12" Powerbook: Slick and Sexy, But Not Without Issues 359
Gentu writes "Two very good reviews on the 12" Powerbook have been published today. The first review can be found at the Washington Post and is very positive but not very thorough, while the second one found at OSNews is an in-depth review of the popular Mac laptop, tackling down many issues that future purchasers should be aware of. 'The new 12" Powerbook is nothing more but an iBook on steroids with a G4 in it' OSNews concludes, but the overall read is very interesting."
AMD logo (Score:2, Funny)
Re:AMD logo (Score:2, Funny)
Re:AMD logo (Score:5, Funny)
If you overclock it, it does a cool impression of the T1000 from Terminator 2!
Re:AMD logo (Score:3, Funny)
Slashdot Acronyms:
AMD = Advanced Mac Devices
Thanks for the reminder (Score:5, Funny)
Re:Thanks for the reminder (Score:3, Funny)
Just bought a new 15".. (Score:5, Interesting)
Lots of people have bitched about the scaled back memory too. There probably isn't a technical reason why it was limited to 640Meg, and there's no L3 cache onboard. Those issues wouldn't have bothered me as much as the lack of DVI.. I mean, apple themselves have sold it pretty heavily.
Anyhow, my TiSD should be here soon.. I won't even get into the mystery shipping on the 17". 17" makes a great desktop replacement, but if you're going to multihead it with a very large display it's kinda moot.
Re:Just bought a new 15".. (Score:5, Interesting)
Re:Just bought a new 15".. (Score:4, Interesting)
In the same announcement as the introduction for these 12"ers and the new 17" PowerBooks, Jobs mentioned that Apple are moving their focus increasingly toward portables - if anything I'd expect their "consumer" end range to expand in a similar way to their "Pro" stuff, possibly even introducing an "eBook" (an economical and robust low-end laptop offering) before long...
as for the 15" with the new specs - they're certainly on their way as soon as the old TiBooks clear the distribution channels.
Not the purpose of the 17" (Score:3, Interesting)
As for the 17" Powerbook.. is anyone buying these things? I can't imagine lugging a 17" iMac's display around all day.
As far as I can tell, the 17" is intended to be a mobile desktop not a portable. Combined with wireless networking, this is a computer which may be carried from room to room in one site (say your home or office). As such, this may be a great machine for many on Slashdot. The smaller units are more appropriate for travel (just try to open and use a 17" in airline coach seating).
The market for traditional desktop computers is shrinking quickly . The current segments are shifting to small handhelds (palm / cell phone sized), travel computers (sony Vaio), single site (powerbook 17"), and servers (often rackmounted). Presumably we'll see another shift in a few years as next generation display technologies become available.
Re:Not the purpose of the 17" (Score:3, Insightful)
If you can afford a 17" Powerbook, you probably don't need to be flying coach.
Re:Not the purpose of the 17" (Score:4, Insightful)
At my work, we went through a phase where everyone wanted and got a laptop. After a while, people got fed up with hauling them around, unstandard keyboards, and the expectation that since they had a laptop, they could do work at home. The shift now is back to desktops -- thank god.
I know it depends on the site and nature of the work. I need a laptop for example, but my office machine is a desktop.
Re:Just bought a new 15".. (Score:3, Funny)
Re:Why no G4 iBook?? (Score:3, Insightful)
The way I figure it, the 12" PowerBook actually is the new iBook, corresponding to the new iMac with its new form factor (the desk lamp) and other higher-end features.
When that happened to the iMac, the old version became the eMac. So now, the way I think of the 12" PowerBook is that the iBook made a corresponding leap to a new enclosure and higher-end features, to keep it in step with the desktop "i" machine. The old version now more closely matches the eMac, so it should be called the "eBook".
In short, the "i" prefix is sort of bumped up from denoting the entry-level machines to now denote the mid-range, and the "e" prefix has been introduced to fill the gap at the entry level. Except, of course that the names for the low- and mid-range laptops haven't oficially changed to fit this scheme.
Re:Just bought a new 15".. (Score:4, Interesting)
Re:Just bought a new 15".. (Score:2, Interesting)
Luckily, I've added some projectors with DVI inputs to my inventory. Solves many problems.
Re:Just bought a new 15".. (Score:3, Informative)
I've got the 12"... (Score:5, Informative)
Its lack of DVI is not really hard to figure. This is the travel-sized laptop. This thing goes anywhere. It's more rugged than most other laptops on the market. It's small. It's light. It's got a great keyboard and a great LCD (yes, that's right, I love the LCD. I think it's fine). But it's not going to replace your desktop.
That was never its intent. Desktop-replacing laptops start at 15". This is the laptop that you sync up with your dedicated desktop box and then take on the road. It does a great job of that, and honestly, at $1800.00, you can afford to have the 12" and a desktop machine.
