Aaron

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Originally posted by The Lama:
those are the versions of OSX, 10.1.3 is the current one, and we are assuiming 10.2 will be the next one

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Well not entirely assuming... I have seen 10.2 6b14 and will be mailed an Apple Seed CD probibly in a month or two. Among new features in 10.2 are the return of spring loaded folders (audiable cheer), speed enhancements in scrolling and redrawing windows, and some other networking improvements and stability tweaks. Ok now for the newbie (glad to have you as a soon to be new convert) spring loaded folders are where if you want to drag a file into a subfolder all you do is drag it onto let say the HD image and hold it, after a second or two it pops open and let you do the same thing again... very nice feature for moving files around.

Since you are a gamer I can't recommend a low horsepower Mac. The iBook is a nice little machine, but it doesn't have what it takes for fps type games.

So your choices become PowerMac, iMac or PowerBook G4 (TiBook). The new iMac isn't a notebook, but it's easy to move from one desk to another.

Bregalad: A tower is a good suggestion, but I have the sneaky suspicion GG wants the cool look of a new imac.... although a dual G4 would be sweet.

I'm not sure you need the portablilty of a 'book. Remember you'd also need an airport base station and airport card for true wireless.... that will set you back another $600 or so.

There is a neat new case for the iMac now though! http://www.willowdesign.com/NL-36.html

Oh, GG, we're all sort of newbies with OSX... it's new and quite the change, but it's really super cool, and i get more and more impressed with it as time goes by.

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Originally posted by GameGod:
Hey,
I've finally decided, to put my Windows comp00ter back in the box and stuff it in my closet. Now I am going onto bigger, better things... the new iMac (or iBook, I'll get to this later)
I'm sick and tired of my Hewlett Packard, and I'm ready to take Snaggy's advice, and earn tons of money for a iMac/iBook w/ iPod, But... I am not so sure which to get, and what I should know before I purchase it.
I want to be free and wireless, but Im not so used to being away from my desktop computer. I want to get the iBook to bring on trips, but I want my desk to have an actual purpose other than storing things. Which one should I get?
Also, what should I know about Apple before I make my purchase in a few months or so, I have hardly any Apple experience, only a few seconds, cause Snaggy and Nitrozac used to kick me outta their "working chair" if I came close to their computers... buut Nitrozac let me use her ol' iBook after a while yay nitro!
Anyways, what should this MacNewbie know before he goes to the Lightside? and Which one should I get?

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I replaced a peecee desktop with a Powerbook G4/400 last february. no regrets. i think you could get by with just the iBook, especially if you invest in a few peripherals to keep on your desk (full-size keyboard and maus, largish CRT monitor, airport, and maybe an external Firewire drive or two). I got an apple pro keyboard, a logitech wheel maus, and a 7200RPM firewire drive. i boot off the firewire drive when at home, so i can keep games and several GBs of MP3s and quicktime movies off of my laptop.
just my $0.02USD, but i think you could get away with the iBook. the G3 isn't even a bad processor, but i secretly think sometimes that Apple has done something to OS X v.10.1 to make it slower on the G3, so people will be forced to upgrade to G4s. i dunno. i'm paranoid anyway...

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Originally posted by Bregalad:
I have a G4 tower and an iBook. Like you I tend to think of computing as something done at a desk. Most of my computing IS done at a desk, but wireless mobility is nice.

Since you are a gamer I can't recommend a low horsepower Mac. The iBook is a nice little machine, but it doesn't have what it takes for fps type games.

So your choices become PowerMac, iMac or PowerBook G4 (TiBook). The new iMac isn't a notebook, but it's easy to move from one desk to another.

Last year's PowerMac will deliver better frame rates than this year's iMac and, if you've already got a usable monitor, will cost the same or less. The tower gives you the option of popping in a better video card to give your games that extra kick.

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Theoretically, you could do the same with an iBook and an external DVD writer, but you would have to fork out for Apple's DVD Studio Pro as iDVD only comes with (and works with) Macs with internal Superdrives. The iMac also has the advantage of the larger hard drive and the G4 (which iDVD needs to do the compression and makes a big difference in the DVD production speed)

With the DVD blank media only being around $5 each from Apple, you could easily charge a reasonable $50 for a half hour home movie to be transfered onto a DVD, with extra 'options' like pre-editing in iMovie or creating chapter markers etc. costing more. Especially nice if you can present it in a DVD case with a nicely printed sleeve (you can buy blank DVD cases from various suppliers). Presentation and making the customer feel like they're getting something special would be the key of course
Ideally, have a look around your local area to see if anyone's doing film to video or video conversion (like Beta to VHS) and see what prices they're charging (Don't mention what you're planning to do of course )

Your probable customer base would be families wanting their wedding, christening, birthday etc. videos on a nice *safe* DVD (especially if you can burn off copies at $10- $25 a shot for the relatives). You might also be able to link up with someone who does wedding videos professionally, so that they can give their customers the option of their wedding video on a DVD as well (make it an exclusive deal with one of them, preferably a well known expert one, so that the deal benefits them too).

ok, 'nuff a that! So, having both iMac and iBook would be ideal. So, which to get first? If you could take your iBook to school, and on trips, I'm thinking that would be better. I use my iBook all the time for a change, I'll go on the couch and use it, or before going to sleep, sometimes I'll take it outside, and on errands involving printing posters. You'll need portability. Also, in your home business, you can take your iBook with you on jobs, transfer files on the spot, etc. Plus, it looks impressive I'd go for the new iBooks, I mean, why not go for it? The iPod is super cool, but, maybe you should opt for a DV camera, so you can film movies on the spot (another money making option). Remember that movie I have of you at a family dinner? Those were good times.

