Brief Report--New Apple PowerBook G4's Are Faster, Have New Features and Have Lower Prices
The speed/capacity bumps are:
- Faster 1.67GHz G4 CPU in place of 1.5GHz for the 17" and top 15" models
- Faster 1.5GHz G4 CPU for all other PowerBooks
- Faster 5400RPM drives in place of 4200RPM
- Faster USB 2.0 in place of USB 1.2
- 128 Video Ram with Dual Link for 30" Display on 17" model
- ATI 9700 graphics on all 15" models
- 10x brighter backlit keyboards
- 8x SuperDrive in 17" and top-end 15" models
- 100GB drive instead of 80GB on 17" model
- 80GB drive on 15" and 60GB on 12" models
- Backlit keyboard on lower 15" model
- S-video and composite video on the 12" PowerBook
New Features/Technology are:
- Scrolling Trackpad on all models
- Sudden Motion Sensor for hard drives on all models
New Lower Prices
- 17" model $2,699
- 15" model $1,999-2,299
- 12" model $1,499-1,699
Check out all of the details here.
Apple's new Scrolling TrackPad allows one to easily scroll through long web pages or pan across large photographs by simply touching the trackpad with two fingers. It works with every application and document.
Apple's new Sudden Motion Sensor technology integrates a tri-axis accelerometer to help protect a spinning hard drive in the event that the PowerBook is accidentally dropped.
The only negative issue, in our opinion, is that the 12" PowerBook G4 still lacks a PC card slot or drivers for a USB PC-card adapter. The 12" model also still lacks gigabit ethernet and fast FireWire 800 but the lack of a PC card slot for a wireless networking card like Sprint Vision or Verizon AirPrime really limits the 12" model from being an outstanding road warrior. We know that it has Wi-Fi and Bluetooth but many buildings where we attend meetings do not have Wi-Fi nor can Wi-Fi be used in a moving car, taxi or bus in most places.
Of all of the many "bumps" we welcome most the 128MB video RAM and Dual Link technology in the 17" PowerBook G4 (also available as an option in the top-end 15" model). This allows the 17" model to drive Apple's fabulous 30" Cinema Display. We ordered a replacement 17" PowerBook G4 because of this feature alone. [Bill Fox]
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