Assuming that this is not going to be your desktop machine, then, what's the use of DVI? The only reason it has external video at all is so that you can give presentations with it (another good use of a truly portable machine), and towards that purpose, it has RCA- and S- video out. Even presentations made with the sexy new Keynote are not going to benefit from DVI.
This laptop fills a very specific niche (here's a hint: that niche is not "iBook replacement"). Even a cursory glance at the specs reveals that. If someone got sold on the thing to do something it wasn't meant to, well, sorry. They're going to be as unhappy with it as anyone is who tries to use the wrong tool for the job. For my part, I'm using it for what it was made for. And I'm quite happy with it!
Re:I've got the 12"... (Score:3, Insightful)
The review played the lack of these features off as deficiencies that counted as checks in the "bad" column against the 12" PowerBook because it made it less suitable for a desktop replacement.
My point is that these are not deficiencies but very conscious design decisions that hint to the purpose and philosophy behind the 12" PowerBook and its low price tag (tablet killer? PDA equalizer? Executive presentation junkie's entry drug? Digital photographer's best friend?).
But whatever you might personally argue the 12"s niche is, it's clearly not targeting the desktop computer. Other's here seem to be happy with it as a desktop replacement, but then, that's the
But if you're average Windows (or Apple!) user bought the 12" expecting it to replace her desktop computer, she would be disappointed (as, indeed, the author of the above article was).
I say, "Well, of course you're unhappy with it on your desktop! That wasn't what it was made for, and if you use it for what it was made for you will find it to be a brilliantly designed machine."
As to your situation, you were evidently looking for a 12" desktop machine. That is something many, perhaps, here on
On the other hand, when most people go shopping for a small laptop, they want it for constant travel or true portability around the house -- my 12" is never on a desktop. It's always on my lap!
These people, more often than not, have/need a desktop machine, too. If a desktop owner wants a portable laptop to use along side his other computer, the most important "feature" of that laptop is low price (he already owns one computer, after all).
Coincidentally, if a desktop owner wants a portable computer to use along side his other computer, the least important features are DVI, L3 cache, etc. So Apple could kill those things, make the 12" cheaper, and make this class of computer user very happy.
You may claim that Apple should release a version of the 12" that has DVI, L3, >640Mb so that your class of computer user is happy, and I sympathize with you. But the hard facts are they would not sell more than a few thousand such PowerBooks, so it's not likely to happen.
Maybe I'm wrong. Maybe Apple will see complaints like yours in such a number that they'll realize there is a market for tricked-out small PowerBooks out there. You could get your wish. But in the mean time, saying that the 12" is crippled because it doesn't fit your particular needs is like saying a hammer is stupid because it won't tighten the bolt you have in front of you.
640MB? (Score:3, Funny)
Ah well, 640MB ought to be enough for anybody.
Wow... (Score:4, Interesting)
I'll go read the articles and see... I was planning on ordering the 12" Powerbook this evening
So does anyone here that owns a 12" PB have anything that should be brought to my attention before buying one? I've never owned a mac before but Im quite interested in this Powerbook because of how small it is and also it means I'll have a portable Unix based laptop. Im a student learning C++, Java and AWK right now.
Thanks for any info.
Re:Wow... (Score:3, Funny)
Re:Wow... - Go for the G4 (Score:5, Informative)
I did however get to play with one of the 12" powerbooks in my local Apple reseller the other day and they are *much* faster - go for it. OS-X is a reasonably "nice" version of UNIX (I normally use NetBSD) and it has the infinite advantage over Linux in that things (hardware) just work rather than having to spend hours compiling kernel modules when you really need to be working.
To be honest, I'm a little confused by the article. The reviewer seemed to be criticsing the machine for being what it is - a smaller, lighter, cut-down version of the 15" powerbook or in his words an iBook with a G4. He seemed to somehow think Apple had a magic "make it smaller" device so that they could cram a 15" laptop into a 12" one. Also he seemd to think that Apple should use two different 12" displays on their different laptops. I certainly haven't had any of the display problems he claims with my iBook...
The whole point these machines is that they are ultra-portable (I carry mine everywhere) and in fact the only thing that worries me slightly is that the iBook is not a rugged as I would like, but the powerbook solves this by being made of Aluminium.
The die-hard mac users are right you know - it is a better world...
Re:Wow... - Go for the G4 (Score:4, Interesting)
I'm also told by an informed friend that the 12" powerbook is on the fragile side, which certainly makes sense (and seems reasonable). Nice thick plastic has to offer more of a cushion than thin, flexible aluminum.
You shouldn't use OSX for Java (Score:5, Funny)
Re:You shouldn't use OSX for Java (Score:3, Informative)
I did a lot of coding on a rather underpowered 30cm iBook and loved the form factor - and didn't really care much about the speed difference. but now i am back on my tibook i'd say go for that. the extra screen space and the ability to just pop in a second screen makes all the difference.
