Customer Reviews

Apple iBook G3 800mhz 256MB 30GB CDROM 12.1'' w/ Original Airport (WIFI)

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

First, I love Macs, and when this iBook G3 800 works, it's a fine machine.
BUT... this series of G3 iBooks suffers from a very common and notorious soldering defect on the motherboard that affects about 90% of the systems.
In fact, for 3 years after they were made, Apple was replacing them for free because the problem was so rampant, but that offer is long expired.

Symptoms? The system won't boot, or will boot and immediately freeze, or will freeze after a few minutes. Many times, the machine will boot, but the display will be all black, all white, covered in stripes, or any of a zillion other display problems. Some people "live with" the problem by
actually clamping a C clamp onto the case in just the right spot to put
pressure on the chip inside, which keeps it in contact with the board.
Some people open the case and wedge pieces of paper on top of the chip, so that when the case is closed, they press on the chip to keep all the pins in contact. But this is pretty dicey.

The problem was faulty soldering on a ball grid array (BGA) chip on the motherboard. In my case, I knew this going in, and sent the machine out to
a repair services that specializes in this repair. They disassemble the machine, and re-solder the BGA. It's been trouble-free for 2 years and still going strong since I had that repair done.

Search the web for "iBook G3 BGA defect" and you'll find all you need to know about this issue. You can find many places that can fix this for $50 - $75, plus shipping. Just expect to have to do this, and build that into your total cost if you buy one of these.

ALSO - these machines are now far too slow to play YouTube videos (or most on-line video of any kind). Just be aware of that, if that is important to you. When I bought it 2 years ago, it played YouTube fine, but YouTube and most on-line video continues to get more and more processor-intensive, so now a processor this slow cannot handle it.

Yes right, it's not a most powerful laptop(obviously it's older model)out there but this machine is very reliable and great for somebody who try out Apple brand for first time. This great looking (white) laptop never crashes or freeze. And remember when it comes to Apple laptop, they don't get virus somehow. Just for these reason it's worth to own a apple ibook to me. Great machine!!

i brought it used from amazon, the screen broke within 3 weeks, i spoke to others, theirs had the same problem, the screens are old now and if buying used be careful.

I bought this item in January. Worked fine till May. Now all it can do is power up. Won't even get past the first screen. If I knew who sold this to me, I would contact them and demand my money back. Don't buy computers from internet, you never know what they have been through and you can't trust an invisible seller!

I brought an Apple iBook G3 800mhz 256MB 30GB CDROM 12.1'' w/ Original Airport (WIFI) from East Coast Mac for a christmas gift for my niece, we received it in January. She tried to use it but it did not work correctly. It was slow and freezing up if she had more than 2 folders up at a time, the speakers are blown, can't connect to the internet or watch video's on it. I returned this product in January and as of yet am still waiting for my refund. This is so annoying, all the time, stress and e-mailing to get my refund does not seem to be paying off. I think I will have to take them to court.Apple iBook G3 800mhz 256MB 30GB CDROM 12.1'' w/ Original Airport (WIFI)

This is a great laptop with a great deal!!!! The only problem is the software is soooooo old and this pc will only be good for your ammusment because u cant use it for wrk because there are 30 gigs. BUT I CONCLUDE THAT IT WAS AN ALL AROUND GREAT DEAL... the internet is fast and it has great battery life.. when i saw this deal I immediately bought it. I BOUGHT THIS FOR $100 WE ARE TALKING ABOUT AN APPLE IBOOK GREAT DEAL!!!!!!

Bought this computer for my 10 year old daughter for Christmas. It is the perfect first computer for her age group. The parental controls on a Mac are exactly what a parent would want. My daughter can not go on any website unless I have created a shortcut button for it in her favorites bar. I was able to decide what applications she is allowed to use and I set up network sharing between my computer and hers.

It doesn't have the latest and greatest of everything on it but for my 10 year old it has everything she could ever want. She will probably use this as her primary computer for the next 5 years and at less than $200, that makes it an awesome investment.

Plus, with it being a Mac, it will continue to last as an extra laptop for my family forever! I still have a G3 desktop Mac that I have been using for photography work since 1998 and I have never had a problem with it. I trust Apple computers with my life and I would never buy any other computer brand.

my product does not work, they were really good about responding to my emails and phone calls until I told him the computer was not working, now I have a non working computer and I am stuck.

thanks you for doing buines with you. am happy to have this laptop from yous , is work so good. i love what i buy, thank you so much.

I thought the product shipped out fast. And when I had any questions the people got back with me within the hour to answer my questions.

Great service. I will do buiness with them VERY SOON!!!!!