PC killer on the loose

InfoWorld ^ | December 13, 2002 | Tom Yager

[Auntie Mame]

THERE ARE TREND-CONSCIOUS people at every company who demand the sharpest-looking cell phone or PDA, something that screams "I'm so hip." Whether or not it actually works is irrelevant. With IT budgets squeezed almost to zero, management is understandably touchy about frivolous purchase requests.

Therefore, when you hand in your requisition for an Apple PowerBook G4, attach this review. Few who look at the PowerBook G4 can believe it's not the latest fashionable toy. After spending quality time with the PowerBook running Mac OS X 10.2.2, we don't care if we ever touch another $3,500-plus top-end PC notebook. Yes, it is that good, and its value has nothing to do with its sleek looks.

Apple packaged the PowerBook G4s so exquisitely that at first we were afraid to get our fingerprints on them. Our reverie lasted about 15 minutes. Then we dragged two systems -- an earlier 867MHz model and the newest 1GHz unit -- through hell for several weeks, both in the lab and on the road. We beat them twice as hard because they're so pretty and because, well, we're not Mac people. When it was over, the PowerBooks owned us utterly. Trust us; that never happens.

Nice specs

The object of this review is the newly updated PowerBook G4, the model that includes a 1GHz PowerPC processor and a SuperDrive DVD/CD burner. It features a 15.2-inch display set in a 3:2 ratio (other notebooks are 4:3), 512MB of RAM, and a 60GB hard drive.

The landscape screen, which has a default resolution of 1280 by 854 pixels, has the widest horizontal viewable range we've seen on a notebook. You can drive an analog or digital external monitor at resolutions as high as 2048 by 1536. The external display either mirrors what's on the LCD or stretches your desktop across both screens. Apple includes all the video connectors you'll need for presentations: VGA, S-Video, and composite.

Apple's sales literature claims the PowerBook G4 outperforms a 2.2GHz Pentium 4, but don't count on that claim. Running at full speed, a P4-M notebook will feel faster than a PowerBook G4, especially when running applications optimized for the Pentium 4 architecture. But when the P4-M throttles back to conserve the battery or keep from burning your lap, the more efficient PowerPC takes the lead.

The ATI Radeon 9000 display controller with 64MB of RAM makes a big difference in perceived speed. Apple uses hardware-accelerated OpenGL (comparable to Microsoft's DirectX gaming graphics technology) for the entire OS X GUI. Where ClearType font smoothing slows Windows way down, Apple's smoothed text draws fast and scrolls quickly. The combination of the ATI graphics chip and the 1GHz PowerPC processor keeps the interface responsive, even in low-power mode. It's amazing that a 5.4-pound machine can pull five hours out of a battery without slowing to a crawl.

Getting online

The PowerBook G4 has exceptional network and peripheral connectivity. The built-in Ethernet supports copper gigabit, and the 1GHz model includes an AirPort 802.11 wireless adapter. The back panel, protected by a hinged metal cover, also has two USB (not USB 2.0) ports and a full-sized FireWire socket.

We tested the AirPort card with both a 3Com access point and Apple's AirPort Base Station. 3Com's access point puts out a much stronger signal, but the PowerBook's airport card and software had no trouble making encrypted connections to both. The AirPort installs easily under the keyboard, leaving the Cardbus slot open.

The PowerBook adapts quickly and automatically to existing networks and handles changes quite well. It reconnects almost instantly when waking from sleep mode. In fact, the whole machine is ready to go before you get the cover open. We tried to confuse OS X by reconfiguring our lab's wireless and copper networks while it was connected. We never managed to give it more than a few seconds' pause. Unless it needs new security credentials, OS X makes a home on whatever network it finds without asking you anything. We mounted Windows file shares and authenticated against the lab's Active Directory server without difficulty. Being based on BSD 4.4, OS X had no trouble securely sharing files with our Linux, Solaris, and FreeBSD hosts.

