About to purchase 17" Powerbook.... opinions?

[UltraWide]

I think the 17in Powerbook is nice to look at and play with, but not practical to own. It's just too big for everyday use. If you really want a powerbook then the 15in Powerbook is a much better choice and it has a much better GPU to boot. I would wait a little for the updated Powerbook 15in or look at the IBM T40p. I have a T40p(G5U with 7200rpm hdd) and it's very fast and portable. But powerbooks are not that bad if you are comfortable using Macs.

 

[addragyn]

Originally posted by: ceo2b
Maybe it's me, but for a 17", I think it's incredibly light and portable. Do you have any idea of the video card (example : 64mb to 128mb) can be updated, in the shop or through self-installation?

It's a fairly light machine. Not problem to pick it up, toss it around with one hand. And it's suprisingly rigid when you do. I felt smaller than I thought it would. Very comfortable in the lap as I was splayed out on the LaZ Boy.

No video card changes. When you see how thin it is it's not even a question.

Compare to the different design philosophy that Dell has taken with the Inspiron 8600. A 15" WS laptop. It's 50% thicker, can take different video cards and weighs 7.3lbs. It's also has a fatass 1.1lbs. AC adapter.

The PB has a larger screen, thinner, weighs less, and has a small AC adapter with negligble weight. Besides RAM you can't change anything inside (17" PB comes with AirPort Extreme card installed).

Completely different designs.

 

[ceo2b]

Thanks addragyn for the reply. I am greatly impressed with the G4-PB. With the advent of Virtual PC, I cannot find a reason not to buy this Apple. My only problem is not having a higher resolution option, in the range of 1600x1200, or whatever would be appropriate for a 17 inch screen. And smart card options, I cannot find a Mac solution (pcmcia reader or software). Nonetheless, I will wait for the next update; this machine appears to be the winner.

 

[Vadatajs]

Have fun carrying that monster to class. You'll probably be happier with a 15" powerbook.

 

[ceo2b]

^^^

The weight difference between the G4 and D800 are negligible. With the adapter, the G4 actually weighs less. I've had heavy booksacks for around ten years; you get accustomed to it.

 

[addragyn]

PowerBooks were updated today.

New 15" case. (Al, better wireless performance) (12" & 17" already Al)

New CPU. (Faster, double L2, 512K)

New GPU. (ATI 9600 in 15" and 17") (GF FX 5200 in 12")

12" gets DVI out. (15" & 17" already do this)

Lower prices.

Illuminated keyboard new to top 15" model. (BTO on lower 15")

Increased max RAM. (2GB on 15" & 17", 1.25GB on 12")

AirPort Extreme (802.11G) across the board.

12" & 17" already had Bluetooth. Now 15" does too.

USB2.0 across the line.

15" gets FireWire800. (17" already had it)

12" & 15" get "third midrange-enhancing third speaker".

---

ceo2b you can grab the previous 17" in Special Deals in the Apple Store for $2499 now.

 

[ceo2b]

It's sweet and the graphics card update was huge, in addition to the upping in RAM. I can get the new ones around that price with the ADC discount. I just wish the monitor resolutions are higher. Either way, I am thinking I still might get the machine and add another pc (desktop and lappy) later on (next 12-18 months). I may decide at that point just to get a pc desktop only.