Home > Consumer Reviews > Apple iBook Laptop 12" M9426LL/A (1.0-GHz PowerPC G4, 256 MB RAM, 30 GB Hard Drive, DVD/CD-RW Drive)

I've used PC's my whole life, starting with the Commodore 64 and on. I currently have a Dell at home and at work. As much as I love Dell's service, I always encounter frustrating PC problems. You always need to update drivers, peripherals don't play well with one another. Finally after finding the courage, I purchased this iBook two weeks ago and it's the best decision I ever made. MP3 player, camera, wireless, Apple begs for the challenge and comes out with flying colors every time.

It's difficult to put into words what it's like to own a computer that integrates itself within your lifestyle and not the other way around. PC users that are reading this, go to an Apple store if you can, you really have no idea what I mean until you try it out for yourself. Apple handles every task I throw at it, unlike temperamental PC's. If you're worried about few software choices, I took the iBook to work in the middle of a Windows haven and it handled everything I threw at it, including some my work Dell couldn't handle. I did have to add Office Mac, but the Apple offers far superior graphics and publishing abilities. I'm able to create richer documents and have yet to encounter a single problem with sharing among operating systems (mac's preference for .pdf is fantastic!) Work documents, spreadsheets, music, dvd watching on long flights (i'm getting just under 5 hours of battery life), photos of my family. None of it is a problem for this little guy and it looks great! The only draw back is if you are a gamer, this is not for you, either stick to a PC or buy a console.

If you travel a lot like me, the iBook is as light as they come and finds all wireless access points on its own. It's great and is now cheaper than comparable PC laptops in weight with far superior performance. I picked the iBook because I wasn't sure about mac, I didn't want to spend too much. But now I'm already thinking about a Power Book and I'll never buy a PC again. p.s. invest in the RAM upgrade, minimum 512, it's worth every penny.

For those of you looking for a great laptop, look no further!

I had owned Apple computers through the 80's and into the early 90's. But I, as many others, switched to IBM/Windows compatible computers when they broke the $1000 mark about 10 years ago. The vast software choices and the low price made me think it would be OK to switch.

Through the years, I struggled with windows operating systems, and with each new release of Windows, they copied more and more off the Macintosh operating system. But even with Windows XP, Microsoft still could not get it right. Applications frequently lock up, and you still need to restart your computer every day or so in order for it to run properly. So finally, when it came time to purchase a new computer (as everyone does every few years), I decided to go back to Apple. This was the best choice I ever made!

The 12" screen is so crisp and clear that you are not even bothered by the fact that it is really only 12". The operating system (OS X panther) has so many great features that you will wonder how you ever lived without it. It offers excellent compatibility with any windows network (I have found that sometimes it works better on windows networks than windows pc's do!). If you have never used a Mac before, the operating system is easy to learn, plus the online help will answer any questions you may have.

Another big advantage is the speed the G4 processor has over a Windows compatible machine. Don't be fooled by it being rated as a 1 GHz processor, because a 1 GHz processor in a Mac is much faster than a 1 GHz IBM compatible computer.

Furthermore, the battery life is amazing for a laptop (approx. 5 hours).

The computer comes with 2 USB 2.0 Ports for endless expansion possibilities. Also, you can add an AirPort extreme card for wireless networking, which makes it easy to get online anywhere in your home or office.

This is a great little laptop for the student or business professional!

iBook is the consumer notebook computer, which Apple offers. I actually custom-configured mine at Apple.com, so mine varies slightly from the specs of the standard model listed here. It is the same G4 processor, but I have a 60 GB hard drive, airport extreme card, bluetooth module, and I upgraded the iBook to 768 MB of memory.

This iBook is a great way to step into the world of Mac. However, even a veteran Mac user will find an iBook a great machine. Do not allow the 1.07 GHZ chip to scare you. This is a capable machine. Furthermore, you can view all your favorite DVDs and burn CDs. The size of the iBook is one of the fantastic features. This notebook is small and light. I use my iBook all over the house with the airport extreme card I added. I might sit at the dining room table, on the couch, on the living room floor, in the office, or in my bedroom.

I do recommend you add some memory to the iBook, which can add yourself. The owners manual provides some instructions. I would recommend adding a 512 MB stick, which will bring you up to 768 MB, but even adding a 256 MB stick, would be good.

