Too bad the 1ghz version of the 12" PowerBook wasn't available when you got yours. Along with the larger cache, better video card, and faster system bus this thing FLIES. Also, they've added a DVI-out port, so you can attach it (like I have) to a large flat panel external screen.

In terms of quality of build mine has been perfect so far. The bottom is perfectly flat, not "wobbly" as stated here and eleswhere.

I'm running with 768megs of ram, which I'd recommend as a comfortable amount for OSX (in this case Panther, which has further improved the performance of my "little mac").

SO -- I understand the author's complaints and disspointment in his 1st generation PowerBook 12". I would only urge readers to consider the new 1ghz model, as it is VASTLY improved. It's nice being a pioneer, but sometimes it's alot better to be a pioneer on a 2nd generation revision.

Unfortunately, the screen is still poor on the 2nd revision. I bought one and returned it due to the pathetic viewing angle and poor color. Otherwise, I found it to be very quick and speedy. It's sad Apple would burden such a nice design with such a bad LCD.

That's funny. I like this screen better than my new 20 Apple Monitor. But, my 12"b's battery does indeed protrude and the left side of the lid doesn't close completly, ie: the bumper doesn't quite reach the base as does the right side. Other than that I'm completely satisfied.

It's funny how wide opinions differ. The authors obviously comparing his PowerBook to a desktop. Of coursse the performance doesn't quite compare. Compare it to other laptops and I think you'd be impressed. Particularly with the screen.

Well, I guess its possible that there could be some quality variances with LCD screens. I use my mac for photo editing, color correction, etc.(and use a high end CRT for this)so I'm pretty particular. But try this. Watch a DVD on your 12" PowerBook or just open up a long tonal range high resolution image and simply move off center up and down, back and forth. On mine, I either get a pretty washed out image or loose all shadow detail and much worse than I have noticed on other Apple Laptops - including my Lombard. So, perhaps I just received a bad sample, but I seriously doubt it. After being disappointed with the screen, I started looking for an answear. According to the forums at macnn and appleinsider, Apple is using LG. Phillips LCD screens on the 12" PowerBook(same as iBook), shame on them! These screens do indeed have poor specs: Viewing Angle: 50/90, 6Bit 262,144 colors(not even true millions of colors!), and a very slow response time of 45ms. Here is the likely source for the 12" screen:
http://www.lgphilips-lcd.com/en/product/notebook.html?tg=view&idx=169
thats fine for an iBook BUT not for a top of the line professional PB.

The screen on all second revision models is still very low quality. I've had the chance to test out at least 3 of these. The vertical viewing angles in particular are much much lower than any other LCD i've seen.

I have no idea why Apple used such a cheap LCD.

It's also a shame apple doesn't offer these with 5400rpm or even 7200rpm drives. Most new laptops in the x86 world come with at least a 5400. I think a 5400rpm drive could really speed this thing up,

Too bad I didn't see this site sooner. I'm no developer, just an everyday user. I bought a used iBook as a gift for my mom so she could surf the web with AirPort and watch dvd's. I hate the lcd screen and contrary to the comment above, it is not acceptable for an iBook either. I'm almost embarrassed to give it to her. Off axis viewing is dismal and very disappointing. When I tested it I found it difficult to find any comfortable viewing angle to watch a DVD. Ergonomically speaking, the trackpad and keyboard are not well placed. Now I'm stuck with it. My old Wallstreet is easier to look at and much more comfortable to use!
On the plus side it is light and quiet, but that's about all I can say for it. I really expected better from Apple. I'm shocked to hear that they used this screen on their PowerBooks!
Caveat Emptor
Apple-Booo )-:

Anyone here have experience with the iBook G4 14" display?

I'm thinking of getting one, but have only seen the 12"er. The ibook g4 12" screen was slightly better than the 12" powerbook, with off angle viewing just barely acceptable.

I am seriously considering the new TR, 1G ram, cdrw/dvd
not as much memory as the G$, but wow - what a difference in weight (3.1 lb) and a great screen

I've had disk I/O errors show up since I wrote this review. It's always been extremely slow and now the drive makes frequent clicking noises.

The LRF (Little Rubber Feet) have fallen off of my computer. My PowerBook now slides around on my desk.