Better than a desktop

The PowerBook G4 probably will spoil you for your desktop PC. The slot-loading SuperDrive (how did Apple squeeze a DVD burner into a 1-inch tall case?) records CD-R, CD-RW, and DVD-R media. Now that a blank DVD-R is going for under $5 a disc, it's practical for general storage as well as making movie discs for your home DVD player. The Pioneer drive also works with DVD-RW media. The SuperDrive is slow, burning CD-R at only 8X and DVD-R at 2X, but remember: This is a notebook. Your desktop can't burn 4.7GB onto an optical disc at any speed.

The titanium chassis, the DVD burner, the wide-screen display, the super-fast graphics chip, the Gigabit Ethernet, the FireWire, and the standard wireless connectivity only paint part of the PowerBook picture. More than half of the story is Apple's incredible OS X and the massive collection of bundled and freely downloadable software it runs. If you don't find the software you need, pull it off the Net and compile it using the included graphical development tools. GNU did just that for some 2,500 Unix/Linux projects, and developers add dozens of titles to that list every day. Commercial developers are also ramping up fast.

The PowerBook G4 isn't a product to watch; it's the only notebook on the market worth spending $2,500 on, and at that price, it's a steal.

Way to go, Apple.

BOTTOM LINE

	Apple 1GHz PowerBook G4 BUSINESS CASE With a 60GB hard drive, up to 1GB of RAM, solid performance, and exceptional connectivity, this notebook belongs on your radar. TECHNOLOGY CASE The PowerBook G4 hits all its targets. OS X perfectly exploits the efficient PowerPC G4 CPU and the superb ATI Radeon 9000 graphics chip.
	PROS + 1GHz PowerPC processor, 1MB level-3 cache, and as much as 1GB of RAM + Exceptional software bundle + Quick, automatic connections to gigabit copper and wireless LANs + Seamless authentication and file/print sharing with Windows networks CONS - None significant COST $2,999 as reviewed; 867MHz model starts at $2,299 PLATFORMS OS X 10.2.2, MacOS 9, BSD-compatible open source, Java COMPANY Apple Computer; www.apple.com/powerbook

Deploy

Ease of use

9

Implementation

10

Innovation

10

Interoperability

9

Scalability

9

Security

10

Suitability

10

Support

10

Training

10

Value

10

Deploy

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

See our scoring methodology

[PatrioticAmerican]

"Except then you're stuck with Microsloth. There are great advantages to the BSD side of OS X that MS can't touch.
"

Like what?

Microsoft Windows XP on a notebook works just great.

You really need to stop bashing Microsoft, 'cause that is sooooo 20 minutes ago.

[Question_Assumptions]

What's the battery life on these Dell Pentium 4 wonders? I've been researching buying a PC laptop (for work and for Linux). The Dell reviews I've read all say that you might be lucky to get 2 and a half hours out of the batteries, with power saving. You really can use a Powerbook or iBook for 4 or 5 hours without changing or charging the battery. No wonder I recently read a comment where the person said that all the laptops they saw on air trips were Macs. You can actually fly coast to coast with one.

In all fairness, InfoWorld really isn't pro-Windows. They've got a strong pro-Linux streak and a recent article by one of their tester said that after testing a PowerBook, he didn't want to go back to his PC laptop.

[Anchoragite]

Well, gee, MS DOS on a notebook works just great too... if you want to write a memo.

MS Bashing is not undeserved. I'm not a Mac supporter... matter of fact, until OS X and the new architecture, I railed against Macs for years (Try doing that when you're in charge of 20 publishers and illustrators).

But understand this: The backbone of the internet is Unix/Linux/BSD/et. al. Open Source sw is moving into the mainstream with companies like IBM employing it on their servers. And while you can run Linux or BSD on a PC, you have to shut down and reboot every time you want to change environments.

Do you even know what BSD is, or are you a blind Pro-MS crusader?

