The real test
Written: Oct 31 '99 (Updated Oct 05 '00)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: New model: lighter, faster, smaller
Cons: Those with old model can't use new parts
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| dncswknivs's Full Review: Apple PowerBook G3 (M7308LL/A) Mac Notebook |
It's fairly easy to be pleased with a product when it sits stationary on one's desk. But the true test come when it's time to haul it around and perhaps abuse it a little.
Recently I spent four months living in England and the G3 Powerbook that I own performed wonderfully. First and foremost I considered the issue of power. The English system runs on 220 V AC (at 60Hz). I found to my delight that the AC adapter for the notebook automatically converted 220V to 110V. All I needed was the plug adapter. This eliminated the bulky power converter.
Secondly, the screen gave me the view I expected from my 15" desktop (in fact even a little more than my desktop when considering viewable area). I didn't have to sacrifice accessibility either because before I left for my trip I used the SCSI Disk mode to transfer all important data from my desktop to my laptop in just a few minutes.
What is especially interesting about the Notebook is that it allows the user to perform what is called "hot-swapping". This involves removing or adding drives and batteries from the bays while the computer is on. In PCs this operation often causes the computer to freeze and requires rebooting. Apple successfully designed their system to actively support this feature. How is this a benefit besides not having to reboot? Situation: you are sitting in an airplane working on either an important PowerPoint presentation or an involved game of Myst. You have a CD drive in your left bay and a battery in your right and your battery is about to die. What you may do is remove the CD drive, input your new battery, remove the old one and then put your CD drive in its place--all without having to reboot!
Besides all these neat features the Powerbook is loaded with myriad others. I feel just as comfortable manipulating files in photoshop as I do typing in Word. Its unique styling makes it stand out among other machines. While drawing attention and turning heads it still fits easily in a carry bag and has no sharp edges to annoy the user (by the way this design wasn't just aestetic--in the case of a drop the force would be dissipated in different directions thereby reducing the likelihood that the computer would crack its case).
Overall it receives a high rating in usability and conventionality as well as performance. Apple's service surprised me when I had a faulty part. They delivered the container in which to ship my computer overnight to my house. Then when I sent it in I received my computer back in less than one week! The techs are knowledgeable and willing to help in every way!
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
dncswknivs
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Location: USA
Reviews written: 70
Trusted by: 23 members
About Me:
Traveler and writer, I've traversed four continents and 16 countries.
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