Home > Consumer Reviews > Apple PowerBook Laptop 17" M9110LL/A (1.33-GHz PowerPC G4, 512 MB RAM, 80 GB Hard Drive, DVD-R/CD-RW Drive)

I bought a 12-inch Powerbook after I gave my old Sony Vaio notebook the Pete Townshend treatment - I put my fist through it. (Yes, it looks like a stained glass window.) I hadn't used a Mac in years, but I decided I'd had it with Microsoft and Windows. All it took was one weekend and a good book - "Mac OS X: The Missing Manual," by David Pogue -
however, and I mastered the machine.

(Other than the size of the screen, the 17-inch model is the same as the 12-inch one.)

SOFTWARE
The computer comes with some great software. iTunes is the best media player on the market. I have almost 5,000 songs stored on mine. With the search function and browser display, it is easy to find a particular song. iTunes also keeps track of the number of times you've listened to a song and it allows you to rate your songs. It's easy to create a playlist. Also, burning one of those playlists onto a CD can be done with one click.

Safari is a great web browser. It has a Google search box built into the toolbar, prevents pop-up ads (I've never had one), has tabbed browsing (preventing a cluttered desktop), and allows for bookmarks to be added with one click.

iChat allows Mac users to customize their AIM and Rendezvous chat sessions in ways that the normal applications don't allow, such as adding pictures from iPhoto to their profile.

I haven't mastered iPhoto yet, but it is downloading pictures from a digital camera is as easy as plugging it into the USB port and clicking a button.

Also, Macs are less likely to get a virus or be overtaken by spyware.

The iCal and Address Book look good, but if you are going to sync a PDA with your Mac, you are better off using Palm Desktop software. Hopefully the functionality of those programs will be improved in the future though.

Finally, most of the programs work with each other. For example, if someone on my iChat buddy list is online, a green dot will appear next to a message from him or her in my Mail inbox.

I also use Microsoft Office, Quicken, Dreamweaver MX, and Palm Desktop - they all work well on the Mac. Office shares files perfectly with PCs.

HARDWARE
Spend the money and get the superdrive (CD-RW/DVD-R). DVDs have more memory than CDs and blank DVD-Rs are becoming more affordable. If you are into collecting videos of concerts, a DVD-R is a must.

I'd recommend upgrading to at least 768 MB of memory and the 80 GB hard drive. Burning a DVD requires a lot of memory and can take a while - this way you can use other applications while burning a DVD (on my old PC, if I was burning a CD, I couldn't use anything else). The hard drive space is really cheap. Plus, if you load your CDs on your computer, they can eat up a lot of memory, even as MP3s (my 5,000 songs take up about 25 GB).

Also, there is a lot to be said for getting the Airport Exteme card (although you can buy a third-party base station for less). I am able to browse the Internet in any room of my house - well worth the extra $100 or so.

I have the 12-inch monitor, but that was because Apple hadn't released the 15-inch in the new style when I made my purchase. The 12-inch is fine - it's much clearer than my old PC notebook - but if I had the opportunity, I'd probably go with the bigger monitor.

DRAWBACKS
-While most software is available for Mac OS X, there are some programs that aren't (Google toolbar, Yahoo! toolbar, Kazaa, AvantGo) or minor problems in software that is available (Quicken can't access accounts on Ameritrade via Macs)
-The PowerBook doesn't have a fan, which is great for the battery, but can cause it to get a bit hot underneath where the user rests his left hand.

Regardless of those drawbacks, however, buying a Mac was an easy decision. If you have any questions about it, click on my profile and send me a e-mail.

UPDATE: After 14 months, the hard drive started making noise and system performance got slow and I couldn't run as many programs as I used to. I called Apple and had to spend $300 for them to put in a new hard drive and some other hardware. They were unable to transfer my data to my new hard drive, so I've spent the past four days reloading all of my software and applications. No idea why the hard drive went. Hence I dropped the rating from five stars to four.

I just purchased the newest Powerbook G4 with a stunning 17" display, a blazing fast 1.33GhZ processor and I just haven't been able to put it down. This computer is as well packaged as it is designed. The screen is bright and beautiful. The trackpad is responsive and large enough for even the biggest or the smallest of the hands to use. It has a CD and a DVD burner and not to mention Wireless capabilities built right in it. The coolest new feature I have to say would be the sensor controlled illuminated keyboard that just amazes the heck out of me.The machine is the fastest I have owned and with OS X Panther -- this laptop leaves the rest behind.
The only drawback is the price which for some people might be a bit over the top, but considering the product you are getting it is well worth it.
An absolute must buy.

This powerbook is a work of art.. Very well thought out from the hardware to the software.....
The windows platform has only one advantage over Mac products ....their price point. I have had this Powerbook for 2 1/2weeks and have only used my PC three times (to get files I needed).

I know the prices are higher on the Mac side, but the money is well spent..... If you can afford a MAC then get one, you will not be sorry

Hope is helps someone
best of luck
JD

I personally love this laptop....it's the best i've seen. 1.33ghz. Great speed. Lots of memory and love the Airport Extreme. One thing I don't like is the case. Your fingerprints will show like crazy but, don't worry about that..It's still good. I'm already burning movies in the first month. Love the Garageband, iTunes, iPhoto, iMovie, and iDVD. Great stuff comes with this computer. I just preorded Microsoft Office v. X. I'm sure I'll love it. Anyway, overall...I give this computer 4-stars. If the case was better...5 ALL THE WAY.

P.S. Be sure to get the extended warrenty...you may need it. My 800mhz iMac just broke and I was 2 days away from my policy expiration date. Good thing i kept the receipt.

This machine is a replacement for your desktop. It's that powerful and versatile, and if you're a windows user, the design of the OS X operating system that it runs will enhance your experience and workflow in ways you can't even imagine. The aluminum frame beats the old titanium design easily. Solid, resistant to scratches, better heat dissipation. Close the lid, then slam it around, drop it, prop it against the wall and kick it over. You'll break your foot before you break the laptop. The display is large enough, and the text rendering is sharp enough, that you'll forget entirely about workspace issues.
A piece of advice: Get the new logitech optical USB mouse with the little app-switcher button on it, and assign that extra button to the Expose feature of OS X 10.3. Use it whenever you're working at a tabletop or desk. Freaking brilliant. This machine will change your whole idea of what a laptop should be.