Purchasing a used iBook.

I've been looking on ebay for a used iBook to do my fiction writing on. I would need some internet capability as well. But other than that, my needs are pretty simple which is why I'm opting for a used one. I'd like some feedback on any repair issues with certain models that I should be aware of. Any tips anyone can give me for questions to ask would be appreciated as well. I've never bought anything this expensive on eBay before and don't want to get burned. I would like one that would support the Tiger O/S as that is what I use on my iMac. Are there models that won't run Tiger?

I would recommend an iBook G4 over an iBook G3 unless you need to boot into OS 9 for some reason. (The iBook G3 can do that; the iBook G4 can access OS 9 via Classic, but can't boot into OS 9.) An iBook G4 will be faster and usually have a bigger hard drive and better optical drive. Some iBook G3 (Dual USB) models are CD-ROM only.
I have bought three iBook G3 (Dual USB) computers and two iBook G4 models on eBay, and only got stung once (and that was my own foolish fault). You do need to be careful. I recommend paying with a credit card through PayPal so if something goes wrong you have recourse.
I would never buy one that does not include the original system discs and the OS upgrade disc(s) if the operating system has been upgraded.
I prefer to buy one that has already had the memory upgraded (maximized is best), and with an original AirPort Card (for the G3) or AirPort Extreme Card (for the G4) already installed. You can often get one with these additions and not pay much more (if anything) than for one that doesn't have the upgrades.
If you're wanting to run Tiger, look for one that has that, too, but it should also have the original system discs so that you know you will have access to the original applications that came with the iBook if you should ever need to restore the system software.
I would recommend doing a lot of shopping before you do any bidding, and use the "Completed Items" listings for the iBook model you decide on to see what they've been selling for.
Be careful, and good luck!
P.S. Don't be surprised if, when you get used to the convenience of a portable, you are hooked. That's what happened to me.

Similar Messages

I recently purchased a used ibook g4 and want to update to itunes 10.2. It tells me i need mac os 10.5 to do so. Today is the first day I have ever used a mac and I am not well versed on computers to begin with. What do I need to do?

I recently purchased a used ibook g4 and i want to update to itunes 10.2. It tells me that I need to update to mac os 10.5. Today is the fist time that I have ever used a mac and I am not very well versed on computers to begin with. From what I gather I need to purchase the mac os 10.5 but there are a lot of different options and I dont know what I need to do. Can somebody point me in the right direction? I dont want to spend too much money because i just want my ipod touch to be compatible with my ibook. thank you

Hi
Your question is more suitable for the 10.4's General Forum rather than 10.4 OSX Server. Post here instead:
https://discussions.apple.com/community/mac_os/mac_os_x_v10.4_tiger?categoryID=1 77
You'll have more of a chance of someone responding.
HTH?
Tony

Have a used iBook G4 and want to run ROBLOX for my grandson. Help

I purchased a used iBook G4 for my grandson for Christmas and he loves to play ROBLOX. Since it included Microsoft Office 08, Adobe Photoshop CS3, Apple ilife (iMovie HD, iPhoto, Garageband, iDVD), I thought it would be fine.
Now I find out that I need instructions on how to upgrade the mac osx 10.4.1 to the current os for mac ibook. Or we need at least version 10.6.6 in order to run roblox on the ibook. I downloaded version 10.4.2 update to try the long route of updating per update which is probably the way we have to go but not sure and it said that it was unable to run based on the current volume? Maybe not enough space to install? Any thoughts? Please help me figure out my options here.

You can only use it through the website; an iBook G4 can't be upgraded past 10.5.8.
(72114)

HT1766 If I fully backup my iPad using iTunes, does it backup ebooks in iBooks that are not purchased via iTunes or will restoring from that backup only showed purchased ebooks in iBooks?

If I fully backup my iPad using iTunes, does it backup ebooks in iBooks that are not purchased via iTunes or will restoring from that backup only showed purchased ebooks in iBooks?

Purchased content MAY be available for redownload - Music for sure. I think books are NOT available for redownload (not sure).
Best practice is to keep the content on a desktop computer to be able to resync when necessary (or use a cloud service like Drop Box).

I am new to epublishing but I wrote a book using ibooks Author. I am now wanting to publish but I keep hitting stumbling blocks like--it asks if I have epub rights? Do I?? Do I need to purchase them or are they implied if you are the author?

I am new to epublishing but I wrote a book using ibooks Author. I am now wanting to publish but I keep hitting stumbling blocks like--it asks if I have epub rights? Do I?? Do I need to purchase them or are they implied if you are the author?

aaronglawson74 wrote:
are they implied if you are the author?
If you are the author of the content, then you already have all the rights. Of course if your book contains photos or other things created by other authors, you may need to acquire the rights to use those in your book.

