Hands-On Report--Apple's PowerBook G4 Graphics Update 1.0

Late yesterday, Apple released PowerBook G4 Graphics Update 1.0. It is available for download via the System Preferences Software Update pane if one is running Mac OS X 10.4.2 on the high-end latest model of the 15" and 17" 1.67GHz PowerBook G4. It can also be downloaded as a standalone updater from this Apple Web page. Acccording to the ReadMe file,

This update is recommended for the following PowerBook G4 computers:
- PowerBook G4 (15-inch, 1.67 GHz)
- PowerBook G4 (17-inch, 1.67 GHz)

The PowerBook G4 Graphics Update 1.0 improves graphics stability for some 1.67-GHz PowerBook G4 computers.

We downloaded and installed the update on our 17" 1.67GHz PowerBook G4 with no problem. It required a restart which takes some extra time over usuual. In several hours use, we noted no problems. Subsequent restarts were much faster than the first. Sleep and wake from sleep seem to be much improved (i.e. quicker and more certain) even though those functions are not explicitly mentioned. [Dana Baggett & Bill Fox]