On 6/18/04 10:19 PM, "Andrew King" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
> Hello list > I've been commissioned to find a MAC powerbook or ibook for my sister. So, I'm guessing you use WINDOWS? Most of us on this list use Macs. All modern computers have a MAC. > She's an artist and needs a little more power than the 520 powerbook > for word processing, spread sheets, photo editing and e-mail/web browsing. > I had been thinking an ibook might provide more horsepower per doller. > She's not inclined to poke around inside so i figured that if I got a > decent ibook she wouldn't need to upgrade it. > However a little looking around Low End Mac suggests that most (all?) > ibooks come without PC card slots which I am very fond of. You may be right that an iBook would suit her quite well. You may be very fond of PC card slots but since Mac notebooks are full featured we find we don't need them. PowerBook or iBook the computer will have USB, NIC, modem and be able to have an airport card installed. Except for the original iBook they'll also have firewire and video out. That pretty much obviates the need for a PC card. > So I'm back to considering an older powerbook. There are lots of happy Pismo and Wallstreet owners so that is a possible computer...but so is an iBook. > I'd like to be able boot to OS 9, I think that's what's on her > computers at work (she's not sure). If she isn't sure and she's been using a Mac for some years, she probably is still using 8 or 9. For the last year or so most new Macs haven't been OS 9 bootable, but most of the G3 dual USB iBooks (the white ones) have booted into OS 9. > CD drive is required, CD burner would be nice but could be external. > Floppy drive would be nice, could be external. CD drive isn't an issue...all G3 and G4 model notebooks have a built in CD drive and I wouldn't advise buying anything older if you are looking to replace a 520 with something more powerful. > Battery life is not a huge issue, this will be used as a desktop > computer most of the time. > She has a dial up ISP so built in ethernet or wireless is not > particularly useful. > Reliability is probably more important than performance, she's in Santa > Barbara CA and I'm in Michigan so I can't easily pop over and swap out > parts. > Any thoughts? Recomended vendors? There are risks to buying an older computer and that risk is compounded with a notebook mostly because repairs are vastly more expensive. I know lots of Pismo and Wallstreet owners who are very happy...some are using these older machines without ever having any problems while others have replaced numerous parts. Owners of the clamshell iBooks also tend to be quite happy with their machines. This is evidenced by the premium prices these machines still command. As to venders...Smalldog gets a big thumbs up from me. david -- G-Books is sponsored by <http://lowendmac.com/> and... Small Dog Electronics http://www.smalldog.com | Refurbished Drives | -- Check our web site for refurbished PowerBooks | & CDRWs on Sale! | Support Low End Mac <http://lowendmac.com/lists/support.html> G-Books list info: <http://lowendmac.com/lists/g-books.html> --> AOL users, remove "mailto:"; Send list messages to: <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To unsubscribe, email: <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> For digest mode, email: <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subscription questions: <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Archive: <http://www.mail-archive.com/g-books%40mail.maclaunch.com/> --------------------------------------------------------------- >The Think Different Store http://www.ThinkDifferentStore.com ---------------------------------------------------------------
