I had an icebook and I recall the screen being brighter than the Ti. I know the later Ti versions got better but I have a hard time with that observation.
</strong><hr></blockquote>
The current 15" TiBook's screen is close to twice as bright as the ibook...
<strong>how do you like your new minibook? <img src="graemlins/lol.gif" border="0" alt="[Laughing]" /> </strong><hr></blockquote>
ROTFLMAO I resisted the Borg!
My first impression of the 12-inch PowerBook: There's simply no comparison! (With the iBook, that is.) The 12" doesn't just look substantially better, it also feels better. It's definitely no souped-up iBook, but a low-end PowerBook instead. Everything about the little PowerBook just feels great. It handles well, whether it's opened or closed.
In terms of visiual impact, the 12-inch PowerBook is to the 12" iBook as the 12" iBook is to the 14" iBook. In other words, the 12" iBook looks clunky next to the 12" PowerBook.
The 12" Aluminum case is very rigid. It's clearly more rigid than the TiBook, and IMO also more rigid than the iBook. The iBooks have always felt creaky when handled with only one hand. The 12" doesn't budge. I think this quality is due to the lack of a large hole for the optical drive tray.
The hinge on the new PowerBook is significantly better than on the iBook. First, it's smoother. Second, the screen doesn't "wiggle" as much when you bump into the 'Book. Finally, the hinge is wider than on the iBook and thus prevents the screen from flexing down on the sides when the 'Book is closed.
As for heat, the 12-inch felt pleasantly warm, especially on such a cold day. Probably not as hot as a TiBook, but definitely hotter than any iBook.
The speakers of the 12-inch PowerBook sound infinitely better than the iBook's, especially in the lower range. However, they are not very loud. As numerous people have mentioned before, the speakers are in the back and reflect sounds off the open screen.
I think the only downside to the 12-inch PowerBook is that I still saw the spinning rainbow beachball way too often. Maybe it was the "low" 256MB RAM. Maybe it was the lack of L3 cache. Maybe it just needed rebooting (for whatever reason). Either way, I did not like the beachball.
Two thumbs up. But I'll get more use out of my iBook and wait for the second revision.
So what we know so far is that the case is bomb proof, very nice, but it's warmer than an iBook and cooler than a Ti, hmmm.
And the beachball spins How much is a 512MB DDR so-dimm these days? Would 384MB be enough to cure this problem?
And, my dealer now says the thing will be here in the first week of Feb Then again I spoke to "clueless asian chick" who only today for the first time seemed sure that there was indeed a 12"PB, and that you can in fact order RAM and HDD upgrades from Apple. I'll have to talk to the manager, who seemed to know a little more and was very helpful.
By the time this thing arrives, I may have to change my order! Steve and co, hurry the FOOK UP
Talking of RAM and swapping to disk, I'm curious about the 4200rpm Ultra ATA/100 hard drive. Is there actually any point in having a 4200rpm drive on a 100Mbps bus (or is the bus shared with the optical drive)? Would I be right in thinking it's the relatively low spindle speed that limits the throughput? Will it be faster or slower than a 7200rpm Ultra ATA/66 hard drive (assuming there are no other drives sharing the bus)?
<strong>Boy I hope the Apple stores don't carry the superdrive models, or I might end up walking out with one when I go check it out!</strong><hr></blockquote>
No need to worry, PBG4 Dude. AFAIK, the stores (Tyson's Corner for sure) have only taken delivery of Combo drive 12-inchers. And I assume most of them have sold out of their first shipment by now.
Looking back at the time I spent checking out the 12-inch PowerBook at the Apple Store, I really should have restarted the machine. There were a whole bunch of apps running, and I even had to force-quit one. I just didn't want to monopolize this beauty when there were guys in suits (who presumably had more money in their wallets), with their Mac-loving sons in tow, who seemed interested in buying. Seriously, if I didn't already have my iBook to (ab-) use, I would have snapped up a 12-inch iBook right there, even without educational pricing.
As aerial densities rise, 4200rpm performance should be quite decent. Mebbe not at 40GB, but 60GB, and the coming 80-120GB notebook drives of later this year should perform quite well even at 4200rpm.
I saw the one at the Apple Store here in Atlanta today... it's very nice. The speakers did sound good but not that loud. I didn't think it was very hot at all. I was very impressed with the solidness of the keyboard. I'd say my tax return is now offically spent (before I've even filed it).
Comments
I doubt the keys are real aluminum. It would add needless weight to the powerbook.
Escher
PS: I hope they don't have any 12" PowerBooks left for sale. Tomorrow is my B-day and I'd have a really hard time resisting.