[Question_Assumptions]

Microsoft Windows XP on a notebook works just great. You really need to stop bashing Microsoft, 'cause that is sooooo 20 minutes ago.

Actually, it is coming back into style, but for different reasons. It sounds like Microsoft has gotten their act together with respect to stability and usability. The problem now is that they are playing games with licensing and activation. I don't entirely blame them, since piracy is such a bit problem and their business model, now that they've reached saturation in the computer market, must rely on people paying for upgrades. But this is a problem that Linux and Free BSD don't have because they are free and Mac OSX doesn't have because Apple expects to make their money from hardware. Even the pro-MS IT people I talk to seem to have their concerns about activation and there is talk about how new versions of Office will not be backward compatible.

[Question_Assumptions]

LMFAO! Yeah, such as those cute Barbie clamshell cases ...

I've gotten over 5 hours of word processing out of my old cute orange Barbie clamshell iBook (I think that calling it a "toilet seat" is probably more appropriate, given its appearance and center of gravity) on a single battery charge. The thing is nearly indestructible, runs cool, and handle is useful, too. My white iBook does look classier, though, and has Firewire and video out ports that the older iBook lacks. Or do you have a problem with how the white iBooks look, too?

[general_re]

Do you even know what BSD is, or are you a blind Pro-MS crusader?

I know what it is - I'm typing this from Mozilla on FreeBSD, actually - and I'm curious as to what these advantages of the "BSD side" of OSX are. Why not ditch that proprietary junk and switch to BSD?

[PatrioticAmerican]

"The backbone of the internet is Unix/Linux/BSD/et. al."

And that precludes Windows XP as a perfectly good notebook OS???

BSD? Son, I was well into my career before BSD ever hit the lab.

[PatrioticAmerican]

"The problem now is that they are playing games with licensing and activation."

I completely agree. Piracy is one thing, preventing licensed users from using the software, or harassing them, is another.

[Question_Assumptions]

I know what it is - I'm typing this from Mozilla on FreeBSD, actually - and I'm curious as to what these advantages of the "BSD side" of OSX are. Why not ditch that proprietary junk and switch to BSD?

If you are running FreeBSD, I think you already know what the advantages of the BSD side of OSX are. Basically, I can use emacs, run apache (PHP and PostgreSQL), run X, and use gcc or Perl. Essentially, it is a Unix OS, but it does have some quirks. I think your real question is "Why not ditch that proprietary junk?" The answer is threefold. First, the iBook I'm using is a pretty nice and cost effective laptop (which is why there are reports of so many of them popping up at Linux conferences -- I wound up convincing a sysadmin friend to get one). Second, the Mac GUI part of the equation solves the "not ready for the desktop" complaints that people have about Linux and FreeBSD. It is a desktop OS. Finally, you can get commercial software for OSX that you can't run on Linux or FreeBSD including Microsoft Office and Internet Explorer. Basically, I get the benefits of both a proprietary OS and a free Unix-like OS at the same time. And, as I said, iBooks are really pretty cost effective and rugged for what you get.

Ultimately, use whatever works for you. But a lot of Unix people (including Linux and FreeBSD) people seem to find some value in using Macs -- particularly iBooks.

[general_re]

LOL - the question is only fun if the person who originally made the assertions comes back to defend them. Anyway, glad to hear that you like the iBook - maybe when the PPC port of FreeBSD is useable, I'll buy one and install it ;)

[Question_Assumptions]

I completely agree. Piracy is one thing, preventing licensed users from using the software, or harassing them, is another.

Unfortunately, piracy is bad enough that Microsoft has little choice but to have invasive software licensing. They are at the point where OEM software sales aren't enough and they need the licensing revenue from upgrades. The saving grace that Apple has is that it sells the hardware so if you pirate, say, OSX 10.2, you are still going to be running it on Apple hardware. Microsoft doesn't get anything from hardware sales (except, maybe, mice and keyboards). Of course Microsoft can always reinvent itself by abandoning the OS cash cow if it starts to dry up and focus on applications like Office. And Microsoft has large enough cash reserves that it isn't going anywhere for a while.

