Pismo is Fun but Limits Ensue
Written: Jan 06 '01 (Updated Mar 31 '01)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Power, Speed, DVD Performance, User-Friendliness
Cons: Little Included Software, Not PC Compatible
The Bottom Line: The "Pismo" is powerful and versatile. If you are partial to PCs, however, stay with your kind.
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| blac1179's Full Review: Apple PowerBook G3 (M7308LL/A) Mac Notebook |
Apple's G3 500Mhz 128MB 20G DVD "Pismo" is a productive, fast, and easy-to-use machine. The DVD works well, showing movie theater-like DVDs in the privacy of your lap or any private place you desire. Plug in your own surround-sound speakers, turn out the lights, place a bucket of popcorn in your lap, and you will soon find yourself in your own personal movie theater. I was impressed with the operating system, Mac OS9. Apple creates untouchable user-friendliness. Getting connected to the internet is as easy as turning the computer on as soon as you remove it from the box and connecting a phone line to the jack. Its simplicity is second to none and should appeal to consumers looking for a powerhouse computer with extreme ease in use. In addition, the "Pismo" comes with Apple's iMovie software that allows you to edit your videos on your desktop -- this editing creates a professional looking movie with audio and effects. In relation to features, the Powerbook "Pismo" offers an s-video connector that connects to a TV for presentations. Firewire ports are available, too. However, I have no use for them, nor do I see any use in the future. If you want to add other hard drives and such, then firewire is a good thing.
My small dissatisfaction with this fine machine is in the lack of compatibility with PCs. Fist off, I am a PC user at work (and at heart); the Powerbook does not come with any included PC compatibility, thus reducing my ability to use any of the expensive software I own or to swap files on the network at work. Additionally, the Powerbook does not come with any productivity software such as Office or AppleWorks. When I called Apple, they retorted that they "don't include the extra software for the sake of reducing clutter on the drive." If I pay $2500 for something, I want "the clutter." Later, if I deem necessary, I'll remove "the clutter," not them. The absence of productivity software, even he simplest word processor, was a downfall for me since I am a writer and creator of written activities. You should plan on spending at least $100 (more like $300-$400) extra dollars to purchase a simple productivity program.
An Apple user I am not, but do not let my dissatisfaction steer you away from a great machine, especially if you are partial to Macs. The "Pismo" is powerful and as versatile as any machine on the market -- it even looks appealing in its sleek, black case with the white apple on top. If you are partial to PCs, however, stay with your kind.
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
blac1179
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Member: Stan Blackburn
Location: NJ
Reviews written: 22
Trusted by: 7 members
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