Macbook, ibook - which apple?

shona_2

Hi

I'm wondering about getting an apple laptop / notebook as a few friends seem to love them.

Can anyone guide me on the best way to get into apple? Should I just take the plunge, or dabble more cheaply by buying an older ibook...?

thanks

deebster

Apple switched all of their processors over to Intel in the last year or so, so if buying second hand you need to choose if you want a newer or older type.

Some apps won't run on the older processors (known as G3, G4 and G5, the latter being only for desktops) and this will only continue to be more the case as time goes on. Intel processors will run all apps though, albeit a bit slowly in some cases for older apps, so for futureproofness (can I say that?) I would get an Intel one.

Have a look on Apple's refurb store. The link is at the bottom right of the main store page. You can save a few quid and get a fully guaranteed Mac, it just might be in a brown box or have been opened etc.

If you're starting out and aren't running very demanding apps such as video editing stuff then a MacBook (Intel) would be fine. As would an iBook, but this is the older processor so it's already a bit out of date.

If you really just want to tinker around then any Mac with a G4 or better chip will be fine. Don't go G3 unless you are only emailing and web browsing as it's just too slow now (but my old G3 600 iBook still works fine for that, even with the latest OS 10.4.10 on it).

How much were you thinking of spending?

shona_2

deebster wrote: »

Apple switched all of their processors over to Intel in the last year or so,

Does that mean that they'll run PC software? ('scuse the ignorance!)

Re spending - hmm - I don't want to spend too much as we have a good desktop PC. I know you can get a new Macbook from just over £600 (could prob get educational discount), but that is still a bit more thatn I's want to spend if I could get eg a refurbed one of those or a used one for a bit less...

Thanks for your help Deebster...

deebster

Yes, the Intel chipped Macs will run PC software and if you are insane you can even use Windows XP just as you would with a PC. It might be a good idea to get an Intel Mac then if you are thinking of using your Mac for things you currently do on the PC.

Having said that though, there's a lot of software for Macs about now so unless you have some specialist thing that is really PC only you can probably find something for the Mac that does the same job.

shona_2

And I kinda like the idea of trying things the Mac way... so maybe that intel chip not that important except for retail...

So - best way to spend £400/£500/£600 tops... hmmm
Or should I go for the cheapest end and get a G4

rwilts

My 2p worth,

long time mac fan have been using a second hand Powerbook 667 titanium for the last 3 years, still runs the latest opearting system and fine for www, office suite and music.

But have just treated myself to a new macmini 2g C2D with DVDRW and 120 hard drive £500. There are rarely any real savings to be had over retail pricing ( except Quidco and Greasypalm paybacks ) or the referb route already mentioned. or the lower spec mini for £399.

Mini require Keyboard, mice and monitor to be sourced seperately (or use your old ones ).

One point i would disagree with another poster is you cannot just use windows progs with intel macs, you need progs specialy written to run on mac. you can get most decent software and games are catching up.

If you have a 'must have' windows prog then you can either boot into windows via bootcamp or via parallel desktops ( runs windows from within the mac OS )

Finaly you wont go back once you tried it but read the plentyful mac forums on the web for a feel.

chocolatechipcookies

deebster wrote: »

Yes, the Intel chipped Macs will run PC software and if you are insane you can even use Windows XP just as you would with a PC. It might be a good idea to get an Intel Mac then if you are thinking of using your Mac for things you currently do on the PC.

Having said that though, there's a lot of software for Macs about now so unless you have some specialist thing that is really PC only you can probably find something for the Mac that does the same job.

Macs will absolutely NOT run PC software without Boot Camp or Parallels.

deebster

Yes, I know you can't just run PC software natively. I was putting it simply to save over-complicating things. The point being you can run PC software if you need to.

As for what to get shona, if you need a laptop and Intel is not a big deal to you then a G4 iBook might be a good bet, but if you want more than a 12" screen then you'll need to look at PowerBooks. The 14" iBook is of course bigger than the 12", but it's the same screen resolution (1024 x 768) so things are just a little bigger rather than you having more usable screenspace.

If you don't mind a desktop then there's the Mac mini. I sold my G4 one for £150 a few months ago. There's a thread on here about Toys R Us sellimg off their old stock, but it sounds like they might have all gone by now.

chocolatechipcookies

If I were you I'd go into an Apple shop or a local Mac shop. Avoid places like Currys and PC World like the plague when it comes to Macs, they really have no idea what they're talking about and will probably try to convince you Macs can't go online.. If you don't live near an Apple store, call them, they have a number, it's 0800 039 1010. Anyway. I used to have an iBook, then upgraded to the MacBook and I love it to bits. I'd suggest taking the plunge and get the MacBook. Might as well be up to date, since things have moved on from the Power PC chips. the Intel chips will run quicker and cooler. That's why we never got G5 laptops. If you know someone in education, could be a student or anyone who works at a school, you can get an education discount which is pretty good. http://store.apple.com/Apple/WebObjects/ukInd

Have a look at this: http://www.apple.com/uk/support/switch101/

Might answer any questions.

chocolatechipcookies

deebster wrote: »

Yes, I know you can't just run PC software natively. I was putting it simply to save over-complicating things. The point being you can run PC software if you need to.

As for what to get shona, if you need a laptop and Intel is not a big deal to you then a G4 iBook might be a good bet, but if you want more than a 12" screen then you'll need to look at PowerBooks. The 14" iBook is of course bigger than the 12", but it's the same screen resolution (1024 x 768) so things are just a little bigger rather than you having more usable screenspace.

If you don't mind a desktop then there's the Mac mini. I sold my G4 one for £150 a few months ago. There's a thread on here about Toys R Us sellimg off their old stock, but it sounds like they might have all gone by now.

Toys R Us is another place to avoid like the plague, especially as a new Mac owner. In general, I don't think someone who sells barbie dolls can demo iMovie from start to finish. if you know what you're doing, fair enough. When I worked in a Mac shop, we always had people coming in for demonstrations who wanted to get to know things.

shona_2

Thanks everyone for your help.
Yesterday I took possession of a Macbook from the refurb apple site - £589. Arrived 26 hours after ordering! Should also get £17 or so back from Quidco.
I'm using it now - so far so good! Still a lot to learn though...

thanks again for your sound advice.