Powerbook 17" owner's opinions...
I'm probably going to be accused of hijacking satchmo's previous post. I believe my question deserves it's own post. Mods, if you disagree, strike me down.
I'd like to know how they (PB 17") are holding up. Particularly the early buyer's units. This includes any problems with screen and the overall finish.
What are the intensive tasks run on your baby, including games.
Is it a "desktop" replacement?
Thanks peeps.
I'd like to know how they (PB 17") are holding up. Particularly the early buyer's units. This includes any problems with screen and the overall finish.
What are the intensive tasks run on your baby, including games.
Is it a "desktop" replacement?
Thanks peeps.
Comments
Nothing too intensive (Civ III may be the most intensive thing I have thrown at it) -- it is a laptop scoucher.
its quite a lug to take around; however the brookhaven bag that apple sells is nice.
no i dont long for a smaller book and in fact i dont think i would ever go to a smaller screen size -- its just too convienant.
I use it for Cinema4D, Lightwave, Photoshop, Illustrator, and many less intensive applications. I don't really do high polygon work in the 3d applications-- just not my style-- so performance is excellent there. It is pretty easy for me to imagine 3d scenes that would bring this computer to its knees, but I don't deal with them. In Photoshop I usually work with 50-100 MB psd files and have no problem. As far as games go, I tried the UT 2004 demo a little this morning, and averaged around 20fps in the deathmatch scene. Remember this is on a 1st generation 17inch machine, and I could probably optimize it a little, but that isn't great. I think the G4's days are numbered as far as games go.
For me, it is absolutely a desktop replacement, since it outperforms MY desktop (QS 733) in every way. In the broader sense, there have been times in the past when the top of the line laptop more closely matched the top of the line desktop (Pismo era for instance). Right now a dual G5 desktop is just going to destroy a top of the line laptop. So I guess in that way, no, it is not a desktop replacement.
I take it with me to work pretty much five days a week. I never minded the slight extra weight. That has just never been an issue for me.
The only wear and tear I have noticed is that there is a place on the handrest which I guess rubs against the screen lid when the computer is closed, and it has gotten a little discolored (I'm not sure why just this one spot though). I lost one of the rubber feet, which I've been meaning to replace. Other than that, nothing. Screen is still great. Everything else is still great.
In the future, I would prefer to work on this size screen, and would gladly accept the added bulk to make that happen. If other factors came into play, I could see myself working happily on a 15 inch screen again though (in other words, it doesn't make 15 inch screens seem worthless).
Well, I guess that sums it up.
Secretly long for a smaller one? Yes. I find that it is a wonderful laptop for video work, provided you have a spacious table to set up on. But for typing, e-mail, iNet and the like, I certainly would like something that fits more easily in my lap, and not just for that either, typing on it can be awkward without a table.
I think in the future, the way to go for me will be 17" G5 w/ 20 " screen. That way at home, I have all the benefits of editing, but I can still edit on the road with minimal workspace loss. While for typing, I would buy a 12" iBook or PowerBook (if it got a better video card; ATI) to manage those tasks.
Sound sexy?
Only 4 17" Powerbook owners here in AppleInsider...
o and i use lowerpro laptopcase that fits my extremly thin powerbook in it and all my files i take to and from my office wich are about 5 to 6 inches of paper and still has room for my power adapter my cellphone and a apple pro mouse very convinient for work and it feels really padded so im comfortable putting my laptop down a bit rough sometimes or dont get scared when i bump it on a wall..
Both are still holding up very well...no problems at all. No dead pixels, no problems with finish.
The only problem was with the original 17" rubber feet coming off. Apple has a kit to fix this problem.
No complaints here...just waiting for a G5 version to purchase.
Anyway, it's been great every since!
I tote it to and from work everyday in the Brenthaven backpack (a must-have I might add). It's no more trouble to lug around than my last laptop, a Gateway that weighed a half-pound heavier.
Obviously since it's a 1 GHz and we're starting to see "recommend 1 GHz" so, on some of the upcoming games I imagine it's going to start having a little trouble, but overall I'm not disappointed with it's performance. Fact is though, laptops will not be game-machines (I won't say "ever", because at some point technology will advance speed/heat/wattage altogether, rather than anouncing G#, and then having to wait 1+ years for them to engineer a low-power/low-heat version), but I digress. It's a functional game system if you have realistic expectations.
Anyhow, I love it. I have no intention of giving it up for a desktop nor will I go for a smaller screen. Since I'm working on this at home and work, I want a truly usable screen size.
I won't get rid of it until there is either a 2 GHz G4 in it (I've heard Moto is still working on such a beast) or a 1.8 GHz G5. At that point I'll upgrade.
reg
Originally posted by Matvei
I'm considering a 17inch G5 powerbook to replace my iBook600DVDwithnoquarkextreme next year or the one after that. I'm interested in feedback on usage such as "do you bring it everyday to and from work?" and "do you secretly long for a smaller book?", "can you find a case that will hold the powerbook and books and papers and such?", "did you get dead pixels?".
Yes, i take my 17" to and fro work every day. I found a great messenger bag for it from epowermac. It runs a little hot during the Austrlaian summer - but that's fine when you prop it up to allow airflow under it.
I don't long for a smaller book, and i only got a single dead pixel which was there from the start. (but that was because i bought it online and didn't inspect it like you would in a store)
The only reason I haven't bought a PC laptop is because of OS X!
So I'm looking to move away completely from desktops. I need a laptop that can handle Office, a little Photoshop and be able to handle any modern FPS game better than just reasonably well.
It's great. Perfect for my needs. Bought it last August.
I only carry it from dorm room to library and back, so size is not an issue. The screen is wonderful, it has great size. Really, really nice.
It has not had any hardware problems and it's fast. I don't run any graphic intensive apps and but it's great for everything I do (which is pretty much just doing the usual things plus running Mathematica, BBEdit, XCode and X11).
I was watching a dvd the other day and the display is so gorgeous, it has real depth to it and beautiful rich colors, it's greatl to watch a dvd on the 17" display.
The bag definetly makes the laptop ALOT more manageable. It's basically the same size as the laptop. I take it back and forth from work to home almost every day and it's fine ( I do also carry a messenger bag that carries my books and the laptop power supply) but overall, it's not nearly as heavy as I expected it to be (a big concern since I graduated to it from a 12" ibook)
Overall, i'm very VERY happy. Bought a refurb unit off of the apple store online for $2499 and the trackpad button is kinda sticky stiff, but as soon as I can part with it for a few days Apple is willing to take it in and fix it.
Overall, no complaints. Speedy too! (I do java development in eclipse and play lots of games on it.) Got the iCurve and a mac pro keyboard and ms mouse (want more than one button) for home use.