In terms of how much I use products, I spend more time with my PowerBook (as does my wife Nancy on hers) than ANY other product I can imagine (even including my own book - true confessions! :-) I have been an Apple fan since the Apple ][ plus days; long history of romancing this brand of silicon... Kudos to the Steves and their company's continued vision!

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Product Description

Take a high-performance PowerPC G4 processor, add a wide-screen display, and enclose it all in a lightweight titanium case. Apple has just created the PowerBook G4 - and redefined portable computing. If you need the utmost power for creative design, education, or business, the PowerBook G4 is ready to provide it wherever you go. Making a notebook computer the slimmest and lightest in its category shouldn't have to mean making compromises in performance and functionality. What makes a supercomputer "super" is its ability to execute at least one billion floating-point operations per second. It's a staggering measure of speed known as a "gigaflop". In addition, the PowerPC G4 can perform four (in some cases eight) 32-bit floating-point calculations in a single cycle - two to four times faster than traditional processors. The PowerPC G4 with Velocity Engine works with the PowerPC architecture to accelerate the data-intensive processing required by next-generation video, voice and graphics applications.Among the G4 key features is a vector permute function capable of rearranging data in the registers - a priceless benefit when converting data from one format to another (often necessary with voice, video and graphics applications, which typically need to save data in a number of different formats). These vector-processing acceleration advantages give the G4 microprocessor a significant edge when it comes to fast visualization of large data sets and intensive math for real-time simulations, making the PowerPC G4 perfect for everything from digital video, graphics and 3D games to astronomy, the biosciences and predictive modeling.

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Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #1992 in Personal Computers
• Brand: Apple
• Model: M9677LL/A
• Original language: English
• Dimensions: 1.10" h x 9.50" w x 13.70" l, 5.70 pounds
• CPU: PowerPC G4 1.67 GHz
• Memory: 512MB SODIMM
• Hard Disk: 80GB
• Graphics: ATI Mobility Radeon 9700 64MB
• Processors: 1
• Networking: Built-in 54-Mbps AirPort Extreme, Built-in Bluetooth 2.0+EDR (Enhanced Data Rate), Built-in 10/100/1000BASE-T (Gigabit)
• Battery type: Lithium Ion
• Native resolution: 1280-by-854
• Display size: 15.2

Features

• 1.67 GHz PowerPC G4 processor with 167 MHz system bus
• 512 MB DDR SDRAM (two SO-DIMM slots support up to 2 GB), 80 GB hard drive, slot-loading 8x SuperDrive (DVD±RW/CD-RW)
• One FireWire 400 port, one FireWire 800 port, two USB 2.0 ports, and one PC Card/CardBus slot supporting one Type I or Type II card
• Built-in 10/100/1000BASE-T (Gigabit) ethernet, 54-Mbps AirPort Extreme wireless, Bluetooth 2.0+EDR, and 56K V.92 modem
• 15.2-inch (diagonal), 1280 x 854 resolution, TFT widescreen display

From the Manufacturer
Fully loaded with a powerful G4 processor, a 5400-rpm 80 GB hard drive, 512 MB of memory, and a nifty scrolling trackpad, the 15-inch PowerBook G4 boasts features few notebook computers can match.

With a processor speed of 1.67 GHz, DDR RAM capacity up to 2 GB, a light 5.6-pound weight and thin 1.1-inch design, the 15-inch PowerBook gives you the ideal balance between power and portability. Work and play in millions of colors on a stunning 15.2-inch (diagonal) widescreen display with 1280 x 854 pixel resolution that's ideal for watching movies in their original wide-screen format. You can also make movies of your own with the included iMovie HD software, or get Final Cut Pro HD for more advanced video editing, compositing and special effects. And thanks to its built-in DVI port, you even have the option of connecting your PowerBook to Apple's breathtaking Cinema Displays.

