Apple PowerBook Laptop 17" M9689LL/A (1.67 GHz PowerPC G4, 512 MB RAM, 100 GB Hard Drive, SuperDrive) | 
| Brand: Apple
Category: Personal Computer
Buy New: $1,999.99
New (2) Used (3) from $1,699.99
Rating:  14 reviews
Sales Rank: 808
Hardware Type: Notebook Computer
Media: Personal Computers
Operating System: Mac OS X 10.4 Tiger
CPU Manufacturer: IBM
CPU Speed: 1.67
CPU Type: PowerPC G4
Processors: 1
System Bus Speed: 167
System Memory: 512
Memory Type: SODIMM
Secondary Cache Size: 2
Keyboard: Full size, illuminated with ambient light sensor
Battery Type: Lithium Ion
Hard Drive Size: 100
Floppy Disk Drive: None
Graphics Card: ATI Mobility Radeon 9700
Graphics RAM: 128
Native Resolution: 1440-by-900
Modem: 56 Kbps
Network Interface: Built-in 54-Mbps AirPort Extreme, Built-in Bluetooth 2.0+EDR (Enhanced Data Rate), Built-in 10/100/1000BASE-T (Gigabit)
Free Memory Slots: 2
Display Size: 17
Shipping Weight (lbs): 8
Dimensions (in): 15.4 x 10.2 x 1.1
Video accessories: S-video to composite adapter, Mini-DVI to DVI adapter, mini-DVI to VGA adapter; Hardware Accessories: Modem cable, power adapter, AC wall plug, power cord
Warranty: 1 year warranty
MPN: M9689LL/A
Model: M9689LL/A
UPC: 718908926352
EAN: 0718908926352
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Shipping: Expedited shipping available
Condition: SEALED IN RETAIL BOX. SATISFACTION GUARANTEED
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| Features:
| • | 1.67 GHz PowerPC G4 processor with 167 MHz system bus | | • | 512 MB DDR SDRAM (two SO-DIMM slots support up to 2 GB), 100 GB hard drive, slot-loading 8x SuperDrive (DVD RW/CD-RW) | | • | One FireWire 400 port, one FireWire 800 port, two USB 2.0 ports, and one PC Card/CardBus slot supporting one Type I or Type II card | | • | Built-in 10/100/1000BASE-T (Gigabit) ethernet, 54-Mbps AirPort Extreme wireless, Bluetooth 2.0+EDR, and 56K V.92 modem | | • | 17-inch (diagonal), 1440 x 900 resolution, TFT widescreen display |
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| Editorial Reviews:
Product Description
Take a high-performance PowerPC G4 processor, add a wide-screen display, and enclose it all in a lightweight titanium case. Apple has just created the PowerBook G4 - and redefined portable computing. If you need the utmost power for creative design, education, or business, the PowerBook G4 is ready to provide it wherever you go. Making a notebook computer the slimmest and lightest in its category shouldn't have to mean making compromises in performance and functionality. What makes a supercomputer "super" is its ability to execute at least one billion floating-point operations per second. It's a staggering measure of speed known as a "gigaflop". In addition, the PowerPC G4 can perform four (in some cases eight) 32-bit floating-point calculations in a single cycle - two to four times faster than traditional processors. The PowerPC G4 with Velocity Engine works with the PowerPC architecture to accelerate the data-intensive processing required by next-generation video, voice and graphics applications.Among the G4 key features is a vector permute function capable of rearranging data in the registers - a priceless benefit when converting data from one format to another (often necessary with voice, video and graphics applications, which typically need to save data in a number of different formats). These vector-processing acceleration advantages give the G4 microprocessor a significant edge when it comes to fast visualization of large data sets and intensive math for real-time simulations, making the PowerPC G4 perfect for everything from digital video, graphics and 3D games to astronomy, the biosciences and predictive modeling.
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| Customer Reviews: Read 9 more reviews...
 Apple PowerBook 1.67 Ghz 17 " screen Last of the PPC January 31, 2008
G. Loeffler
The last of the PPC PowerBooks.