Re:Wow... (Score:5, Informative)
I don't agree with all the complaints in the OSNews review. To wit:
I've compiled a fair bit of code on it and it seems fairly quick--at least as fast as my PIII 933 Desktop--and has reasonable battery life, 3-4 hours while compiling. Haven't really had time to benchmark the compile times on my own code. I'm quite happy with it.
Bottom line, if you want something really portable, I'd go for it. If you're looking for a desktop replacement, I'd look at the bigger ones.
Final note: get more ram. I've noticed that the front left corner does get hot, but I have a feeling it might be related to HDD usage.
Re:Wow... (Score:4, Informative)
1. Heat - damn right. the 14" iBook is hot enough, and it's bigger, slower, and a little older. The iBook does have Plastic, which isn't as good a heat conductor as aluminum, too. All of my PowerBooks have been hot after long periods of usage.
2. He mentioned the lack of ClearType. If he checks the General panel in System Preferences, he would notice the Font Smoothing with four settings and a minimum font size.
3. While it's not well-known, Apple has a Feedback Section [apple.com] for most [apple.com] of [apple.com] their [apple.com] software [apple.com] products [apple.com]. The DVD issues would fall under Mac OS X, and should be reported. I will check my PowerBook for the DVD issues he noted (haven't played one since upgrading to 10.2). The sleep-while-working issue is something I've noted as well, and reported, though mine doesn't usually blackscreen.
4. Macs have always had slower mouse acceleration than Windows. There have been numerous control panels/extensions/hacks written over time for "Windows users" who can't stand the speed difference. I'm very happy with the speed of my TrackPad.
heat issue (Score:3, Informative)
Re:Wow... (Score:5, Interesting)
If you don't believe me, check out www.barefeats.com where they have a comparative speed review. If you want a Powerbook, go for the 15inch model, if you want an OSX portable - 800Mhz iBook is the king.
Re:Wow... (Score:2)
Agreed. The venerable iBook is also more rugged than the Powerbook and doesn't get nearly as hot. It's internal antenna has greater Airport range than the Powerbook.
Its biggest flaw... (Score:5, Funny)
No, that's (Score:5, Funny)
MHz vs. GHz (Score:3, Insightful)
And while I realize that's not a direct measure of speed, I have to ask:
Is apple falling way behind? How do these systems compete with the 2 and 3 GHz intel systems coming out?
The reviewer stated that this model was much faster than their 450. Well, ya, its double, but its not a 2.4GHz chip or anything....??
Thanks for your comments,
mj
Re:MHz vs. GHz (Score:5, Interesting)
I think that the general feeling of the Mac-hardcore is that Motorola just do not invest enough time or money in development of their chips.
Someone more knowledgable than me can correct this fact though. Were Apple also not once considering swicthing to Intel (?!).
Probably all lies.
Re:MHz vs. GHz (Score:5, Informative)
Dan Aris
Re:MHz vs. GHz (Score:5, Informative)
How about "not at all?" From the beginning of PowerPC Macs, the PowerPC was the domain of "AIM": Apple, IBM, Motorola. They all had a formal agreement of some kind regarding the chip's development. I think it kind of fell apart, probably around when Motorola developed Altivec, but IBM has never stopped making PowerPC chips for themselves, Apple, and others. I think IBM makes all the G3 chips Apple buys today. IBM has long done a better job of keeping up with advancements in chip production and keeping yields at a higher level than Motorola. Higher yields means cheaper and faster chips. Unfortunately Apple needs Altivec and Motorola hasn't been sharing.
Use of the IBM 970 chip is still rumor, one I haven't really paid attention to though. Has Motorola finally licensed Altivec to IBM or did IBM make their own version of it? You can't have two different kinds of G4s so if the IBM chip doesn't have Altivec it would have to be called something else ("G5?") and the G4 would have to replace the G3 in the iBooks (or, as someone else mentions, the iBook dies in favor of the 12" PowerBook). Even so, if there's a new Altivec-like chip feature, it'll take a long time for apps to be updated to take advantage of it. Apple would use it immediately, followed quickly by Adobe Photoshop, but many apps would wait until their next upgrade cycle.
Re:MHz vs. GHz (Score:5, Informative)
Re:MHz vs. GHz (Score:4, Informative)
PowerPC 970 -- First in a new family of high-performance 64-bit PowerPC microprocessors [ibm.com]
Re:MHz vs. GHz (Score:5, Informative)
Not really - most apps that are Altivec enhanced use vDSP [apple.com] from the VecLib framework rather than manually writing Altivec code.
Apple would just have to provide a new version of the VecLib framework that uses whatever vector processing is available in the new target CPU.