HT4059 We are unable to download a book for purchase from the iBook store because it says you are not authorized to use the iBooks United States site and must use the Canadian site. How do we do this?

We have always been able to purchase books from iBooks no problem but all of a sudden it says you cannot purchase this book as you aren't authorized to use the US store and must connect to the Canadian store. We cannot figure out how to do this. Help!

Sign out and back into the device so you switch back to the Can account.
iOS: Changing the signed-in iTunes Store account
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1311

Purchased used iBook - now want to upgrade to Leopard

I bought a used iBook G4 on eBay with 10.4.11 installed but no discs. I want to upgrade to Leopard. Will my other programs be saved if I install Leopard. I am most concerned with Office for Mac 2004. I don't have the discs for that either.
I am a total Mac newbie.
Thanks!

It should work if you do a standard upgrade install. A completely clean install would completely wipe whatever you currently have.
That being said, I've heard of some applications having problems when the operating system was upgraded.

HT4059 I have iPod Touch 4 w/ iOS 6.1.5 (10B400). according to the requirements on this page, above, I should be able to use iBooks. However I keep getting the message that I must upgrade to iOS7 - but your website will not allow me to do so. Why not?

... I should be able to use iBooks. However, I can't. When I try to download the app I get the message that I must upgrade to iOS7 - but then Apple's website won't let me download that either. So far, I have managed to download a book to iTunes on my PC, but I cannot get it to sync with my iPod, although I have synced music, a video and a few other apps. I cannot seem to find a solution to my problems with iBooks or iOS7. Please advise.
Yours truly,
Garth Reid
PS I also cannot get the app for Podcasts.

Having the same issue here. I unfortunately purchased a book on iTunes, then went to download iBooks, but can't due to their recent update/upgrade. My kids iTouchs are all 6.1.5 , So I'm guessing that if you did not have iBooks previously purchased that you are now S.O.L. if you want to read a book on your iPod??
I am rather frustrated that I spent money on a book that they can't read.
Is there another app that will let them read it?

Why can't I read a book purchased through iPhone ibook app on my MacBook Pro?

Why can't I read a book purchased through iPhone ibook app on my MacBook Pro? Also, is there any way to print pages from book?

In general if you want to read paid-for ebooks on your Mac, you need to buy them from one of the other sources like Kindle, Nook, Kobo, or Googlebooks and use the free OS X and iOS reader apps which they provide instead of iBooks.

Using iBooks on iPad Syncing Problem

Using iBooks on iPad I added several books directly while not connected to iTunes. When syncing later, the books do not appear in iTunes (Windows) but seem to stay in iBooks on the iPad. Why don't they show in the Books folder? Why aren't they added to the Books in iTunes? How do I get them there? All software is at the current versions.

It may be your computer is not yet authorised. Check by going in iTunes to Store > Authorise this computer. If that's not the case, simply try going to File > Transfer Purchases
That should get any purchased content off the iPad onto the computer
Hope this helps

I want to sell my used ibook...

But how do I erase everything from it so that i am able to sell?

Thanks to Niel for this:
If you are trying to change the short name of an account's home folder, do the following:
1. Open the NetInfo Manager in the Applications/Utilities/ folder.
2. Click the padlock and type in your password.
3. Under the list of accounts, locate your account and change the home property of that account to the desired setting. Don't delete or alter any other accounts. If you want to change that account's name, stop here and perform the second set of instructions.
4. In the Finder, rename the home folder to the name you provided in the NetInfo Manager.
5. Log out and back in.
To change the short name of your user account, do the following:
1. Open the NetInfo Manager in the Applications/Utilities/ folder.
2. Click the padlock and type in your password.
3. Locate the admin group in the list of groups, and add the new name to the list of members of this group. Don't delete or alter any other groups.
4. In the list of accounts, locate your account and change that account's name property. Don't delete or alter any other accounts.
5. Close the NetInfo Manager, log out, and then log back in.
The home and short name properties can be changed independently of each other, but System Preferences won't let you change either, and makes both of them identical when you create an account. If an account isn't a member of the admin group, it won't have administrator access. Some people have left themselves without an administrator account on the machine by not updating the admin group properly.
The proper way to prepare an iBook for sale or transfer is to use the system discs that came with it to restore it to like-new status. If you call Apple and give them the model number of your computer, they often have the original system discs that came with it available for a $20-$30 processing/shipping fee. Restore the iBook to its original state, and include the system discs in the purchase. That is the best way to go. (Incidentally, I won't buy a used iBook that doesn't include the system discs in the sale. As far as I'm concerned, they are vital.)

Using ibook ram in my powerbook?

