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Archives => 2006 => Topic started by: chriskleeman on October 15, 2006, 01:41:38 PM

Title: Thinking about getting a used laptop
Post by: chriskleeman on October 15, 2006, 01:41:38 PM
To all you TS Laptop experts:

I'm thinking about getting an used/older Apple laptop of some description for use when I'm on the road... so it at least needs to be airport equipped or ready... I'd like to be able to use at least 10.3.9 in it for now, maybe Leopard in the future... it doesn't have to be blazing fast, just have a good useful speed as it would probably only be used while I'm traveling.

Web-surfing, e-mailing, word-processing, perhaps using the Mozilla HTML Editor, and probably a Combo drive so I can at least burn CD's and read DVD's.

Any thoughts?

Thanks very much,

Chris K smile.gif
Title: Thinking about getting a used laptop
Post by: giantmike on October 15, 2006, 02:36:40 PM
Hey Chris,

It would probably be helpful to know a general range of how much you are looking to spend on this computer. If you are willing to go up to $1000, you could get a brand new MacBook, which has all the features you need, and is guaranteed to run Leopard when it comes out. Just keep an eye on Dealmac.com for the latest deals. Right now the 1.83 GHz MacBook is $999 at Amazon.com!
Title: Thinking about getting a used laptop
Post by: daryl66 on October 15, 2006, 04:21:57 PM
QUOTE(chriskleeman @ Oct 15 2006, 01:41 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
To all you TS Laptop experts:


Any thoughts?

Chris K smile.gif


Chris:

I do not have a clue what they sell for used these days but I am well into my 2nd year with a 12" Powerbook 768mb, combo, came standard with Airport, and Bluetooth.  I could not be happier. It is not on the road constantly but gets its share of airplane and hotel time.
It went for around $1300 new.

Daryl  biggrin.gif
Title: Thinking about getting a used laptop
Post by: kbeartx on October 15, 2006, 04:38:29 PM
Another ringing endorsement for the 12" PB - it's a totally sweet little machine!
Title: Thinking about getting a used laptop
Post by: Frances144 on October 15, 2006, 04:51:48 PM
I have a g4 iBook, 14" screen, that is well into its second year and is bashed about, travels and is very good.  Like it alot.  Brilliant for watching dvd's on when you have a long journey.  I did add extra RAM.

F
Title: Thinking about getting a used laptop
Post by: chriskleeman on October 15, 2006, 11:51:44 PM
Thanks, kbeartx, Daryl66, Frances144, giantmike...

giantmike, dunno what I want to spend... don't want to spend a bunch, because this would really be kind of a utility machine for me. When I travel now, I am borrowing computer time from my friends... it would be much better to have my own machine with my own stuff I can update. And, I could have an e-mail client of my own, which is fairly crucial to what I need to do when I'm traveling.

Just wondering what is out there, and what the most cost-effective solution might be.

Your suggestions are great, and I'm hoping for more!

Thanks,

Chris K Look.gif
Title: Thinking about getting a used laptop
Post by: Frances144 on October 16, 2006, 01:58:17 AM
I would look into the refurb market, or a dealer who has an "old style" iBook or Powerbook lying about gathering dust as everyone wants the new ones.  One without Intel.  Or, of course, there is Ebay!

http://cgi.ebay.com/iBook-G4-Like-new_W0QQ...1QQcmdZViewItem

Good luck.
F
(mine is invaluable for being on the road)
Title: Thinking about getting a used laptop
Post by: kelly on October 16, 2006, 07:11:44 AM
http://www.lowendmac.com/deals.shtml
Title: Thinking about getting a used laptop
Post by: Parker on October 16, 2006, 10:47:53 AM
don't even think of picking up a MacBook
nothing but problems.

I loved my PowerBook G4 12"
Title: Thinking about getting a used laptop
Post by: giantmike on October 16, 2006, 06:19:34 PM
QUOTE
don't even think of picking up a MacBook
nothing but problems.


