12-06-2006, 03:08 PM

Hi Guys,

ive just about had it with my compaq presario laptop that ive had for almost 4 years now. i got it when i was a freshman in college and now i am a senior.

im ready to make the switch!

i hope someone can help me with my questions! cos i am looking to purchase asap

1.) first off whats the difference between ibook and the macbook? i went to the apple.com site and they only had macbooks?

im leaning toward the 13". with upgraded 2gb on the apple website...

2.) however i want to get the best deal possible? should i go ahead and buy it from the website or are there any deals at best buy or any other retailer that i should know about??
should i spend 250 bucks on the apple protection care plan?

3.) also lastly, do i have to spend the extra 50 bucks on the Apple USB modem connector thing?

or can i still use my ugly old yellow ethernet cable that ive been using with my compaq laptop?


Thanks for ur help!!

12-06-2006, 03:12 PM

iBook is an older version of a Macbook - the MacBook has the new Intel CPU and iBooks had G4's or G3's. You'll be wanting a MacBook.

As to where to buy it... I think getting it from Apple is a little more romantic somehow, but if you want to upgrade the memory, don't buy from Apple, shop around.

The only thing to consider is Black or White. I suggest the DVD-R version with a 100gb or so HDD, whatever you choose.

12-06-2006, 03:19 PM

Originally Posted by Zoolook

iBook is an older version of a Macbook - the MacBook has the new Intel CPU and iBooks had G4's or G3's. You'll be wanting a MacBook.

As to where to buy it... I think getting it from Apple is a little more romantic somehow, but if you want to upgrade the memory, don't buy from Apple, shop around.

The only thing to consider is Black or White. I suggest the DVD-R version with a 100gb or so HDD, whatever you choose.

thanks for ur reply.


so i gues there are no super deals going on at any retail stores as far as u know.


i heard that the macbook with the intel 2.0 ghz just recently came out and some people are receiving defective products because its the first batch or something?


have u heard anything about this?



also do u think its worth it to invest a couple hundred bucks in the warranty plans (either from bestbuy or apple, etc.) i will invest in such a plan if problems with the macbook are common....i hope there arent any problems tho

12-06-2006, 03:25 PM

Retail stores all seem to have the same prices, unfortunately. The only place I've found a good deal is macmall.com -- I got my base model 1.83 CD for $999 from them...

12-06-2006, 03:27 PM

It appears that way up here in the snow belt all retail stores are the same price as the Apple store, so what determined where I bought my Imac was where the nearest one was.

Good luck with your purchase.

12-06-2006, 03:55 PM

Originally Posted by Reel1

It appears that way up here in the snow belt all retail stores are the same price as the Apple store, so what determined where I bought my Imac was where the nearest one was.

Good luck with your purchase.

thanks guys for all ur help.

hav any of u heard about the "defective" batch of macbooks? the 2.0 ghz intel macbooks just recently came out right??

12-06-2006, 04:04 PM

Originally Posted by MacNewbie

2.) however i want to get the best deal possible? should i go ahead and buy it from the website or are there any deals at best buy or any other retailer that i should know about??
should i spend 250 bucks on the apple protection care plan?

3.) also lastly, do i have to spend the extra 50 bucks on the Apple USB modem connector thing?

or can i still use my ugly old yellow ethernet cable that ive been using with my compaq laptop?


Thanks for ur help!!

You have up to almost a year to decide if you want to purchase AppleCare. You can purchase it later.

As for the USB modem, if you need to use dail up or to fax something then it comes in handy.

12-06-2006, 04:11 PM

i got my macbook off amazon.com and it had a 100$ rebate on it, i ended up getting it for 950, then added 2x 1gb sticks of ram and it is faster than any other computer i have ever owned in my life

12-06-2006, 05:03 PM

Originally Posted by brianj08

i got my macbook off amazon.com and it had a 100$ rebate on it, i ended up getting it for 950, then added 2x 1gb sticks of ram and it is faster than any other computer i have ever owned in my life

what do u mean 2x 1gb sticks of ram?


couldnt u have jsut put in a 2gb instead of 2 separate 1gb sticks?

how much did u pay? and how exactly do u add it yourself?

i was thinking of just having apple do it for me....



also nobody has heard about the defective batch of 2.0ghz intel Macbooks?

12-06-2006, 05:22 PM

Originally Posted by MacNewbie

what do u mean 2x 1gb sticks of ram?


couldnt u have jsut put in a 2gb instead of 2 separate 1gb sticks?

how much did u pay? and how exactly do u add it yourself?

i was thinking of just having apple do it for me....



also nobody has heard about the defective batch of 2.0ghz intel Macbooks?

well there are 2 memory slots in it so i added 1gb sticks in each, the macbook only supports 2 gb or ram.
i got both sticks of ram from compusa and paid 79.99 for one of them, and 89.99 for the other one. it is alot cheaper to upgrade the ram yourself, and apple charges you like 600$ for 2gb. it is really easy to do also, just remove the battery, get a small screw driver and take out the "L" bracket, then remove the old ram sticks and insert the new ones. reattach the bracket then put the battery back in and power it up.

12-07-2006, 12:09 AM

Originally Posted by brianj08

well there are 2 memory slots in it so i added 1gb sticks in each, the macbook only supports 2 gb or ram.
i got both sticks of ram from compusa and paid 79.99 for one of them, and 89.99 for the other one. it is alot cheaper to upgrade the ram yourself, and apple charges you like 600$ for 2gb. it is really easy to do also, just remove the battery, get a small screw driver and take out the "L" bracket, then remove the old ram sticks and insert the new ones. reattach the bracket then put the battery back in and power it up.

hi brian thanks for ur reply,

which model do u have?

im planning to buy the standard new 1gb macbook with the intel 2.0 ghz....

didnt yours already come with 1gb?



and again nobody has heard about a defective batch of the new macbooks?
:bone:

12-07-2006, 12:25 AM

Originally Posted by MacNewbie

and again nobody has heard about a defective batch of the new macbooks?
:bone:

2ghz MacBooks have been around a while now. I have not heard anything like this. There have been a few niggles for some people, but this is just because they are so popular, more people notice any issues.

BTW, you should install the RAM sticks in equal pairs, because you get better performance, especially with 3d graphics.

12-07-2006, 12:25 AM

The apple store will upgrade your ram from 1 - 2 g for $175.00, or so it is listed.

12-07-2006, 11:54 AM

once you upgrade the ram on a machine, kiss the return policy goodbye. even if apple does it.

12-08-2006, 01:27 AM

If you are a student or carry a military id then I would recommend the apple store. thanks to the military I was able to get 8% off my entire purchase (macbook, 3yr care, and dvi adapter).