Apple PowerBook G4 15.2 in. (M8362LL/A) Mac Notebook
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- HDD Size: 20 GB
- Family Line: PowerBook G4
- Processor: PowerPC G4 550 MHz
- Operating System: Apple MacOS X
- Installed Memory: 128 MB (SDRAM)
- Display: 15.2 in. TFT Active Matrix
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This "Ti" is not like kissin' your sister!
Pros
thin, light, stylish, large 15inch screen, DVD
Cons
may set off bomb detectors, pricey (especially for mid- to high-end models)
Recommended it?
Yes
The Bottom Line:
Finally Apple introduces a laptop worthy of the premium price. I absolutely recommend this machine for the mid- to high-end, on-the-go user.
What?s an inch thick, weighs just over 5 pounds, is made of pure titanium, and kicks some serious PC booty? That?s right, the Apple PowerBook Titanium G4.
OK, I admit it, I am a Mac-addict, and I make no apologies for it. Over the years I have owned four desktop Macs. However, until recently, I have been disappointed in the laptop/portable Mac line-up. While I do not dispute that Apple has made fantastic portable computer for some time ? the PowerBook series ? it was evident to me that you get more for your money by buying a PC. On the other hand, being an Apple person, I simply could not bring myself to convert to the dark side.
At the Jan 2001 MacWorld Expo, Apple shocked the portable PC community by introducing their latest PowerBook model, and first entry into the lightweight laptop arena, the PowerBook Titanium G4 (PBTiG4) portable computer. Unlike PC laptops that shed features or compromise performance to achieve weight reductions, the PowerBook G4 Titanium is a full-featured system for professional portable computing: up to 30 gigabytes of hard disk space, expansion up to 1 gigabyte of RAM, a slot-loading DVD-ROM drive, fireWire and USB connections, and the list goes on. Amazingly, Apple has accomplished this in an ultra-light and ultra-slim titanium shell, while keeping the price tag at a very competitive starting point of $2600.
Finally Apple offered the almost ideal combination of a loaded PowerBook at competitive prices. After agonizing over it for about 120 seconds, I took the plunge and ordered the lower-end model for myself (400 mHz G4, 128MB SDRAM, 10GB hard drive, DVD-ROM, 10/100 ethernet, 56K modem, 2 USB ports, one Firewire port). The biggest limitations I see in this lower-end model are the 128MB RAM and 10Gig HD. However, considering the low prices of RAM these days, I intent to add another 128MB RAM immediately.
After an agonizing 6 weeks of waiting and delays, I finally received my PBTiG4, and I have rarely put it down since.
The following is a run-down of features and my initial impressions.
DISTINGUISHING FEATURES
SIZE: As mentioned above the PBTiG4 is, first and foremost, a lightweight laptop. The PBTiG4 is a joy to tote even though it's a tad hefty at 5.3 pounds and lacks an iBook-style handle. Because it?s only about an inch thick, it slips easily into a briefcase or backpack.
DISPLAY: Wow! In designing this latest and lightest PowerBook, Apple actually increased the screen size to a 15.2 inch wide-screen format while maintaining 1152x768 pixel resolution. At 15.2 inches, measured diagonally, the high-resolution display will readily accommodate DVD movies in letterbox mode, or two word-processor or Web-browser windows side by side. Additionally, like previous PowerBooks, the screen is crisp, clear, and true.
G4 PowerPC PROCESSOR:
According to Apple specs, the PowerPC G4 is the first microprocessor with the ability to execute over one billion floating-point operations per second (one gigaflop), with a theoretical peak performance of 5.3 gigaflops. This brings to mind the age-old question of Mac versus PC MHz values. However you look at it, the 400MHz G4 processor is lightning fast ? easily noticeable relative to my G3 300MHz desktop Mac.
DIGITAL ENTERTAINMENT SYSTEM: PowerBook G4 performs well with Apple iTunes software. Import and manage your digital music collection ? and use your PowerBook G4 to listen to your favorites.
The PowerBook G4 comes with a slot-loading DVD-ROM drive (no pop-out tray/coffee cup holder) for playback of DVD-Video and DVD-ROM discs, as well as music CDs.
BATTERY LIFE: Industry-leading battery life of up to 5 hours between charges, which is equivalent to a relatively busy days work, or two full-length DVD movies (which is great for long flights or road-trips with family).
APPEARANCE: In addition to being sleek and stylish in form, the PBTiG4 is encased in titanium, an exceptionally light and durable metal used to manufacture aircraft engines and prosthetic bones. It?s a real eye-catcher.
TITANIUM versus SONY VAIO (both list at ~$2600)
The Sony VAIO Z505 is the closest PC competition to the PBTiG4 in the lightweight portable arena. By comparison (according to Apple):
Display: PBTiG4 (15.2inches) vs. VAIO (12.1inches)
Processor: 400MHz PowerPC vs. 650MHz PentiumIII
Optical Drive: DVD vs. none in VAIO
Battery life: 5hrs vs. 2hrs in VAIO
Thickness: 1 inch vs 1.15inch VAIO
Price: within $50.
