On Sunday, April 7, 2002, at 03:17 PM, Jose A. Alvarez Dios wrote:

>> I'm actually considering a switch to a TiBook. <collective gasp from 
>> the list>
>
> Well, me too, but boss says no new hardware until September. I made
> the mistake of trying one... I still drool over it. But then again,
> no, it's not sturdy enough to survive daily wear and tear.

I made the switch to a TiBook a year and almost 3 months ago. I love the 
machine, and I do not miss the size of my earlier portable, my Duo 
2300c. Is it bigger? You bet. A lot bigger? No, unless you are a 
self-described size freak who frets over every additional 1/4". 
(Admittedly, many on the list fall into that category...) It's not a 
micro subnotebok, but it is very thin and not very deep. The screen will 
cause you problems if you OFTEN fly in coach class (And this means that 
you make a lot of trips. I personally go on less than 10 trips per year, 
probably, and the TiBook is still fine for running my own in-flight 
movie via DVD. Trying to get a lot of typing done would be 
uncomfortable, though.)

Until I bought my Willow Design Ti sleeve case, I used my old Belkin 
Magellan case that I used for my Duo. (It's one of the 'T' shaped cases 
that folds around the computer and is secured by Velcro.) The corners 
stuck out a little bit, but no big deal. The Willow Design case is 
great. Barely bigger than the TiBook itself, it allows easy access to 
the machine, and a front pocket that will hold my Elph camera, its USB 
Cable, a phone cord, a 10-base T patch cable, the Yo-Yo and its cord 
(even better with the new Duo-style power adapter) My Train schedules, 
business cards, a pen or two, headphones, and my iPod if I need. It 
slings nicely across my back, and is a joy to travel with.

The TiBook is definitely up to the wear and tear of daily use. i have 
some paint chips on the corners, but most of that is from using the 
older Belkin bag that left the corners sticking out. I have a PC Card 
slot for Flash Cards, Adaptec SCSI (When, oh when, will they come out 
with OS X drivers?), or whatever else I might want. IR is nice for 
syncing a Palm on the road., and VoiceStream offers GSM service in the 
US, which some phones support through IR.

I never used a 2400c as a primary computer. Mine didn't get fixed (I 
bought it DOA) until after my TiBook arrived. However, my last computer 
was a PT Pro 225 that had been upgraded with a G3, USB/Firewire, Extra 
SCSI drives, etc. Great computer, but it required a lot of the same 
tinkering and annoyance that is common with life with a 2400. (SCSI 
drive and RAM are more expensive, drivers and hassle with expansion 
devices, etc. For the 2400c, eject cardbus cards before you restart, RAM 
limits, battery life, etc.) Each of these little annoyances is easily 
overcome, but I can't describe how nice it is to start with a clean 
slate and not have to worry about that stuff. Built-in USB, FIreWire, 
Ethernet, Modem, it all just works. (Which is one big reason why I use a 
Mac in the first place: It just works.) Also, the G4's single cardbus 
slot is only a problem in the sense that it will not accept type-3 
cards. (which for some is a major problem, I know. For most, though, it 
isn't a big deal.) Booting off of a Firewire drive or a CD isn't a big 
deal. Hold option on startup and choose your device. Also, the 2400c 
can't use FireWire, USB, and Modem/Ethernet at once. So, I can't have my 
computer connected to the LAN, and download photos from my USB camera to 
an external FW drive. I can work around the limitation, but it is so 
nice not to have to do that.

Basically, I love my Duos and my 2400c. The 2400c is a very capable 
computer that is a blast to travel with because it turns heads (P. 
Liethen red paint job), and is nice and compact. If I had a G3 
Interware. I would love it more. It is a remarkably versatile computer 
that will fit most people's needs. I respect Sidney Ho's reasons for 
using the 240 still, and I think he is right. For him, but not for 
eveyone. the 2400/ibook/TiBook question will have a different answer for 
each and ever person. For the average computer user who doesn't have the 
specific requirements that Sidney does, I think that the newer machines 
offer more in the ease of use department. I could manage with a 2400c, 
but I love the ease of using my TiBook. For me, I can sum it up as 
follows:

1.) 768MB RAM (Overkill, but lovin' every minute of it.)
2.) Battery life a 2400 can only dream of. And cheap to replace.
3.) Built-in Ethernet, modem, FireWire, USB, S-Video
4.) Thin and pretty darned compact. (This is no PowerBook G3 
cinder-block)
5.) Gorgeous Screen
6.) OS X. I love it.
7.) Built-in CD-RW (Mine doesn't have it, but the newer ones do.)

I'm sure i could come up with more, but....

Anyway, sorry for the long-winded post. I love the 2400c. It is an 
incredible computer. I could use one every day. However, I think most 
people would just love using a TiBook. It is a lot bigger when opened up 
on the store display than it is folded up and in your hand. The same all 
goes for the iBook, except it has no PC Card slots, and no IR, and 
definitely not the TiBook's gorgeous screen.

food for thought, counterpoint, devil's advocate, heretic, you name it.

Tom

PS: Who else can't figure out why the iMac can't sport a few PC Card 
slots? (Note: iMac, not iBook) I have seen the LCD all-in-one Gateways, 
and they have them. It makes perfect sense to me, but...maybe that's why 
I don't run Apple...

PPS: Please don't flame me, I love the 2400c, I just don't think it is 
always the best choice for everyone. Obviously, the newer machines carry 
a steep entry price, so that's a problem as well...




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