Re:MHz vs. GHz - it's not always about clockspeed (Score:5, Insightful)
Plus they have that great ad with Yao Ming and Verne Troyer...still can't figure out why they didn't premiere it during the Superbowl, though.
Re:MHz vs. GHz - it's not always about clockspeed (Score:3, Insightful)
Re:MHz vs. GHz - it's not always about clockspeed (Score:5, Insightful)
Amazing, isn't it, how people end up on the CPU treadmill? I just bought a digital camera. Already have a film SLR -- decent enough, and certainly a better picture than any digital camera under $1800 or so. What I needed was a complement to that. The kids are nine, they're old enough to enjoy taking pictures but not old enough not to waste hundreds of worthless frames learning how on film. The SLR's big to lug around, too, so a decent little digital made sense. For what we were doing, a 3 MP model seemed fine, and small-but-not-ultra-compact -- emphasis on durable, for the kids. I narrowed the models down, read some reviews, and chose something at that sweet spot. It happened to be one of the Sony models -- because it has a nice little design that's easy to tuck in a pocket and a decent little interface. Seemed better-engineered than the comparable Canons.
Apple gets that. They understand how to pitch to different market segments. Their machines have design sense, they're meant to work with you. They're durable. The OS is pleasant -- the kids haven't given me much chance to use the new camera, but they tell me iPhoto is easy as can be... :-) And they're using it on the 17" iMac that's displaced the PCs in the household because it'll fit in a weird spot and it's better at the stuff we actually do.
But why do people not "get" the whole tradeoff idea except for portables? The hutch/shrines people set up for their computers are surreal. (Hide it in the basement, please, honey.) Or look at that /. article last week about upgrading your machine to play games -- that's technology for its own sake, for people who can only be satisfied with a shooter if they know they're getting a respectable FPS rate. For some reason people "get" it for portables, but not for desktop systems. Weird.
Re:Who cares about AlienWare (Score:3, Insightful)
The Myth (Score:3, Insightful)
The PowerPC CPU can't be compared to Intel/AMD's since they operate very differently.
Still, yes, Macintoshes are falling behind when it comes to raw speed. But cleverly designed software makes it a lot faster to work with a Mac.
Ciryon
Re:MHz vs. GHz (Score:4, Insightful)
So who's falling behind whom? Intel CPU is 50% faster than that AMD, except the AMD is actually about the same performance. PowerPC isn't half the speed of the Intel, but it runs fast enough that 90% of users would never know it was "slow". Add on the fact that if you want Mac OS you only have one choice (and if you have only spent a few minutes with it at a store, you don't know how beautiful it really is).
Hmmmm.... maybe CPUs really aren't as important as they used to be.
Re:MHz vs. GHz (Score:5, Insightful)
I'll bet you still can't watch a DVD straight through while on battery with those intel systems.
Re:MHz vs. GHz (Score:2)
Is apple falling way behind? How do these systems compete with the 2 and 3 GHz intel systems coming out?
The reviewer stated that this model was much faster than their 450. Well, ya, its double, but its not a 2.4GHz chip or anything....??
My 500 MHz iBook is much faster (at least 1.5X as fast) than my 700 MHz PIII desktop, which also has 1/2 again as much memory. And last I checked, there were no 3 GHz laptops. (Keep in mind, by the way, that [roughly] the higher the clockspeed, the shorter the battery life).
Re:MHz vs. GHz (Score:2)
Doe this matter to you? Honestly? What do you acually use 2.4GHz of CPU power for. I have a 1.33GHz athlon, and my CPU usage graph sits at 20% for most of the time. The only things that really tax it are are compiling and encoding music, both of which would use 100% on any CPU, and neither of which is slow enough for me to seriously consider upgrading this machine. In the past I've tended to upgrade my CPU when the top-of-the-line model is 100% faster than mine. Now I'm just not bothering, and looking at upgrading other things instead, and in terms of overall system integration Apple wins hands down.
Has anyone got Linux running on one of these? (Score:2)
My 9 year old HP Omnibook 600CT is showing it's age and the 12" Powerbook is almost exactly the same size (and has a higher resolution screen, larger hard disk, optical drive, similar battery life, etc).
But has anyone got this thing dual booting Linux and OS X? If so I would be very interested in getting one.
Re:Has anyone got Linux running on one of these? (Score:5, Insightful)
Bob
What about Mac-on-linux?? (Score:3, Interesting)
Re:Has anyone got Linux running on one of these? (Score:4, Informative)
Re:Has anyone got Linux running on one of these? (Score:4, Informative)
Re:Has anyone got Linux running on one of these? (Score:5, Informative)
About all you get by running linux on a powerbook is buggy power management, firewire, and no modem driver or video mirroring.
