Apple PowerBook Laptop 12" M9184LL/A (1.33-GHz PowerPC G4, 256 MB RAM, 60 GB Hard Drive, SuperDrive)

by Apple

Product Details

Product Manual [1.64mb PDF]

• Product Dimensions: 8.6 x 10.9 x 1.2 inches ; 4.6 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 14 pounds
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S.
• ASIN: B00022ADX0
• Item model number: M9184LL/A
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Discontinued by manufacturer: Yes
• Date first available at Amazon.com: April 19, 2004

Product Description

From the Manufacturer

More. It's the word that best describes the new 12-inch PowerBook G4.

It has more speed: it's 1.33 GHz PowerPC G4 processor and 167 MHz system bus provide impressive performance gains. It offers twice the video memory -- 64 MB, to be exact -- resulting in a noticeable boost in graphics performance. It provides more storage, coming standard with a 60 GB Ultra ATA/100 hard drive. And finally, the pièce de résistance, it ships with AirPort Extreme built right in.

	Leading-edge Industrial Design Housed in a stunning aluminum alloy enclosure and weighing just 4.6 pounds, this diminutive powerhouse features a high-resolution 12.1-inch TFT XGA active-matrix display with brilliant 1024 by 768 pixel resolution. You'll marvel at the way this supersharp display fits into such a remarkably small frame: just 10.9 inches wide, 8.6 inches deep and 1.18 inches thin. It's also resistant to stains and scratches. Perfectly smooth on all surfaces, the PowerBook has no doors, protruding latches or levers to break, no external buttons to accidentally press and no sharp edges to catch on your clothing. PowerPC G4 with Velocity Engine The 1.33 GHz PowerBook G4 delivers blazing-fast performance, thanks to the PowerPC G4 with Velocity Engine, which processes data in huge 128-bit chunks and accelerates the data-intensive processing required by next-generation video, voice and graphics applications. And with a new 167MHz system bus, the 12-inch PowerBook G4 offers faster data throughput than ever before. Fast Wireless out of the Box Like its two big brothers, the 12-inch PowerBook G4 comes with AirPort Extreme built right in, so you're ready for 54 Mbps wireless networking the moment you take your PowerBook out of its box. And with thousands of wireless-enabled “hot spots” in hotels, airport lounges, coffee shops and bookstores around the world, you can get online from practically anywhere. What's more, you can use your PowerBook G4, AirPort Extreme and Rendezvous (which seamlessly recognizes and links computers and digital devices to each other) to create your own secure wireless network. Wireless Internet Everywhere AirPort Extreme uses radio waves to communicate. This works to your advantage: Unlike infrared signals, which require an unobstructed line of sight between the remote unit and the base station, radio waves can pass through solid objects from up to 150 feet away. Which means that you can take your PowerBook G4 into different rooms or onto different floors of a building and still maintain your active network connection -- and surf the Internet through walls. 4x SuperDrive Though it's the smallest portable Apple has ever shipped, the 12-inch PowerBook G4 packs formidable processing power for graphic design and editing digital video — not to mention playing 3D games, listening to music and watching DVD movies between flights. The M9184LL features a slot-loading 4x-speed SuperDrive (DVD-R/CD-RW), which lets you burn both CDs and DVDs.
Powerbook model M9462LL/A features a 17-inch TFT widescreen display.
Powerbook models M9421LL/A and M9422LL/A feature a 15.2" TFT widescreen display.
Powerbook models M9183LL/A and M9184LL/A feature a 12.1" TFT display.

Lightning-fast Graphics The 12-inch PowerBook features the NVIDIA GeForce FX Go5200 and now has 64 MB of DDR SDRAM to kick your 2D and 3D performance into overdrive. In fact, with twice the video memory than it had previously, the 12-inch PowerBook delivers 34% better graphics performance. Versatile Video-out Capabilities The 12-inch PowerBook G4 comes with built-in support for DVI, VGA, S-video and composite video signals. And since the 12-inch PowerBook supports dual display mode and video mirroring, you can extend your work area or mirror your projects to an external display or projector -- perfect for presentations and for sharing your ideas. You can also display your multimedia projects on a big-screen TV, thanks to S-video and composite video output capability: Simply connect your TV to the mini-DVI port via the Apple Mini-DVI to Video Adapter, which is sold separately.