[ 01-23-2003: Message edited by: Escher ]</p>
how do you like your new minibook?
You know, "resistance is futile" - The Borg
<strong>
I had an icebook and I recall the screen being brighter than the Ti. I know the later Ti versions got better but I have a hard time with that observation.
</strong><hr></blockquote>
The current 15" TiBook's screen is close to twice as bright as the ibook...
<strong>how do you like your new minibook?
ROTFLMAO
My first impression of the 12-inch PowerBook: There's simply no comparison! (With the iBook, that is.) The 12" doesn't just look substantially better, it also feels better. It's definitely no souped-up iBook, but a low-end PowerBook instead. Everything about the little PowerBook just feels great. It handles well, whether it's opened or closed.
In terms of visiual impact, the 12-inch PowerBook is to the 12" iBook as the 12" iBook is to the 14" iBook. In other words, the 12" iBook looks clunky next to the 12" PowerBook.
The 12" Aluminum case is very rigid. It's clearly more rigid than the TiBook, and IMO also more rigid than the iBook. The iBooks have always felt creaky when handled with only one hand. The 12" doesn't budge. I think this quality is due to the lack of a large hole for the optical drive tray.
The hinge on the new PowerBook is significantly better than on the iBook. First, it's smoother. Second, the screen doesn't "wiggle" as much when you bump into the 'Book. Finally, the hinge is wider than on the iBook and thus prevents the screen from flexing down on the sides when the 'Book is closed.
As for heat, the 12-inch felt pleasantly warm, especially on such a cold day. Probably not as hot as a TiBook, but definitely hotter than any iBook.
The speakers of the 12-inch PowerBook sound infinitely better than the iBook's, especially in the lower range. However, they are not very loud. As numerous people have mentioned before, the speakers are in the back and reflect sounds off the open screen.
I think the only downside to the 12-inch PowerBook is that I still saw the spinning rainbow beachball way too often. Maybe it was the "low" 256MB RAM. Maybe it was the lack of L3 cache. Maybe it just needed rebooting (for whatever reason). Either way, I did not like the beachball.
Two thumbs up. But I'll get more use out of my iBook and wait for the second revision.
Escher
[ 01-23-2003: Message edited by: Escher ]</p>
First impressions...
- Keyboard is much more solid feeling than my TiBook 550
- Finish was nice, color matched their 15" TiBooks exactly. Same look less scratching/chipping!
- Hinge was very solid...not floppy like iBooks and TiBooks can be
- Lid very solid... ie press on the back of your Ti and you can see it on the screen. You couldnt do that with this new 12"
- The sales guy said he was impressed with the speakers, he'd just had thing cranked up with no distortion he said.
- Sales guys really wants one with the superdrive now. "serious hardware envy" I think were his words. Pretty sure he was a PC sales guy too..heh.
[ 01-23-2003: Message edited by: dviant ]</p>Shoot, I haven't even seen the beach ball on my iBook all week.
Can anyone CONFIRM that the Apple Stores and others have the 12" with the superdiver?
<strong>The rainbow doesn't sound so hot
It's probably since it just had 256MB RAM.
And the beachball spins
And, my dealer now says the thing will be here in the first week of Feb
By the time this thing arrives, I may have to change my order! Steve and co, hurry the FOOK UP
<strong>
nothing new... its amber when charging and yellow-green when charged.
been like that since the first powerbook g4 i believe.</strong><hr></blockquote>
The Rev. A PBG4's don't have these (own Rev. A 500).
Boy I hope the Apple stores don't carry the superdrive models, or I might end up walking out with one when I go check it out!
<img src="confused.gif" border="0">
[ 01-24-2003: Message edited by: RodUK ]</p>
<strong>Boy I hope the Apple stores don't carry the superdrive models, or I might end up walking out with one when I go check it out!</strong><hr></blockquote>
No need to worry, PBG4 Dude. AFAIK, the stores (Tyson's Corner for sure) have only taken delivery of Combo drive 12-inchers. And I assume most of them have sold out of their first shipment by now.
Looking back at the time I spent checking out the 12-inch PowerBook at the Apple Store, I really should have restarted the machine. There were a whole bunch of apps running, and I even had to force-quit one. I just didn't want to monopolize this beauty when there were guys in suits (who presumably had more money in their wallets), with their Mac-loving sons in tow, who seemed interested in buying. Seriously, if I didn't already have my iBook to (ab-) use, I would have snapped up a 12-inch iBook right there, even without educational pricing.
Escher