Apple is #1 in notebook service and reliability (IBM #1 in service on PC side) and they are even introducing their own Office Suite to compete with the Macintosh version of Microsoft Office (which is another good reason to go Apple as this program allows you to convert to the PC Microsoft Office easily.

If you don't have other IBM programs that you need to run on a PC than an Apple is a great option for students and home users without significant business needs (other than Microsoft Office applications).

Apple also just announced at Macworld in San Francisco this week a desktop that will be sold without a monitor (around $500) that will work with existing IBM PC monitors and which will bring more people into the Apple fold from the low end.

So, if you really only want a 12.1" notebook (that better be a sidekick to a desktop as a 12.1" LCD is too small for all the time use) then the Ibook should be good for you. If this is your everyday all around notebook you are looking at the Apple 15" powerbook at $2,000 and over and there are many 15" and 15.4" IBM notebooks around $1500 and even under for that LCD size (Pentium M Centrino best for battery life and notebook weight/thickness on IBM side)