[utilizer]

I feel it appropriate at this time to summarize the views, in this thread, that owners of the 17 in. PowerBook have, regarding usability, reliability, any problems or issues related specifically to this product and general performance. Also, does anyone feel that with the advent of the G5, this machine is obselete performance wise? And should Apple release dual-processors ASAP if they're going to stick with the G4 in the PowerBook line?

Many have complained about Rev. A products from Apple. I'm looking to buy either a 17 in. Rev B or Dual G5 by the end of September.

Thanks.

[MisterRogers]

I've owned a rev. A PB17 for about 6 months now. Couldn't be happier. Fit, finish, screen, features, speed - all have been top notch. I also owned a PB15 800 DVI before the PB17, with a similar experience. My PB15 500 was a bit rough (ran hot, etc), but it worked as advertised. I'm awaiting delivery of a G5 dual. Obviously, I've one of those insane early adaptors, and couldn't be happier! Overall, my experience with rev. a apple products has been quite good. As a software developer, any speed increase is worth it; even if I have to very rarely 'bounce' it back to applecare for repairs. Back on topic, I'm quite pleased with the PB17. I do wish it had an ATI video chip, and a better performing one at that.

[AssassyN]

Welcome to the MacNN Forums!

I owned a 17" PB since they were released (have since sold it for a more mobile 12" PB) and I must say that although it's Apple's tradition of sorts to make faulty Rev. A products, the 17" PB somehow missed that. My 12" PB has several Rev. A issues: sticky trackpad, battery uneven, heat irritating at times, etc.; however my 17" PB lacked any Rev. A flaws whatsoever. I mean it was really as good as it could possible get on a first try for a 17" notebook...I loved it to death, but it was just too big for a mobile college student and those tiny desks.

I don't think the intro. of the G5 makes the 17" PB obsolete; heck, Apple still sells G"3" iBooks. The G5 won't hit notebooks for some time, as there's obviously cooling/power issues that'll need to be sorted out first. I would, if possible, wait for a Rev. B 17" PB solely for the speed/specs. increases. One's due mighty soon (within a month or so I'd guess) and it'd be worth the wait.

[Diggory Laycock]

I've had one since May - It seems to work fine - except that one of the feet fell off - which apple repaired in 48Hrs.

It's about as obsolete as a BMW Z4 - i.e. not at all.

[direktor]

Another vote for the 17" here. I had a 550 Ti before this, and the 17" seems to have none of the problems of the previous.

So far, I've had no problems whatsoever.

[Karim]

My opinon FWIW:

Tibook 500 - Great
Tibook 667 - Not so great
Tibook 800 - Awesome
Tibook 1GHZ - Great

Albook 17" - Awesome++

[Moose]

Originally posted by Karim:
Tibook 667 - Not so great

DVI or VGA? My 667/DVI was pretty good.

[SEkker]

PB17 positive vote here. Resolved all of the issues I had with the Ti667/VGA model I had. Better wireless reception, keyboard, screen, speakers, quiet (no airport-loud takeoffs with a CD or DVD in the drive), no peeling paint, and a general quality feel for the build.

I have 2 current issues with the PB17, however. First, it has a terrible modem (my first one completely died earlier after 3 moths use, and this brand new Aapple replacement still drops connections without notice and has trouble sending big email attachments). The second is lack of USB 2.0. Apple could have included it alongside the FW800 port and the machine would have had a total set of new ports.

Otherwise, this is a terrific form factor. I've found myself just naturally taking extra care -- I really intend to keep this computer for quite awhile.

[djjava]

on a scale of 1-10, the PB17 (pardon the cliche) is a 17+. It's absolutely wonderful. No complaints, except i wish I had more time to be on it. Working for 9-10 hours a day really sucks when you got a beautiful PB at home.

[- - e r i k - -]

Wow. I was just thinking about that very issue this morning: I have bought a first revision of a computer.

And I've been thoroughly satisfied with it. Of course, one might argue that this the nTh revision of what they have learned with the TiBook line. But in any case, there have been zero problems with it (some I thought were related to it were really AEBS-related).

And with the firmware upgrade, DVD Studio Pro 2, FCP4 and LiveType, my Sony TRV 900 and even Panther, this is one kick ass mobile setup. Heck, even playing games is enjoyable now that I can do it on the couch, waiting for my plane or even on it.

