After more than 6 months, it remains a solid performer

Author's Rating:

Pros: Size, reliability, display, keyboard feel.

Cons: Built in display latch does not always catch.

The Bottom Line: 
It is great being able to just open up the display and begin using it immediately without having to think "will it lock up this time".

Author's Review
Before moving entirely over to Mac's, I had been an avid Think-Pad user. My favorite in IBM's line was a 560. It most closely resembles this PBook, at least in my own experience with this 12" unit. The build quality is excellent, having no flex when opening/closing the display. The small built-in catch to lock the display down is a nice touch, although it does not always lock in place the first time. Have to fiddle with it sometimes.
Once pulled out of its well protected box, I was up and running in less than 10 minutes. Depending on when the unit was packaged, you might have some updates to install though. It would be nice if Apple could provide users with the latest updates on dvd at the time of purchase. Some buyers might still be on dial-up and the download times can be extreme in such cases.

The superdrive is nice to have and works extremely well. Inserting a cd or dvd is straight forward, press in until just under an inch is showing and the drive will suck it in the rest of the way. Burning cd/dvd's is reliable and fast. I use toast for all my burning tasks. Apple's software allows burning just as reliably and might be a better option for those who just want to click and burn.
The expansion port placement works out well for me being right handed. Left handed individuals might feel different about it when the ports are in use. Using Apple's Mighty Mouse with its short cord still works. Apple also gives the option to go wireless with built in blue tooth. Very convenient when you don't want any wires.
The track pad has been improved! When using two fingers it will scroll the page you're viewing like a track ball. Move your fingers from side to side and the page will move accordingly. Prior to this system I had always preferred IBM's eraser stick.
One thing I do miss in the 12" model is a card slot for uploading my images from CF cards. Alas I have to carry a firewire card reader. I also have a USB 2.0 reader, but it is slower than firewire.
The display while limited to 1024-768, is very sharp and easy to read. When compared to an iBook there is no contest. You do get what you pay for, and the powerbook offers a much better display.
I've connected my 17" studio display via the external dongle, spanning the screen display across both displays (internal - external). An excellent feature that the internal video driver can handle without any problems.
The aluminum shell has held up well so far in the time I've had it. I am very careful with it though, always placing it in its carrying case whenever I go somewhere.
The power supply that comes with the powerbook is small and has built in tabs so that one can wind the cord up and out of the way. Apple also gives you the choice of either using a longer 3 prong cord or just a small plug on the power supply, depends on ones needs and how much one is willing to carry.
The HD is more than adequate size wise. Mine has 60GB of unformatted space. I do carry a small external backup HD that connects via firewire. Smart-disk makes some excellent HD's that are powered by the firewire connection. Thus no additional power supplies to carry.
The battery has lasted me on average just over 3.5 hours of use on average. It would be nice if it did last longer, not sure how long it would allow you to view a dvd movie.
Overall this powerbook has worked extremely well for me. I prefer its small size and lighter weight over the other two offered by Apple. With Apple care I feel confident that it will serve me well for the next three/plus years.
I personally would recommend Apple care to anyone purchasing a powerbook. You never know what can go wrong with it.