Apple PowerBook G4
Apple again has continued its sexy styling format with this notebook, everything including the keyboard has a brushed aluminium look. The weight is 2.1kg, which makes it the second heaviest notebook submitted for this review, but the footprint of this unit is the second smallest behind the Sony Vaio.
The TFT screen is 12.1in and there is a single slot-loading optical drive (DVD/CD-ROM) built into the unit. There are no floppy or removable media sots included, nor is there Wireless LAN (which is an optional extra), however there is a Bluetooth adaptor.
As with all things Apple, the construction quality and materials is excellent. The construction gives the unit a very rugged feel which is a good thing for portable electronic devices.
Certainly for the first-timer or average Apple user, this notebook would suit their purposes, and provide the extra style they may require to be "seen". But with some of the other notebooks featured in this review, the "wow" factor of the Apple has unfortunately been reduced.
| Product: | Apple PowerBook G4 |
| Price: | From AU$3099 |
| Vendor: | Apple |
| Phone: | 133 622 |
| Web: | www.apple.com.au |
| Interoperability: |
½
Includes Bluetooth; wireless LAN is an optional extra. |
| Futureproofing: |
Very limited ports and upgrades. |
| ROI: |
½Good price, but wireless and warranty are extra. |
| Service: |
90-day warranty is shocking, forces customers to pay $600 for service that should be included. |
| Rating: |
|
Disagree with comments on the Sony. While it is loaded with a lot of stuff, the unit is, like just about every other Sony notebook ever manufactured, cheap junk. Tiny worthless little screen, "chicklet" keyboard, horrible, short warranty serviced by third party companies whose success is based on their ability to evaded their warranty responsibilities. The IBM X31 got short shrift in the review, but it is easily the best unit of all. Maybe the best ultralight ever produced. Solid (titanium case), three year warranty, great customer support, superior high quality hardware.