First Notebook, First iBook
Yes, I am now blogging on Apple iBook. This is my first notebook and it is an Apple notebook!
Why Apple?
Many friends asked me the reason of getting a Apple notebook. The software availbility is their main concern (which was also my main consideration before getting an iBook).
Well, I have been using Windows for almost ten years and I know nothing about Mac OS. I think, it is the time for me to learn something new. Something that has only a minor group of supporters, yet never get swallowed by Microsoft.
Yes, I spent few thounsand Malaysia Ringgit to “TRY” Apple. 
Apple computer is expensive?!
Compare the features and the size of Apple iBook, you hardly get a PC notebook at the same price tag (USD $999). Yes, especially the design of Apple product. You do not get it elsewhere.
![Mac OS X 10.4 Tiger [DVD]](http://images.amazon.com/images/P/B0002G71T0.01._SCMZZZZZZZ_.jpg)
Also note that Apple notebook comes with the softwares you will needed: Web browser, multimedia player, music player, DVD player, etc. Every Apple computer is pre-installed the best operating system - Mac OS X 10.4 Tiger. Remmember, all these are included, no extra charge.
First Feel
I bought my Apple iBook at Saturday night before the Mac centre was closed for the day. Thanks to Coca-Cola Apple product rebate promotion, I got a STM notebook bag and Apple Keyboard Protector for free!
Though I saw the Apple iBook pictures from website many times before, but I felt very excited when I see and touch the real iBook. It is so beautiful, clean and white that you do not bear to put your hand on it. It is “designed in Califonia”. “Oh yes, this is mine!”, I spoke to myself.
My father and I did not spend much time in the Mac central (as it was over their operating hour already). We went straight back to hotel and I boot up MY iBook.
First Login
I take out the Apple iBook user manual. Yes, unlike PC notebook, Apple iBook comes with a user guide and a color printed starter guide to Mac OS X Tiger! The guides definately help new user to start using Apple computer. This is really user friendly!
I brieftly went through the user guide and I have no problem to start using Mac OS X. Like its design, the Mac is beautiful. Everything is simple yet do its job well. Very good for new computer user.
As a Windows user, the major different I found is that double click the window’s title does not maximize it, instead it hide the window. And, the zoom button in title bar does not auto zoom to max screen width.
Apple iBook Keyboard
There is only ONE button on trackpad. Two “Apple” keys. Two “enter” key. The “F12″ key act as eject key for DVD drive. The “F1″ to “F5″ keys can used to control LCD brightness and speaker volumn.
The “caps lock” key has the LED on the key itself, and “num lock” key has the LED on side of the key. These are another user friendly design. Why does PC keyboard never apply the similar design?!
Note that the palm rest area is very easy to get dirty. I tried couple ways to clean it (don’t ask me what are they), and found an easy, cheap and effective way — eraser. Yes, only use a soft while eraser and it can clean the keyboard palm rest area!
Thought:
I am very satisfy with my decision to get an Apple iBook. I will share my experience and Apple / Mac news in this blog. Hope you will enjoy! Please bookmark this site now!
Technorati Tags: apple, ibook, Mac, OSX, keyboard, mac switcher, notebook
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September 23rd, 2005 at 7:46 pm
welcome to the Mac world. i’ve been using Mac for about 2 years now, and i’m very satisfied!!
September 23rd, 2005 at 8:24 pm
I hope to get one for myself too one day. I was at IKEA last week but time does not permit me to go to Apple centre, maybe next month. I have my eyes on Powerbooks but they can be very pricey i heard.
September 24th, 2005 at 12:37 am
A tip… I found I could switch between programs much faster when I set the top left area of the screen as a hotspot for Expose. Much better than ALT-TAB or using keyboard shortcuts for Expose. Each time I want to switch windows, I move my mouse to the top left most, then click the window I want from Expose.
September 24th, 2005 at 12:38 am
Oh yeah, you can take care of the maximizing problem by writing some custom Applescript. But you have to calculate your screen size etc… very mafan. Why can’t Apple make the maximize feature really maximize to the full screen area.
September 24th, 2005 at 11:19 am
i am thinking of replacing my 5 yr old pc with a new one. i’m not sure whether to get another pc or just a new notebook / laptop. i’ve been comtemplating on getting an apple iBook.
i learnt to use computer with Apple II in the old days (1982 i think). when pc came into the market, the company i worked with decided to replace the apple ii with a pc. i got stuck with pc since then. now i know next to nothing on apple / mac computers.
can anybody convince me to get an apple iBook?
September 26th, 2005 at 9:05 pm
Hi, I too purchase a 12″ Powerbook recently and like you is making the switch from Windows to Mac.
I would like to share this site, to see some of the main differences between the tw OS. http://www.xvsxp.com/
Hope that helps.
September 30th, 2005 at 12:59 am
Paul Tan, thank you for the expose tip.
Great site, Chris.
October 1st, 2005 at 3:19 am
I have a PB Titanium, which means I also have a piece of cloth (actually, leather) to pad the keyboard when the screen is latched. But the nice thing is, if I am using a mouse, I usually use the leather to cover the where the wrest rests on the wrest pad, making it an excellent protection to the wrest pad.
As for “double-click to max window”, it’s a cultural difference between Windows and Mac and has been. In the old days of OS9, double clicking the title bar used to only show the title bar (the rest of the widow is hidden under it). So Apple’s been consistent that way.
October 1st, 2005 at 11:40 am
Hmm, I’m wondering how can I afford one?
Anyone wanna contribute to my ‘Help Danny get a Mac notebook’ fund? LOL!
Cheers.
October 1st, 2005 at 5:41 pm
How come I never think of that! Thanks!
Danny: you probably need a PowerBook, since you will doing a lot design work on the notebook. Maybe make it your plan for year 2006?
October 19th, 2005 at 11:28 pm
Thanks for the tip re the eraser - did you get yours at an art store?
Also - do you enjoy the iskin keyboard protector?
October 20th, 2005 at 1:22 am
Jessica: any soft eraser will do. Yes, I like keyboard protector.
November 16th, 2005 at 10:27 am
Hey! nice site here
i’m hoping to buy an ibook too! the 12″ one. but my dad keeps thinking that windows is better 
Hai..
November 16th, 2005 at 10:40 pm
ham: bring your dad to Apple centre to try the Apple notebooks. Maybe your dad will change his mind after that
November 17th, 2005 at 12:42 am
Older people tend to stay in their comfort zone in terms of ways of things… And besides, these days OSes do practically the same tasks (common tasks at least), what constitutes a “good OS” is in the eye of the beholder…
November 29th, 2005 at 11:56 am
Does the eraser trick work on other laptop palm rests? Because my dell inspiron laptop has some serious dirt problems too.
December 3rd, 2005 at 4:24 pm
Eric: you can always try it
April 23rd, 2006 at 6:09 pm
I got an iBook G3 336 Its the best but dont know if i should update I dont really need to but the new iBooks look like gold (white gold even know theres no such thing?)
April 27th, 2006 at 1:56 am
@LukeZz: perhaps wait for Intel-core iBook?