[CS-FSLUG] Notebook computers

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Quoting "N. Thompson" <n.thomp at sasktel.net>:

> I remember hearing that iBooks do not heat up nearly as much on the
> bottom as regular x86 notebooks and I also remember hearing that iBooks

Sounds about right

> have an average of 7 to 8 hours of battery life compared to an average
> of 3 to 4 hours for regular x86 notebooks.

More like 5 - 6 hours of life

> My only major problem right now is now knowing what Mac OS X is like,
> I've heard that OpenOffice.org is not a native application in OS X and
> as such requires X11 emulation,

That's correct, although I think that iBooks ship with AppleWorks if that will
be enough for you.  I've started using LaTeX for a number of my documents.

> I'm also uncomfortable with having only
> one mouse button and having to adjust to a new OS if I choose to get an
> iBook.

Holding down ctrl and clicking the button works just like the second mouse
button in most apps, and you can hook up a multi-button USB mouse.

Remember, you can also run linux on your ibook if you decide you don't like Mac
OS.

> When you buy an iBook does OS X come preinstalled and/or is there the
> installation disk included with the system or is there only a rescue
> disk requiring that a rescue partition be kept intact.

OS X is preinstalled, and when I bought my Mac it came with both Mac OS X
installation discs and also restore discs.

> Also how durable is the iBook, knowing myself I'd probably want to go
> with something that can survive a fall. I'm also wondering if there is
> some kind of insurance against theft seeing as iBooks are generally more
> expensive then the average Dell notebook.

You can probably buy some sort of extra insurance for it, if it wouldn't be
covered by your house insurance.

David