My new ibook G4

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Level 1

5 points

My new ibook G4

Hey everyone. Recently purchased an ibook G4 1.42GHz, 1.5GB Ram and 60GB HDD. This is my first Mac experience so far and I have to say Im pretty happy thus far (coming from windows XP). Looking at a few other forums, most seem to bash the ibook saying it's a fossil and what not. Mine is only 4 years old! How crappy could it be?? I began to get discouraged with my recent purchase. So I figured I'd around in here...how does your ibook meet your needs? How reliable has it been for you so far? I only needed something for basic photo, video and music editing, as well as internet/email capabilities. As much as I wanted to spend the $$$ on a new macbook pro, I just couldn't afford it at this time.

ibook G4, Mac OS X (10.5.8), 1.42GHz, 1.5GB Ram, 60GB HDD

Posted on Feb 10, 2010 6:25 PM

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Answer 1

Feb 10, 2010 7:56 PM in response to Spag187

I wouldn't be discouraged by any naysayers. I have 2 macs an older powerbook, and a really old iMac and both have been better than reliable, the powerbook since 02 and the iMac since 99. Now the good part, I have never ever had a problem with either one.
There are millions, with the same story as mine, Enjoy your iBook.

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Answer 2

Abscate

Level 1

45 points

Feb 11, 2010 2:58 AM in response to Donald Morgan

Ive picked up 4 Ibook G4s for my daughters paying between 200-300 USD each over the past 2 years. When the current generation Intel processor machines came out, the price of used G4s plummeted of course - making them a great value for cheapskates like me. For work I use a mini in office and a macbook air for travel, but surf on whichever G4 is closest to where I am sitting

Ive upgraded them all to Leopard (highest OS they can use) - remember that HD life expectancy is about 5 years - its about 100 USD to put a good size HD in one of these if you do it yourself (use Ifixit as a web guide)

Keep an eye on your battery life

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Answer 3

Feb 12, 2010 6:57 AM in response to Spag187

That computer is plenty powerful enough for basic photo, video, and music editing. Up until a couple months ago, I was using an eMac 1.42 GHz with 1GB of RAM. The only complaint I had with it at the end was watching streaming video online, and that only acted up once in a while. I was still editing digital videos, managed over 5,000 pictures in iPhoto, and doing all my online work with it. You'll be happy with your purchase.

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Answer 4

Spag187 Author

Level 1

5 points

Feb 12, 2010 7:50 AM in response to Abscate

My G4 has a new battery. Basically, I keep it plugged into to AC power for most of the time; however, I do unplug it and run from the battery giving it a couple full cycles (at least 2 times a week). This should keep it in pretty good shape...shouldn't it?

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Answer 5

spudnuty

Level 5

7,128 points

Feb 12, 2010 8:19 AM in response to Spag187

Hey spag,

I do unplug it and run from the battery giving it a couple full cycles (at least 2 times a week).

Well that might be overdoing it a bit. Read this:
http://www.batteryuniversity.com/parttwo-34.htm
It's a pretty good discussion. The main thing I came away with is that these Li-Ion batteries have basically a fixed lifetime from the moment of manufacture. The way you treat them can shorten their life expectancy.
Richard

Message was edited by: spudnuty

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Answer 6

Spag187 Author

Level 1

5 points

Feb 12, 2010 8:47 AM in response to spudnuty

Thanks Richard. So, more frequent partial charges/discharges are best, huh. Don't mac's stop charging once the battery is full when running on AC power? With that said, is it still OK to keep the laptop running off AC power for the majority of the time, as long as I'm giving the battery frequent partial charges/discharges?

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Answer 7

spudnuty

Level 5

7,128 points

Feb 12, 2010 10:06 AM in response to Spag187

spag,

With that said, is it still OK to keep the laptop running off AC power for the majority of the time, as long as I'm giving the battery frequent partial charges/discharges?

Yes I think that's OK. He talks about actually removing the battery as it's the hot environment that kills battery life.
Richard

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