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Apple PowerBook Notebook 17" M9689LL/A (1.67 GHz PowerPC G4, 512 MB RAM, 100 GB Hard Drive, SuperDrive)| Manufacturer: | Apple Computer | | List price: | $2,699.00 |
| Our price: | Too Low To Display that is 100% off! |
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| Apple PowerBook Notebook 17" M9689LL/A (1.67 GHz PowerPC G4, 512 MB RAM, 100 GB Hard Drive, SuperDrive) |
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Average rating:  | |
A little overpriced, but what is the value of art? |
I have been using the PowerBook for a little over 4 months now. My previous computer was an IBM Thinkpad.
17" Screen: Clear and beautiful. Some reviewers have complained about the maximum resolution. I have to say that the current maximum resolution is almost too much. The tiny print can be very diffiicult to read and I end up blowing up many documents to 150% size anyway. Why would you want even more resolution than that?
Keyboard: The weak link in all Macs. No "insert" key. Attaching a numeric keypad is no fun; the software asks you to hit the key next to the shift key so that it can identify what type of keyboard you have attached, but of course numeric keypads have no shift key. Fortunately, you can just tell the computer you have attached a Microsoft type keyboard. Also, the huge expanse of metal between the front of the computer and the keypad is a whole lot of no fun. It encourages my wrists to sweat and causes rashes in the hot, humid climate of the Philippines, or even in the vicinity of Puget Sound. Why not move the keyboard closer to the front of the computer, where your hands don't obscure part of the screen?
Touchpad: One button mice are passe. And do we really need that huge touchpad? I miss the little button on my Thinkpad. It is time for the hippies at Apple to realize that the 80s are over.
Wireless: Wow! The Bluetooth and wireless actually work! The Bluetooth even talks to my Windows mobile cell phone and my wireless mouse, something Windows has problems with.
LAN and other connections: These work as expected. It took some getting used to AppleTalk, but setting up a network was not all that difficult. The real hangup is getting it to talk to Windows computers, but it can be done. A little more documentation would have been nice. The USB ports work well, although some supposedly USB 2.0 compatible devices seem to think the ports are only USB 1.1. Also, if a port reports an error then it will not work again until the device is unplugged and the entire computer shut down and restarted.
OS X: I wish I had not upgraded to Tiger, as there have been nothing but problems with this OS. All I can say is, Windows users switching to Mac hoping for more stability and fewer compatibility problems will be gravely disappointed. Any of the numerous Mac forums are filled with discussions of software incompatibility and kernel panics (the Mac equivalent of the blue screen of death).
Software Availability: Some publishers were willing to exchange my Windows applications for their Mac equivalents for free or for a small fee. Microsoft and Symantec want you to buy whole new packages. I still have to run Windows XP in order to produce corporate tax returns and to play the latest games. While publishers sometimes release a Mac version of their games, they are usually late and lack features found in the latest PC versions. I use the Mac primarily for presentations and photo editing, however, and it performs these tasks very well.
Portability: The thin form factor and light weight make this laptop very portable. I found it easy to use just sitting on my lap taking notes in meetings. It is not, however, going to fit on an airline seat-back table. Don't even think about it. It is a good choice for doing presentations in small groups in areas where you don't want to take a projector and screen. Mine has withstood some small drops and rough handling with only a small dent on the case to show for it. Working as I do in sometimes primitive conditions with uncertain power supplies the Mac has come through without a glitch. It is a fine traveller that is unlikely to give up the ghost at an inopportune moment. |
| Apple PowerBook Notebook 17" M9689LL/A (1.67 GHz PowerPC G4, 512 MB RAM, 100 GB Hard Drive, SuperDrive) - Apple Computer |  |
Best computer I ever picked up.. and tougher than I ever thought. |
Picked up the original version of this machine back when it first came out, and being that I am Military, it soon had probably the toughest test a computer could have: A full year in the heat, dust, and general unpleasentness that is Iraq. In our unit there was 16 computers, this one, the only apple, was the only one to survive the 14 months. It had been in horrid sandstorms, protected by either ziplock bags or at worse, a simple blanket. It was in full use at 30 degrees and 140 degrees. It was even blown up in a humvee.
Still going strong, only problem with it is a ton of dings and scratches, the lid doesn't quite shut right, and I think I might want to swap out the hard drive, for after 3 years, I imagine I am pressing my luck there with all the crap it went through.
And it isn't too big. I've used it just fine in the economy seats of a 747 on the way to New Zealand and back, and it fit the tray table just fine. Not very thick, and not too heavy either. Get the Brenthaven bag and you are set.
Right now, its the only computer I use and need, excepting work of course.
You simply can not go wrong with it. |
| Apple Computer - Apple PowerBook Notebook 17" M9689LL/A (1.67 GHz PowerPC G4, 512 MB RAM, 100 GB Hard Drive, SuperDrive) | |
I don't know much, but I know I love this computer! |
First off, I can't tell you all the technical specs that someone with a wider knowledge base can. So I'll just give you the basic nuts and bolts after having used this computer for about six months.
Sure, this unit is pricey - but to me it's worth it. I do freelance writing and design and enjoy the flexibility I get with a laptop. I can run In Design Creative Suite with no problems and never crash. The luxury of having a built-in CD/DVD burner is beyond compare and is very easy to use. Although I haven't used the DVD burner yet the CD burner is relatively easy to navigate and makes burning virtually effortless.
The 17" screen is marvelous and the whole computer seems very "intuitive" - if it looks like this particular button over here should perform function X, then chances are it probably does. No need to pour over an owner's manual.
One con I can think of is the fragility of the machine - my husband has a smaller Dell that can seemingly be chucked around and beaten to death. To do the same to the Mac would be sheer suicide, unless you like the look of scraped up titanium. (This is the only reason I didn't give it five stars) Dirt, finger prints and marks show up easily when arms/hands are rested on the unit but a gentle cleaning will take care of that. So basically you have to be very careful and treat this very expensive, beautiful and sleek machine with the respect it deserves.
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