Depending on exact needs, one of the Duos would be about perfect. Especially with Internet not being an issue, as the primary problem with Duos is the lack of external connectivity. Their primary advantage is being small and cheap. Even a PowerPC 2300c can be had for ~$50, which leaves extra for a minidock or floppy microdock. The lack of external connectivity means no built-in floppy, but it also makes extended lap use a lot more pleasant because they weigh practically nothing. I've had a 280c as my primary laptop for awhile now and wouldn't trade it for a TiBook (okay.. maybe I would... but I'm trying to make a point). The various docks and things may sound complicated, but they aren't. More or less plug and play.
If she needs any PPC software (would let her run a much newer versoin of Powerpoint), a 2300c would work. Otherwise, I'd recommend a 280c as well-written 68k code can run as fast or faster than PPC code on a 2300c. The other relatively cheap but still decently powerful option would be the 500 series. My only complaint is they're a bit big, but since I'm used to a Duo just about everything else feels huge. Unlike the duo, however, they have a floppy drive and a whole mess of ports on the back. As for OS, generally as low a version as you can get away with running. 8.1 may run on the 68k Duos and 9.2.2 might be hackable to run on a 2300c, but they'd be slow. I've run 7.1 on my 280c for awhile now and not run into anything major that won't run without some updates. Even software like Netscape 4.0.8 that claims to need at least 7.6.1 runs fine on it. Otherwise, 7.5.5 or 7.6.1 would probably run everything you need without going to 8.1 on the 68ks. If you do get a 2300c, 8.1 would work well, and so would 8.6. Head over to http://home.earthlink.net/~gamba2 for some info on 7.1 and recommended updates. With a bit of intial work you can get it running and looking just about like 8.1 anyway. Hope this helps :) Scott Holder At 11:45 AM 6/30/2002 -0400, you wrote: >Hi everyone, > >I need some advice from all you Mac wizards. My sister, who has never >used a Mac in her life, has commissioned me to buy a used Powerbook >for her eleven-year-old daughter. Her requirements are simple: <snip> -- PowerBooks is sponsored by <http://lowendmac.com/> and... Small Dog Electronics http://www.smalldog.com | Enter To Win A | -- Canon PowerShot Digital Cameras start at $299 | Free iBook! | Support Low End Mac <http://lowendmac.com/lists/support.html> PowerBooks list info: <http://lowendmac.com/lists/powerbooks.shtml> --> 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/powerbooks%40mail.maclaunch.com/> Using a Mac? Free email & more at Applelinks! http://www.applelinks.com