The iBook obviously runs Mac's OS X Panther (operating system). OS X is fantastic, with a lot of great features such as expose, iCalendar, Sherlock, etc. However, the iBook includes other Apple software titles too. iLife '04 is included, which has iTunes, iPhoto, IMovie, and iDVD. iMovie and iDVD are the easiest consumer applications for making movies and burning DVDs. They are fantastic. Everyone loves iTunes, and iPhoto is hands down the best way to organize your photos. What is so great about this? You're iBook is ready for all of this out of the box! Finally, Appleworks is included with the iBook. Appleworks is a somewhat out of date program, but it can still get your word processing, spreadsheet, and other tasks performed. However, if you want a top quality office suite, I would recommend you purchase Microsoft Office 2004 for Mac.

Back to the hardware, the video out on the iBook is the only thing somewhat less than satisfactory in my opinion. It has a mini-DVI output, and it includes an adapter, so you can connect an external display for mirroring via VGA connector. However, the notebook's LCD must remain on the same time, cutting your video memory in half. It isn't a huge problem for me, but the iBook does not have the extended desktop feature, when using an external monitor, that the Powerbook enjoys.

Overall, the iBook 1.07 GHZ G4 system is an amazingly portable notebook computer with acceptable performance. The included Apple software will keep you occupied, organized, and entertained.

Ever since my company finally sprang for a new iBook about five months ago, I've been happy as a clam. This 12" model hums, with delightful ergonomics and Apple's fabulous iLife & OS X software suite. This thing is so light at 4.9 pounds that I've essentially stopped using my 7.5 pound, 14" Toshiba clunker, even though the Toshiba is supposedly faster and with a bigger screen. The screen on the iBook is plenty big for 95% of tasks -- from reading web pages to writing reports on the go. It's also exceptionally bright and sharp. OS X's Rendezvous technology, which quickly and easily and automatically connects to networks, printers and Wifi (with the Airport card) is a dream.

I particularly love Safari, Apple's user-friendly web browser that doesn't get gunked up with endless popup ads, viruses and other junk. It's so much snappier and less buggy than the Toshiba that sometimes I have to pinch myself.

The battery lasts 4 hours -- more than double my Toshiba. And it looks 10 times cooler, to boot. It's the ultimate coffee shop accessory (especially one with free Wifi).

And it is especially convenient for me as a reporter on the go. Having 2.6 fewer pounds to lug around every day is great, and it actually feels better on my lap. (I'm currently typing this while lying in bed using my wireless network, which the iBook sensed and connected to automatically). How cool is that?

You can find laptops for less, certainly. I bought my Toshiba at a day after Thanksgiving deal at Bestbuy a couple years back for five hundred smackers. But you won't find one that is this light, with this great battery life and this ease of use anywhere else. And when you are basically talking about an extension of your brain, eleven hundred smackers is pretty darn cheap.

Enjoy!

There are things that make you say "cool!" Then there are things that make your jaw drop ever so slightly.

This was not the case. Immediately upon opening this hidden Graduation present, in my mind, I thought, "wow." A subtle yet meaningful word like wow can be used to describe such a terrific machine.

This is my first laptop and my first Apple computer. I've had years of experience on PC's, but I work just as well with macs. I'd been ogling this model for quite some time... but my ogling became a sign for my parents to buy it for me. A generous thing they did... yes... but was it worth their money?

Absolutely. This review will take you on a step-by-step tour of the Apple iBook G4 Notebook... and boy, what a ride it will be.

I recall ripping apart the old, red wrapping paper to see a brown box. Puzzled as to what was inside it, I gladly removed the tape and peered into a side of the packaging.

I saw a white box with grey letters. Apple, I thought. Immediately, from the start, I could tell. God bless Apple's packaging.

I ripped apart the box, and in the cardboard fury left in the wake of my terror... and exclaimed to the heavens the joy of recieving a laptop at the age of 14. Catching my breath, I sat down to set it up... expecting a PC-like installation from Hell... but, to my surprise, it was set up! Excelsior, it's ready!

I personalized my desktop in a matter of minutes... choosing a snazzy green background and making my icons in the dock do a West coast-esque wave. But the thing that is most amazing is the internet capability.

We have a wireless internet system as it is, and the AirPort chip automatically configured itself to our system. Amazing. I was on Amazon almost instantaneously.

Now for the bottom line. Apple has been famous for creating "computers for dummies..." by making machines that anyone can operate with ease. I give three big "10.0" signs up for Apple for creating such an eye-pleasing, fold up machine of fun. It's a do anything, go anywhere machine. Kudos to the designers, and snickers to the programmers.