However, it may be due to faulty video hardware in the first place, since graphics glitches are a big symptom of logic board failure. From what I understand, the hack doesn’t cause the failures, but Apple doesn’t like the hack too much (but they don’t shut the sites down that host it), and it may just be marketing when each subsequent update disables it. (or the updaters are simply resetting the OF to defaults, which does disable the hack, and is a way to fix any problems that the hack causes)

But despite the issues I have had, my siblings’ 1.07 GHz iBook G4s have been generally problem-free – one perfect, and one has had a trackpad issue that is currently being fixed. But there’s not been any hint of logic board issues, thankfully – I presume that Apple finally has that one nipped in the bud. And friends’ iBooks, both G3 and G4, have been trouble-free, but they get less use than mine, which gets knocked about a fair bit and is on almost 24/7.

I think the G4 models do feel a little better, especially the keyboards, but of course sacrifices have been made in battery life terms with the move to the G4 processor. The return to 6 hour battery lives with the Pentium M will not be unwelcome.

I do think though that the iBook vs. PowerBook is pretty much a no-brainer though – the PowerBook’s better CPU and motherboard, faster, larger hard disk, better graphics card, etc. – I needn’t go on – make it worth the extra spend. iBooks are for students, those on a budget, and those with houses with large boilers that seem to cause incredibly frustrating interference with wireless networks…

But, to my iBook, I have to say I love it and haven’t had any issues really at all (though it’s only been 8 months or so admittedly). I adore the portability of the thing, and it lives in my bookbag, and it comes with me both to my research position and to study. And if I don’t want to have my bookbag with me it can go into a cute tote as well (YMMV *grin*).

I actually like the slot-drive. I have used pc laptops with drawers and I was always having to move stuff from where I was working in order to let the damn thing come out. I’ve had a key stop responding once, but removing the keyboard and cleaning it with compressed air solved that.

However, I made two mistakes I realise now. I wish I had increased the ram and increased the hdd. I only have 256MB, and I only have 30GB. Needless to say I really notice the ram defiency when I am working on multiple aps (which happens a lot) but this is a solvable issue as when I have some extra cash I will be getting some more ram online. However, I am cursing the lack of hdd space, as I’ve got about as much of my iTunes collection as I can fit on the damn thing (I can’t justify the luxury as a grad student of an iPod yet) so of course, it’s a few gig off being full. I can’t do much about that now without surgery, so it’s annoying.

Finally, the one downside of the iBook is it’s colour. Yep, it looks like an iPod, so one can match. But being white it picks up ANYTHING. Try wearing makeup and not getting any on the damn thing, it’s virtually impossible; it seems to pick up dirt just sitting there and not doing anything. The best solution I have discovered is Mr Clean Magic Eraser, which works great, but thanks to the iBook, that doesn’t last long.

If I had the money, I’d probably go with the powerbook (though the 12″ model, again for the portability) simply because of the improved graphics, as with my experience the PB just has crisper edges and more defined colours, but that’s just my opinion.

(course, also, I’m never going backt o PC’s and as soon as I complete my studies and am earning I’m buying a G5 desktop (or whatever the Intel equivalent is by then) *grin*)

I wish I could tell you I had, but no, I haven’t opened the various iBooks. For that level of detail we’ll need a Mac tech to chime in, I think.

As for the scratch thing… I don’t know, my wife and I just feel that the PowerBooks just show dirt and smudges much stronger than the iBooks. It’s not exactly a Consumers Union scratch test, just a vague impression we have.

Oh, one more thought: if I get the iBook, I may just leave the HDD at the standard 30GB, and install an 80GB 7200 RPM Hitachi TravelStar. That would be faster than the PowerBook’s drive and still be very cost-effective. And while I was at it, I might remove the iBook’s internal optical drive, to save a half-pound of weight, making it lighter than the PowerBook too. I probably use my optical drive while out less than twice a month, I can live without it while traveling, and I can use an external DVD burner at home.

Man, I love this stuff. Wish someone would hire me to do it for them. Anyone looking for a Personal Mac Shopper?

Since you have a number of the iBooks, my question would be for you – have you opened the various models up? Have you noticed whether anything has changed in the process of manufacturing for the iBooks? It seems that right after I bought my computer, they changed it from the transparent plastic with inside white painting, to an opaque white plastic. I’ve also read online that they cheapened the wiring. Is there anything that they significantly improved in design? I know that there are a rediculous number of screws inside in mine – have they made it simpler to service?

On the other hand, I’m not sure that the plastic of the iBook resists scratches. It does better than most, but if you look at it in reflected light, you can see a lot.