I bought this in Dec of 2005, too early for the new intel models in my thinking and being a bit nostalgic I wanted the last PPC as I have many other Apple Lap top models. The Intels were just getting the bugs worked out and the this model had most of them gone by now.
I have had this model for 2 years almost daily for 10 to 12 hours, most of what I buy comes of the net, research and crunching data and numbers plus photos. I upped it to 2 MBs of RAM, got the 7200 RPM HD t and recommend that anyone do the same.
It has been very reliable, runs so quiet I do not know it's even on unless a program either Safari or a lesser known writing tool Grammarian decides to hog the CPU, if the second fan comes on, then you hear it. I recommend a lap top device that allows air to go under the machine as this keeps it cooler. You too. It's a beautiful screen, I love the extra space for your hands and the you get the screen real estate of of almost a 19" CRT in about 15.9 inches. A good trick. The colors are rich and deep, I have 128 VRAM
Problems.
At 2 years old Apple is building software that this machine can not run. Panther will do fine, but some Apple software products require more CPU power or RAM, I know it's tough to be in a switch between PPC and Intels but for over $3100.00 new, with Apple Care, I should not be even thinking of running out of gas in a 2 years with any software made by Apple in this short of a period. These are some iLife products.
These are not obscure software but parts of Panther or OS 10.5 Apple New operating system built to really unleash the Intel models. That's just bad marketing. Yet I knew the market was changing.
There have been problems with the screen developing vertical or lateral lines at about 2 years old and I am starting to notice that I am getting missing pixels on start up. There is not much talk at Apple but search online for this problem. It seems to effect mostly models with serial numbers starting in W85 which Id's where it was made. Apple denies this issue. I will have to watch mine further.
The latches on the screen do not hold the lid shut, they are small and I do not want to pull them down but is a drag that they will not close. When traveling, I have a soft bag that carries the computer and the compartment keeps the lid closed but not tightly. This is just poor construction as I travel very little. It's covered under Apple Care and I better get it in as it lasts until Dec 08.
Battery life, they seem to think that 3 to 5 hours is normal but I am lucky to get 2 hours. Not even enough to watch a movie on a flight. I use the battery very little and about once a month use it up and then fully recharge.
Power connector, right near the hard plastic plug they built in small indents to allow flexing, well I have gone through 3 of these and the all lead to bare wires. So if inspecting one, look carefully at this. Of course Apple fixed that whole problem with the mag connector power attachment. The new models are held in place by magnets. Pull it out or stretch it and it just lets go.
So all in all I m happy, the screen and inability of the model to run some new software are the 2 biggest problems I see.
I have a Mac Pro Book and even with minimal ram it is quick and the new quad 4s for the Mac Book pro are about 3 to 4 months out. That will be amazing.
I recommend this machine based on reliability after heavy use, the resale value will drop and could make a good used machine for basic computing. But for heavy graphics and video, yo may need to go to the Pro or the iMac which seems to be one heck of a good deal. If buying used, be careful of the screen, investigate the web, there are programs that tell you where your machine was made, what number it was and the day. These problem seem to be in one area but we shall see as the last of the W8's get some age.
 Great computer that keeps on working January 7, 2008
M. ANNE (california)
This laptop is amazing. I previously owned several PCs and was advised by a friend to go to a MAC so I used an advisor and bought this when it first came out. My first Mac, and still #1. The machine itself is beautiful, from the design to the beautiful screen; it has retained it's good looks and continues to give me trouble-free performance - I am a photographer and use Adobe Photoshop which seems to have been made for this machine. I also used Photoshop Elements when I first bought it. Both functioned perfectly.
In fact, everything functions perfectly. From day one. There is a reason that people who use Macs are loyal - they are well designed, beautiful to look at, a joy to work on. I actually have 3 now - bought a used 12" Powerbook to use out on as a portable, and have a miniMac which functions as a 2nd Desktop. I use Photoshop on all three of them, which speaks well to the operating system. The miniMac is also an older one, bought used, and performs as flawlessly as the 17" Powerbook which I am writing this review on.
