Dream Machine! Fast, idiot-proof, reliable. Love and Macs

Author's Rating:

Pros: Stylish, trouble-free, sexy, idiot-proof, international and intuitive

Cons: needs gentleness. not cheap.

The Bottom Line: 
This is a good time to get a great Powerbook that listed at over $3000 for under $2000, and it's totally state of the art.

Author's Review
Ok, this powerbook is supposed to be "last years model". Ha!
Well, theoretically, it is. There is a reason for this.

Once this lawyer managed to convince her family to get it for her combined XMAS-birthday, I could hardly wait.

My brother, savvy shopper that he is, suggested waiting til they released the new powerbooks, and then we had my computer on price watch at the very decent e-retailer called Small Dog Electronics. When the price dropped to $1800 we went for it, and also purchased the Apple Care option for 3 years.

I strongly recommend purchasing the Apple Care, based on my brothers' experiences. The service is extra-ordinary. They pretty much send you the packaging equivilent of a limo for your lap top, with postage, etc.

Campus fixes your computer, or will even replace. Let me tell you, having your screen go ga-ga without insurance, that's at least a $700 problem right there.

Back to the Mac. I am very happy with this machine. I run OSX.2, and I recommend that all OSX users, check frequently for software updates, which are coming out frequently.

I like the expansiveness of the keyboard, and am getting better with the scroll mouse. I like the fact that you can just close the computer and it goes to sleep. I like the fact that it saves battery usage, by darkening the screen, even if left open.

At home I use it with the power cord, because it does operate faster that way, and at least twice a month I use it on battery until the battery is used up, to keep it in optimal shape.

At home, I use my iMac as my base station, and my Powerbook as my principal machine, networked, with cable modem, laser printer and the 2 machines.

Be prepared to get updates for existing peripherals in your set-up.
You might find that some might not work with OSX. For example my Canon Multi-Pass 4 in 1 machine.

All I need now is a scanner. I use the FaxStf Pro, which is a little jiggy, as mentioned by one of the other reviewers, the Mac fax software leaves to be desired.

Other than that, I have no problem printer sharing, nor getting a connection via Airport.

This baby is fast enough to run Word, Entourage, Safari and a few more applications at an exceptional speed. I think I might have added memory.

I have traveled several times with PowerBunny (as I call my G4), and have been most pleased. All you need is an adapter plug and your modem phone cord, this machine recognizes the voltage in most countries.

One problem I have encountered is that my paralegals, who all work in Word Perfect, send me files, and System X doesn't have an automatic translation for Word Perfect to any other text program. Probably not my machine's fault, but it still makes me grumpy.

It's taking me a while to get accustomed to being networked, but I'll get over that.

I have never had to re-boot in a pinch, and the OSX system gives you an easy 'force quit" window if you are having problems.

My caseload is so heavy these days, I haven't had much time to 'play' with the Bunny. But I can listen to Blur whenever I want to, and I'm getting both pictures and movies of my new niece without problem.

My most major concern is keeping the machine clean. I use Windex wipes after exposing them to enough air to almost dry them out. Clean your screen when it's dark. And a good quality blush brush is a perfect keyboard tool.

I am very happy with this Mac. Nay, I am thrilled. My roommate got the new 12 inch, which he loves. But I love this baby better.

I'm not a tech goddess, but I have enough skill to get by with. To all of you with your Titaniums, I salute you.

Any specifics, please feel free to ask.
PS This is a good time to buy one. The price is right.