What Mac Would You Recommend?

[AJLumantao]

I'm a 14 Year Old who has basically no income, no job, looking seriously for a Mac, a Celeron Windoze Toshiba laptop waiting to be sold by end April, and a mom to convince.

What am I gonna do with it?

:evil: Photoshop 7
:evil: PHP Editing
:evil: Hopefully C++ (using GCC 3 if I'm not mistaken)
:evil: HTML
:evil: Site Adminstration/Management (sana)
:evil: Word Processing
:evil: Surf... The NET!...
:evil: Interact with you guys here in PhilMUG
:evil: ...and the list goes on...

I am not expecting a gaming machine. That's what PeeCees mainly do.

Where can I get the best deal (preferably with the Apple Education Discount)?


I am seriously looking at the 12" iBook G4 800mhz. Pero hindi kaya sayang? Expansion problems... Arrrg.....

[Edited on 4-9-2004 by AJLumantao]

[Maverick]

any of the new gen G4's are suitable for your needs. If you want a G4 Laptop with more room for upgradability, then look at the PowerBooks rather than the iBooks.

[Maverick]

also, of course it depends on your budget as well. :2cents:

[ditoy_eagle]

A brand new iBook G4-800 12" will cost around P69-72T depending where you buy it here, and I've been told that each dealer is only allocated a certain number of units due to its high demand. So when it is available, only days they all get sold.

An option for you if you are on a tight budget is get a second hand iBook G3 or Powerbook 15". iBook G3 ranges from P35-55T, and Powerbook Titanium 15" around P40-70T all depending on specs and condition.

You might want to check out the Mac Classifieds now and then, since the site is new only 1 is listed now, a unit I am selling too for only P59T. Click here.

[CooLes]

A second hand desktop G4 with lots of RAM would suffice your needs. Check out LMK for prices.

[PatrickGaerlan]

It seems that a 12" iBook G4 will suit your needs very well. You might just want to increase the RAM from the base 256MB. I noticed a big difference in performance when I increased my RAM from 256MB to 640MB. Here are a couple iBook G4 reviews you might find interesting:

1. MacNETv2 - iBook G4 review

2. OSNews - A switcher's story and his review of the new iBook G4

For gaming, do what many Mac users have done, get an Xbox (or any other gaming console). Or, keep using your PC for games.

[Edited on 4-10-2004 by PatrickGaerlan]

[ncarandang]

for a 14 year old, get a 12" ibook or an emac. remember, there are only a few games for the mac. and if you are a gamer, might as well stick with your pc.

[Dinkydoo]

Hi AJ. When I was your age (don't ask how many years ago) getting a scientific calculator was like getting a G5 (i may be exaggerating).

You will outgrow your need very quickly. It will be a choice of getting a second hand G4 tower that you can learn from and upgrade (depending how well you'll convince your mom) according to your needs, or investing now on a good machine that will last you at least 3 years (or many more years) till you get a job!

Dingkydoo

[Kelvin]

12" iBook will be perfect, better wifi reception, more rugged than the albook and a lot cheaper too. Invest on bluetooth (can only be facotry installed), Airport card and then maximize your RAM for better multitasking performance.

Edit: The INTERNAL Bluetooth card can only be factory installed but you can always buy a Bluetooth dongle (MSI, Billonton, etc.). Sorry if this caused some confusion! (Thank you Patrick for the heads up!)

[Edited on 4-11-2004 by Kelvin]

[joel]

I would suggest an iBook. It's powerful enough, light, and portable. Just make sure to load up on RAM.