To be honest, the current iBook G4 12" is a lot better in terms of value than either the current or 867MHz G4s... The Mobility Radeon 9200 is significantly faster for demanding 3D than either the GF4Go 420 or Mobile FX5200... The machine configured with more ram and a 60 gig HD, built in bluetooth and wireless is cheaper than a very basic Powerbook G4 Combo Drive model. I don't think you'd notice the performance difference with the 867/256kB vs 800/256kB, and the current 1GHz/512kB model is not worth the extra cash.

I have the 15" aluminum powerbook 1.25ghz. 1.25ghz sounds fast, but it isnt exceptionally speedy that is for sure. OS 9 on a 600mhz is much more responsive. This is what apple calls progress....Sad. The screen has the white spots that Apple is now infamous for. I have not yet found an opportunity where I can send my $3000 computer in for a week long repair because of the factory defect. But much more annoying than that is the wobbly bottom. Im always checking my desk to see what the problem is only to realize that the computer isnt level. Battery life sucks (2 hours MAX). My 2000 powerbook pismo had a battery life twice as long. And the illuminated keyboard is pointless because the screen fools the light sensitive keyboard into shutting off. Airport is cool, but I think of Apple bamboozling their customers into thinking their base station is anything more than any other manufacturers wifi access point. Apple's is $200 more expensive. The superdrive is cool, a little slow but nice to be able to burn DVDs while on the go. 80gig hard drive should be the minimum, but is the max you can get at this date. I also agree with the author here, the trim and fitting of the powerbook leave a lot to be desired. All in all a mediocre product.

Got the iBook G3 800MHz to replace my Tibook G4 400MHz as my mobile workstation. The Tibook now sits next to the TV and hifi primarily as a media server as well as the place where I connect all my peripherals to. Airport is great!

I love the iBook screen: very bright and sharp, and no probs with the viewing angle, either. Performance is dull, even with Panther and 384MB RAM - the G4 is definitely faster, but then it has 512MB.

But I'm happy to trade performance for a longer battery life, lighter weight and less fussy portability (with the Tibook I'm always worried about scratches and bumps).

I am also in the creative industry, and have had my 867mhz 12 inch powerbook for around 11 months.

First off, I really can't see how you can use the 12 inch as a primary workstation - there is no way that I could stare at a 12 inch 1024 x 768 screen all day!! =)

That said, I have both a dual 1.8 ghz G5, and a 1.25 ghz 15 inch PB in addition to my 12 inch. I upgraded from my old wallstreet to the 12 inch, and then went ahead and replaced my old 1 ghz g4 desktop with a dual 18 ghz G5 when they came out. After nearly a year of being held back by my 12 inch, I recently opted for the 15 inch version and must say that I am much happier with it.

The 12 inch is not meant to be a full on workstation. Jeez, it is the cheapest/smallest powerbook they offer, and it's preformance shows that.

Also, I have not had any problems with the fit and finish of my PB. Although the battery bottom does stick out maybe a half a milimeter, that is nothing in my mind when compared to just about any other PC notebook.. I mean look at the bottoms of those PC's there are stickers, and vents, and battery latches, and seems, and screw holes etc.. not flush at all. Also, I have figured out what was causing the wobble on my PB, and I encourage you to test for yourself. My PB would always wobble on just about every wooden desk I placed it on - it was not untill I placed it on a glass top desk that the wobble went away. I compared it to my thinkpad, and I think that the diference is that the aluminum chasis is much more riged than the all plastic chasis on my thinkpad. The wooden desktop is not perfectly flat, however the plastic thinkpad bends ever so slightly to fit the shape, and the think pad does not. Check it out at least.. you may begin to notice that the wobble changes depending on what surface you place it on - pointing to the possibility that the cause is the diferent surface tops, and just how perfectly flat they are.

I still remember that I ask CG Computer why Apple didn't build 12" PB with 512MB L2 cahe. After I bought PB 12" 867Mhz, the 1GHz 12"PB released. Well, I utilize what ever I had but I really wish somebody could tell me what I can do to improve the performance of 12" PB 867MHz. Ram already max, 640MB. Any advice will be appreciated.

Thanks in advance.

In my experience, the viewing angle is way better than any PC laptop I've seen. On PC laptops, off-angle viewing results in a complete inversion of colours. Not so for the powerbook.

I've owned the second generation 12" PB for about 4 months now, and I am still delighted every time I turn it on. It is very small and light, looks terrific, is fast enough (768MB ram installed) and never, ever crashes.

