[chrisutley]

I've been a Mac user since 1987, and an Apple user going back to the IIplus (damn I'm old!). In all that time I've had some great Macs: IIci, PowerBook 170, iBook, Quadra 700, LC, LC II, Titanium PowerBook, Power Mac 867, Power Mac 7200, Centris 610, Purple iMac, iMac SE, iMac G5, AlBook 1GHz 15" - that's just to name a few of the Macs I can remember.

Of all those Macs I have never been more pleased than I am with my new 1.67GHz 17" PowerBook. This laptop is just stunning. The fit and finish is BMW-like. It's plenty fast for all of my iLife activites, doesn't break a sweat when I'm doing work in Photoshop, and is quite Snappy™ as they say. I for sure can tell a big difference between this machine and my 1GHz Al.

I'm haven't the time to write an extensive review, but would be happy to answer any questions. I will say that I previously viewed the latest Rev of PowerBooks as ancient beasts that never would have been released had the G5 run cooler in laptops. Nothing could be further from the truth, this laptop is plenty fast for hard work. Virtual PC 7 runs quite well, fast enough that I can test all of my work in IE for XP without pulling my hair out - and I've been waiting since Virtual PC 1.0 to say that!!!

When the G5 PowerBooks do show up, they will probably be like the iMac G5 - as in ... not much faster than the fastest G4's and slower in some cases. Sure it will probably come in a new fancy form factor and the sexy new PowerBook thing will suck many of us in, but if what you care about is having a laptop that's well built, reliable, and Snappy™ - this PowerBook will last you well past the release of the first G5 PowerBooks.

Just one minor gripe - the display doesn't seem quite as good as the 15" screens. It reminds me of the panel in the flat panel iMac G4's. It's bright enough and not at all bad, but nevertheless it is clearly of a lower quality than the 15".

I found the iMac G5 to be a great value, the 20" version is clearly the best price/performance value in the current Apple lineup - probably the best ever. However, if what you need is portability with power, look no further than this big ass laptop.

[iDaver]

Do you use it much on your lap? While I liked mine, I just sold it after having it about a year because I decided it was a bit large and heavy for the lap. I really like surfing on the couch. Currently I'm using my old G3 iBook until I decide on a replacement. You're right, the 17" aluminum G4 is quite a nice computer. Enjoy it!

[chrisutley]

You know I don't use it in my lap, but I do place it on my chest laying on my back in bed. I did this all the time with my 15" and was hoping the 17" wasn't too big (and it wasn't).

I must have have walked in circles for an hour in the Apple Store, trying to decide if this thing was worth the $$ and effort of upgrading. As of right now my lust meter is still moving upward and shows now signs of leveling off. I hope Apple makes a suitable replacement for this bad boy when they move to the G5 ... can you say 20" PowerBook??

Originally posted by iDaver:
Do you use it much on your lap? While I liked mine, I just sold it after having it about a year because I decided it was a bit large and heavy for the lap. I really like surfing on the couch. Currently I'm using my old G3 iBook until I decide on a replacement. You're right, the 17" aluminum G4 is quite a nice computer. Enjoy it!