FireWire and USB 2.0 The PowerBook G4 features two FireWire 400 ports, for connecting external hard drives and DV cameras, and two USB 2.0 ports, for connecting graphics tablets, digital cameras, printers and scanners. The Bluetooth Connection In addition to AirPort Extreme, you'll also find Bluetooth built into the 12-inch PowerBook G4. Connecting digital devices wirelessly, Bluetooth allows a rapidly growing list of Bluetooth-savvy products to transfer data at high speed. Using iSync, for instance, you can use Bluetooth to synchronize your personal information among various devices such as your PowerBook, mobile phone and Palm OS-based handheld. And Bluetooth lets you take advantage of GPRS connectivity to check your email from anywhere -- a benefit that comes in handy on those occasions when an 802.11 wireless hot spot isn't available.

Product Description

Apple M9184LL/A 12" PowerBook G4 - Featuring a combination of beauty & power, this PowerBook G4 stands apart from the typical laptop crowd. The stunning exterior is constructed from an aluminum alloy that is smooth & lightweight. Inside, you'll find some amazing mobile computing technology. Just look at the host of features that are sure to keep you productive while you're on the go! 12.1 Display (1024x768) NVIDIA GeForce FX Go5200 graphics with 64MB of DDR SDRAM Ports - 1 FireWire 400, 2 USB 2.0, Mini-DVI, & 10/100 Ethernet 56k v.92 Fax Modem Built-in 802.11g AirPort Extreme Built-in Bluetooth 1.1 Dimensions - 1.18 (h) x 10.9 (w) x 8.6 (d) Weight - 4.6 lbs. Includes - AC adapter, lithium-ion battery, Mini-DVI to DVI adapter, Mini-DVI to VGA adapter, Mac OS X 10.3 Panther, Classic Environment, iChat, Safari, Sherlock, iCal, iLife, iSync, DVD Player, FileMaker Pro Trial, GraphicConverter, OmniGraffle, OmniOutliner, QuickBooks for Mac New User Edition & more SPECIAL CLOSEOUT FROM J&R

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

47 of 48 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Small Wonder, July 29, 2004

By 

S. Butler "Monk Edsel" (Pittsburgh, PA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Apple PowerBook Laptop 12" M9184LL/A (1.33-GHz PowerPC G4, 256 MB RAM, 60 GB Hard Drive, SuperDrive) (Personal Computers)

After waiting for a third revision of the 12 inch PowerBook, I decided to get one. I decided on the 12 inch because of the very portable size and the lower price. In addition to the standard features I opted for 256 MB of RAM (for a total of 512 MB) and the larger, faster hard drive (80GB @ 5400 rpm). I just couldn't imagine 256 MB of RAM being adequate for my needs, and everyone says the 5400 rpm HD is so much faster than 4200 rpm, so that and an addional 20 GB of space made it a no brainer. Anyway, this is my first Mac. I'm in art school and that's all we use there, and it's all the industry uses, not to mention that Apple gave me an enormous credit line when all I wanted to do was buy an iPod.