In conclusion, this is one sweet machine, made even sweeter by the Software that run on it.

[stevesnj]

I bought a Rev. A Pismo 500 and well we all know how good they are. Now i have the Al17" and it is great and much better than the Pismo obviously but the problems are few but noticible.

1. The keyboard sizzle when plugged in, though you need to get close to the keyboard to hear it...it is there.

2. Ehthernet 'squeek' when accessing web pages...anyone else notice this? It seems like a squeek when gathering page info from the internet but no squeek when not surfing. And a similar squeek when the dock pops up from hiding (same squeek).

3. Buzzing from external speakers when put to sleep (I pull the speaker jack and no buzz from internal speakers.

Though these are few minor things they are annoying sometimes.

Any thought? Similarities out there?

Steve

[slffl]

Originally posted by stevesnj:

Any thought? Similarities out there?

I've noticed 1 and 2 but have never used external speakers. I would give it a 10/10 if my DVI port worked and/or apple would have fixed it, but as of now I give it a 8/10.

[ae86_16v]

The only problem that I have with both my 17"s that I have owned is that they make that sizzling noise. Which is kind of annoying when you are just reading in a quite room.

I have owned. . . on a 1 to 10 scale.

Ti400 (6 too slow, finishing problems)
Ti800 (8 Yellowing hinges, warp LCD)
Al17 (9 sizzling problems)
Ti867 (8 too much fan noise)
Al17 (9 sizzling problems)

in addition to two iBooks that I brought for my brother.

The Al17 has definitely has the best finish, etc and definitely looks the best. The Ti867 had a really good finish as well.

But I think that I liked the Ti800 the most though with the exception of the physical. I like the 867 but there was just way too much fan noise. I could only imagine how bad the Ti1GHz would be.

[GENERAL_SMILEY]

It is an amazing laptop, no problems so far.

[marselen]

Seriously, I have owned way too many powerbooks (for my needs anyway), and from the 190cs through Pismos, Titaniums, and iBooks, the 17" AlBook is pretty much perfect. I was slightly worried about this being the first version of this model, but I have found no problems yet after 2 months of owning it. BTW, When closed, it's not that big or heavy. My laptop bag wighs more than the powerbook, so a light neoprene case will probably be my next purchase.

[jia_zhuang]

Love it! The 1st one apple sent me had a dead pixel but they replaced that one as soon as I called them. The replacement is without fault, and no paint peeling !!! I've had the 500, the 1Ghz SD and the 12", and I have to say the best so far has been the 1Ghz SD and the 17". My first 500 had a lazy pixel and there was a minor paint problem. The 12" is great but has a dead pixel and the track pad is a little sticky tho (but love the form factor!!! Its a real laptop!). So no complaints so far and I've had my 17 ever since it came out.

[ae86_16v]

It had one dead pixel and they replaced it for you?!?! What did you say to them?

[jia_zhuang]

Said to them I waited 10 damn weeks for a product and its not perfect? Make them understand how pissed off I was and how it was my God given right that they will supply me with a powerbook that was perfect. It was within the 10 day return period, so I asked them to make sure the replacement was checked by the technicial to make sure it had no faults in the screen or anywhere else which they did and the replacement was perfect. BTW this is Apple Store Europe, not sure what the North American Apple Store is like tho.

The 12" came with a dent in the back cover of the screen and I did the same thing except the replacement came with a dead pixel but I wasn't too bothered and plus my dad is using it now so out of sight out of mind LOL.

[veganpower88]

Well crap, I read something like that and it makes me wish I would have raised a bit of hell about my stuck red pixel. Anyhow, the stuck pixel really doens't bother me. I sit infront of this computer atleast 10 hours a day and I freakin love it. I would also rate the 17" pb a 17+ This is my first apple and I will never go back. I say buy the notebook if you will be commuting. It is a great desktop replacement and I use top end design programs on it. By the way, why wait for Rev. B I am sure it will get a speed bump of about 250 mhz. That isn't anything that is going to be extremelly noticable.

[ae86_16v]

Sorry to bring this back but here you go. . . about the sizzling. . .

http://www.powerpage.org/cgi-bin/Web...y?newsID=11368