Rating: 
Summary: So Sweet, Says a Switcher
Review: This is my first Mac, and while its two new operating systems present a serious challenge for a long, long-time PC user, I can say without reservation that it's the most beautiful piece of hardware I've ever used. The screen is bigger than my TV's and, because of the width, sharpness, and proportions, it doesn't _feel_ any smaller than my 17" desktop PC monitor. The keyboard has a nice feel. The power adapter is well designed. It rocks.Now, if I could just (a) learn how to stop messing up the software, and (b) find a cool, sub-C-note padded bag to carry it in, I'd be in heaven . . . Update, 15 months later: I still love my TiBook, my friends still envy it, and I hate having to use any other computer. I'll never go back. Software: I haven't had any problems with the OS since about a year ago. I now find it intuitive and fun to use. I work in OS 10.2.4 exclusively; the only application I run in Classic mode is Quark--and I've recently started working with Adobe InDesign, so I'm hoping eventually to be able to give up both Classic and Quark. Font management has been a problem, because I have a lot of fonts and some are kind of [messed] up. I tried using Font Reserve for a little while but it kept crashing and wouldn't recognize some of my fonts, so I had to switch back to ATM for Quark and manual management (dragging fonts in and out of folders) for OS X. It's not a big deal, but I wish there were a better solution. MS Word X is slow and poorly designed, and the implementation of styling is particularly lousy--definitely inferior to earlier versions of Word, and positively painful compared to Word XP. It's probably adequate for most users but frustrating for editors or designers who rely heavily on paragraph and character styles, as well as search-and-replace. Hardware: Yes, the silver paint on my computer's bezel has blistered or worn away in the places where my hands rest. It's disappointing, but it doesn't reduce my affection for the machine. My CD drive has gotten to be quite quirky; this will be what ultimately drives me to send the laptop in for service (DO get AppleCare). I bought my TiBook refurbished and have always guessed that the CD drive was the source of the original problem. No way to know, of course. I use an iSkin keyboard protector, which significantly dampens the notoriously loud cooling fan (though it also raises the temperature in the case). In an attempt to avoid the notorious wifi reception problems of this model, instead of an Airport card I got an EnGenius wifi card with a built-in antenna, and I installed the free open source driver from wirelessdriver.sourceforge.net. While it worked beautifully for a while, lately I haven't been able to connect to anything. I suspect this is the fault of the driver, which is extremely beta. Summary: The most fun thing about the Mac for me is trying all the gorgeous new software that's being developed for OS X. There are fewer programs than are available for PCs or pre-OS X Macs, sure, but so many of the new ones are really innovative and well thought-out. I've found carbonized software (e.g., Word) to be a disappointment, but I expect that eventually those programs will be fully cocoa-ized and will improve. Computing on my PC was never fun; it was just a tool--an awkward one. My laptop, however, is both an awesome, powerful tool and a beautiful, versatile toy. I recommend Macs to everyone now and am helping my mom make the switch . . . from DOS!
Rating: 
Summary: Move on up to 1GHz, 667 is yesterdays news
Review: This machine had it's day, but it is past. An 800MHz G4 is the *entry level* machine. I benchmark these (and PC based) laptops all day, and I can tell you that the total platform performance of this machine is about that of a newer Celeron based laptop (the older graphics on this model subsystem doesn't help). Instead look at the 1GHz G4 which has a top of the line ATI 9000 GPU as well as a decently clocked G4 to go with it. Now that is a nice Powerbook. Anything less is really a waste of money
Rating:
Summary: Better than the original.
Review: This Powerbook is awesome and it is a huge jump over the previous 400/500 series Powerbooks. First off, the new video card makes DVD's and games run very smooth, I've never once experienced a glitch. Second, I do believe this runs a bit cooler too b/c of the minor vent changes. Firewire runs at a better speed than the rev. 1 pb and not to mention the 33mhz bus boost and faster processor too. I haven't had a crash with OSX and run exclusively on it including photoshop6/Illustrator 9. AND the new poweradapter is awesome, you'll have to see it. Last, the ditch of the second option for the Apple/Command Key is great, no more offensive hand gestures. As with the previous build, it's got a titanium exterior, lightweight, long batterylife, yadda yadda yadda...
Rating:
Summary: Oh my god! I almost bought the iBook!
Review: What a mistake that would have been! First off this computer is absolutly beautiful and completely functional in its design. I don't feel confined to a desk in the least. My PowerBook fits comfortly in my lap, the keyboard is large and the keys have a solid springy resistantance. The display is amazing! It doesn't look like anything else I have seen out there. Widesceen, clear, sharp and easy on the eyes. I don't feel any eyestrain in the least. OS X (10) is so fluid, beautiful, sparklely and truely easy to use. iTunes and iMovie 2 do not disappoint. Voice control that will make you want to name your computer Hal. The new lower price and the free double RAM really makes this hard to pass up. Did I mention the DVD player? Apple has out done themselves with this machine. I cannot recomend this notebook highly enough.
Rating:
Summary: What's New
Review: What's new? 1. 667 MHz G4 (up from 500 MHz)
2. 667 MHz 256 KB L2 cache (changed from 250 MHz 1 MB L2 cache)
3. 133 MHz system bus (up from 100 MHz)
4. 512 MB PC133 SDRAM until end of 2001 (up from 256 MB PC100)
5. Quieter 30 GB hard disk (up from 20 GB)
6. 6X DVD-ROM drive (up from 4X)
7. ATI Mobility RADEON AGP 4X graphics with 16 MB DDR RAM (changed from ATI Mobility Rage AGP 2X with 8 MB SDRAM) -- much greater performance, higher resolution when driving external display
8. Gigabit Ethernet
9. Improved I/O for faster FireWire throughput (as much as 2X greater bandwidth)
10. Built-in AirPort card (was optional)
11. Improved AirPort reception range
12. A/C power connector glows then connected to the outlet
13. Redesigned, smaller A/C adapter
14. Higher capacity battery (55.3-watt-hour vs. 50), but similar overall battery life
15. Improved fit and finish (e.g., battery holder, touchpad)
16. Cooler operating temperature
17. Keyboard layout change (2nd Command key, elimination of 2nd Option key)
18. Improved keyboard feedback (less spongy)
19. Includes OS X.1 and OS 9.2 (changed from OX X and OS 9.1)
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