The LCD isn't the best on the market, but its not the worst either. Since I don't want the general public reading my work, I don't mind that the off-axis viewing angle is small (not that small).

I remain absolutely satisfied with my purchase, and can't think of any computer in Apple's or anyone else' lineups that I would trade this for, except the new 1.33GHz version, that is.

All those complaining of their disappointment have no reason to complain. Why didn't anyone go to the Apple store and, oh, try the product out first?

hi,
actually I am confused ibook G4 and powerbook G4. I was wondering which one would be better ibook 14 inch with 32MB video card or 12inch powerbook 64 MB video card. Would movies work fine with a 32Mb video card.

email me at: saad_noor@hotmail.com

why ya'll complaining, ya'll knew that a 12" is a 12" screen!! yeah it's small but please don't complain b cuz the 12" meant to be small right?!

and well, we all know that technology develops by the hour so how can u complain bout sumthin you bought in the past?? u already knew that when u bought ur pb it would be outdating leaving the shop! be happy with what u have! and if not u'll wait till technology has taken the pb 12" to a new level maybe the powerbook G5 will satisfy all complainers!!

It's a mean machine!!

Hi, I am experiencing problems with my 12 inch powerbook after installing an airport extreme card - I have made sure that it clicks firmly into place and that the aerial is connected - however, once installed the machine will not start up. As anyone got any ideas what might be wrong and how I can cure it?

Dave

p.s. I have installed a card in a machine of similar spec and that worked fine, I have also tried another airport extreme card which works in another machine and that doesn't work either.

I just recently purchased a PB G4, i got the super drive so i have an 80 gig hard drive with 512 MB of Ram, and a 1.5 GHz processor, i think this is the fastest computer i've ever owned. i must say, everything you said about your power book is nothing to what mine is...well except for the heat. the heat is still an issue, but its not overwhelmingly hott, its warm and on a cool winter day or early morning it works out to have it on my lap and warm my legs up. also, i get a battery lifeof at least 3 hours on dvd playback, long enough to watch 1 part of lord of the rings. also, i as well have a 12 inch, i can easily find a comfortable viewing...its called moving the screen back and forth till its right. you guys complain too much. and by the way, if you place your hands in the right spot, everything is in the proper position.

I know since teh PB has had its revision in January, Im wondering if it can handle things alot beter. I am wanting to do some good things with my PB like flash, photoshop, Dreamweaver and stufdf. Along with World of Waracraft with requires a 32 MB Graphics card but recomends a 64 MB card...... I want one for work and play, and im interesting in the nice and conpact 12" model, am i wrong for this?

Nice review. Pretty much spot on, even today. LCD still stinks. Case still wobbles. Still no video out without a nasty dongle. Blech..

I have noticed how hot the computer gets when i am doing detailed work. If your not careful you may wind up with a fried wang.

This is to Tony Life who said:

"I still remember that I ask CG Computer why Apple didn't build 12" PB with 512MB L2 cahe."

Exactly who or what is this "CG Computer"? Do they have 1 Infinite Loop on their speed dial or something? Or do they talk with God?

"I really wish somebody could tell me what I can do to improve the performance of 12" PB 867MHz. Ram already max, 640MB. Any advice will be appreciated."

Yes, the answer is simple: Ditch whatever PC clone(s) you may have, and that ancient brick of a G4 notebook. Replace with a new iBook (if you're the frugal type) or if you insist, a newer PowerBook.

867MHz.... Seriously. You poor thing.

Hi.
I was checking out iBooks in a nearby Apple store and found the screen incredibly dull. I am new to Macs and have been using only windows machines so far. Have u guys also observed the lcd screens on the 12" iBooks to be significantly dull compared to other windows laptops??

hello,
I'm from denmark, so my englich is not very well.
The screen used by Apple is a very low quality.
the speed is lower than any other LCD i've testing.
hope, that apple change this.

My 2nd gen (1 GHz) Powerbook G4 is still going strong. Two drive upgrades (100G HDD and swapping out the combo with a superdrive) and maxing out the RAM have kept this little laptop from going out to pasture. I use it as my primary machine for creative work (church worship AV) using Keynote '08, Garageband & iMovie HD. Since I am on the go a lot, the small size is important. I've had this machine since new, and the only thing that would get me to set it aside is a new ultra portable from Apple.