NOTE: With the recent release of the revolutionary Mac OS X (ten), you may want to save yourself a few $ ($130 to be precise) and the hassle of upgrading, and wait until OS X comes pre-installed on Macs later this summer.
OK, I admit it, I am a Mac-addict, and I make no apologies for it. Over the years I have owned four desktop Macs. However, until recently, I have been disappointed in the laptop/portable Mac line-up. While I do not dispute that Apple has made fantastic portable computer for some time ? the PowerBook series ? it was evident to me that you get more for your money by buying a PC. On the other hand, being an Apple person, I simply could not bring myself to convert to the dark side.
At the Jan 2001 MacWorld Expo, Apple shocked the portable PC community by introducing their latest PowerBook model, and first entry into the lightweight laptop arena, the PowerBook Titanium G4 (PBTiG4) portable computer. Unlike PC laptops that shed features or compromise performance to achieve weight reductions, the PowerBook G4 Titanium is a full-featured system for professional portable computing: up to 30 gigabytes of hard disk space, expansion up to 1 gigabyte of RAM, a slot-loading DVD-ROM drive, fireWire and USB connections, and the list goes on. Amazingly, Apple has accomplished this in an ultra-light and ultra-slim titanium shell, while keeping the price tag at a very competitive starting point of $2600.
Finally Apple offered the almost ideal combination of a loaded PowerBook at competitive prices. After agonizing over it for about 120 seconds, I took the plunge and ordered the lower-end model for myself (400 mHz G4, 128MB SDRAM, 10GB hard drive, DVD-ROM, 10/100 ethernet, 56K modem, 2 USB ports, one Firewire port). The biggest limitations I see in this lower-end model are the 128MB RAM and 10Gig HD. However, considering the low prices of RAM these days, I intent to add another 128MB RAM immediately.
After an agonizing 6 weeks of waiting and delays, I finally received my PBTiG4, and I have rarely put it down since.
The following is a run-down of features and my initial impressions.
DISTINGUISHING FEATURES
SIZE: As mentioned above the PBTiG4 is, first and foremost, a lightweight laptop. The PBTiG4 is a joy to tote even though it's a tad hefty at 5.3 pounds and lacks an iBook-style handle. Because it?s only about an inch thick, it slips easily into a briefcase or backpack.
DISPLAY: Wow! In designing this latest and lightest PowerBook, Apple actually increased the screen size to a 15.2 inch wide-screen format while maintaining 1152x768 pixel resolution. At 15.2 inches, measured diagonally, the high-resolution display will readily accommodate DVD movies in letterbox mode, or two word-processor or Web-browser windows side by side. Additionally, like previous PowerBooks, the screen is crisp, clear, and true.
G4 PowerPC PROCESSOR:
According to Apple specs, the PowerPC G4 is the first microprocessor with the ability to execute over one billion floating-point operations per second (one gigaflop), with a theoretical peak performance of 5.3 gigaflops. This brings to mind the age-old question of Mac versus PC MHz values. However you look at it, the 400MHz G4 processor is lightning fast ? easily noticeable relative to my G3 300MHz desktop Mac.
DIGITAL ENTERTAINMENT SYSTEM: PowerBook G4 performs well with Apple iTunes software. Import and manage your digital music collection ? and use your PowerBook G4 to listen to your favorites.
The PowerBook G4 comes with a slot-loading DVD-ROM drive (no pop-out tray/coffee cup holder) for playback of DVD-Video and DVD-ROM discs, as well as music CDs.
BATTERY LIFE: Industry-leading battery life of up to 5 hours between charges, which is equivalent to a relatively busy days work, or two full-length DVD movies (which is great for long flights or road-trips with family).
APPEARANCE: In addition to being sleek and stylish in form, the PBTiG4 is encased in titanium, an exceptionally light and durable metal used to manufacture aircraft engines and prosthetic bones. It?s a real eye-catcher.
TITANIUM versus SONY VAIO (both list at ~$2600)
The Sony VAIO Z505 is the closest PC competition to the PBTiG4 in the lightweight portable arena. By comparison (according to Apple):
Display: PBTiG4 (15.2inches) vs. VAIO (12.1inches)
Processor: 400MHz PowerPC vs. 650MHz PentiumIII
Optical Drive: DVD vs. none in VAIO
Battery life: 5hrs vs. 2hrs in VAIO
Thickness: 1 inch vs 1.15inch VAIO
Price: within $50.
NOTE: With the recent release of the revolutionary Mac OS X (ten), you may want to save yourself a few $ ($130 to be precise) and the hassle of upgrading, and wait until OS X comes pre-installed on Macs later this summer.
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