Bonus--you don't have to deal with Windows....negative...you do have to learn a new Operating System. I use the supplied Safari and after a few weeks of frustration having to find the new shortcuts, etc, love it. On the rare occasion when a website doesn't work with Safari I simply use Firefox - problem solved. Everything is easy once you make the adjustment to the new commands. Not difficult and you can always get online and ask for help if you are stuck--there are many options out there.
Did I mention the lack of VIRUS problems? This was the main reason I was ready to make the move--the constant virus attacks were such a pain- daily updating to protect data and always a worry about Trojan Horses, etc. The Mac just doesn't have this problem. There are updates, but not often, and they don't cause the software problems that I had with the PCs after yet another security update.
I highly recommend the Powerbook, and am currently using both the 17" and the 12", both work like new. A
solid 5 stars from a very satisfied customer. I have no ties to APPLE (:
 Lovely operating system, otherwise bad quality February 18, 2007
Colorado Springs reader (Colorado Springs)
1 out of 2 found this review helpful
Even though this is a discontinued product I'm so upset with my experience with it I'd like to warn any potential buyers. The power adapter on this just went up in smoke one day when I picked up the laptop to move it. I mean, literally went up in smoke - sparks, the whole deal. I called Apple and they gave me the names of two stores where I could find replacements - neither of these stores really carried a replacement. I looked all over - no luck. Finally bought a third-party power adapter, the only thing available in this good sized town, which broke off in my laptop and destroyed it. Yuck. Very disappointed - I've never owned a Windows computer that is as shoddy as the supposedly high-quality Apple. I mean - a power adapter that spontaneously combusts?
 The WORST Customer Service of any Computer or Electronic Company Ever November 26, 2005
T. B. Stacks
16 out of 51 found this review helpful
The computer itself is adequate. That is if you don't have any problems (which is unlikely). However if you have to call in to Apple, BEWARE! Not only are you on Hold for over an hour, but once you get through to somebody, they will rush you off the phone. I asked the guy why he was being so rude and his reply was something like, he didn't have time to answer any questions. I asked for someone else and he spouted, I'm not required to let you talk to anyone else or give you my last name or something else (I lost track, after the first two "not required to's). I only asked to talk to someone else - the rest he just kept saying like it was a list of what he wasn't "required to" items. It was unbelievably rude. I have 3 Mac systems and 3 PC's and I will never buy Mac again. It simply is not worth it. Started to call back, but this is not the first bad experience I've had, just the worst.
Buy anything but Apple Macintosh !!!!!!!!!!
A Great combination of Beauty and Brain ...Wow November 13, 2005
R. Bhatia (New Delhi, India)
0 out of 3 found this review helpful
Words are inadequate to express the beauty of this laptop. Its a amazing combination of good looks,simplicity and excellent functioning.
The Apple Logo symbolising the Adam and Eve's Great Temptation by eating the Forbidden Fruit comes true in this machine.It's a total seduction.
I was about to buy this at a much higher price and fortunately a day before the new model in this series with 120 HD and minor upgrades got introduced. I was fortunate to save a good
amount on this purchase.The upgrades in the new model with 120 Gb HD hardly mattered to me.
It's my 5th day of using it and I have already impressed my dad,family and other office staff by showing excellent graphics and picture slide shows of our latest product shoots.The 17" screen is awesome with a great web and pictures experience.
I also arranged a nice Sleeve made by a Singapore company named MARWARE for my machine that is very useful for additional safety and keeping the machine scratch free.
When I tell someone that has not seen this machine and is not aware of Mac's software may say "Why did you buy a Mac?".But I may say :" Lord, forgive them, for they know not what they say."
I am sure, I will enjoy this change from Windows to Mac and me and my beloved Powerbook 17" will have a long joyful ride together.
If you think, try to grab this model of G4 with 100 GB and maybe you may get a better deal because the 120GB model is now in the market with minor upgrades making this model a little OLD but still its GOLD.
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