to iBook or Not?

[a|acr|ty]

Hi guys

Maybe this thread is in the wrong forum, but my bro wants a ultraportable laptop, and is considering whether he should get an iBook or a windows laptop.

1. Are there any compatibility issues concerning macs and windows networks? Like for example can i access my mp3s/movies on my windows PC on an ethernet connection, share the 'net connection etc?

2. Are combo DVD+RW drives any good?

3. If the mac is 600Mhz, the pc is 1.13GHz, which is actually faster (in real-world performance)? Although my bro isn't even thinking about a windows machine that fast...

The machines that he is considering are:

Apple iBook S$3100

512MB SDRAM - 1 DIMM
30GB Ultra ATA drive (4200 rpm)
DVD-ROM/CD-RW combo
12.1-inch TFT XGA display
10/100BASE-T Ethernet
56K internal modem
VGB video output
Two USB ports
FireWire port
Mac OS X & Mac OS 9


Fujitsu B-2562 S$3288

Pentium III 700Mhz (w/SpeedStep)
256MB SDRAM (max 256MB)
20GB HDD
10.4" XGA
56K Modem & 10/100 Network port
ATI Rage Mobility-M w/8MB RAM
PCMCIA 24X CD-ROM
External USB floppy
Full I/O Port Replicator
Win XP home


The prices are listed in Singapore Dollars (cos, er, i live there?) and it isn't so important here anyway since they're in about the same range.

[Leef]

Toshiba:
1.1 Ghz Celeron
256 MB RAM
20 GB HDD
DVD-ROM/CD-RW combo drive
56K and NIC
14.1" TFT display
16 MB Trident card
WinXP Home

$1,199 American
About 2,170 SGD
Not surewhat kind of shipping tho...but that's the notebook I'd definatly chose. It's at PC-Connection

[a|acr|ty]

I wouldn't really mind that, except i won't be able to see it before i get it. My bro wants one that's compact, so... i can't tell from the description given on the site.

I'll let my bro have a look though, thanks

[Orcmonkey]

Well, to answer one of your questions, with OSX, yes you can easily access your mp3s etc... on the windows box... You open up the CONNECT TO SERVER box, and type smb://WORKGROUP:CPUNAME/DIR or something similar, I don't remember exactly... I have an older style G3 Ibook.

[a|acr|ty]

So is it a good idea to get the iBook with the DVD/CD-RW combo drive? Anyone used one before?

Thanks for the reply, Orcmonkey. I'm presuming that the 'net connection can be shared on an ethernet network as well?

[shecky981]

<------resident Mac Guru in the world of PC Mech.

1. direct fileshareing Mac to PC is done easilly using Dave from Thursby Software (client that installs on the Mac) You can also do the "smb" command line that Orc suggests

2. yes, the combo DVD/CDRW drives are great, and work as expected. You will only be seeing a Superdrive (DVD-R/CD-RW) on Mac G4 Powerbooks in July.

3. the "megahertz myth" has been long debated and there is no simple answer. However, a 600Mhz G3 iBook will feel like a 1.1-1.3Ghz PIII in terms of performance.

Additionally, you get OS X, which spanks win XP, a cool light and small laptop that still has 1024X768 resoloution, and 5 hours of battery life. I have used all the Mac product repeatedly, so, ask me any questions you may have.

As a side note, if you decided to go Windows, I would defintely look at a Toshiba.

[a|acr|ty]

Thanks for the info, shecky. I can hear my bro's head debating with himself whether to get the iBook or not...