Home > Consumer Reviews > Apple PowerBook Laptop 12.1" M9008LL/A (1.0-GHz PowerPC G4, 256 MB RAM, 40 GB Hard Drive, DVD-R/CD-RW SuperDrive)

I've waited this long to make sure the being new has worn off and there by giving a true picture of my long term experiences, and it simply WORKS. It's stable, predictable, and wakes and sleeps the way I expect it to. I shut it and come back in an hour or day and I open it and it's right back to work right a way. Try that with your Windows XP machine, it either freezes, crashs, or has to reboot. I flat enjoy my little jewel and I will ALWAYS use a Mac. Thanks Apple.

Ah, the Powerbook. For many years, Apple's version of what a laptop computer should be. Then they created "consumer level" ibooks and the Powerbook was elevated to a status of Pro machines (which it always was). There used to be only a couple models (remember Pismo?). Then the Titanium wonder that shocked the portable world. Now, Apple has 3 different sized Powerbooks with various models inbetween those sizes. The compact little gem is the subject here.

This is one of the finest Macs I have ever used. The weight is so light. The aluminum case is amazing. The slot load Superdrive which burns either CD's or DVD's is elegant compared to slide out trays that risk being damaged. The keyboard feels amazing. I could go on and on. Battery life I have gotten has ranged in the 4 hour range...excellent for a G4 equipped laptop. ALthough 256MB of RAM seems rather low, it surprisingly does well (Though I did add a 512mb module later, and watched performance grow). The power adapter itself has hooks to wrap the cord around (though admittedly, the old doughnut design was better looking). The 12" Powerbook is an excellent piece of hardware for those looking to tote a laptop. Two Thumbs Up!

Ditto all of the lauditory comments of my esteemed colleagues here on the review page, with a few additional comments. AppleCare is a must since the "logic board" of MACs are notorious for going down. The plan is $300 additonal cost for a three year policy, and you absolutely have to have it (you may buy it during the first year after purchase). The shipping protocol of the computer is excellent, with prepaid shipping containers sent to you, but Apple will charge you an additional $50 to save your hard drive data in the event that it must be replaced, a cost that should not obtain in my judgement given the expense of the add-on policy. The quality of the call-in help line varies (as they all do with PCs), but it's necessary, particularly for PC defectors like me. Lastly, if you have a problem with the enormous heat generated by the unit, get an 11" x 14" zip folder at Staples or Office Depot to place under the unit and also to carry/protect it. And you will carry this unit since this is a truly portable computer with a 3 to 4 hour battery time (my old SONY Vaio pooped out after 40 minutes - it's like a dinasaur next to the PowerBook). Plus, truly amazingly, you can edit video and burn DVDs that work simply great on a home DVD machine. Unbelieveable.

I have owned over 20 macs in my 12 years of Macintosh consulting and development.. This is the best Mac yet. I just sold my 15" TiBook to get this 12" Aluminum/1ghz/DVDR model. I can't put it down. The screen seemed small - until I used it. No problem there at all. I do a lot of digital photography and programming and the 12 inch PowerBook is THE MACHINE!

Dear Powerbook users,
On the 12 inch G4 1 GHZ...is the heat that it generates really a problem? I get really annoyed with hot laptops...I'm a college student and I usually sit for hours on my desktop typing up papers and what not. However, I really do like the design, speed, and portability of this powerbook. I'm also considering the ibook G4...Let me know what you pros out there think..Thanks :)