Worth getting the new MAC iBook V's older model?

C2

Hi
So, I'm going to get a MAC ibook (laptop). I'll be using it to store my music (about 120gb), some photos, audiobooks (about 20gb), watching DVDs etc. Also, for doing some basic home admin work- letters, A/Cs etc and of course the internet for mailing, facebook, forum stuff, info searching etc....thats about it. (ie i wont need it for graphics programs, gaming or anything else that needs a lot of power behind it).

Up to now I've used a PC so this is my first MAC and I'm clueless. As I now have 2 ipods and iphone i thought that a MAC would be a better option.

My question is, I hear theres a new MAC ibook out so will I get that or will the regular version do me as well?

Either way, could someone suggest a model for me if possible- I do want to keep my costs down if possible.

Thanks for any help.
C2

whiterebel

Check the third thread from the top which gives pros and cons of mac book and mac book Pros. BTW, it hasn't been called an iBook in about 3 years......:D

C2

Ooops. Yep afraid (as you can now tell) I'm a bit green!

Thanks

whiterebel

C2 wrote: »

Ooops. Yep afraid (as you can now tell) I'm a bit green!

Thanks

No problems. if you have more questions after reading through the thread, work away.

DotOrg

C2 wrote: »

Hi
So, I'm going to get a MAC ibook (laptop). I'll be using it to store my music (about 120gb), some photos, audiobooks (about 20gb), watching DVDs etc. Also, for doing some basic home admin work- letters, A/Cs etc and of course the internet for mailing, facebook, forum stuff, info searching etc....thats about it. (ie i wont need it for graphics programs, gaming or anything else that needs a lot of power behind it).

Up to now I've used a PC so this is my first MAC and I'm clueless. As I now have 2 ipods and iphone i thought that a MAC would be a better option.

My question is, I hear theres a new MAC ibook out so will I get that or will the regular version do me as well?

Either way, could someone suggest a model for me if possible- I do want to keep my costs down if possible.

this model:
http://store.apple.com/ie/browse/home/shop_mac/family/macbook?mco=MTAyNTQzMzg
is plenty powerful enough, in fact a computer from 3-4 years ago will do everything you need almost as fast and efficiently

macs are considerably more expensive for a laptop if you only want it for web browsing, listening to music and watching dvds compared to the same power in a pc, so perhaps a second hand mac with a new battery would be best if you're worried about money. i got my first mac recently but mainly due to it being better for video editing on the move compared to a windows laptop.

philiporeilly

First of all if its says iBook on it RUN AWAY! iBooks haven't been around for years and Macbook is what your'e now looking for.

I have an old white 13" Macbook Core Duo (upgraded to 2Gb Ram) which was one of the first Macbooks and I also have a recent Macbook Pro which is maxed out with specs.

For normal use (web, word, iTunes, DVD) you wouldn't notice a difference in performance. Its only when I do serious video editing, photoshopping extremely large files, or using virtual machines do I see the difference.

If light usage is all your doing, you should be okay and spend your money on upgrading RAM and harddrive space.

Greentree_uk

if you mean the difference between current generation and previous generation then I'd go for current. the battery life is worth the difference in price. don't get me wrong the macbook should have 4.5 hour battery life if not more but the newer model has 7 hours.

DotOrg

Greentree_uk wrote: »

the macbook should have 4.5 hour battery life if not more but the newer model has 7 hours.

7 hours with brightness turned down, wifi off, and not really doing anything much with the computer


3 hours or so actually using it, listening to music, running several applications

philiporeilly

In comparison to other laptops out there and even macbooks from two years ago, the battery life in the new models is amazing.

I left a macbook pro switched on (with no power save settings for screen off etc) going to bed and when I woke up 8hrs later it was still running with screen on.

Greentree_uk

if it's the pro you're talking about then read this on battery!

http://www.anandtech.com/mac/showdoc.aspx?i=3580&p=4


macbook should be 6-7 hours wifi on. display low but usable surfing the web, typing etc

C2

Thanks for the advice guys- appreciate it!

C