Apple PowerBook G4 17 in. (718908429945) Mac Notebook

Many know Apple as a company that makes computers that "creative types" use. Very true. It has been that way due to specific programs originally being only available for the Mac. Time have changed. With OSX (Operating System version 10) things are very different. But that's now what I'm here to talk about (check out my other reviews on that topic). The Powerbook G4 17 inch laptop is elegant. The 17" screen is amazing. With a top resolution of 1440x900 it's easy to see that this computer is a good option to have if it's your only computer. The processor is fast enough (1.33GHz), RAM capacity up to 2 Gig of SDRAM (2 slots for 1GB RAM each - I have 2 512 for a total of 1024MB SDRAM), the computer also has enough storage space (80GB not the 60 that this site has spec'd) and with a built in CDR and DVD burner how could one go wrong.

Size is always an issue however. Bigger isn't always better - or is it? The 17" is a bit of a pain to travel with. Unless you buy a custom bag to hold the thing it starts to feel big. that's where I recommend the 15". If you're really traveling long term and want to keep it light so you can upload your Blogs on your travels I suggest getting the 12". But it's too small to really do anyting else other than browse the web or send some emails.

The 17" has a few really cool features. Built in Bluetooth is one of them. I'll referr to Bluetooth as BTh from now on. I have a Sony Ericsson T616 with BTh and apples email, calendar, addressbook and their online .mac service is all synced together wirelessly. I simply click iSync (another apple product) and it simply does just that - sync's everything up on all machines. I even have my iPod set up to Sync calendars and contacts when connected. Pretty cool. There are also a number of third party programs that you can install to show you who's calling on your screen and even control iTunes and DVD movies with the phone as if it were a remote.

Another wireless feature this laptop has is the built-in Airport card (actually Airport Extreme which is faster then their previous Airport) which allows you to access wireless networks. Airport is Apples branding for WiFi or just simply a wireless network card or transmitter. I personally have a Apple Airport base station at home connected to the DSL modem for internet access but I've connected all over the world in airports, coffee shops and at business with this laptop. It's really easy. If the network doesn't require a password you simply select the network and you're on. If you do select a network that's secure, a dialog box will pop up prompting you for a password. It's that simple.

The laptop itself has a number of ports. All moved to either side of the machine for easier access (they where in the back on the earlier 15" models). 2 firewire ports (400 and 800) for connecting DV camera's to thier iMovie and other programs as well as hard drives, iPods or anything else firewire. Two USB ports (one on each side of the computer). A S-Video out for TV or projector playback. And DVI connector for connecting to Apple's flat panel Cinema Display monitors.

The earlier Powerbooks allowed one to connect to a regular monitor but now they only allow the Digital connection for the flatpanels. I really wish it had both! Unlike a PC laptop, when you connect another monitor to a Powerbook you get more real estate and not just video mirroring (though that is possible if you select it). What I mean by more real estate is that once a monitor is connected you can actually drag items from one screen to another. You can have one program open in one monitor and have the other program open on the other side. Pretty cool!!!

The last two ports this laptop has is a Ethernet port and a modem port for a connection virtually anywhere. All in all a nice bundle. One interesting feature is the backlit keyboard. The laptop automatically determines that's it's dark enough for you to not be able to see the keyboard very well - so it become illuminated in the dark. Really cool.

Now for the bad news. I don't know if it's a OS bug or my laptop. But I found that having the new Panther (OSX - 10.3) installed my computer is fine. Once I upgrade to 10.3.3 my computer immediately slows to a snails pace. I then reinstall 10.3 and it's back to normal. Just as a warning. Otherwise I couldn't be more pleased.