This is a great machine. Everything about it is so elegant. A friend of mine has a Gateway laptop, and I find it offensive by comparison. Not only is it big and ugly and plastic with ports on every side of it, but it has horrible ergonomics (a weird keyboard with narrower keys that are not the standard size and a horrible set of mouse buttons) and a typical but still cheesy optical drive that you have to slide out and then snap the disc onto the spindle. I guess what this says is that I've become a Mac snob, but the PowerBook is just so beautiful and so much more thoughtfully designed, all the ports are on the left side, and there are no legacy ports that no uses anymore any way, and on the right is the snappy slot-loading SuperDrive, for which I can not even describe the satisfaction you get when you put in a disc and it sucks it out of your fingers, giving a soft mechanical sound afterward as it mounts it. Also great is the latch, it's magnetic so that the clasp only manifests when it's near the other half of the laptop when you go to close it, when you open it, it retracts back into its slot, so there is no little metal thing sticking out the top of the display. I have had no problems with it, and I'd also like to note that I have no problem with the keys dirtying or scuffing the display, when the PowerBook is closed there is no contact between the two, it looks like Apple increased the amount of space between the two, because I know in the past a lot of people have complained about this happening. None of this is to mention the Mac OS, but this isn't a review of that, although I will say that while both Mac OS and Windows have their strengths and weaknesses, the Mac OS does have a curious way of some how making you feel more engaged with whatever it is you are doing, and just feels and looks a lot nicer to boot.

There are a few things I don't like about the PowerBook. One is the speakers, although that is minor. They sound as good as you can expect them too, but the volume doesn't go as loud as you would expect. Second is that this thing can get very hot. If you just have it on your lap for awhile expect it to get uncomfortably warm eventually. If the PowerBook is very well ventilated I noticed heat doesn't become a problem, but if you are hanging out in bed or on the couch without some sort of table or something, and it's actually on the bed or even your lap, it can get pretty hot. I never really use this thing at a desk, because I can't stand sitting at one and that's why I wanted a notebook to begin with. I guess there isn't much Apple can do about it, maybe use faster fans or something, but as they are the fans are pretty quiet, where as, to bring up the Gateway, the fans on that thing are really intrusively loud, although it does stay a lot cooler.

Everything else is great. I love that it is cased in aluminum. It feels and looks great, and when you tell people it's aluminum they are always impressed. The battery lasts a good while and, if you flip the PowerBook over there is a little button you can press that will cause a row of LCDs next to it to light up and reveal the remaining charge. These lights also blink to indicate the charge status while the PowerBook is charging. There are great features to use when the 'Book is closed and you don't want to open it and wake it just to check the battery status. Also nice is how the plug itself, where it plugs into the machine, has a led that glows orange if it is charging and green if the the battery is full.

Anyway, the keyboard has full sized keys, and after you get used to the inherently different dynamics of a laptop keyboard, it feels very nice. Unfortunately there is no option for the backlit keyboard like there is on the larger models. The trackpad is a trackpad, it's certainly a lot better than my friend's horrible Gateway one, which is actually smaller than the PowerBook's but is paired to a 15 inch screen (figure that one out!). On the whole the computer is really quite fast and responsive and just a pleasure to use with ZERO frustrating wait time for something small and stupid to respond or occur, which is so nice because i have ZERO patience, and the included Airport Extreme card is nice and saved me the expense of buying one separately. The reception seems pretty good, I was sitting in a park across the street from a hotel and had two bars showing, and was able to surf comfortably for an hour before I decided to leave. I can't comment on the Bluetooth as I don't own any Bluetooth devices yet.

The SuperDrive seems fast, although I haven't really burned much with it yet, mostly CD-RW back ups and a small backup to a DVD which didn't take as long as I thought it might if that counts for anything. I copied a couple music CDs and that went extremely quickly.

As for the screen, well, particularly if you put it side by side with the larger models it will seem small. But once I started using it, within 10 minutes I adapted completely to the size and it seems perfect now. Although I am an art student and do use a lot of graphic applications, the screen is adequate for me. Sometimes a higher resolution would be nice (it goes to 1024x768 max) but all that is really required is a little extra scrolling and zooming in and out in things like Photoshop than I am used to, and I have met people with 17 inchers who can't stand the size and weight when it comes time to take it with them somewhere, and I never have that problem because it's so small it fits in every bag perfectly and is very easy on the shoulders to carry. As for color and contrast they are of course great, it can wash out in the outdoors depending on the intensity of the sunlight, but any sort of color LCD will have that problem. If you are using it in even moderate shade you should be able to so comfortably, but If it's bright, direct sunlight though, forget it.