Exactly what is this based upon? If you are basing it on reports from troubleshooting sites, then obviously your opinion will be skewed. There are people that have troubles with every Model of Mac (or PC), there is no exception to that rule. It's just that those who don't have problems aren't going to write to the troubleshooting sites to say everything is A-ok.

It's always a good idea to put what you read into perspective. I would put money on there being at least 100 MacBooks that work just fine for every problem that is reported.
Title: Thinking about getting a used laptop
Post by: Parker on October 16, 2006, 06:33:38 PM
QUOTE
Exactly what is this based upon? If you are basing it on reports from troubleshooting sites, then obviously your opinion will be skewed.


i'm basing this on my experience with my macbook
which is going in for service again now
becuase it's giving me problems with the screen

Lets see...
it's been sent in twice so far for service
Title: Thinking about getting a used laptop
Post by: RHPConsult on October 16, 2006, 10:19:23 PM
Chris:

This may be a really silly response, but why worry about Leopard if e-mail on-the-road is all you pine for?   biggrin.gif

I absolutely love my 15" Aluminum G4, but I'm still using my trusty Pismo G3 at home as a kind of archive machine (w/9.1 and Jag on separate partitions) so to be able access really old files that won't "process" on out Tigerized G-4s and G5s, and surly won't if I fall for a new G5 iMac DT.

With an airport card in the Pismo's PCMCIA slot, it can talk easily to our LAN and give me old, old, PDFs of docs I may need to reprint for business purposes. Slow, but steady. I'll be you could find a reliable one for >200 bucks.

Kelly's been a Pismo fan from waaay back!   clap.gif
Title: Thinking about getting a used laptop
Post by: Parker on October 16, 2006, 10:20:31 PM
QUOTE
e-mail on-the-road


then just get a blackberry
Title: Thinking about getting a used laptop
Post by: chriskleeman on October 17, 2006, 09:53:37 AM
Well Dick, Parker,

E-mail is not all I pine for... althought that's a consideration for something much smaller...

QUOTE
then just get a blackberry


Web editing on the road is also a need, and yes a Pismo is a consideration, but it looks like a used 1.33 Mhz 12" G4 iBook can be had for somewhere around $5-600, the Pismo's I've seen so far aren't much less... Frances144, thanks for that link to ebay, I'm looking at all kinds of laptops there now.

I was thinking about spending $3-400, but with the prices I'm seeing for the fairly recent iBooks, I'd be willing to spend a little more for a newer machine...

And being able to run current OS for a few years isn't a bad thing!

And, being easily confused, a machine that can run what my destop has for an OS is also a consideration.

Great feedback, great links, thanks to all of you for your replies!

Best,

Chris K biggrin.gif
Title: Thinking about getting a used laptop
Post by: daryl66 on October 17, 2006, 11:43:51 AM
QUOTE(chriskleeman @ Oct 17 2006, 09:53 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Web editing on the road is also a need, and yes a Pismo is a consideration, but it looks like a used 1.33 Mhz 12" G4 iBook can be had for somewhere around $5-600,

Chris K biggrin.gif

Chris:  A couple of deciding factors for me   G4 Ibook vs G4 Powerbook were:  No airport for the Ibook ( a MUST for travel)   and the ability to utilize a monitor in addition to the PB screen. ( it is MY computer at home ) appears to be no issue for you.

Daryl biggrin.gif
Title: Thinking about getting a used laptop
Post by: swhitset on October 17, 2006, 01:44:42 PM
My previous laptop was the 12" iBook that you speak of.  I liked it a lot until the logic board failed.  It of course did have airport and built in bluetooth.  I actually did use it with an additional monitor.  By default it supported video mirroring, but there is a very easy hack that you can download that allows you to span the screen across two monitors.  This change was easy to install an worked flawlessly.  The biggest negative I would say about it was screen quality.  If I were to display a photo on it and set it next to my Macbook Pro displaying the same photo, you would be amazed how washed out the photo looked on the iBook.

