[spiderbyte]

I converted to a beautiful rev B 12-inch Powerbook configured as 1 GHz/256/40/combo from an iBook 800/128/30/combo yesterday. Here are my first impressions.

1) Appearance: The new Powerbook looks great. Inspection of the case reveals no obvious defects. The fit and finish of the machine are quite good and the Powerbook has a more quality appearance than did my iBook. In comparison to the esthetics and style of the iBook I would have to say that the Powerbook appears to be more industrial in design. It's a more no-nonsense look in a finish that matches point and shoot digital cameras and camcorders. This is a little boring, as the Powerbookd looks like so many ho hum electronic things that will be tomorrow's junk. The iBook, however, looks like a nice styling throwback to the 1950's, in other words, yesterdays junk. I like them both and they are quite different but of equal appeal. If I had to choose the look though, I would choose the iBook, as it looks a little funkier and less mainstream than does the Powerbook.

2) Size: Although they both have the same screen size, the Powerbook looks significantly smaller than the iBook. The dimensions bear this out, however, the look of the iBook case is quite a bit larger.

3) Sceen: The iBook had a better looking screen out of the box. The Powerbook required a third party program to get it correct, but now it looks good....essentially the same as the iBook. The problem with the Powerbook was that the display could not be adusted, using the supplied application, to tune out that cyan color. I noticed this on the other 12 inch Powerbooks on display at the reseller, so it was not just my machine.

4) Keyboard: The Powerbook wins hands down on this one. The iBook had a very spongy keyboard that required great finesse in typing. I finally got it down, however, I had always missed the terrific keyboard of the IBM Thinkpad from which I had migrtated to the iBook. The Powerbook keyboard is a delight for a touch typist. You can really fly on those keys with their nice snappy action and the firmness of the keyboard. The spongy keyboard of the iBook is the weakest feature of that machine. The feel of the Powerbook keyboard is one of the strongest features of the machine.

5) Heat: This has been an issue that has been much discussed on the Mac boards with regard to the 12 inch model. The rev B that I have is quite warm. There is no question about that. It's not hot though. I don't type with the computer on my lap and I don't take the computer to bed with me. The fan on the Powerbook likes to run when I am using Safari on the web. It's not loud... not as loud even as some hard drives in other notebooks, but it disturbs the quietness of my chamber. This annoys me of course, so I already find that I have changed the power settings to throttle down the processer to the reduced setting. I also have unplugged the unit and have run it on the battery today. In this configuration, the fan remained off until the battery ran down and I had to plug the thing back in. I am going to pay the money and get an addtional 512k in the hope that this will help, so that the hard drive will not accessed so much for memory.

Just to be sure that things were not way out of line, I ran the Process Viewer utility and watched what was going on with the system. It was interesting to see that Safari consumes significantly less resources than does Internet Explorer. Things were fine with Process Viewer with no anomalies were noted.

6) Speed: The Powerbook is fast. Of course it smokes the iBook, but we knew it would. Even at the reduced processer it is a speedy machine. I have not run anything in Photoshop yet or done any other heavy processing, so I will await what I hope will be pleasant surprises.

OK... that's the first 24 hours on the 12 inch G4 Powerbook. I had to write this review because I needed a reason to type something on this terrific keyboard.

My impression is that... you are going to love this machine.

Dude... your gettin' a Powerbook!

//// \\\\ spiderbyte

[alfric]

Thanks for the great review... keep them coming!!!

QUESTION:
- which 3rd party utility did you use to set the screen?
- which settings?

Thanks!

"3) Sceen: The iBook had a better looking screen out of the box. The Powerbook required a third party program to get it correct, but now it looks good....essentially the same as the iBook. The problem with the Powerbook was that the display could not be adusted, using the supplied application, to tune out that cyan color. I noticed this on the other 12 inch Powerbooks on display at the reseller, so it was not just my machine."

[spiderbyte]

QUESTION:
- which 3rd party utility did you use to set the screen?
- which settings?

this one did the job for me... http://www.bergdesign.com/supercal/ This program is shareware and you can try it out before you buy it. If you like it, the cost is $19 to purchase it. I have no affiliation with this company.

Using this program, you determine your settings by working through a series of visual algorithms to arrive at the correct calibration for your display as you see it.

It makes such a difference in the visual experience of a machine to have it properly calibrated.

//// \\\\ spiderbyte

[Parrot]

Great review!!

I'm considering upgrading from my iBook 900/60G/640MB/12" to the new 12" PB.

How does the battery life compare??

Is it really heaps faster?? Does safari run much quicker??

[FlatLyna]

Spiderbyte, sure is great timing!
I'm likely to go from my iBook 700 to the 12" Powerbook so its great to get your feedback etc.

A few questions if you have time...

Have you had a chance to run off battery, and if so how did you find the life?

Does audio playback sound much better, given the extra speaker in the Powerbook ?

Do you have Airport and if so, is that with an older base-station. I'm curous to know if you've suffered on range/performance etc.

TIA

[spiderbyte]

you had a chance to run off battery, and if so how did you find the life?

I didn't check the exact time for the battery yet, as I wanted to cycle it a few times. I think it was around 3 hours though.

Does audio playback sound much better, given the extra speaker in the Powerbook ?

I dont' listen to music on my computer, so I am afraid that I can't comment on that.

Regarding the Airport: I don't have it. I just hook it up to a wire and let it rip.

Sorry to not be too helpful on your questions, however, perhaps someone can jump in here and address your questions better than I could.

I think you will smile when you get that new Powerbook FlatLyna. My iBook seemed a little sad.. and it was hard to let it go, however, you just move on with these things.

Have fun... and let us know your impressions when you get the Powerbook!

//// \\\\ spiderbyte

[FlatLyna]

Thanks for taking the time to reply!

I'm just waiting for Panther to be pre-installed before I order, so I'm counting the days now ;-)

[AssassyN]

Great review pal, enjoy your Rev. B

[spiderbyte]

Originally posted by Parrot:
Great review!!

I'm considering upgrading from my iBook 900/60G/640MB/12" to the new 12" PB.

How does the battery life compare??

Is it really heaps faster?? Does safari run much quicker??

Battery life is going to be quite good, I think. I am still cycling it another couple of times to determine it for sure...and I will report back.

As to Safari... it really moves along briskly on the G4. The iBook was not bad... but this one is better.

//// \\\\ spiderbyte

[spiderbyte]

Originally posted by AssassyN:
Great review pal, enjoy your Rev. B

Thanks. I really enjoyed reading your comparison of rev A and rev B.

//// \\\\ spiderbyte