Apple Powerbook G4 Notebook Computer (Apple-M8793LLA)

Apple PowerBook G4 (17-inch)

Powerbook G4 Notebook Computer (Apple-M8793LLA) Review, by Eric Butterfield June 2, 2003

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• Reviewed by: yosemitesamiam

  Strengths: All the options, all the ports...the screen! OH, the Screen!

  Weaknesses: None thus far

  Overall: I've been a Mac loyalist for many years...not as many as some, but a great long while. This marks my 10th year as a Mac user. I've owned several models...the latest of which (before the computer I call LapZilla) was a G3 333 beige mini tower....which still works great and is now 5 years old. Why am I sharing this you ask? Well, I wanted to show that Macs have a lifespan that just goes and goes. When PCs die and get outdated, the Macs tend to still be usable. Heck, my 5 year old computer is running the same OS and software (except for DVD playback and burning) that my laptop does! With that said, as one individual has said, if you are a Mac user, it is time to upgrade! This computer is sleek, and runs the OS and other software wicked-fast. And since I also need to be able to tap into a PC environment at work, I too run VPC6 (with XP Pro) which is amazingly fast considering. Matter-a-fact, in VPC6, it displays the Windows environment as running a P3 at 667MHz. Not bad, not bad at all... Apple, hands down, makes the sexiest machines I've ever seen, and they just keep getting better. Their hardware mixed with their software makes them the only manufacture to make both the hardware and software under one label (besides Palm, Corp.), which makes for an amazing meld between the two. Even with a slightly slower PC performance, I'd rather put up with that, than the crappy computers other manufactures make...I don't need a machine that breaks...

• Reviewed by: rymie

  Strengths: The look. The feel. Graphics. Sleek design. Ease of use. Tech support.

  Weaknesses: None

  Overall: I have always been a PC user so I bought the Windows XP for Mac. It was expensive but I like it a lot. I would never by a PC again. The absolute best thing is the tech support. I have owned several Dell's and I hate talking to people in India who barely understand or speak English and waiting an hour on hold to get them. With Apple you get Americans and there is a short wait on hold to get them. I found this machine easy to learn just wonderful in everyway.

• Reviewed by: slothlovefest

  Strengths: BlueTooth, Built-in wireless, backlit keyboard, Great screen, loads of software, voice recognition, Unix OS, DVD Burner, CD-RW... You can make your own DVD's with menus, music, etc. in minutes!

  Weaknesses: None!

  Overall: I never liked Mac's before now, as the operating system was made for simplicity and lacked powerful tools. I am a Unix/Microsoft Consultant, and to see Macs move to a Unix platform was WONDERFUL. All the simplicity of a Mac with the power of Unix. The hardware is great, built in DVD burner, CD-RW, and tons of software. For $99 you can get virtual PC and run full sessions of any version of Microsoft Windows. This machine does EVERYTHING! I will never choose anything else as long as they keep this up!

• Reviewed by: favoritepseudonym

  Strengths: 17" screen, backlit keyboard, very responsive keyboard, improved latching system when closed, better placement of status light, speakers, and most of all-aesthetics

  Weaknesses: flimsy plastic bezel ring

  Overall: Everyone makes purchasing decisions based on different ideas. I think that it is safe to say that most people base their purchasing decision mainly on performance. Then some other factors may be price/value, usability/portability, and for array/appearance. I think that the 17" powerbook more than satisfies all these factors. Performance wise, is where I think this machine comes out on top. This is due mainly to the unix based operating system. It didnt take much for OS 10 to cause me to completely abandon windows. 1 Ghz processor coupled with PC 2700 ram-screams. Using programs like photoshop, after effects, and premiere is very comfortable. Overall system performance, accessing folders and such is very fast, and smooth. The system was ~3500 out the door. This price made perfect sense for me. I actually view it being a bargain, considering what I got. If you look at a comparable system-it is actually priced less, and thats comparing a machine with a 16" screen. Not to mention that the other machines do not have the best operating system I've ever experienced. I found the machine to be very usable/portable. It just so happened that I had a beautiful Z5 aluminum case that housed my last notebook There are 3 sizes of aluminum cases from this company. A Z3, Z5, and a Z7. The Z3 was too small to fit my old Dell Inspiron in, which is why I bought the Z5, in which the 17" powerbook fits perfectly! Lastly-appearance. I think the machine speaks for itself.

• Reviewed by: kramer987654321

  Strengths: bluetooth, 802.11g built-in, back-lit keyboard, light for how wide the screen, very thin, HUGE SCREEN, iTunes, firewire 800

  Weaknesses: 3-4 hours on battery depending on what you're using it for, cost almost $4000 after warranty, tax, shipping, and .mac membership

  Overall: very nice, I would recomment going with a mac if you're not sure and you're thinking about it. They are what they're advertised to be, and they really do work well, all the software is really nice