My take... (Score:5, Interesting)
I originally headed out to buy a Ti, but this one was put in front of me, and discounted heavily, as it was a floor demo. Big deal, if it didn't work out, I'd just pass it along to a family member. Now, I'm in no hurry to let it go.
The 12" iBook has a form factor that happens to fit my needs exactly. I've had original PB's and Duo's, and felt I knew what I wanted when it came time to go portable, again.
In my case, I wanted a real portable...not something that shouted 'identity crisis'...something that was 1/2 desktop machine and 1/2 laptop, not doing either well. I wanted something to use with my digital cameras (still and movie), while adding as little as possible to the amount of tech bulk in the process. My iBook weighs a bit more than a Ti, but it's smaller, and that was what I really wanted. Performance is great...the screen is bright and it works...and works...and works. Long battery life. Outputs to the TV in the hotel room. Wireless networking in the airport. Burns CD's on demand. Command line if I need it. Nothing like a Unix based notebook to make you feel like you're toteing a tool instead of a wanna-be workstation. I've never thought about using it as a primary machine, but with all it has going for it, I'm sure it would do just fine. As soon as my Mac guy has a demo G4 12" iBook, I'm going to trade up.
Re:My take... (Score:2)
M.
Re:My take... (Score:2)
Re:My take... (Score:2)
Really? (Score:5, Funny)
Anyone else find this quote amusing? "The new Porsche is nothing more than a VW Golf on steroids with a much better engine in it."
Re:Really? (Score:2, Interesting)
"The new Porsche is nothing more than a VW Golf on steroids with a much better engine in it."
Sort of, but the origonal 911 WAS nothing more that a VW bettle on steroids with a much better engine in it. Indeed is was possible to take a 911 engine and put it in your bettle as the engine mountings etc were the was.
And yes the qoute is amusing, especially as I get the feeling that this was the intention when designing the new PowerBook.
Re:Really? (Score:2)
Uh, no. The Porsche 356 was based on the Beetle. The 911 has the same general layout, but (thankfully) has rather better underpinnings.
Re:Really? (Score:3, Insightful)
To use your analogy, a VW Golf with a Porsche 911 engine inside (assume it fits...) would still not be a 911. You would need better steering, rear-wheel drive, better brakes, better noise control, different trim...a whole set of system changes to go with it.
They're saying that with a Powerbook line, you expect a certain quality of things about the system - DVI seems to be a stand-out, as does the better quality LCD. You don't seem to get those with this machine however, so hence the 'only' an iBook on steriods quip.
Cheers,
Ian
OT: eBay (Score:2)
eBay protest cry:
IX-NAY ON THE EBAY!
lag? (Score:3, Insightful)
Because it should obviously take an 867mhz processor that fries your lap while working to redraw a 1024x768 window 'almost fast enough'. What is it with GUI designers these days?
Re:lag? (Score:2, Informative)
no cleartype in os X 10.2? (Score:5, Informative)
Re:no cleartype in os X 10.2? (Score:5, Insightful)
It doesn't have "ClearType" because "ClearType" is Microsoft's trademark for their own specific subpixel rendering technology.
If people are indeed complaining about the lack of ClearType in OS X, then Microsoft marketing has won yet again.
Re:no cleartype in os X 10.2? (Score:3, Informative)
Yup, it's under System Preferences->General
Models (Score:5, Funny)
Re:Models (Score:5, Funny)
The iBooks are like models. They are nice to look at and nice to play with and fondle, but when it comes down to it, they have a lot of flaws and will most likely vomit after every meal and have a weird sexual past
I have no problems with mine. Maybe you've been feeding yours at the wrong four star trattorias?
I don't have any problems with my iBook, either.
Ouch... (Score:3, Funny)
Number 1 issue is heat. The thing burns. After 2-3 hours of continuing usage, the laptop just burns like a hot cake on the lower left side
Kind of reminds me of this [theregister.co.uk].
Maybe Apple will ship it with a pair of insulated iPants for true laptop comfort?
In other Apple news... (Score:4, Informative)
They've also came out with a sweet-ass XServe RAID [apple.com]
Re:In other Apple news... (Score:2)
Oh yes! More Blinkenlights for my server room!
xserve experiences (Score:2, Interesting)
A while ago I bought two xserves to act as diskserves to a linux cluster and to backup my desktop macs. I bought these machines because I felt they were a good deal. I got bids on several pc based linux disk servers, as well as several NAS boxes. I was comparing 480GB machines. a high quality generic brand (supermicro) with scsi disks and dual Gigabit ran about 8000 (at the time). The mac xserves ran just under $7000 using IDE disks with 4 indepenedent masters (out performs the scsi). Additionally the mac had other nice features such as: 1U versus 3U. hot swap. I bought both systems in the end. after I unpacked the mac I was even more impressed with the high quality construction and ease of access to the interior.
