Hello. I'm new to the Apple world (though I did once touch a tone emitting device designed by Wozniak in 1973 that tricked the AT&T 5ESS central switch into opening a long distance circuit without charge to anywhere in the world )
We have four computers, Dell and Compaq, running un-networked on Microsoft Vista. My sophomore daughter has been asking to switch to Mac for over a year and I think she's finally worn me down!!. My resistance has always centered on the EVIL EMPIRE impressions of closed software, expensive proprietary peripherals, secretive and restrictive development rules, etc. all the old tired stuff. all the stuff we thought about IBM in the late '70s. Funny how the worm turns. Plus we've always had at least 1-2 IBM based computers and I didn't want to buy separate software for only one Apple computer.
Anyway, we went to the Apple Store last night. Looks like the Macbook that lists for $1000 is probably the way to go... only problem is that's beyond the Xmas budget. So, onto ebay. Lots and lots of Macbooks between 1-2 yrs. old, around 2Ghz, 80 or 120 Gib hardrives, selling for between $550 and $700. Some from private users, but the majority from retailers of used computer equipment. No warranty usually.
The uses will be: Itunes with ipod Touch, excel, powerpoint and Word for school work, AIM, storing photos from the Nikon d40, and surfing the net.
Would anyone advise me strongly to only consider the $1000 + 8% tax = $1080 route, with warranty, or is the Macbook good reliability so that saving 40-45% is worth the risk?
Unrelated, I saw a G3 ibook on ebay for $200. 30Gb hard drive, 384MB memory, 800G speed. I though this might be a good internet surfing utility for an older relative who currently goes to the library to surf the net. Any thoughts on the wisdom of buying a 6 yr. old iBook for net surfing?
We have four computers, Dell and Compaq, running un-networked on Microsoft Vista. My sophomore daughter has been asking to switch to Mac for over a year and I think she's finally worn me down!!. My resistance has always centered on the EVIL EMPIRE impressions of closed software, expensive proprietary peripherals, secretive and restrictive development rules, etc. all the old tired stuff. all the stuff we thought about IBM in the late '70s. Funny how the worm turns. Plus we've always had at least 1-2 IBM based computers and I didn't want to buy separate software for only one Apple computer.
Anyway, we went to the Apple Store last night. Looks like the Macbook that lists for $1000 is probably the way to go... only problem is that's beyond the Xmas budget. So, onto ebay. Lots and lots of Macbooks between 1-2 yrs. old, around 2Ghz, 80 or 120 Gib hardrives, selling for between $550 and $700. Some from private users, but the majority from retailers of used computer equipment. No warranty usually.
The uses will be: Itunes with ipod Touch, excel, powerpoint and Word for school work, AIM, storing photos from the Nikon d40, and surfing the net.
Would anyone advise me strongly to only consider the $1000 + 8% tax = $1080 route, with warranty, or is the Macbook good reliability so that saving 40-45% is worth the risk?
Unrelated, I saw a G3 ibook on ebay for $200. 30Gb hard drive, 384MB memory, 800G speed. I though this might be a good internet surfing utility for an older relative who currently goes to the library to surf the net. Any thoughts on the wisdom of buying a 6 yr. old iBook for net surfing?