A Computing Little Charmer

UPDATE:

I took the computer to my local Apple Dealer to present my keyboard issue. They ordered in a new keyboard. It arrived within three days. The dealer installed this new keyboard and the space bar issue has been resolved perfectly. Based on the quality service, I immediately ordered the full Applecare package.

UPDATE #2:

I love this little computer. Ever since the keyboard has been replaced, the typing functions have performed perfectly. I've grown to enjoy the long battery life even more than I would have anticipated The small size and wireless functionality make it a perfect tool anywhere in the house. The calculator that comes with the computer is a great tool. I explored it recently and found some very useful features such as conversion of measures and currency. In fact you can automatically update the exchange rate on currencies with the simple click of the finger pad. The calculator can be displayed as simple add, subtract, multiply and divide or as a scientific calculator. There is an on screen paper tape that can be saved or printed and you can even have the individually depressed numbers or just the answer spoken to you by the speech function.
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This computer is a joy to behold, right down to the glowing little apple on the lid. I love the purity of the white case.

Out of the box and powered up, the computer instantly recognized my wireless set-up and I was registering the system on-line. It has been love at first byte ever since.

The AppleWorks software has more than enough power to handle my needs and it has been completely transparent dealing with my Word files from my other computer that exists on the dark side. Within AppleWorks you have tools such as a word processor, spread sheet, database, drawing, painting and presentation tools.

The rest of the bundled software is easy to use and is quite good at extending your creative sensibilities. I have successfully connected to an L.A. based client through iSight and iChat AV. The process was seamless and the image quality and overall sound was excellent. In this case we were Mac to Mac. I've been reading about some difficulties with Mac to PC but haven't had the occasion to communicate with a PC owner yet. iChat AV is bundled as part of OS X. The microphone is built in to the computer, so you are chat ready, right out of the box, even without iSight.

iLife is a great bundle that includes iTunes, GarageBand, iPhoto, iMovieHD and iDVD. All of these products are intuitive and need very little manual support.

I also quite like the Safari browser,address book and iCal. I've heard complaints about the limited choice of software for the Mac, but with tools like this that work, there's little need for anything else, for most users. I find that I rarely use the massive power of most of the tools such as exist within Word or Excel on my PC.

Far too often we get caught up with technical specs. All I can say is that this is a great little computer that works. I can tell you that the specs on this unit are: 1.2 GHz processor, 256 megs of ram (needs double), 12" Screen, 10/100 Lan, 30 gig HD, 56k modem, Airport Extreme, 32 MB ATI 9200 graphics, CD-RW/DVD combo drive. But what I MUST tell you is that the software works for me, the computer has been crash free, I don't feel that the speed is painful, in fact it's quite zippy. So for the money and my purpose it is the best bang for the buck out there, bar none.

The only quirk is that nagging little need to press the space bar a little harder on the right side. I've spoken to Apple support and we are working through the issue. Step one is to try an adjustment (not hopeful) step two is to send a new keyboard (hopeful). I've removed the keyboard and it is my suspicion that the ribbon cable running under the space bar, intersects with the spacebar in that area. This may be the reason for the problem. Apple, please take note, this seems to be a common problem.

The battery life far outdoes my PC laptop. I can experience close to 6 hours of operation in pure computational mode. If I use the DVD, that drops down to about 3.5 hours, which is still better than my PC on computational mode.

The wireless feature has been flawless and completely transparent. The airport extreme card is doing a wonderful job.

When using this computer, I believe the first thing that most people will be comfortable with is the user interface of the Mac OS X. It is a very elegant and intuitive OS that you will regard as a friend not foe. All set-ups are almost automatic and intuitive. Simply plug in a tool and it is recognized and in working order immediately. Two functions that I really like are the F9 and F11 keys. Press F11 and the work in your window moves off screen to reveal the desktop, press it again and everything moves back into place. Press F9 and the windows all reduce and organize themselves into neat quadrants on the desktop, press again and back it all comes at normal size. You'll learn to love these two keys.

I particularly like the dock. This feature can be set to appear on the bottom or sides of the computer screen. It can be set to remain on screen or simply disappear when not in use. The applications that are running have a tiny black triangle indicating the software application is active. For those who have troubles seeing small objects on screen, a magnifier can be applies so that when the cursor scans over an application it magnifies in size.

The CD/DVD works well and the loading and ejection is great. No flimsy CD drawers to contend with.

Best of all, this machine is for the most part, dead quiet, except for the CD drive. However, this noise is normal on most computers.

The speakers are wanting for sound quality, but they are workable.

The track pad when set on fastest speed is much more responsive, and in my opinion is much better than the factory setting which is at slightly less than medium speed.

I love this computer. I have a PC laptop at the office. I don't enjoy using it as much as my Mac. I considered purchasing the new Mac Mini. But now that I've experienced locating myself anywhere in the house and comfortably using my iBook via Airport Extreme, I wouldn't settle for a desktop computer ever again. I can highly recommend this computer for most users. I may just have to buy another one so that my wife can get some use of an iBook.

I'm the chef of the household. Especially when entertaining our friends. I have learned to love the idea of having the Mac (diminutive small size) on the counter with my recipes, often downloaded from the internet. They are immediately accessible to me and I often improvise and refer to a multiple of similar recipes for the same dish. I can flip back and forth for easy reference. Airport Extreme really helps to facilitate this. I can search from the comfort of a couch and then work with the same computer in the kitchen, using my downloaded reference. Chef's rejoice!

Which reminds me, Quicken 2005 came bundled with the machine, so we are now connected and performing all of our personal banking, investment tracking and household management on this machine.

The tech support is expensive at $289, but I'm considering purchasing it. I travel a lot and on the road support will be worth it. I had a problem with AppleScript, I called in, got immediate and courteous service and the technical support person had my issue cleared up in under three minutes. Because the support covers the hardware and supplied Mac software, you only have one number to call.