But just throwing my 2 cents into the whole switching/differences thing, it's hard to look past the price factor when you're used to building your own computers. But when I take a step back, and look at the differences in the long run, it makes me want it even more.

Now, if you'll excuse me, I have some drool to mop up

I'll tell you this: I live the portable lifestyle out of my "old" TiBook 500, and use it as a dekstop replacement. Never looked back. Don't need a desk.

I'd recommend an iBook (probably the 14" if you'll be using it a lot)... and you can always mirror on an external VGA, and hook up USB Keyboard, scrolly mouse & joysticks if you want to sit at the desk.

The new iMacs are beautiful, but for a young lad's first, an iBook, with LOTSA RAM...

Oh, and drop me an email if you want... I can poke around in the demo pile at the store and maybe score you a deal... Just ask ARJ/Roceal...

=bd

It sounds like she's a Comp USA/ Best Buy idiot (sorry to any of the few non idiots working in Comp USA, Best Buy, PC World, John Lewis' etc., but the greater majority of your colleagues stupidity tends to wash out any individuals who actually know what they're talking about).

Here's Apple's page about the iMac, clicking on the Superdrive tag will tell you about the built in Superdrive...

http://www.apple.com/imac/

To use non-firewire video sources, you'll need to get something like the Formac Studio box, which converts analogue video signals (like your VCR outputs) into digital data that connects to your iMac through Firewire...

http://www.formac.co.uk/html/sets/studio_set.htm

while I'm loathe to recommend Formac (their lack of support for their previous products is almost criminal), the Studio is well recommended (I know a few people who use it).

The Superdrive equipped iMac should will easily cope with transferring video to DVD.

oh, and feel free to email me with any questions you have (Nitrozac & Snaggy have my email address).

I bought an original Bondi Blue iMac the day they came out -- loved it to death! I loved the all in one design and the relative portability with the built-in handle. Heck, I even lugged that baby with me on a Via Rail trip from Montreal to Halifax in the triple bedroom, disguised in a heavy blanket and some rope. (This because I knew some Via techs use to force you to haul video monitors only in boxes and only in cargo. Ha! Like I would trust someone in carge not to toss my baby around!)

Since we had an electrical plug in the bedroom suite, we actually spent the 18 hour trip mostly tag-team playing various computer games, while the other slept.

From there I graduated to an original Blue iBook, again, the day they were launched. It was a bit hard to part with my old iMac, but it went to a good home and once I got used to the differences, I loved it even more than my iMac -- again because of the portability. At the time, my design business was just starting up and being able to take my "web studio" on the road with me and to show potential clients my work, or even to show works-in-progress to current clients became a godsend and a real timesaver, as we could make changes right on the spot.

Last year, I managed to pick up a then top-of-the-line 500Mz Titanium G4 Powerbook. Wow! This baby totally blew the others out of the water... I honestly don't think I could ever go back to a desktop model ever again. I originally had the house and studio wired for ethernet, but shortly after getting the TiBook, we set up an Airport network and the resulting freedom to move around has been very "liberating". There is nothing like working outside on my TiBook during the first really warm days of spring, watching my cats munch on the first blades of grass... or even working late at night from bed, while half watching an old movie.

I would really recommend an iBook if you can afford it, and max it out with as much RAM as you can afford. Once you've saved up, you could always upgrade to a TiBook and sell your old baby. It's not as hard as you would think to sell an older model Apple laptop. In fact, you might want to head over to ehMac -- it's a Canadian Mac user group that I belong to. They have a good "Trading Post" area where a lot of buying and selling goes on. You might find a good deal if you can't spring for something new... also a good place to put your old stuff up for sale and pretty well all the prices are in Canadian dollars since it's mostly Canadians on the boards. It's a very friendly place, so you can also ask their advice on the matter and I know they will all share their experiences with you...

http://www.ehmac.com

Yes, you will always find that there is a transition period from "Dark to Light" and again, one from desktop to laptop, but once you make the jump, you'll start wondering how you ever got by in the past!

Hope my two cents might help you with your big decision of iMac VS iBook, but at least you've already made the right decision regarding your new choice of platform. I really think that you'll have no real regrets once you get over the initial transfer stage -- Macs get in your blood!

Good luck!

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~ Jade Dragon

I'm not a serious computer gamer, so I'm not missing out on much! Anyway... the iBook has enough for you probably if you're just a console gamer. I've got the 500Mhz series, but hey -- the Megahertz myth won't slow me down.

Go with the iBook. You'll be happy. I know I am.

And about OS 10.2... sounds interesting. I like the spring loaded folders. OS X could use some improvements other than that as well.. just little things here and there.

: )