Sit a Little Personality in Your Lap

by Doug Smith

 http://web.archive.org/web/20000410231949/www.ed2go.com/news/ibook.html

Last year Apple introduced computers with personality in the iMac, the colorful hip cool Mac companion. Apple will continue down the same path this fall with the iBook, the virtual offspring of the iMac and the Powerbook.

Early reviews are very favorable and the feature filled iBook is expected to take the market by storm. The iBook will initially be available in two "flavors": blueberry and tangerine, and will be completely portable with its handy retractable handle. Walk around with one and you'll look like your carrying the hippest new purse, or a large colored clam. 

The iBook will initially retail for $1599. Primary features include an 800 x 600 pixel 12.1 inch screen with the ability to handle millions of colors. A 300MHz G3 processor will run the show. Also included are a 56k internal modem, and a 24x CD-ROM. 

Apple boasts a 6-hour battery life for the iBook, but this remains to be seen. The battery will automatically recharge itself when the unit is plugged into a power outlet. 

Other features include a PC card slot and microphone, a retractable power cord with its own take-up reel, and a spring-loaded hinge for opening and closing. The keyboard contains full sized keys that are well placed. 

The iBook will be full of software as well. The unit runs on a Mac OS 8.6 operating system, and includes Appleworks, a programming package with word processing, database and spreadsheet capabilities. IBM's World Book Encyclopedia will be included as well. The iBook will also feature integration with palm-based technology and organizers.

Your Internet woes will be solved with the iBook as well. Each iBook will contain Internet Explorer, Netscape, AOL 4.0 and Microsoft Outlook. ISP access will even be included from Earthlink, starting with a 30-day free trial. 

Perhaps the most interesting feature will be iBook's wireless networking capabilities. The wireless AirPort networking system will allow users to have wireless Internet connections up to 150 feet away from the Airport hardware access point. All you need for wireless access is an iBook, the AirPort card and the AirPort hardware. 

So, get rid of that PC or Mac, that Powerbook, Laptop or Notepad and get on the iBook bandwagon!