<p>Hey i was wondering what do you guys think i should do? i could get a ibook g4 for 400 bucks, i know its a little old, but i don't need something so high tech since i'll only be using the laptop for college stuff. and i'm a non-art major. but at the same time, i see the macbook as a update to date machine, and i'm positive i want either one of these laptops. </p>
<p>in conclusion, do u think spending the extra 600 on a macbook would be worth it although i'm only going to be using it for college stuff?</p>
<p>Macbook. It’s about to be 3.5 years old and I don’t foresee purchasing a newer Macbook until next year at the earliest. It’s lasted through the years.</p>
<p>If you get an iBook, you’re already behind the technology so you’re probably going to have to update before your college years are up. Not worth it.</p>
<p>Since you didn’t post any specs for the two computers I’m gonna have to go with the macbook because from what I have experienced with them they are a good quality computer. You have to make sure you don’t need to use Windows only programs though unless your gonna dual boot windows/osx. If you don’t want to spend alot of money you can get much more bang for your buck if you get a PC laptop.</p>
<p>My daughter still uses her old iBook G4 12". She really likes the size, and prefers the white plastic look to the current aluminum look. It has been enormously trusty - the only things we’ve done to it is replace the hard drive to increase capacity and add RAM to increase performance. We bought the (used) iBook for her a couple of years ago when she was going abroad for a high school exchange program. Our thinking at the time was that it didn’t make sense to buy her a new laptop that would be aging when she started college (this Fall) - we’d spend $500 in the iBook, then replace it with a new MacBook when she went to college. The only problem is that she won’t give up her iBook! So, I guess we will see how long it lasts. </p>
<p>How fast is the $400 iBook you are looking at? I would only consider one that is on the faster end of the iBooks - I think they topped out at 1.33 GHz. Also, many iBooks have smallish hard drives. My iBook came with a 40GB drive, which is really not adequate for storing OS X, MS-Office, iLife, work files, and some pictures/videos. I put a new bigger hard drive in, but that is not a procedure for the faint-of-heart; you basically have to disassemble the entire machine to do it.</p>
<p>That iBook could work for you, and might be a good choice if finances are tight. You should think long and hard though, before you go that way. The advantages of a new MacBook are substantial. The MB runs faster and has more RAM and hard drive space. It also has a built-in iSight camera and a much better trackpad. Finally, it has an Intel processor that will run the latest software better. For example, I wanted to watch Netflix videos on my iBook, but the video playback requires a driver (MS Silverlight - don’t get me started on THAT topic!) that only works on Intel processors.</p>
<p>Thing is, a MacBook is not overkill for “basic student work.” In fact, it’s just right.</p>
<p>If you already had an iBook and loved it, then I would say there’s no need to upgrade to a MacBook. But since you’re talking about buying one or the other, I think you should definitely go for the MacBook. As far as I know, Apple won’t support PowerPC for OS X 10.6. Why invest in old technology?</p>
<p>good point fabrizo, and for those who bought both macbooks and expensive laptops for colleges. did you guys use your own personal money, or money from your student loan?</p>
<p>My parents bought it for me as a back-to-school gift. I originally had a Compaq desktop that died for no ****ing reason. So, my Dad agreed that it would be better to go portable and get something that will last.</p>
<p>Random and others, your friends that bought a macbook or expensive laptop for college, did they use their own personal money to buy it or did they use money from their student loan?</p>
<p>I’d imagine you could do it either way. You’re paying regardless.</p>
<p>If you have the money to spend, it’d possibly be best to buy it with cash, as to not take on more-than-necessary debt. (Granted if spending that money would jeopardize a financial-stable life in college, it may be worth the debt)</p>
<p>To answer as best as I can, I have a 50/50 deal worked out with my parents for mine, but if I were on my own for my laptop, I’d be paying cash, but only because I’ve worked my ass off and saved money the past 2 years, and the dent in my cash reserves wouldn’t incapacitate me.</p>