What really made it for me on the macs was the fact that I had to hire a sysadmin to correctly set up my linux box with load balancing, Ldap, mail server, and moreover to keep it patched and to monitor it. On the macs I set them up myself. No detected problems with load balance. and the mac tools let you set up nearly all the services you might want with an intuitive gui.
Actually, I had a few snags but even here I have to give apple a good reprot card. they chancged how they did network admin right when I got my box. so all the documentation was for the obsolete tools and none for the new. So I got things really screwed up with services I could not turne off once turned on. The machines would gag when they could not find their ldap serviers or when they were cut off from the internet. But I called apple on the free service plan. after a ten minute wait on came a guy who really knew his stuff and spent about an hour with me getting all of my various problems sorted out and teaching me the new system. And in fact the next day he called me back! said he had another idea about a question i had asked him. I was really impressed on the customer service. its much better than for my other mac computers. Since then Ive had mac people call me back three times with ideas for me. Now that the new tools are better docuimented (still a few gaps), life is easy.
perhaps the best feature is the software update feature. I get patches and new tools delivered automatically and have the confiudence they wont screw up my all apple configuration. thus I still have not needed a sys admin. At the purchase time I had considered some NAS boxes (e.g. iomega,snap...) for the purpose of making sys admin simple. But these things have lousy throughput for the price and aren't versatile computing machines.
However I have had three problems with my xesrves that I dont have with my linux box.
first no raid 5. that's absouluetly maddening. I bought a raid 5 solution from a third party but I'm nervous it wont be effieicnt or it will die someday when I do a self-update that makes it incompatible.
second, and this compounds the above problem is the UFS/HFS+ dichotomy. while macs do run UFS, they dont do it effieicently or with any advanced features like journalling. Moreover the OS and some mac apps wont work unless they are on UFS. so you always have to have a HFS+ partition. but wait! you cant partition a raid disk with different file systems (on apple) so this means if you want to have any hfs raid the whole disk has to be HFS+. on our four disk Xserve this means I ended up with two disks RAID1 HFS+ and and two disks UFS raid 1- a whopping 120GB of UFS out of my 480GB (raw) can be UFS. yuck!. fortunately there is now a partionalble raid 5 soultion from a theird party which fixes this issue. (the reason I wanted UFS, was because even though I lost some effieiceny i wanted no surprises for my linux systems due to the filenaming case sensitivity)
The third problem I have had is that while the admin tools are wonderful and run on remote machines, there are a few tools and apps that will not run remotely. for example, if I want to use the GUI software update remotely, I cant. I have to use the terminal CLI tool. This is not too bad, but its just an example. if you use other gui tools, like brickhouse firewall or whatever, you have to go to the terminal attactched to the machine.
My work around for this is to use OSXVNC which does the job. However there is a catch I dont like. You cant use osxvnc on a headless mac. that is you have to have a display device connected to the mac to use osxvnc!! there's no way I want to have a display for each mac xserve. Of course I could use a KVM switch but my preference would be that it should be unneccessary for remote admin. my work around here is that I can fool the macs by briefly connecting a display to them after boot. I can then unplug the display and OSXVNC will still work on my headless mac.
My conclusion is that apple has a wonderfulhigh quality machine. And it will work perfectly for you if you dont require UFS or remote admin of GUI based apps. When I bought my system I had just had a bad experience with 20 athalon servers that had died from heat delamination of the fans and were unstable due to current glithces from the cd roms. I was thus very risk averse. when I bought the apples I knew I was buying peace of mind, and not paying extra for it. I had no idea what good customer service I was going to get. PLus I did not realize I could also buy a complete replacement part kit (down to the motherboard) to have locally. Since my experience with their customer service I bought the extened warantee. its lot cheaper than a sys admin.
when mac comes out with native raid5 and someone writes a VNC that can run headless all will be well
EURODANCE?? (Score:5, Funny)
the HORROR.
Heat Issue (Score:5, Informative)
Re:Heat Issue (Score:2)
An excellent opportunity to mention: IBM's PPC970 only uses 19W [google.com] when underclocked to 1.2GHz.
I'd love to jump from my Pismo to a PowerBook G5. Here's hoping that IBM beats their production estimates...LCD's suck? (Score:5, Informative)
Number 2 issue is the quality of the LCD screen... but the one used for this Powerbook is the same as the one found on the 15" iMac and the iBooks
Being a dual USB iBook owner here myself I am wondering where he's getting his information. The LCD on this laptop is exellent. Crisp, clear, AA works wonderfully and subpixel rendering is peachy as well.
As for whimpering about motion blur, even this iBook is a previous generation (G3 500) system, I get none of that here. Must be talking out his ass.
