Apple iBook G4 (PowerPC G4 1.2 GHz, 256 MB RAM, 30 GB HDD)

The darling of students and home users, Apple's $999 entry-level laptop features a 1.33GHz PowerPC G4 processor, a 40GB hard drive, 512MB of RAM, and a DVD-ROM/CD-RW drive. Its white, polycarbonate case isn't as light or sleek as the 12-inch PowerBook's, but the 12-inch iBook has similar ports and connections; however, it lacks some of the PowerBook's audio and video jacks (microphone, DVI, VGA). It also lacks a DVD burner, even as an option, and weighs a bit more than the 12-inch PowerBook. But for basic home use, this iBook is a steal, especially when you consider its terrific software package, which includes iLife '05, AppleWorks, Quicken 2005, and the World Book Multimedia Reference Suite.