Apple PowerBook Laptop 15.2" M8981LL/A (1.25-GHz PowerPC G4, 512 MB RAM, 80 GB Hard Drive, DVD-R/CD-RW Drive)

Driving the 15-inch PowerBook G4 M8981LL/A is a fast PowerPC G4 processor running at 1.33 GHz and featuring 512 KB Level 2 cache for rapid retrieval of recently accessed data. Apple has added 512 MB of ultra-fast PC2700 (333 MHz) DDR SDRAM memory (upgradeable to 2 full GB) and an ATI Mobility Radeon 9600 graphics processor with 64 MB dedicated video memory, thus ensuring smooth operation during high-demand tasks such as 3-D games, 3-D drawing and multitasking.

This high-speed architecture continues throughout the unit, where you'll find connectivity options such a standard FireWire interface, an ultra-fast Apple-designed FireWire 800 port, two 480 Mbps USB 2.0 ports, integrated 10/100/1000BASE-T Ethernet, 54-Mbps AirPort Extreme wireless, and built-in Bluetooth for the new breed of cordless digital peripherals. Storage facilities include a spacious ATA/100 80 GB hard disk and a versatile DVD-R/CD-RW SuperDrive through which you can burn audio CDs, backup critical and write DVD-R discs at 2X speed.

Visually, the aluminum alloy-clad 15-inch PowerBook G4 M8981LL/A is as dramatic as it is functional. Sporting a 15.2-inch (diagonal) display capable of 1280 by 854 resolution, the unit is nevertheless surprisingly thin and lightweight at 13.7 by 9.5 by 1 inch and just 5.6 pounds. Other unique perks include a tap/double tap/drag trackpad, a convenient backlit keyboard for low-light situations, and a DVI output for efficient digital interfacing with LCD monitors. Battery life is estimated at an admirable 4.5 hours under ideal conditions.

Product Description
If you're one of those people who simply want it all, look no further than the new 15-inch PowerBook G4. Just over an inch thin, weighing only 5.6 pounds, and sporting a 15.2-inch (diagonal) widescreen display, this system incorporates all the best performance features of the PowerBook line tucked neatly into a sleek aluminum design.Built-in antennas make wireless networking a snap. With an AirPort Extreme Card, you can connect to an 802.11g wireless network at speeds up to five times faster than conventional Wi-Fi networks. Integrated Bluetooth technology extends your wireless capabilities with cable-free connections to the ever-growing roster of Bluetooth-enabled devices, including Apple's new wireless mouse and keyboard. The wired world is easily accommodated by a suite of high-speed digital connections, including Gigabit Ethernet, DVI, FireWire 800, and USB 2.0.With its intelligent combination of features, the 15-inch PowerBook gives you the freedom to edit video, deliver presentations, or analyze data on the go - in short, to get your work done, anywhere.

- The sleek aluminum chassis and the wide screen generate Wow! effect.
- This 15" machine is lighter than my old Dell laptop.
- It's very quiet during operation, but the bottom side may occasionally become hot.
- The keyboard has a good depth and touch, and the backlit keyboard is simply cool.
- Using the built-in microphone, you can play the bundled 3-D chess game via OS X's voice-recognition. Isn't that futuristic?

About software compatibility (from EE guy's viewpoint):
- MS Office 2004 for Mac became my favorite patch of programs. Even better than the XP version - a very important factor in my decision to switch.
- Math tools, especially Mathematica 5 and Matlab, run well on Mac.
- Favorite design tools, Adobe Photoshop and Carrara 3, work well. After all, Mac was built for them.

- There are tons of open source programs you can use: GIMP, A/G BLAST, ...
- Some layout and CAD tools are not compatible. I have to use old PC. For those number-crunching jobs, however, I don't use laptop anyhow.

As much as I enjoy steering this elegant silver machine, I love to navigate through the Mac OS X. As Sun's Bill Joy said during an interview, "Mac OS X is rock solid". I like the idea of using UNIX commands on my Mac, although I can do everything with the user-friendly Mac interface.

Yes, Powerbook is more expensive compared with Dell and other PCs, but you get what you pay for: top-quality components, futuristic functionality, eye-catching design, and the enormous joy of owning a rock-solid elegant machine (like BMW!). You'll definitely like this one!


Tough laptop!   June 1, 2004
 12 out of 15 found this review helpful

My PowerBook has been accidentally dropped twice. The first time it fell from a table as my kids were watching a DVD movie from the laptop. The second time my carrying fell from a reception counter. The PowerBook is still running as if nothing had happened.


Nice looks, but don't look at the price   May 16, 2004
 3 out of 17 found this review helpful

I switched from Apple to Centrino because it cost half as much and the battery lasted twice as long. Now I really like Apple just fine, but I can't see spending more money to get a slower computer. In fact almost all notebooks are made buy the same few companies, so why does Apple charge more? I guess if people will pay it, Apple will charge it.


Awesome!   May 11, 2004
 6 out of 8 found this review helpful

This is awesome! I replaced my desktop with this feature-rich laptop and love it. The wide screen is perfect for watching DVDs and the design is stunning. The best part about it is OS X. Very stable and much more intuitive than it's Windows counterpart. I can't think of one bad thing to say about this laptop. Yes, it costs more than your average laptop, but it packs many more features. Worth every bit of the money.


apple ok , perhaps great - but not ouside usa   April 25, 2004
 8 out of 11 found this review helpful

This review is for people that live outside the States. The bottom line is: do not
expect decent support service from Apple. In my case, I live in Mexico. In a recent trip to the states I bought a 15in Powerbook. (The possibility of using UNIX got to me.) After a month the audio card burned. It took almost two months to get it replaced. The service here is simply horrendous. There is a single provider for the whole country. Replacements are sent to the local service centers and must be used within three days, otherwise they have to be returned. And more time passes. The people in the Apple "certified" local service centers are incompetent. Eventually, I got my laptop back, with a working audio card. However, from the service center, they took the liberty to change passwords and include all sort of files from a different customer (out of respect for privacy I deleted them). Not even a word of apology. As a scientist, I was considering going Apple with the resources of my next grant. Not now. I pick Dell. I will put up with Windows and/or Linux. They provide good support internationally, not only in the Bay area.