Reviews of the Apple 15-inch PowerBook G4
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CNET Review
The Good: Thin and light; big wide-screen display; backlit keyboard; integrated Bluetooth, Wi-Fi networking; includes DVI and analog outputs.
The Bad: Shorter battery life than predecessor; runs hot; free phone support lasts only 90 days.
The Bottom Line: The aluminum 15-inch PowerBook is a powerful notebook for the road or the desk.
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alaTest.com
Review Summary: Experts rate this product 76/100 and users 88/100. Comparing these reviews to 101377 other Laptops reviews gives this product an overall alaScore™ 84/100 = Very Good.
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pcanswers.co.uk
Review Summary: Excellent machines, but not as good as the new Intel models
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tech.co.uk
Review Summary: PowerBooks are always superb, but performance isn't as good as the Intel machines
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techradar.com
Review Summary: There are two 15-inch PowerBooks on the market. We went for the 'cheaper' model, which still works out as rather pricey considering that you only get a 60Gb hard drive, 256Mb of RAM and a combined DVD and CD drive that will only burn CDs. Upgrading to the
Manufacturer: Apple
Part number: M8981LL/A
General
- Built-in Devices Stereo speakers
- Width 13.7 in
- Depth 9.5 in
- Height 1.1 in
- Weight 5.5 lbs
- Localization English / United States
- Notebook type Thin-and-light (4-6 lbs.)
- Wireless capabilities 802.11g, 802.11b, Bluetooth
Processor
- Processor Motorola PowerPC G4 1.25 GHz
- Data bus speed 167 MHz
Cache Memory
- Type L2 cache
- Cache size 512 KB
RAM
- Installed Size 512 MB / 2 GB (max)
- Technology DDR SDRAM - 333 MHz
- Memory specification compliance PC2700
Flash Memory
- Type - AGP
Environmental Parameters
- Environmental & energy standards compliance EPA Energy Star
- Min Operating Temperature 50 ?F
- Max Operating Temperature 95 ?F
- Humidity Range Operating 20 - 80%
- Max Altitude Operating 9840 ft
Storage Controller
- Storage controller type IDE
Storage
- Floppy Drive None
- Hard Drive 80 GB
- Storage Removable None - None
- Hard drive type Portable
Optical Storage
- Type CD-RW / DVD-R - Integrated
- CD / DVD read speed 24x (CD) / 8x (DVD)
- CD / DVD write speed 16x (CD) / 2x (DVD)
- CD / DVD rewrite speed 4x
Optical Storage (2nd)
- 2nd optical storage type None
Display
- Display Type 15.2 in TFT active matrix
- Max Resolution 1280 x 854 ( WXGA )
- Widescreen Display Yes
- Color Support 24-bit (16.7 million colors)
Video
- Graphics Processor / Vendor ATI Mobility Radeon 9600 AGP 4x
- Video Memory DDR SDRAM - 64 MB
Audio
- Audio output type Sound card
- Audio Input Microphone
Input Device(s)
- Input device type Trackpad, Keyboard
Telecom
- Modem Fax / modem - PCI
- Max transfer rate 56 Kbps
- Protocols & Specifications ITU V.92
Networking
- Networking Network adapter
- Networking / Wireless LAN Supported Yes
- Data link protocol Gigabit Ethernet, Ethernet, Fast Ethernet, IEEE 802.11g, Bluetooth
- Networking standards IEEE 802.11g, Bluetooth 1.1
Expansion / Connectivity
- Expansion Bays None
- Expansion Slots Total (Free) 2 Memory, 1 ( 1 ) x CardBus - Type I/II
- Interfaces 1 x IEEE 1394 (FireWire), 1 x Modem - Phone line - RJ-11, 2 x Hi-Speed USB - 4 pin USB Type A, 1 x Audio - Line-in - Mini-phone stereo 3.5 mm, 1 x Display / video - S-video output, 1 x Display / video - DVI-Analog/Digital, 1 x IEEE 1394b (FireWire 800), 1 x Display / video - Composite video output, 1 x Headphones - Output - Mini-phone stereo 3.5 mm, 1 x Display / video - VGA, 1 x Network - Ethernet 10Base-T/100Base-TX/1000Base-T - RJ-45
Miscellaneous
- Cables Included Modem cable, DVI-VGA adapter, S-Video - composite adapter
- Features Security lock slot (cable lock sold separately), Keyboard light, Ambient light sensor
Power
- Power device form factor External
- Voltage Required AC 120/230 V AC 110/230 V
- Power provided 65 Watt
Battery
- Technology Lithium ion
- Installed Qty 1 / 1 (max)
- Battery capacity 46 Wh
- Mfr estimated battery life 4.5 hour(s)
Operating System / Software
- OS Provided Apple MacOS X 10.3
- Software Apple iPhoto, GraphicConverter, EarthLink TotalAccess, Apple Sherlock, Apple Mac OS X Mail, Apple iSync, Apple QuickTime, Apple Safari, Art Directors Toolkit, FileMaker Pro (Trial), Apple iChat, Apple DVD Player, Adobe Acrobat Reader, OmniOutliner, Apple Hardware Test, Apple Address Book, Apple iCal, Microsoft Office v. X Test Drive, FAXstf, Apple iTunes, Apple iMovie, Apple iDVD, OmniGraffle, Drivers & Utilities, QuickBooks for Mac New User Edition
Environmental Standards
- EPA Energy Star Compliant Yes
Manufacturer Warranty
- Service & Support 1 year warranty
- Service & Support Details Technical support - Phone consulting - 90 days, Limited warranty - 1 year
Greenpeace 'Guide to Greener Electronics'
- Greenpeace 'Guide to Greener Electronics' manufacturer rating (June 2008) 4.1
- Greenpeace 'Guide to Greener Electronics' manufacturer rating (Mar 2008) 6.7
Product Video
Product Photos
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