Apple has delivered a small but important refresh to its iBook line of budget notebooks, doubling the amount of standard RAM to 512MB, offering slightly faster processors, and doing away with the previously most expensive configuration. With the updated specs, the new iBooks are priced at AU$1,599 and AU$2,049 and offer an even more attractive alternative to Apple's higher-end and considerably more expensive PowerBook line.
Upside: The least-expensive iBook, the 12.1-inch model, now comes with a 1.33GHz G4 processor; 512MB of 333MHz DDR RAM (it can now accommodate up to 1.5GB); an ATI Mobility Radeon 9550 graphics processor with 32MB of its own memory; a 40GB 4,200rpm hard drive; and a CD-RW/DVD-ROM drive, which can burn and play CDs and play DVDs. Also onboard are two USB 2.0 ports, one four-pin, unpowered FireWire port, and a host of video-related outputs including VGA, S-Video, and composite. For networking, you get a 56Kbps modem, Ethernet, 802.11g wireless connectivity, and Bluetooth 2.0+EDR, which is rare in such a low-price notebook. Also new to the iBook line is Apple's Sudden Motion Sensor, which protects the hard drive if you drop the notebook. Perhaps best of all, you get Apple's terrific software package, including Mac OS X Tiger and iLife '05.
Downside: We're lighting a candle for the wide-screen iBook.
Outlook: Now that Apple's bumped the baseline RAM to 512MB, we feel a lot better about the iBook line. At AU$1,599, the 12.1-inch model is a steal, with good specs, above-average networking and connectivity, and a terrific software package.
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macman21
09/11/2007, 03:48 AM
rating
10/10
great computer
Pros: last forever
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mysteriousbimale29
16/08/2007, 03:09 AM
rating
8/10
JUST LIKE IT
Pros: LATEST
Cons: SINCE IT SENSITIVE. E SHOULD TAke care of it
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vinceficarra
07/06/2007, 11:25 PM
rating
10/10
Exceptional laptop. I have had many PC's, and a few laptops over the past 10 years. This is my first Mac purchase, and I guarantee this will not be my last! Highly recommended for anyone wanting to move away from the blue screen troubles of Windows. Tiger is easily picked up!!!
Pros: Crisp graphics, easy to use, no blue screens, great value
Cons: Little variety in gaming, slow to burn CD/DVDs
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anonymous
09/11/2005, 06:07 PM
It cannot be beat
ive had my iBook for a month now and i have never been happier with a notebook computer,Tiger is awesome and soo easy to use, and iLife '05 is is a breeze to operate! this notebook is really worth a look
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