All in all I highly recommend this machine, it's such a joy in every way.

14 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The best thing ever, December 24, 2004

By 

Craig A. Mcneil (Fort Worth USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Apple PowerBook Laptop 12" M9184LL/A (1.33-GHz PowerPC G4, 256 MB RAM, 60 GB Hard Drive, SuperDrive) (Personal Computers)

Ten years ago I had a Mac. Then I went to law school and discovered that I lived in a world dominated by Bill Gates's Microsoft. So I became a PC user. I spent this year in Iraq and I had a Compaq laptop with me that served me well. Then I saw the specs on the 12 inch G4 PowerBook with superdrive. It is all that people say and more. The keyboard is roomy and comfortable (hard to believe given the small size) and the iLife bundled software enabled me to take my hundreds of digital photos and MPEG clips and create a movie after just a few hours of work.

And for those who complain about the heat produced by the PowerBook, not true. The laptop, like all computers, gets a little warm, but at worse the heat is slightly uncomfortable.

The WiFi ability has me cruising the net wirelessly and easily. Simply put, this PowerBook has re-inventing computers for me.

As a lawyer and a soldier I primarily use MS Office. I bought Office for Mac and the stuff I produce at work runs seamlessly on my PowerBook, and the stuff I produce on my PowerBook runs seamlessly on my PC at work.

I flew from Kuwait to Germany to Newark this past week and the light weight of the PowerBook made it an instant hit with me.

This thing ranks up there with sliced bread and the TV remote control.

A little more room on the hard drive is all I would ask for, but, with my SuperDrive, I can save large files quickly.

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Loving it, May 3, 2004

By A Customer

This review is from: Apple PowerBook Laptop 12" M9184LL/A (1.33-GHz PowerPC G4, 256 MB RAM, 60 GB Hard Drive, SuperDrive) (Personal Computers)

As a freshman-to-be in college, I needed a new, lighter laptop, and this being my first Apple, I was a bit hesitant but dying for a change from the boring Windows XP systems I have been using. I love everything about this unit, from the style to the size to the DVD burner to Apple's iLife (GarageBand+loops is great); I have never used a browser faster than Safari, and I love using Apple's Mail program configured to AOL IMAP. The DVD burner works flawlessly (if you want to copy movies, I recommend purchasing DVD2ONE, which copies a full commercial DVD w/ features to one single DVD-R...the program is a bit expensive at 39 euros, but it is worth it...it works perfectly with U.S.-encoded NTSC DVDs). iMovie and iDVD are perfect for my needs, and Final Cut Express (student pricing: $150) is perfect for the high-powered video I need. Office 2004 for the Mac is a great bundle and truthfully better than its Windows counterpart. Battery life is impressive at about 4 hours; in fact I got through 2 hours and 55 minutes of a 3 hour movie before the battery died (screen at 50% brightness). Internal wireless is the best performance I have used (in the past I have owned a HP Pavilion zt3010us as well as a Compaq TC1000 Tablet). Performance is great unless you are looking to run extremely intense programs/games (go for an Apple G5 Desktop then...). Games run well, however...I only have tried two: X-Plane (the excellent flight simulator...beats Microsoft's easily), and SimCity 4...both run flawlessly without any changes in rendering (X-Plane slows down when scenery gets extremely complex).

(...). I run my system at 768MB and find performance to be perfect.

Some fun apps to install (search Google or versiontracker.com): iComic (downloads web-based comics to your computer, like FoxTrot, Garfield, Cathy, etc), WeatherPop (displays local weather in the top toolbar), Synergy (allows you to control iTunes from the toolbar, and shows album art for 4 seconds as a translucent pop-up), Watson (beefed up Sherlock program...basically a do-all web-interface for movie tickets, weather, recipes, eBay tracking, etc. without a web browser), DVD2One (www.dvd2one.com), VLC Media Player (plays any video file imagineable...free program), and Roxio Toast 6 (awesome CD/DVD Burner...costs $79).

All in all, I love this machine and give it a perfect 5 stars.