	As Smart as It Looks The sleek exterior is as stunning as ever. The 15-inch PowerBook G4 comes with all the refinements and esthetic touches that make it the most coveted full-featured notebook computer on the planet: elegant aluminum construction, 1.1-inch thin design, slot-loading Combo Drive and a brilliant illuminated keyboard. On the inside, a faster PowerPC G4 processor, a standard 5400-rpm 80 GB hard drive, powerful graphics, up to 2 GB of RAM and Mac OS X -- the world's most advanced operating system -- combine to deliver off-the-charts performance. Speed-optimized Architecture Inside the 15-inch PowerBook G4 is a screamingly fast 1.5 GHz PowerPC G4 processor with Velocity Engine. Advanced processor design and memory architecture are among several core advantages that enable the PowerBook G4 to pack such a tremendous wallop. Exremely Fast Wireless Bluetooth. Wi-Fi. Ethernet. Modem. When it comes to communication, the PowerBook G4 covers all the bases, offering state-of-the-art solutions right out of the box, including built-in Bluetooth 2.0+EDR, built-in AirPort Extreme, built-in high-speed Ethernet and a built-in modem. Built in to the PowerBook G4, AirPort Extreme delivers state-of-the-art wireless performance, employing the 802.11g wireless standard. Now you never have to worry about compromised data rates: AirPort Extreme gives you blazing connectivity speeds up to 54 megabits per second(1). And with 802.11g and 802.11b interoperability, AirPort Extreme allows you to connect at the majority of wireless hotspots. Feel the Burn of 8x SuperDrive Your PowerBook G4 with SuperDrive (DVD±RW/CD-RW) comes loaded with iDVD software. Use it to burn DVDs that can be played in most consumer DVD players. Or use iTunes to burn your own CDs, or the Disc Burner feature in Mac OS X to burn data CDs and DVDs. The 8x SuperDrive reads DVD titles and burns DVD-R, DVD+R, DVD-RW and DVD+RW discs.
Powerbook model M9689LL/A features a 17-inch TFT widescreen display.
Powerbook models M9676LL/A and M9677LL/A feature a 15.2" TFT widescreen display.
Powerbook models M9690LL/A and M9691LL/A feature a 12.1" TFT display.

Sizzling Graphics Processor The 15-inch PowerBook G4 comes turbocharged with the new ATI Mobility Radeon 9700 graphics processor with 64 MB of DDR SDRAM. The Mobility Radeon 9700 features a number of cutting-edge graphics technologies, including programmable pixel and vertex shading for lighting and shadow effects. It dramatically enhances all aspects of your visual experience in every application, perfect for photorealistic 3D games and cinematic-quality video. Fast FireWire 800 and USB 2.0 The PowerBook G4 features FireWire, for connecting external hard drives and DV cameras, and USB, for connecting graphics tablets, digital cameras, printers and scanners. With more than 30 times the bandwidth of the popular USB 1.0 peripheral standard, FireWire 400 has become the gold standard for high-speed data transfer. And Apple ups the ante, effectively doubling data throughput, with FireWire 800. The new 15-inch PowerBook G4 has two FireWire ports -- one for the hundreds of FireWire 400 peripherals already available and the other for the coming generation of FireWire 800 peripherals. In addition, the PowerBook G4 offers the fastest connection to USB peripherals with two 480 Mbps USB 2.0 ports.

Built-in Bluetooth 2.0 Three times faster than Bluetooth 1.x, Bluetooth 2.0+EDR (enhanced data rate) is now built into every new PowerBook model. Like AirPort Extreme, Bluetooth connects wirelessly to digital devices, including Bluetooth-enabled mobile phones, handhelds and peripherals. What's more, you can even choose to enjoy a cable-free desktop with Apple's Bluetooth-enabled wireless keyboard and mouse. Operating within a 30-foot range, Bluetooth enables wireless data transfers between a rapidly growing list of Bluetooth-savvy peripherals. Using iSync, for example, you can use Bluetooth to synchronize your personal information between your PowerBook, your mobile phone and your Palm OS-based handheld. And your new PowerBook can use your Bluetooth-enabled mobile phone to take advantage of GPRS or 1xRTT connectivity, so you can check your email from just about anywhere -- a life saver for those occasions when an 802.11 wireless hot spot isn't available.

