If you go to store.apple.com and click on the "Looking for a great deal?" link on the right side, Apple is currently selling refurbed iBooks starting at $799.00

Apple is currently selling refurbed iBooks starting at $799.00

Is that a good idea? Honestly, I'm a little wary of buying something used.

eta It seems like an okay thing based on how Apple describes their refurbishment process...Of course, now I'm thinking maybe I should just buy a refurbished PowerBook! But why would I really need one?

So, in addition to the things I think come standard with the iBook I would like to:

be able to use it anywhere. Is this pretty easy to set up? Is the ability to do this built in or will I need to buy an additional component to make it happen? (again apologizing for my ignorance)

Super-duper easy. You open the lid, and away you go.

be able to record music with it. I know I'm going to have to get some kind of device to do this. I just want to record practices. The sound quality does not have to be supafine at all.

The iBook should come with GarageBand installed. I've never used it, but I understand that it's pretty damned cool.

be able to use it anywhere. Is this pretty easy to set up? Is the ability to do this built in or will I need to buy an additional component to make it happen? (again apologizing for my ignorance)

If you're talking Internet, you'll need an AirPort card, which may or may not come with it, depending on the model you buy (I think the more you spend, the more stuff comes on it). If you want wireless Internet at home, you'll also need an AirPort base station. The AirPort card will let you connect to wireless networks all over the place but some of them charge so, it isn't necessarily free.

I'd also like to know how to choose between an iBook and a PowerBook. I have my heart set on a PowerBook but I probably don't really need the extras. But it's so pretty!!

If you're talking Internet, you'll need an AirPort card, which may or may not come with it, depending on the model you buy

I think all iBooks now come with Airport.

Ah. I bought my iBook several years ago and it wasn't standard then. I'm glad they are now.

Is that a good idea? Honestly, I'm a little wary of buying something used.

I've purchased two Mac Towers, an iBook, and two Powerbooks from Apple reconditioned sales and they've all been great.

I've purchased two Mac Towers, an iBook, and two Powerbooks from Apple reconditioned sales and they've all been great.

That's really good to know. I hadn't considered the option before but it seems to make sense.

Apple's describes Garageband as having recording capability but I'm not sure I understand how it works. I know you can, like, plug your guitar or a keyboard into the computer and record that way but I want to record my whole band playing. (I think maybe my guitarist might know how we can do this, though. Hooray! for people who are not the lead singer and know about equipment-n-stuff)

And thanks so much for your input everybody. I'm getting less scared and more excited now!

Be very excited! I have a deep deep love for my 3 year old iBook (graphite clamshell).

Yes, Garageband allows you to record. If you want to record your whole band at once then you'll need a multichannel audio interface. One of the Firewire ones would make the most sense. Garageband makes use of Apple's Core Audio drives so as long as the card is OS X compliant then it should work with no problems. You can do 8 tracks plus 1 virtual track of recording simultaneously in Garageband 2.0. M-Audio and Mark of the Unicorn both make good firewire audio interfaces with Mac Drivers.

If you are going to do more recording you might want to look at a more expensive option like a Digidesign 002 Rack which includes ProTools LE. There is also Logic Express from Apple which gives you many more recording options and a very nice suite of plug-ins to play with. I'm about to add Logic Pro to a couple of my systems.