Magic in a book...
Written: Oct 20 '00
|
Product Rating:
|
|
|
Pros: Portability, Beautiful design, DVDs, Ethernet
Cons: Weight, SCSI instead of current model's Firewire, AC Adapter port's Durability
|
|
|
| wharpua's Full Review: Apple PowerBook G3 (M7308LL/A) Mac Notebook |
For over a year now, I have been a happy owner of an Apple Powerbook G3 (bronze keyboard) with a DVD-Rom drive.
The main benefit I feel I have enjoyed since integrating this computer into my work (I'm a student at an art & design school) will be familiar to those who have used laptops before: its portability.
Not only am I able to bring my laptop with me from my room to my studio, but also on the bus or train while travelling. The battery time varies with how many applications you're running, and is trackable in the Control Strip with both consumption levels and time remaining viewing options. While the laptop comes with one battery, the internal storage drive can be removed and replaced with a second battery for even longer use.
Another appeal to its portability is its capacity to be put away. Being in a dormroom, my old desktop model (a Mac Performa 5215) had all the presence of a television set. It vacantly stared at me when not in use, and permanently took up, well, desktop space that I was not pleased to lose for the whole year.
The Powerbook's size enables a more versatile handling of the space, and can even be shelved if need be. However, it is a beautifully designed object that would give any pause to put it out of sight. Upon showing it to a friend for the first time, he remarked, "Wow. That is one sexy machine."
Gentle curves, and a large screen with gorgeous color make this a computer you will not want to stop using.
My transition from a mouse to the trackpad was not at all difficult, and my desktop-to-laptop transition was even further helped along by the included Mac OS help program.
The DVD drive has proved a worthy investment for me, as I find it to be a good means of watching a movie by myself or with my girlfriend (not bad if you're happy to get really close together). Again, it's portability can make a long flight or train ride zip by (choose your own in-flight movie).
I don't include bus trips in that because the energy demands of running the DVD player limit its playing time without an AC adapter.
And if you want to throw the image up onto a TV, the S-Video port can be used either with an S-video cable to TV input, or with an S-Video to RCA adapter (included). The sound output is limited to a 'Mini' plug, the smaller plug commonly used for headphones, and the common Mini-RCA conversion cable can get the sound into whatever media system you want, be it a VCR or Stereo system.
On the whole, though, I rarely hook up my Powerbook to my TV. Overall, it is a hassle, with no remote control and so many cables. While it's a much better DVD player than those tiny player with an index-card sized screen, I plan on eventually getting a component DVD player, but greatly enjoy the DVD abilities of my Powerbook.
The first of the two qualms that I have with this model is the now-outdated SCSI (pronounced Skuzzy) interface, which has now been upgraded to the highly superior FireWire input. Sadly, I was six months too early to benefit that evolution, as it is clear to me that SCSI is now a thing of the past. Such is the life of computers.
Because SCSI ports command a sizable amount of space on a computer (about two and a quarter by three-quarter inches), Apple converted that interface into about one third its original size on the jam-packed port strip on the rear of the computer. Therefore, a converter is required (I think about $30) which can occasionally lead to an inconsistent connection. Not so important for the ol' Zip drive, but it has given me the occasional problem in using my CD burner in trying to burn in the Disc-At-Once mode.
The other problem I've run into with the Powerbook (and this may be more representative of my use of it than the product itself), is its capacity for the Soundboard/AC Adaptor input to break. As a result of dropping it, the AC adaptor plug has a tendency to snap the soundboard off of the motherboard (if I'm not mistaken), rendering the Computer's ability to read the AC Adaptor's presence inconsistent. Meaning: the battery will charge inconsistently or not at all.
Supposedly this is an improvement over prior models, which would require the replacement of the whole Motherboard (before there was a separate, smaller Soundboard). While I know that the iBook is designed for greater durability for precisely this reason, I do think there is room for design improvement here to potentially eliminate the problem as a whole. But, moral of the story is: be kind to your three thousand dollar computer.
Other quick mentions:
- both modem (telephone) and ethernet (higher speed) connection-ready
- old Serial-port accessories require a separate USB adapter (approx. $65)
- no bundled software (newer models may come with more than mine did)
- security capability, both in Password access, and compatible with security lock accessory
- excellent customer support online at the bulletin-board style Tech Exchange
So I highly recommend this computer, and can easily envision eventually getting a more serious Desktop model and using both in tandem with each other. You'll be the envy of all your friends, techie or otherwise.
Recommended:
Yes
|
|
|
|
Epinions.com ID:
wharpua
|
|
Location: Providence, RI
Reviews written: 2
Trusted by: 3 members
|
|
|
- Add to My Yahoo!: 
- Add to Google Homepage: 
© 1999-2009 Shopping.com, Inc.