Customer Reviews

Apple PowerBook G4 (500MHz PowerPC G4 Processor, 256 MB RAM, 20 GB Hard Drive)

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I've had mine since they first were released. It works like a top. I've got 512 MB RAM and 30GB disk. I run everything from standard Microsoft Office to Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, etc. It runs games, Intel chip emulators, Web development tools, and a bunch of freeware or shareware that is available because Mac OS X is UNIX at the core and very similar to Linux. FOr most users though, the easy to use Apple Macintosh graphical user interface makes this machine fun and appealing to use every day, all the time.

I got a great deal pricewise on a used Powerbook (really B stock refurbished). I love the screen and the notebook mostly works. However, the clasp broke the first week and the DVD/CD drive isn't well aligned.

I paid less than the price of a new ibook and an Ibook is what I was looking for at first. Despite the flimsy construction I love the screen and the Powerbook with some added ram and an airport makes a great portable web surfing machine. The titanium powerbooks are definitely the snazziest laptops ever made even if they are a bit flimsy. (I have experience with many other laptops and other Powerbooks because I manage the IT department at my company). I generally get a new PC laptop every few months from my job so I really didn't want to spend the [money] on a new 800 mhz Powerbook. This one does the job I want it to do. If you really want to do heavy processing a newer Powerbook is a good idea. As an alternative to an ibook, this older G4 500 can be a great deal.

As an added note, Apple has done a great job with System X. I hated system 8 and 9 - I thought Windows 2000 was a lot better. But OS X addresses the things I hated (lack of command line control, poor multitasking, poor TCP/IP support). If only apple would stop messing around and use Intel processors since the Motorola ones just aren't keeping pace.