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Customer Reviews

Amazing laptop ... but you might want to wait just a bit.
Why wait? There have been problems reported with the new trackpad and noise from the 100 GB drive (which is an optional upgrade). The trackpad is a departure from previous models and likely needs some time to shake out on the manufacturing side. Okay, those two issues aside, this is THE laptop to own. Let me explain.

(1) The screen is unparalled in brightness and clarity. Apple pioneered the "widescreen" laptop, and its displays have only improved over the years. The 15.2" size is perfect for tasks that the 12" screen is too cramped to handle, and as to which the 17" is great, but adds to much weight and unwieldiness. (It looks like they may still be having problems with the latch design on the 17" -- it just isn't an ideal solution for a laptop of this size. But I digress ...)

(2) The speed of the system is remarkable -- noticeable even over the 1.5 gHz from last year's top of the line model. Whips through everything, even GarageBand 2 ... which is amazing processor and memory hog. (Please, Apple, fix that ...)

(3) The illuminated keyboard (triggered by light sensors that react to the ambient light levels in the room) now is bright enough to be very practical. Last year's model's with illuminated keyboards were pretty dim and not entirely useful. By the way, this year they've included the illuminated keyboard in both 15.2" models -- the SuperDrive and combo drive models. Last year, it only appeared in the SuperDrive model).

(4) Fit and finish. Unparalled -- no other laptop even comes close. Apple has the attention to detail of Mercedes and BMW.

(5) Size. Just an inch thick, and weighs in at a bit over five pounds. Very portable, with lots of custom cases out there in the marketplace.

(6) New technology to protect the hard drive in the event -- GASP! -- it falls. It's some patented gyroscopic doohickey, and I'm glad it's there!

I can't recommend this highly enough.

Get This Laptop!
I sent back a Sony Vaio for this laptop and I am glad I did. The laptop is physically beautiful, a great blending of form and function. The processor is fast, I have run mutliple apps and downloads, even with just the 512 RAM, and no problems. Wireless is great, I am using AirPort with my old Belkin transmitter and can pick up from across the house and yard. Battery is running between 3 to 3.5 hours. I am new to OS/X but it is easy to pick up and, I think, a better OS then XP. A lot less virus and adware garbage to worry about. The SuperDrive whines a litle bit when you start it up but this is really minor. No problem with availability of software titles from what I have seen. However, I am not a gamer, so if you are, you might want to check this out first. I did however see a lot of game titles available for OS/X at the store. If you are undecided between this laptop and PC's like the Vaio and Dell series, I recommend go for this one. It is really a much better value and a very rugged, well built, physically elegent laptop. The only question is between the 15 and 17 inch, but, I think the 15 inch is a bit more portable but I bet the 17 inch is a great laptop as well.

Switching is easy
I was a confirmed PC-bigot since DOS3.1 and made the switch evetually after increased frustration with Windows led to several failed attempts to move to Linux.

My only chance to try a new OS was to buy new Hardware.

A year on I'm not disappointed. OSX is the best of UNIX under the covers with a GUI that's sweeter than anything MS could dream of. The bundled apps have enabled a novice like me to prepare printed books of photos, make DVDs of my photos and home movies and even dabble in making a little music with Garageband.

But it's not just about media...MS Office for the Mac blows the socks of the PC version in power and beauty. Apple ship the development tools CD with the mac as well, so for a programmer, I can get started right away coding lovely mac apps (in ObjectiveC), as well as C, C++, Python, Ruby and Java, all of which ship pre-installed.

As far as the hardware (this specific PB) is concerned, the machine is lovely to look at, ludicrously fast to wake from sleep, and the only times I've rebooted it in the last year are when the automatic software update system suggests I reboot after an OS upgrade. I can even swap batteries while the machine is on and running. The backlit keyboard and superdrive are extras I wasn't sure I would need, but I'm damn glad I paid for.

Do it. Do it now. I guarantee you won't be disappointed.