Entry Level Apple Mac

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I've decided that I need to explore other OS

I need to know which will be the best entry level Apple Mac Laptop.
And where can get one at a resonable price?
It should have a pcmcia slot and have wireless connection
 
The iBook is the entry level latop, with the MacBook Pro being the high-end version. The bad news for you is that the iBook is going to be updated in the next few months (New Intel Chips and apparently a redesign). The good news is that the iBook's current G4 processor (Which my Mac Mini also uses) is still blazingly fast, making it a worthwhile puchase still.

Best prices in SA are generally from http://www.zastore.com/
Also check your local apple shop and see their prices
 
There isn't a version of 10.4 that runs on generic pc hardware. There is a buggy alpha version that does, but you really wouldn't want to go through that effort to run an unstable version.
 
I'm all for people trying out OsX on their own hardware but dont be surprised if its buggy and dont blame the Os. Apple makes hardware first and the os gets built around it.

Entry level laptop - tough one right now with the macbooks coming out and predictions of the intel ibooks around the corner. Still - you should be able to pick up one of the now obsolete powerbooks at a better price - even second hand.
 
Good point bwana. My boss just bought a PowerBook the other day, and they are brilliant machines. Even more so when you consider the price you should be able to get it at
 
JStrike said:
Good point bwana. My boss just bought a PowerBook the other day, and they are brilliant machines. Even more so when you consider the price you should be able to get it at
Click to expand...
That and the understanding that Adobe has no intention of updating its pro apps (Creative Suite, etc) to universal binaries until next year. The G5's and G4 powerbooks are far from dead (I used obsolete in an earlier post so pc users could relate;)) but there's still a lot of life left in them.
 
native : No, but they seem to be an authorised reseller, so it should be good. Basically the Core Group (which also owns ZAStore) resells to all the apple stores. So they normally end up providing the support, etc
 
If you want a PCMCIA slot them you need to get a Powerbook and you will end up paying for that. The Mac mini and the iBook are great products. I use a iBook on a daily basis and it is fantastic.
 
pope24 said:
If you want a PCMCIA slot them you need to get a Powerbook and you will end up paying for that.
Click to expand...
Thats a point - if memory serves the new macbook pro doesnt have PCMCIA either.

Back to the original set of requirements AFAIK all macs come with Airport cards (wireless) these days.
 
The Macbook pro has an express card slot but that comes in two varients 5/4 and 3/4 I think (a bigger and a smaller one) this will futureproof the macbook nicely and allow really high speed peripherals to be attached.
But all the legacy stuff is pretty useless.
I am sure you could get an external USB or firewire PCMCIA box though.
 
person : No, one guy (or the Core Group at least) owns ZAstore and the Apple Store in the Waterfront. But he also supplies the others
 
JStrike said:
person : No, one guy (or the Core Group at least) owns ZAstore and the Apple Store in the Waterfront. But he also supplies the others
Click to expand...
Yeah well the Owner "Glen someone" is both the owner of the ZAstores and owner of his biggest competition.
 
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