Home > Consumer Reviews > Apple PowerBook Laptop 12.1" TFT M8760LL/A (867-MHz PowerPC G4, 256 MB RAM, 40 GB Hard Drive, DVD/CD-RW Drive)

I just received my 12" Powerbook from Apple, and I have to say this is the sweetest machine I've ever owned or used. I'm a professional Java developer, and this little notebook has become my workstation of choice.

The screen is bright and crisp. I originally worried that the size of the screen might be an issue, but it's not. It's beautiful.

The keyboard is amazing. I had been using a Powerbook G3 at home and an iBook at work... the keyboard on this machine puts them both to shame.

There have been some complaints about the case getting hot. Mine has been running all day and yes, it gets warm where the hard drive is, but nothing bad. I don't plan on putting it on my lap much.

Apple offers a custom-built version of this machine with a 60 GB hard drive and a SuperDrive (lets you burn DVD-Rs). I opted for this, and maxed the RAM out (currently, you can only go to 640 MB of RAM, which is plenty for me).

Mac OS X, of course, is a marvel. This is one of the first machines that will NOT boot OS 9, and I don't miss it a bit.

Apple includes some interesting software (mostly targeted at business people), which I find useful.

In short, this is the first new computer I've bought in a LONG time and I'm so glad I did. It rocks!

I've used both this machine and a comparable iBook. If you're planning on running OSX, the Powerbook at the recently discounted prices is a no-brainer. The G3 processor of the iBook "feels" inadequate to the task of running OSX smoothly and efficiently. However, there are countless reasons that might lead you to wish you could return or exchange a particular machine--from an overly hot casing to a buggy OS installation to a sticky key. Rather than sit on the phone with Apple operators or run around the country to authorized repair stations, I've found that it can be preferable to return or exchange. And Amazon is the best about accepting returns, no questions asked. Other Apple dealers tend to treat a sold machine like a new car that's been driven off the lot. Since prices are going to be close, with various throw-ins and incentives being the major difference, I would ignore the small differences and just order the machine from Amazon.

This little jewel should serve as a model or benchmark for all other computer designers. First of all, this laptop is BEAUTIFUL! It is designed to the hilt. For goodness sake, when you spend $2000 or more on a computer, you want it to look like they gave some thought to the design, material, fit and finish. You don't want it to look like a black plastic second thought. This one looks like the Mercedes of Laptops. Second, the guts are tremendous. 867Mhz... Plenty. Nothing I've done with it has made me wait more than two breaths. And when you list what this thing can do: Download video from DVD, VHS, Camcorders, etc. then edit it all AND burn your own DVD with music, titles, credits... It can use practically any file generated on a Windows PC and send back files the PC can use (so much for compatibility problems!)... Built in Airport Extreme (you can create an "out-of-the-box" wireless network at home instantly) You can also connect wirelessly to the internet in countless locations throughout the country (Starbucks, etc.). Bluetooth, Firewire, USB, etc. etc. etc.... And finally... It's an APPLE. I haven't owned an Apple since the IIe and Lisa. God, am I glad to be back!!! I realized I made the right decision when I tried to hook it up to the internet. I was trying to figure out internet access codes, TCP, IPP, IP Addresses, and who knows what else, for an hour until I gave up and called my provider. They told me to just turn off the computer and turn it on again with the wire connected to my cable modem. "That's it?", "That's it, sir. The Apple automatically recognizes and configures" I was was connected in 15 seconds! This is how computers should be. PC Industry TAKE NOTE!!!

After reading the reviews here, I was very concerned with my 12 inch Powerbook when it arrived. The aluminum casing supposedly warps because of the intense heat from the battery and reviewers have complained that it actually burns you.

Just to give you an idea, if you used it all day on and off, the metal casing (on the left side, and on the bottom surface) becomes just about as hot as the side of a porcelain mug of hot coffee. People have varying tolerances about this kind of heat, but I for one would prefer it didn't get this heated. It's the main discomfort problem in using this machine, because it means you can't comfortably perch it on your lap for an extended period of time. You'll have to use a piece of cardboard, a portable table, or just stick to using it on a desk.

Mine hasn't warped yet but it's only the first 24 hrs.

The other thing that surprised me was the battery life seems to be only 2.5 or 3 hrs, even when I charged and drained it according to the setup instructions. It seems that when travelling or watching DVDs outside the home, getting an extra battery ... is necessary.

With the 12 inch screen, type on Websites appear very small. You'll have to zoom in at 120% or more to read newspapers on the Web, and email messages on Yahoo appear in very small, light font.

Another mild annoyance is that the computer is configured to push Mac products, including ... .Mac membership ..., which I guess might be worth it (if the fee includes web hosting fees) but I'm not convinced yet. I haven't found a way to "hide" these products from my desktop.

Otherwise, I am quite satisfied with the purchase of this machine and do not have any regrets yet about switching from PC. It's dreadful to have to pay hundreds of dollars to get MS Word for Mac, but there is a software called Thinkfree which claims to do the same thing (just word processing in MS Word) ... which I have ordered.

Love this machine. Small, fast, ultrapotable.
Unfortunately, I had to turn it in for repair, as the alu case was bend, causing the machine to be rockin' back and forth when placed on a desk, only supported by three rubber feets. Very annoying!
This seems to a be a serious design flaw, as many users have reported this problem on various websites.
A lot of users have also reported problems with batterylids that are misaligned with the bottom, so they "stick out" with up to several milimeters.
So if you pick it up at a store, be sure to check, whether its stands firmly on all four feets, and check the batterylid!

But besides from that, it's a fantastic machine for anything but gaming, due to it's rather mediocre nVidia graphics card.