Home > Consumer Reviews > Apple PowerBook Laptop 15" M9422LL/A (1.50-GHz PowerPC G4, 512 MB RAM, 80 GB Hard Drive, SuperDrive)

I purchased a PowerBook 15" 1.5Ghz 128VRAM computer around Christmas. I've built several IBM/PC-based desktop systems, from my first 486DX266 to my most recent 3.04Ghz Dell rebuild (looks like a Dell, but doesn't quack like one). I know what "right" looks like, and Apple has finally gotten it right.

The design of the iBook and PowerBook is top-notch. A very tight chassis, maximized screen, and overall clean finish with each model. The software took this Microsoft-handicapped user about an hour to figure out, but if you work with it enough, you'll find you can learn something new every day. Reliability is also the best I've ever seen. There are no "blue screens of death" on Mac's. My wife's old G3 displayed a "sad Mac" once, but that was on a Mac from another era. I haven't heard of anyone having "show-stopper" problems with the G4's.

I had a few peripherals that I didn't want to part with, like my Dell Axim. Not to worry. PocketMac (a 3rd-party answer to PocketPC and ActiveSync) allows me to sync data between PowerBook and PDA effortlessly. The keyboard, mouse, and even monitor can all be used with the PowerBook when I'm at my desk.
Who needs computer speakers when you can play iTunes through your home stereo (with an Airport Express in the mix). When it comes to games, quality headphones do the trick.

The 80GB HD is a lot smaller than what I have in my Dell, but I've invested in a Lacie D2 external drive which puts me at ease when storage is a concern.

With Office for Mac, I can open, edit, and save any OfficeXP file I can find. No compatibility issues whatsoever.
WARNING: If you intend to play PC games on a Mac by using VirtualPC... DON'T! That's not what VirtualPC was designed for, and the results will show that. If you want to play games on a Mac, visit the Aspyr website and buy the Mac versions.

The price was higher than what some would expect to pay for a comparable PC laptop. Extras are expensive, and are probably where Apple really makes their money. Custom configurations are non-refundable/non-returnable, as clearly stated on the Apple website. If you customize (which you have to, if you want the 128MB video card), plan on handing over another $300+ for the AppleCare Protection Plan. That'll give you 3 years service and support - the alternative to being stuck with a lemon six months after purchase - if you're unfortunate enough.

Me? I guess I got lucky according to one reviewer. Everything worked out of the box, and continues to work as advertised. From what I can tell, that's not lucky - that's the norm.
As I use the PowerBook more frequently, I find myself going to my Dell less and less.

Sleek design, ease of use (Mac OS X is rock solid, stable and immune to all Windows viruses and spyware) and great for commuting due it's relatively light weight compared to Wintel laptops (although I have some friends who prefer the 12" Powerbook for the commute). The IT guys at work wanted me to use some behemoth IBM thinkpad, which I stopped using after a week due to poor battery life, weight and constant crashes. I've had no problems using this Mac in a Windows office. A great desktop replacement.

I have simply one word for this machine. Wow

And yet, I have had this machine (with the upgraded RAM and faster hard drive and such) and I still contintue to say wow.

This is my first notebook computer, and being a high school student, i needed something fast, reliable, strong, and light. This machine suits the bill, and more. This machine is simply amazing. The super fast G4 1.5 GHz processor takes my Photoshop dreams and puts them into reality. Our 2.5 GHz Dell computers at school don't even stand a chance.

The OS is solid, and with little features like Exposé, it just makes life a lot easier when taking notes and research at the same time. I can have Photoshop, iTunes, Safari, Entourage, iCal, and watch a DVD, and not even think twice about my machine crashing.

The case is simply beautiful. Everywhere I go, people just stop and stare at the case and the lit Apple logo and look in awe. The light reflected off of it is really something else. And it's so easy to clean!

Other things, like the two Ambient light sensors, are things that I would not have even asked for, but they put them in to make our life easier. My PowerBook really turns heads when the teacher turns off the lights for notes and my screen automatically dims down and my keyboard lights up. Even the teacher was dumbfounded at the first she saw it.

A DVD-R, CD-RW, 15in Widescreen Display, which is VERY easy to clean unlike other Windows counterparts, Two FireWire ports, Two USB 2.0 ports, super thin and light design (mine is 5 lbs and 1in thin, while other PC notebooks weight as much as 8-10 lbs and 1-2.5 in thick).

There is nothing that I can think of doing on this computer that other Windows machine can't do. Well, minus most of the games.

Despite the price, This is probably THE BEST notebook I can think of for just about anything. If you need a Laptop that can keep up with your day to day life, I strongly suggest getting one of these machines.

I've had my unit for about a month now and there is very little to complian about. It functioned brilliantly out of the box and was fully operational within 20 mins including the wireless networking functionality.

My only complaint was the lack of prepackaged software included. I went ahead and purchased Office 2004 to have a complete Word processing and a better mail client.

All in all though a hell of a machine.

It's not hype. This is the best 15" notebook I've seen, and I've seen a lot of notebooks in this form factor. Price out a similarly equipped PC notebook and the Apple comes in cheaper. The screen quality problems have been solved, tho there definitely were some problems with the previous generation of this laptop. The performance is very impressive with the high end grapics card and speedy hard drive. Its biggest advantage over PC laptops is the operating system. Mac OS X is far ahead of Windows in terms of stability, speed, features, lack of infections and compatibility. Unlike what the reviewer says about the UK, there is no service charge for warranty repairs in the States. Actually, I'm surprised there's a charge in the UK. If I had to pay for warranty repairs, I'd be pretty steamed!