[ContentiousObjector]

The G4 powerbook is a nice computer, but a horrible laptop.

We did a test deployment with the original Titanium powerbook with some field engineers, all five were wrecked in under a week

Apple doesn't appear to understand that laptop computers are used in places other than starbucks

[Question_Assumptions]

Anyway, glad to hear that you like the iBook - maybe when the PPC port of FreeBSD is useable, I'll buy one and install it ;)

What do you like about FreeBSD that you don't like about Darwin and OSX? Darwin does seem to have some FreeBSD guts to it. Does FreeBSD use the Mach kernel? I'm sorry but I'm more of a SysV/Linux person and I'm not up on the merits of FreeBSD. I'm curious what you think makes it better.

[Joe Hadenuf]

A little off subject, but looking for a PC desktop computer for my kid for Christmas, he's into gaming, on line w/DSL and off line, and I am looking for somthing that's pretty fast. Anyone have any suggestions? I am considering one of the higher end Dells but they seem a little pricey.

Thanks for any suggestions or comments.

[Question_Assumptions]

We did a test deployment with the original Titanium powerbook with some field engineers, all five were wrecked in under a week

Some of the early issues with, say, the CD rubbing against the case if you are squeezing it, have supposedly been fixed but, yes, I think the Titanium PowerBooks can be delicate. An ex-co-worker has one and he's had to replace his screen. It does flex quite a bit. If you want rugged, take a look at iBooks. You might scratch up the plastic but they are pretty solid all around. I've carried mine around in a normal soft briefcase bag and through air travel in a plain canvas bag with handles and some magazines as padding with no problems. Frankly, I think I'm happier with my iBook than I'd be with a PowerBook. The main advantage the PowerBook has is power (better processor, etc.).

[ContentiousObjector]

We have some cheap little compaqs we are giving employee's as Christmas bonuses this year, the Compaq D315.

It has a built in nvidia geforce 2 or something, with a nice fast AMD athlon, they are under $500 with a monitor.

They seem to play a game called "Return To Castle Wolfenstine" and "Command and Conquer: Renegade" well enough.

[Question_Assumptions]

Use whatever works for you, but I've been staying away from HP and now Compaq, since they are the same company. The Packard foundation is radically pro-abortion. Do some searches. Make up your own mind. I'll pass. I'm considering Dell, IBM, and Toshiba for PC laptops and none of my printers nor my scanner is HP.

[ContentiousObjector]

the G4 is cute, it just isn't appropriate for use in the field, and that is annoying, because that is really the only place they are used.

Back in the day a Powerbook 520 or something fell out of a helicopter about 200 feet into coastal swamp, when we drained the swamp a few months later and recovered the briefcase the laptop was in, we stuck a fresh battary in the thing and it booted right up, the hard drive was wasted, but the system still worked.

One of the Titanium G4's fell less than 3 feet in a laptop case and the display was smashed, and a new display is $1400!

However, there are some guys up in Austin who upgrade G3 powerbooks with G4 processors, I think they are called Power Logic.

It is irritating because we have some Dell Latitude's that have fallen off the hood of a truck onto a gravel road without any non-cosmetic damage, while a G4 powerbook can be wrecked with little or no force

[Bush2000]

My Dell notebook gives me about 5 hours of use; however, to be fair, I have two batteries in it. It has built-in Firewire, wireless NIC, modem, 60GB HD, DVD drive, huge LCD screen, 1600x1200 native resolution, etc. In other words, it's as powerful as any desktop machine.

[ContentiousObjector]

if you think HP is liberal, look at your beloved Apple

The entire industry is liberal,

I justify it like this, they are liberals and we are using their technology to wreck their beloved environment