Close
  • Latest News
  • Big Data and Analytics
  • Cloud
  • Networking
  • Cybersecurity
  • Applications
  • IT Management
  • Storage
  • Sponsored
  • Mobile
  • Small Business
  • Development
  • Database
  • Servers
  • Android
  • Apple
  • Innovation
  • Blogs
  • PC Hardware
  • Reviews
  • Search Engines
  • Virtualization
Read Down
Sign in
Close
Welcome!Log into your account
Forgot your password?
Read Down
Password recovery
Recover your password
Close
Search
Logo
Logo
  • Latest News
  • Big Data and Analytics
  • Cloud
  • Networking
  • Cybersecurity
  • Applications
  • IT Management
  • Storage
  • Sponsored
  • Mobile
  • Small Business
  • Development
  • Database
  • Servers
  • Android
  • Apple
  • Innovation
  • Blogs
  • PC Hardware
  • Reviews
  • Search Engines
  • Virtualization
More
    Home Apple
    • Apple

    A Mac in the Middle

    By
    Troy Dreier
    -
    November 10, 2003
    Share
    Facebook
    Twitter
    Linkedin

      For those who found the ultraportable 12-inch Apple PowerBook too small and the 17-inch too large, chances are the new Apple PowerBook G4 15-Inch ($1,999 or $2,599 direct, depending on configuration) will feel just right. Serious road-warriors had the ultraportable, desk-bound creative-types were covered by the larger notebook, and now the new laptop makes the perfect choice for business professionals, nicely rounding out Apples lineup.

      At 5.6 pounds and 1.1 inches thick, the new PowerBook (which has an actual screen size of 15.2 inches) is never a burden in a backpack. We tested the 1.25-GHz, 80GB hard drive version, which comes with 512MB of SDRAM and a slot-loading SuperDrive (CD-RW/DVD-R drive) and found it a pleasure to use. Theres also a 1 GHz, 60GB model thats outfitted with 256MB of SDRAM and a slot-loading CD-RW/DVD-ROM drive.

      Clad in aluminum, the 15-inch PowerBook looks a bit different than Apples last midsize model, which had a titanium shell. The 1.25-GHz model—but not the 1-GHz—features light sensors that slowly illuminate the keyboard and dim the screen when ambient light grows darker, a well-received usability improvement that debuted with Apples 17-inch PowerBook.

      We got 3 to 3.5 hours of battery life when performing undemanding tasks such as word processing and Web surfing, but you can expect about only 1.5 hours for editing or watching video. Thats not great, but its on a par with Apples other notebooks. A problem with the titanium PowerBooks—restricted wireless distances—was supposed to be resolved with better antennas, but we found this laptops range short and its reception spotty on a local network.

      The PowerBooks two configurations include an ATI Mobility Radeon 9600 graphics subsystem; a PC Card slot; and a full complement of ports—dual USB 2.0, single FireWire 400 and 800, Gigabit Ethernet, TV-out, DVI, audio-in, and headphone. Both configurations come with Bluetooth networking built in, but only the higher-end configuration comes with the AirPort Extreme card for Wi-Fi. The card is $99, otherwise.

      The included software makes the PowerBook even more of a bargain. Youll find Apples standard business bundle, which contains the iLife suite (iDVD, iMovie, iPhoto, and iTunes), Apple Mail, the Safari browser, Art Directors Toolkit, QuickBooks for Mac New User Edition, and more. Whether we were using these or other programs, we found the PowerBook quick and responsive. The 15-inch PowerBook is a solid entry in Apples premiere notebook line and one many people will think hits the sweet spot.

      Troy Dreier

      MOST POPULAR ARTICLES

      Big Data and Analytics

      Alteryx’s Suresh Vittal on the Democratization of...

      James Maguire - May 31, 2022 0
      I spoke with Suresh Vittal, Chief Product Officer at Alteryx, about the industry mega-shift toward making data analytics tools accessible to a company’s complete...
      Read more
      Cybersecurity

      Visa’s Michael Jabbara on Cybersecurity and Digital...

      James Maguire - May 17, 2022 0
      I spoke with Michael Jabbara, VP and Global Head of Fraud Services at Visa, about the cybersecurity technology used to ensure the safe transfer...
      Read more
      Applications

      Cisco’s Thimaya Subaiya on Customer Experience in...

      James Maguire - May 10, 2022 0
      I spoke with Thimaya Subaiya, SVP and GM of Global Customer Experience at Cisco, about the factors that create good customer experience – and...
      Read more
      Big Data and Analytics

      GoodData CEO Roman Stanek on Business Intelligence...

      James Maguire - May 4, 2022 0
      I spoke with Roman Stanek, CEO of GoodData, about business intelligence, data as a service, and the frustration that many executives have with data...
      Read more
      Cloud

      Yotascale CEO Asim Razzaq on Controlling Multicloud...

      James Maguire - May 5, 2022 0
      Asim Razzaq, CEO of Yotascale, provides guidance on understanding—and containing—the complex cost structure of multicloud computing. Among the topics we covered:  As you survey the...
      Read more
      Logo

      eWeek has the latest technology news and analysis, buying guides, and product reviews for IT professionals and technology buyers. The site’s focus is on innovative solutions and covering in-depth technical content. eWeek stays on the cutting edge of technology news and IT trends through interviews and expert analysis. Gain insight from top innovators and thought leaders in the fields of IT, business, enterprise software, startups, and more.

      Facebook
      Linkedin
      RSS
      Twitter
      Youtube

      Advertisers

      Advertise with TechnologyAdvice on eWeek and our other IT-focused platforms.

      Advertise with Us

      Menu

      • About eWeek
      • Subscribe to our Newsletter
      • Latest News

      Our Brands

      • Privacy Policy
      • Terms
      • About
      • Contact
      • Advertise
      • Sitemap
      • California – Do Not Sell My Information

      Property of TechnologyAdvice.
      © 2022 TechnologyAdvice. All Rights Reserved

      Advertiser Disclosure: Some of the products that appear on this site are from companies from which TechnologyAdvice receives compensation. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site including, for example, the order in which they appear. TechnologyAdvice does not include all companies or all types of products available in the marketplace.

      ×