When I first began shopping for a computer, I had a couple of things to decide. First, I decided that I wanted a laptop because I needed something I could take with me when I go to school, home or on vacations. Second, I decided to try out a Mac because I wanted a change from the typical IBM computers I've dealt with since I can remember and they claim that the switch is simple. I approached this new relationship to Apple with optimism and excitement.

When I got the computer, at work, I couldn't help myself and opened it right there. It was beautiful. It looked like a shiny, white refrigerator, with a clear apple logo on the back. I was able to turn the computer on right away. All I had to do was open it up and push the button. The apple logo lit up on the back of the laptop. I felt like a techno-wizard. Look at me! Look at my fancy new computer.

The first thing I did, with ease, was to change the background on my laptop. The computer has several backgrounds to choose from, including nature scenes and some apple logos, etc. Next, I changed my screen saver. I was very impressed with the quality of the picture. The colors were vibrant and sharp. Both the HR director at my work and I were thrilled by the way the computer looked. We both agreed that our IBM computers didn't pay that much attention to detail.

Everything from the toolbar at the bottom of the desktop screen to the icons used to represent the programs was sharp and creative. Apple has an obvious flair when it comes to making things look great.

Unfortunately, when I got the computer home, some troubles began. First of all, it turned out that I was sent the wrong computer. My laptop was supposed to have an airport card installed in it, but there was no card. I called the help number in my iBook manual and they told me, that since I got the computer for educational purposes, there was another number I should call. That was news to me, but it wasn't too big of a deal. I called the other number and a series of transfers and miscommunications began. The reference number given to me when I ordered the computer over the phone was coming up with my original order and the customer service rep couldn't understand how I would have a different computer. Finally, after quite a while, I was connected to someone who figured out that my computer had been mixed up with another person's. The representatives were all very nice and apologetic, explaining that this had never happened before. I believe that it hadn't, it was just unfortunate that it happened to me. They gave me the option of keeping the computer I received, which had a smaller hard drive and more RAM and they would ship me an airport card overnight, or I could send the computer back and get the one I had originally asked for. I decided to keep the one I had, because I needed a computer at that moment and didn't want to let it go. All in all, it worked out okay, but I felt like I was in a vacuum trying to figure out what was going on and not getting any help.

I bought the computer primarily for writing papers and I was really disappointed with the Apple Works program that came with the computer. I am used to using Microsoft Word, which you can get for a Mac for more money than I'm willing to pay. The application only takes up a portion of the screen and it took me about an hour to figure out that, to enlarge it, one must move the cursor across a little scale on the toolbar at the bottom, right hand side of the application. I might have figured that out earlier, but my help program takes about 5 minutes to come up and as much time to navigate from one topic to another. I don't know why it's like that. Some of the normal shortcut keys work, but others don't, and it doesn't seem like these programs offer nearly as much functionality as Microsoft's. If they do, I have yet to figure out how to access that functionality, seeing that I don't have time for my help program to boot up and I'm not in the mood to call the Apple Service desk (and I can't afford it either--I didn't get the Apple Care plan and my time is up).

There are just little things that make it harder to adjust to an Apple. For example, it's hard to manipulate text and pictures without buying additional programs. With an IBM, it's pretty much plug in your computer and its components and you're ready to go (which is what Apple claims to be). With Apple, or at least the iBook I got, it's more like, turn on your computer and figure out how much more money you have to spend to get the functionality you want.

This aside, the computer is gorgeous and, using the airport card and airport base gives me wireless internet access through out my house, which is great. I can also print from anywhere in my house without having to be hooked up to the printer. All of the white, shiny hardware is gorgeous and watching DVDs on the iBook competes with my high definition TV in clarity.

For these reasons, I don't completely regret my purchase. I just need to get a book and learn more about using a Mac, which is not what anyone I spoke with or any article on Mac's page implied. In fact, they implied quite the opposite. This is why I was a little harsh in my review. I went into buying this computer under the impression that it would be a lot easier to adjust to and it isn't so easy.

Also, the amount I paid for the computer includes the airport base, airport card, cables and printer. I'm not sure what it would have been without these items.