That being said, I would say that the iBook would make a great travel computer for you.... Keep in mind though these sold brand new from Apple for $999.00.

Steve
Title: Thinking about getting a used laptop
Post by: DaveF on October 17, 2006, 03:10:20 PM
I have a 1.33MHz 12" PB with 768MB RAM, a Superdrive and Airport Extreme card.  It is a traveling marvel.  Does everything and fits in luggage places you wouldn't even dream of trying with a 15" PB.

Gave my Pismo PB to my Grandson; it is like the Energizer Bunny. Still my all-time favorite laptop/notebook. thumbup.gif

Dave
Title: Thinking about getting a used laptop
Post by: Frances144 on October 17, 2006, 04:04:02 PM
Get a crumpler bag (Crippy Duck) - they are very useful for the travelling with your iBook thing.

Also, the iPod, is fantastic.  I had a 14 hour ferry journey watching dvd's on iBook (Best in Show then Muppets) and then Harry Potter on iPod.  Time went very quickly even with the boat going upsy downsy rather alot.

F
Title: Thinking about getting a used laptop
Post by: bil207 on October 17, 2006, 04:23:27 PM
The Apple store has a G4 iBook refurb. for $799.00 w/ free shipping and a 1yr. warranty and the option to purchase Apple Care.



From the Apple Store:
"Apple Certified Refurbished iBook G4 12-inch
Refurbished iBook 12-inch 1.33GHz Combo Drive
512MB memory (DDR333 SDRAM)
40GB Ultra ATA hard drive
ATI Mobility Radeon 9550 (32MB DDR video memory)
Built-in AirPort Extreme
Built-in Bluetooth 2.0+EDR
Scrolling Trackpad
Sudden Motion Sensor
Learn More
• Save 21% off the original price
   Original price: $999.00
Your price: $799.00"
Title: Thinking about getting a used laptop
Post by: bil207 on October 18, 2006, 05:17:03 PM
Other World Computing has a 12" G3/600MHz iBook for $349.00 and a 12" G3/700MHz iBook for $399.00.

Details are here.
Title: Thinking about getting a used laptop
Post by: sandbox on October 18, 2006, 06:36:22 PM
a Pizmo 500 or a WhiteBook 800-900 would probably suit your needs under $500.00
Title: Thinking about getting a used laptop
Post by: giantmike on October 19, 2006, 07:53:22 AM
I have heard ramblings that Apple may be dropping G3 support with Leopard. If so, you might want to make the G4 iBook your minimum range.
Title: Thinking about getting a used laptop
Post by: kps on October 19, 2006, 08:03:07 AM
For portability and features, nothing beats the 12" Powerbook. A revA or revB should be more than affordable and probably still very much capable of serving you for many years on the road. I absolutely love mine. I don't understand why Apple stopped making the small model.
Title: Thinking about getting a used laptop
Post by: Mayo on October 19, 2006, 12:43:27 PM
Apple is dropping support for G3 Macs when Leopard is released, so I would avoid anything older than a G4.

If you have a student or teacher (or an alumnus) in the family you can sometimes find terrific deals on portable Macs at college bookstores in the fall.  I snagged my G4 iBook for $649 at the U of O Bookstore in Eugene, Oregon.
Title: Thinking about getting a used laptop
Post by: cyclist2 on October 19, 2006, 02:22:23 PM
QUOTE(chriskleeman @ Oct 15 2006, 02:41 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
To all you TS Laptop experts:

I'm thinking about getting an used/older Apple laptop of some description for use when I'm on the road... so it at least needs to be airport equipped or ready... I'd like to be able to use at least 10.3.9 in it for now, maybe Leopard in the future... it doesn't have to be blazing fast, just have a good useful speed as it would probably only be used while I'm traveling.

Web-surfing, e-mailing, word-processing, perhaps using the Mozilla HTML Editor, and probably a Combo drive so I can at least burn CD's and read DVD's.

Any thoughts?

Thanks very much,

Chris K smile.gif