[Leica] Re: iBook models

[ricc at mindspring.com (Ric Carter)]

On Sep 18, 2006, at 12:28 AM, Lawrence Zeitlin wrote:

>
> On Sep 17, 2006, at 9:28 PM, Bob wrote:
>
>> I looked on eBay and saw a number of Mac iBooks but am not  
>> familiar with
>> the model nomenclature. Should I be looking for a G3 or a G4 or
>> something else, and what OS?
>
> In recent years Apple has made laptops using IBM G3 and G4 PowerPC  
> processors. Both have a similar architecture but the G3 peaks out  
> at 900 Mz while some versions of the G4 can get up to 2 Gz. The G4  
> also has a faster built in graphics processor. To make the best use  
> of iLife and other current image processing software, you want a  
> Mac laptop capable of running operating system 10.3 or 10.4. All of  
> the laptops made in the last 4 years or so will do it. It is just a  
> matter of processor speed and type. I'm writing this on a 900Mz 12"  
> iBook with a G3 processor. This is the last model that will boot  
> into the earlier 9.2 operating system. I bought it from the Apple  
> web site as a refurbished model several years ago. Actually it was  
> brand new. Apple had just introduced a successor G4 model and was  
> closing out its old stock. I wonder if Leica will do the same with  
> the M7. Booting into the older system was important to me because I  
> had a lot of legacy software, including Photoshop 6, which worked  
> better with OS 9.2.
>
> Most of the time I use OS 10.4. Since I am head of the research  
> computer committee at my university, I have access to a beta copy  
> of Microsoft Vista and from what I have seen, Mac OS 10.4 blows it  
> away. The forthcoming Mac OS 10.5 should be even better because it  
> will incorporate a native provision to run both PC and Mac software.
>
> If I was starting afresh I would get a new MacBook with the Intel  
> processor. This will cost about $1000 but it will come with the  
> latest software, a built in wi-fi system (Airport), Bluetooth, and  
> a large capacity disc drive. It will also let you run your PC  
> software using Boot Camp, Apple's free PC emulator. If you want to  
> spring for another $100, the laptop will sport an even higher  
> capacity disc, a 2 Mz processor, and the ability to burn DVDs. Mac  
> Connection at www.macconnection.com will be happy to send you a  
> full catalog.
>
> Almost as good would be last year's iBook G4. It runs all the  
> current Mac software at a marginally slower speed than the latest  
> models. You should be able to get new closeouts at very favorable  
> prices.
>
> However if you are fan of really classy equipment, try to find a  
> late model 12" PowerBook. This is a little jewel of a laptop in a  
> brushed aluminum case. It would be a fitting compliment to a shiny  
> new Leica, or even a beat up old brassy Leica. It may not work  
> quite as fast as the current models but it certainly is pretty.
>
> Larry Z
>
>
>
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