12" powerbook vs older machines (Score:2, Interesting)
Re:12" powerbook vs older machines (Score:2)
I bought an 867 TiBook in November for the refresh of the line just before the 17" and 12" models were refreshed, and after a couple weeks of angsting about not having the new features above, I decided that the 15" model was still just fine. The resolution is good, the size is right, the features are capable and someday I might actually get to use the DVI port that isn't on the 12" model. On my budget, the 17" model was right out of my league. So I have no real regrets over my 15" machine, and will be happy enough when 802.11g PCMCIA cards become usable on it.
sick of the "on steroids" cliche (Score:4, Funny)
I have one. (Score:3, Interesting)
All-in-all, the laptop does get warm, and I think people feel it a little more than other laptops because of the casing, but, I can touch the back of the LCD display without getting the "water effect".
As the VP of R&D said in a presentation this week, "I said we would support apple over my dead thinkpad. We are about to support apple, and it is cool!".
Factual error in the second review.... (Score:3, Informative)
Mac OSX does sub-pixel font rendering (it even did this on an old clamshell iBook). This guy might need to change his font settings to actually do it though.
iBook on Steroids (Score:5, Insightful)
The new 12" Powerbook is nothing more but an iBook on steroids with a G4 in it.
I understand that this isn't necessarily intended as a positive comment, but isn't this exactly what a lot of potential Apple laptop customers have wanted? I purchased an iBook right after the revision in May 2001, and replaced it with a 15" PowerBook G4 last fall. I've enjoyed having the better performance, particularly when running Virtual PC, but I miss the smaller form factor and more convenient portability of the iBook. To me, an "iBook on steroids" would have been just what I was looking for, and my understanding was that a lot of folks who loved the iBook but needed better performance felt similarly. I think the bottom line is that, if you approach this from the high end of wanting a PowerBook, just a little smaller, you risk disappointment, but if you approach it from the lower end of wanting an iBook, just with a little more oomph, you'll be fairly satisfied.
A G4 iBook is all I want (Score:2)
Is this really a problem? I mean, this is exactly what I, personally, want from my next laptop. I know the bigger, faster PBooks are sexier, but I want a small notebook with decent battery time that I can haul to the coffee shop for some light hacking.
I use my girlfriend's iBook for this sometimes, and it is more than sufficient.
My only point (to stay on topic) is that Apple is offering a pretty wide range of products to choose from. A "G4 iBook" is really all that I would need.
12" PBook vs. 12.1" iBook RESEARCH (Score:5, Informative)
12" Powerbook
867MHz G4
256K L2 cache
133MHz Bus
256MB
40GB Ultra ATA/100
NVIDIA GeForce4 420 (32MB DDR)
-- Dual Display & Video Mirroring Airport Extreme Ready
Bluetooth Built-in
$1799
12.1" iBook
800 MHz G3
512K L2 cache
100Mhz Bus
30GB Ultra ATA Drive
ATI Radeon 7500 (32MB)
-- Video Airport Ready
$1299
So the $500 extra upfront gets a faster processor, more RAM, larger & possibly faster HD, possibly faster video card with dual display ability, Airport Extreme ready, and built in Bluetooth.
Conclusion: there are differences. The question for prospective buyers is would they use the differences. For the record, upgrading the iBook memory to 256 is $50 and the hard drive to 40GB is $100, so the price difference for the other differences is $350.
On a side note, I personally want the SuperDrive, which isn't available on an iBook (most likely a G4 is required).
Hmmm (Score:5, Informative)
As for the heat, it's definitely not "among the hottest around" as the OSNews article claims - for one it's a lot less hot than the older TiBooks IMHO. He says he suspects his lower RAM configuration could be to blame. I suspect his suspicion is right - 256MB just isn't realistic for OS X. Furthermore, it's hard to hear (or even feel) the drive spin, so VM activity can easily go unnoticed.
I don't agree with his criticism of the display either. Admittedly I'm not too picky in this area, but I just don't see this supposedly outrageous difference in quality between my 17" Apple Studio Display and the PowerBook's display. Besides, it's hard to buy into the disappointment, since all it takes is a quick trip to the store to check it out (at least for people who don't buy computers just to review them ;-)
The rest of the criticism goes right at the price differentiation variables: "maxes out at 640MB", "no L3 cache", "not a 1GHz processor", "screen is only 12"" etc etc... Well guess what, that's why it's the $1799 model instead of the $3299 model... that's half as much plus $150. The better comparison is between the older $2299-$2799 TiBook inventory that Apple still officially carries and the 12". Would you rather have:
- A 15.2" screen, DVI connector, and Titanium enclosure, or
- A later gen with a faster bus, DDR RAM, Bluetooth, 802.11g compatibility, and $500 in your pocket
Curious (Score:2)
Another difference: no AppleWorks (Score:2)
Which seems a shame; from what I can tell, AppleWorks seems pretty full featured [apple.com], a good way to avoid paying "the Microsoft tax." (They even offer a cross-platform version that runs under both Mac OS and Windows, but only for educational customers [apple.com].)
