The Ultimate iBook Review, Part 1
- 2001.08.02
In a most conservative fashion, away from the big lights of Macworld
Expo keynotes, Steve Jobs introduced the new iBook on May 1. The
latest Apple has been put under much scrutiny, especially with Apple's
moves to successfully recapture the education market. The dual USB
iBook sells like hot cakes in the consumer and education markets.
That said, how does it perform in real life situations? We have been
using the basic entry-level model for several weeks, and now is the
time to report on it. This is the first piece of a three-part iBook
evaluation.
Specifications
- Suggested price: US$1,299 ($1,249 educational)
- System: Mac OS 9.1 and X
- Processor: 500 MHz G3
- Bus: 66 MHz
- RAM: 64 MB on base model, 128 MB on others
- Level 2 cache: 256 KB on-chip cache
- Video: ATI Rage Mobility 128 with 2x AGP
- VRAM: 8 MB
- Display: 12.1" 24-bit SVGA (maximum of 1024 x 768)
- Video out: VGA and composite video
- Hard disk drive: 10 GB IDE
- Media drive: CD-ROM
- Ports: two USB, one FireWire, one 10/100Base-T ethernet and 56k
modem
- Microphone: built in
- Size: 11.2 x 9.1 x 1.35"
- Weight: 4.9 pounds
Design and 
Casing
The first hands-on feeling made us think that the casing is tiny, at
least if we compare the new iBook to most models of its class. We find
this to be a good compromise between portability and screen space. The
form factor pleases us. We appreciate the gender-neutral and yet
modern-looking white exterior. The slight touch of gray inside made us
think that this iBook shares DNA with the Titanium PowerBook. We
definitely liked the inside because its appearance connects with the
born-again trend of silver-looking electronics.
We found the simple "no curves" concept nice. The first iBook's curves added
useless size and weight to a computer 
that
could have been made smaller. The new slim case addressed this
complaint. The current iBook is small enough for us to carry in a
backpack. This has to be a plus for all students.
Setup
To our surprise, no system software was installed on the hard drive
when we took the iBook out of the box. We had to boot the computer from
a restore CD and start installing the system software. We had to insert
and take out four different discs, and the installation process took a
painful 30 minutes. It did not give us options regarding what to
install, and it installed Mac OS X along with Mac OS 9.1 by
default. After a restart, the iBook was ready to go, but we found this
optionless process inconvenient.
After restarting, a special "first run" assistant took us through a
basic customization setup that handled general settings.
The iBook comes with a few bundled software titles, from a couple of
games to fax software, without forgetting QuickTime, iTunes, and free
Internet software. In our opinion, the most interesting title of all is
AppleWorks. It is a nice little productivity suite if you cannot afford
Microsoft Office, and we enjoyed rediscovering it, having used
ClarisWorks a few years ago.
Expansion
After installing our system software, we wanted to add resources to
our new portable. We bought a 128 MB RAM chip and installed it. We
removed the keyboard from its normal position and had to remove a
couple of screws sow e could locate the RAM slots. We seated the chip,
closed everything properly, and started the computer. The iBook
recognized the RAM without problems. The 192 MB of RAM would prove to
be useful. The preinstalled 64 MB is a ridiculous amount for users who
want to do more than run one or two applications at a time.
AirPort
How could one use an iBook without AirPort wireless connectivity? We
wanted to experience digital lifestyle without wires, so we bought two
AirPort cards. We inserted the first one in the iBook by following the
instructions present in the documentation. The second one found its
home in our Power
Mac G4, which, in the circumstances, serves as a software base
station. To create the wireless network, we simply launched the AirPort
assistant on both machines and followed the steps. Once done, the
wireless connection established itself and we could surf the Internet
wirelessly from the iBook.
We experienced connection problems. We thought that the iBook
software's language (Canadian French) might have been an obstacle. When
we saw that the iBook's version of AirPort was not the latest, we ran a
software update from Apple's servers. After a quick update and a
restart, the connectivity problems disappeared.
Documentation
The usual mandatory material (warranty, AppleCare, license,
stickers, etc.) makes up for most of the documentation. Apart from
that, there are three key documents:
- A "before you start" document with information about switching from
Mac OS 9.1 to Mac OS X, configuration, and notes about some of the
software titles that ship with the computer.
- An iBook manual gives a quick physical description of the iBook,
discusses the basics of the Mac OS, the Internet, multimedia, and how
to install an AirPort card. Along with the above information, it
provides troubleshooting tips.
- A Mac OS X manual that gives a quick (but too short) overview
of Apple's new generation of operating system.
The documents inside the box are fine for a seasoned veteran or a
user who can learn quickly on his own. On the other hand, we wonder
what a novice gets out of the very basic documentation offered, and we
think that a more comprehensive manual would have been handy.
The Ultimate iBook Review
is a French Canadian living
in Montreal. He discovered the Mac in 1994 while studying journalism,
the profession he loves and practices. He also studied history and
communications. He writes iBasicsfor
Low End Mac, On
the Flip Side for The Mac Observer, and cofounded MacSoldiers
