disk Warrior and Symantec's Disk Doctor occasionally to clean out the gremilns which inevitably sneak into every computer regardless of the operating system.

[mass55th]

We're Mac users in this family. I've had an iBook G3 for a while which I use when I travel, and just got myself a new G4 iMac with a 20" screen. It's a beauty. My oldest son just sold his G3 iBook on eBay, and bought himself a new G4 Power Book. He's real happy with his purchase.

[ArcticFox]

I've been disappointed with my 15" Powerbook G4.
For some reason, the 1st USB port is dead, the hinge broke, and Apple wanted $1000 to fix it. (no, i'm not kidding).
The other day, the power supply decided to burn out on me.
1 week out of warranty! :(
A buddy of mine has a 12" Powerbook that had a logic board fail on him.
It's a shame.
I enjoy OSX, but I'll never buy another Mac again.
Ever.

[saint]

internet , email , homepage making , and downloading music

Pleased as punch with mine. Safari, included with new machines, is an excellent browser-faster than IE. Never going back to Windows or Internet Explorer. I also very much like Apple's Mail program.

Your mileage may vary

If you have an Apple retail store nearby, they really don't mind if you sit there all day and test drive the systems. They also have intro classes for new users.

The changeover is very easy for your uses. Expect a very stable system. Mine runs constantly.

The operating system is rock solid, but on the hardware side, they aren't without problems. Apple is paying up for some repairs out of warranty now on widespread problems. Some people find the extended warranty pays off. Some never need it.

Good luck.

[cebadams]

Don't know what ill-fate ArticFox had but I've seen no problems with the 300 in my company. Another recomendation for you, though, is to buy the extended service with any laptop purchase.

[anonymous_user]

G4 iBook? Heck, yeah!

Internet - Safari browser and Mail app included
Homepage making - .mac account (mac.com)
Downloading music - iTunes Music Store

Be sure and get Airport Extreme and an iPod too. Schwweeet.

[Vermonter]

Funny you should mention the disk utilities. I kept waiting for one of them to come out that was recommended by any of the mags that review software and they never seemed to be quite 'done'. Net result I never got one, so never used one since I switched to OSX.

Been using nothing but fsck and disk utility to repair permissions and have not had a single problem on 4 different machines, from G3 ibook to G4 powerbook to G3 desktops.

I used to use Norton religously on OS 9 and below

[quidnunc]

Both Norton System Works and Alsoft Disk warrior are now out for Panther.

I have both and both are indispensable.

Run Disk Warrior first, followed by Disk Doctor.

Do that and repair your permissions periodically and your computer will run like a charm.

[martin_fierro]

Jus' tryin' to keep things lively 'round here. <|:)~

[sushiman]

Hey - how did you know I was a " foot man " ?

[saint]

Dittos on everything said so far. Great system. Laptops are laptops, though, and you may have hardware problems. Apple doing a fair job on their side.

If you need more than what Apple's Homepage gives you, try Softpress' Freeway for web building.

Very happy user here, both for the system and the machine. Panther and Safari and Mail really rock.

[sushiman]

" Laptops are laptops, though, and you may have hardware problems "

Thanks for your post . Please elaborate ; I've never owned a laptop before .

[beebuster2000]

I used IBM for years. now ibook- there is no comparison. boots much faster, never locks up, you can do tons of stuff at once- check e mail, surf web, play your music. plus if you link to the apple website, they automatically upgrade your software and back up you ibook for you.
there is no comparison-do it

[saint]

My iBook is my first laptop. They are a small package and subject to abuse since they can go wherever you go. Desktops just sit there. If you have a desktop with quality components it can go almost forever.

My iBook has had the combo drive replaced twice. The second time was covered by manufacture warranty and great service by MSE.

My daughter's goes everywhere with her all the time, gets constant use (same uses you are looking at) and she's never had a problem.

Next laptop I would consider the extended warranty. Probably would never have a problem with it then.

Still like the system enough I would stay with it even if the hardware was less reliable. I'd just backup more often to an external hard drive.