So, I'm thinking of taking the big leap to Apple with an iBook....

I'm looking for objective opinions from people on their preferences/likes/dislikes between my 2 options. I currently own an HP Pavilion laptop which I don't dislike, but it's really too big and so I'm pretty sure I'm going to return it to Costco (as long as they'll take it back, but they are usually pretty good about it).

I like the portability of the new iBooks....my biggest concern would be the frustration level I might have of switching to OS X from the Windows platform.

Any thoughts anyone? I know this is an issue that some people feel very strongly about...I'm not trying to start a war...just a discussion.

Well... this is coming from a die-hard Mac person. I love Macs... did I say... LOVE THEM?!?! I recently received a Mac PowerBook G4 at work, this on top of the fact I already have a G5 desktop. Anywho... I also have a Dell Dimension at home. It really depends on what you plan to do with the laptop. If you plan to only surf the net, do word processing, spreadsheets, etc then a pc laptop is perfectly fine. But if you plan to do design work, such as myself, then a Mac would be the way to go.

By the way... HP stinks. One of the worst pcs I have dealt with.
Just my 2 cents.

OS X might be a litter overwhelming initially but I think you would definitely grow to like it. Are you familiar at all with using a Mac and the difference in the OS versus PC OS?

Well, no...I've not used Apple before besides sitting down at people's computers and trying to figure my way around. I'm just not familiar with it at all...but I do learn quickly and I'm open to change.

Do you have an apple or the iBook?

Should have said a "little" overwhelming. Hate when my brain is ahead of my hands.

I currently have an Apple PowerBook which is basically the same as the iBook but a few more features. I love it. Its lightweght and it has a lot bells and whistles.

The Powerbooks are more expensive...what are the additional features? I don't think I really need much. I use my computer basically for the internet.....and listening to music I guess.

I switched to Apple in Aug 2002 and still am really happy.

http://www.apple.com/switch/

gives a lot of reasons.

Yeah PowerBooks cost more. Probably have more than you might need. An iBook would be perfectly fine for your needs.

PowerBooks have things like built-in SuperDrives (can record both CDs and DVDs) and wireless network cards, plus higher speed processors. OSX is really intuitive I think.

Plus, you have an Apple retailer in San Jose at Oakridge.

http://www.apple.com/retail/oakridge/

It's just a mini Store, and one of the bigger stores in the area actually have free weekend and evening courses (1 hour long usually) that focus on "switching".

Okay, I definitely want a wireless network card and i like high speed. Hrm.

My current computer has a drive that records CDs and DVDs and in all honesty, I've never even used it to burn a CD. Somehow that technology skipped me. I should get into it.

There's a big store in Palo Alto (15 miles from here)...I might go check out what they have. I wonder if you can walk in and buy something or if you have to order online....

I bought mine from a big store. Mini stores have stock too.

i couldn't switch to apple until they introduced osx, and i'm a die-hard lover of them, now. osx is visually more comparable to windows, except hella prettier, and systematically speaking apples are more intuitive. and prettier.

IF you're not familiar with macs at all, I suggest you try to familiarize yourself with them before you buy one, since you will no doubt get very frustrated to begin with.

I'm also very happy with my Acer TravelMate PC. Works well, lightweight, LONG batterylife. You just have to avoid Micorsofts own software (MSIE, OutLook, WMP and so on..) and you will be fine.

Also when buying a laptop, your main priorities IMO should be batterylife (for pc:s that means a "Centrino" processor), memory (no less than 512), weight, ports, and what else you want in that order.

Also when comparing prices, at least here the difference is huge between different packages, som will give you proper software (Office and such)

Just thought I'd share my expeiences while they're still fresh.

Patrik

I would suggest one of the G4 iBooks over any notebook PC.
The main differences between the Powerbooks, and the iBooks are processor speeds, optical drive options, and screen sizes, the iBook is marketed towards consumers, Powerbooks are marketed towards 'professional users'.

I switched back in July, and the thought of using Windows again...well, in all honesty...I would rather go without a computer. OSX will completely spoil you. I haven't had ANY issues with the system at all. Not one. It just runs quietly underneath everything, and lets me do what I need to do. No drivers to install, no viruses to worry about, no spyware. It feels like *my* computer now, instead of Bill Gates' computer. You'll understand if you get one.
If you do choose Apple, I would suggest getting the book Mac OS X: The Missing Manual, It will make your transition much easier. As Patrik stated, it can be frustrating because Macs are an entirely different breed...but once you get the basics, you'll be fine.

Patrik -

The laptop I have now (HP Pavilion) has a centrino processor and I get between 4-6 hours of battery life on it. It's not bad. The new iBook promises 6 hours to start as well. My biggest beef with my current laptop is that it's just too big, but that was my fault because I bought something different than what I really needed. I have the 512 MB RAM now, too, but would have to upgrade the iBook (they come standard with 256)....I'd also need to 'upgrade' to a bigger harddrive...I like my 80G...it would be weird to have a laptop with less storage space than my iPod.

I'm going to the apple store in the mall tomorrow to check things out.

Thanks for the tips...


Elemental - you just switched this past July and you're already so hardcore? It's so funny to me how MacUsers are so militant about their computers...I'm not sure I'd ever be that way, I've just loved using my friends iBooks and I think I could possibly get closer to the exact computer I really need by going with apple.

Plus, this *is* the orchard.

Once you go MAC, you'll never go back!

So I bought a 12 Inch G4 Powerbook. I'm loading songs and all my 'stuff' onto it. It's *so* much more portable than the PC I had before and with my educational discount I actually made $30 on the deal (of returning the old computer) and I now have the 3 year apple protection plan.

The only not so great thing is that I am going to really need the Mac Office software...there doesn't seem to be a word processing software at all on this machine. Bummer.

I'm definitely experiencing the frustration of a life-long PC user trying to navigate OS X but I have high hopes and I learn quickly. I suppose it is more intuitive, but when you're used to doing things unintuitively....

I decided on the powerbook because I could get a bigger hard drive and a faster processor speed...plus a couple other bells and whistles for about $50 more than it would be to upgrade the iBook. AND I got to walk out of the store with it...not order online.

Costco gave me no problem with returing the HP Pavilion...and I bought it more than 5 months ago. It's really a great place to buy a computer if anyone is in the market.

Thanks for all the advice, guys... I'll be coming to you when I have questions.

If you just need something to type in and spell-check, use Text Edit. It saves/reads rtfs.

If you need something more robust, I suggest OpenOffice. It's free, and it works well.

The latest release of iBooks includes wireless. They are also, sad to say, already faster than my eight month old Powerbook I wouldn't sweat the speed issue all that much for basic usage.

OS X is the #1 reason that I took the plunge about eight months ago. Once I've gotten used to the idea that I can have the sugary goodness of a pretty interface with the power of a proper UNIX system underneath, I never looked back Oh, and did I mention that without the exception of Apple software updates, I have never rebooted the machine once. Close the lid, let it go to sleep, tote it somewhere else, open it up and I am ready to go three seconds later.

I'm the same way with mine at home, Brig! Also, I pointed Happy2BSo to educational discounts for Microsoft Office. Not the discounts offered by the Apple store, but at actual educational institutions. At Univ of Cincinnati, a full copy of Office for OSX is $6 if you are a student.

Don't these things rule??. I thoroughly enjoy mine. Have you been HERE yet?? They have a lot of useful info, and speed tips, and all kinds of stuff related to the G5.