I recently purchased a used 15" PB G4 400 mhz with 640 mb ram.
I have taken steps to maximize performance given the low mhz. My wife will be using it for email, itunes, word processing and possibly some photo viewing (no photoshop or anything like that).
I have upgraded to 10.4.11 (which I believe to be the highest I can go) so I simply want a little more speed.
Anyway, I also have an old G4 12" ibook that needs a new hard drive. I am curious of if I can use any of the ram from that for the powerbook.
Any advice or suggestions would be appreciated.
Unfortunately I don't know much about the insides of the ibook and besides installing airports cards in both, I haven't opened these up much before.

Thanks a lot. Now I just need to know what I CAN get. I'm finding online that the 400 mhz often isn't listed when compatibility is mentioned.
Based on what I put for specs, can I just get another 512mb stick to match the other? Will that max me out? What is the max?
Thanks again!
John

I purchased a refurbished iBook G4-Version 10.4.11 and everytime that I try to purchase anything on iTunes or change something in my account, I click "done" and it says that I have timed out. What could be causing this?

I purchased a refurbished iBook G4-Version 10.4.11 and everytime that I try to purchase anything on iTunes or change something in my account, I click "done" and it says that I have timed out, when I'm on there for less than a minute. Hence, none of my purchases have gone through.What could be causing this?

You need to use a newer Mac OS X version. A G4 can be upgraded to 10.5.8(if desired, buy a retail DVD from a source such as Amazon or eBay), but you'll likely find it more cost-effective to buy a secondhand Intel Mac.
(124606)

Making a used iBook my own...

I was raised a PC person, but I started a new job where they all use Apples. I purchased a used Blueberry colored iBook clamshell for my own personal work station, and I'm trying to upgrade it to better suit my needs. Here's what I know/need:
I bought it running OS 9.0.4 but I also purchased copies of OS 9.1 and OS 10.1.4. I was told that I had to get it up to 9.1 before upgrading to 10.1.4... is that true?
The hard drive was still loaded with the previous owners files, and many of them were password protected. How can I format the hard drive?
It currently has a 300MHz G3 processor, with 128MB of RAM. How high can I upgrade the RAM? On Crucial.com it said I could only go up to 288, but I've seen posts on here saying that I can go as high as 588. What the truth?
Also... what is FIRMWARE?? I've seen it a lot on these discussions also. "Make sure you update FIRMWARE!!" What does it do? How high should I update it? Did I ruin my chances by already installing OS 9.1??
I really do love my little blueberry. I only use it for word processing and data entry (MacOffice)... so it's perfect for my needs. I just need to upgrade it a tiny bit to be able to run on our server.
Thanks a ton to all who help!

Hi, and welcome to Apple Discussions.
I bought it running OS 9.0.4 but I also purchased copies of OS 9.1 and OS 10.1.4. I was told that I had to get it up to 9.1 before upgrading to 10.1.4... is that true? … Did I ruin my chances by already installing OS 9.1??"
Since you've already installed OS 9.1, it really doesn't matter whether it was necessary prior to installing OS X 10.1.4.
You only need to update the Firmware if installing OS X 10.2 or greater.
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=86117
Maximum RAM depends on whether the logic board RAM is 32 or 64 MB. According to EveryMac.com, "Apple officially reports that the maximum memory capacity of this system is 288 MB with 32 MB of onboard memory and 320 MB with 64 MB of onboard memory. However, third-parties have been able to upgrade the RAM to 544 MB or 576 MB, respectively, with a single 512 MB memory module."
What specifications do you need to run on the server? What is the size of your hard drive? OS X demands a lot of hard drive space. I would recommend staying in OS 9 if the hard drive has not been updated to 20 GB or more.
Also, you may want to try posting in the iBook (colors) Forum.
You have posted in the iBook G3 (Dual USB) Forum (the forum for the first all-white iBooks).

I am a teacher and want to distribute a textbook I created using iBooks Author through Ibooks. We are not 1 to 1 and students share devices on a cart. Can I publish and distribute the book if it is used by multiple students?

Title says it. I created a textbook using Ibooks Author and want to load it on my class set of 30 iPads that are used by 5 different groups of students throughout the day. It is not a 1 to 1 device. Is there a problem with doing this as the Apple ID would be a generic that downloads the content many times on each iPad for my students?

The two processes are so unalike that you need to bone up on what they involve before answering, I think...you can't just shrug and expect specific help, sorry.
See iBooks Author: Publishing and distribution FAQ - Support
Distribution isn't automatically like iOS apps, where the store is involved by default.
You are free to put your .ibook file on a school server/your own server, and anyone can download for free and use it, independent of any Apple ID and the app store. If you want to restrict to your school/students, put it behind a login.
You can put it in the store as a free download and any Apple ID can download and use via any iTunes Account. If you sell via the store, each download/purchase is tied to the Apple ID used to facilitate that transaction. This is not a requirement.
Again, you need to become more familiar with the distribution process and not worry so much about the Apple ID scheme involved at the moment so you can make an informed decision, I think

Purchasing a used iBook.

Similar Messages

Maybe you are looking for