Reviewers too anal (Score:4, Insightful)
Makes me sad for the lives the reviewers must lead that they can't be happy with the 12" powerbook. You know, the kind of people who let their whole day be ruined because the color of one of their cocoa puffs was off by a shade. For Pete's sake, they could, **horror** of horrors, be saddled with an IBM thinkpad!
Think on that, and wonder.
HEAR YE! HEAR YE! READ ALL ABOUT IT! (Score:3, Funny)
READ ALL ABOUT IT!
People with over-priced processors running at insane speeds trying to justify purchases by mocking those will lower-clocked but still completely sufficient processors!
READ ALL ABOUT IT!
Big Bear: He's iron tough. Big Bear: He don't take no guff. He's BIG BEAR.
Justin Dubs
My thoughts... (Score:4, Interesting)
Since that time a student of mine showed me his new 12" AlBook. I only held it for a minute - any longer and I fear that I would just run off with it. The form factor is perfect, the weight is perfect. It is a wonderful machine.
My conclusion? Who cares if it could be described as n iBook on steroids? It is a wonderful second computer to compliment (not replace) a full dektop machine. [vampy-alumni.org]
has to be said (Score:3, Funny)
* Max of only 640 RAM
What's he complaining about? 640MB ought to be enough for anyone!
Bah. (Score:4, Informative)
Granted, it's probably not as cool as a 17", not as fast as the 15", etc.
But it fits in my backpack and doesn't weigh a brick. With the leather notebook (pen and paper) and a hardcover book in my backpack, the 12" makes no difference in weight.
Having upgraded from an old Dell Inspiron 5000, this is key. My fucking Dell is a brick.
The issues on the LCD I can't agree with. The first thing I noticed, and everyone in my office remarked on was the spectacular clarity of the display. If this is Apple's low-end, cheap display, I'd kill for a high-end one. The clarity and crispness of display is better than any other I've seen. It is at least as good as the two 19" Trinitron CRTs on my desk here.
The font issue? I don't see it. I'm new to OS-X but the first thing I did when playing in the settings was find, in System Preferences, General, an option for font smoothing. There was a setting marked 'Medium - best for Flat Panel' which really improved the clarity of text on the screen.
Heat is a bit of an issue but I've found it's mostly if the machine doesn't have sufficient airflow. Sitting on a thick wooden desk, my PB heats up rather fast. Sitting on my lap on the couch it seems to stay fairly cool. As for being 'fanless' as I believe was mentioned, I could swear a few times when the machine got real hot on my desk that I heard a fan kick in and start blowing air to cool it down. There was no CD in the drive so I can't think of what else would spin up like that.
Overall, this is a great machine. While it may not compare to other higher end APPLE boxes, it is simply light years beyond any PC laptop I've handled recently. And it is the most meticulously, beautifully engineered pieces of hardware I've ever had.
And being completely uncreative the last week or so, I have yet to come up with a better name than MiniMe. Check it out at:
http://www.jacked-in.org/mini-me
Re:What's with the negative quote? (Score:5, Insightful)
What is any new laptop but a (faster | smaller) version of an existing one with a (bigger | smaller | higher resolution) screen, and varied form factor? The quote seems to imply that (incremental) improvements are not a good thing.
Not at all. You perhaps need at least a passing familiarity with Apple's product line to understand what the author is saying here. The iBook was designed as a budget laptop, with students very much in mind. The 12" Powerbook superficially looks as if it is from Apple's 'Professional' product line and has all the bells and whistles that would imply. The reviewer appears to be saying this isn't the case.
Looking at it another way, apparently the 12" Powerbook is more an incremental improvement over the older iBook than an incremental improvement over any previous Powerbook as it might have appeared.
Re:FP? (Score:2, Informative)
Re:"full featured" my ass (Score:3, Insightful)
The lack of a PCMCIA slot sure seems to be a nitpick to me. If you didn't have external disk, serial, peripheral wireless, and network wireless stuff built into the machine, maybe it would be an issue. From where I sit, though, leaving out the PCMCIA slot was a smart decision so that they could keep a dramatically reduced form factor. Sure seems full-featured to me, I can't think of anything I'd want a PC card for that this laptop doesn't have a connection to handle, and I've been using PC laptops since my first 386SX-25 (no PC card there, either, had to wait till my 486SX-33 upgrade to get a PCMCIA slot. Of course, I don't think such a thing existed yet when I got my 386).
PCMCIA (Score:3, Informative)
Re:"full featured" my ass (Score:3, Informative)
Does everyone need PCMCIA? No. Do most people need PCMCIA? No. Can you reasonably call a laptop full featured without PCMCIA? No.