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Apple PowerBook G4 (17-inch)

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CNET editors' rating: 3.5 stars Very good
Detailed editors' rating

Average user rating: 4.0 stars out of 64 reviews
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Product summary

The foxy Apple 17-inch PowerBook delivers the performance and the features most users will need, but it's more expensive than a similarly outfitted Windows laptop.

Specifications: Environmental & energy standards compliance: EPA Energy Star; Processor: Motorola PowerPC G4 (1.67 GHz); RAM installed: 512 MB DDR SDRAM; See full specs

Price range: $929.99

See all products in the Apple 17-inch PowerBook series

CNET editors' review

Reviewed by: CNET staff
Reviewed on: 03/16/2005
Released on: 01/31/2005

Apple's desktop-replacement model, the $2,499 PowerBook G4, has a gorgeous 17-inch display, and at 6.9 pounds, it's among the lightest laptops of its size on the market. It's also one of the most expensive. Like its 15-inch sibling, the 17-inch PowerBook offers a 1.67GHz PowerPC G4 processor, 512MB of RAM, and 128MB of dedicated VRAM, as well as a raft of multimedia-friendly features that make it particularly well suited for graphics work. The $500 difference between the two PowerBook models can best be chalked up to the 17-inch model's larger standard hard drive and its gorgeous 1,680x1,050 display. While we appreciate the beauty of the 17-inch PowerBook and love working on a screen that size, we're unconvinced that it's worth the inflated price. Again, we'd prefer to buy the more portable 12-inch model and use the money left over to buy an LCD monitor to use at home or at work.

Build-to-order options are scarce, but we'd recommend getting your 17-inch PowerBook G4 more RAM, since a professional-level machine should have more than the base 512MB. Get 1GB for $100 or 2GB for an extra $500. Aside from that, there isn't much to choose, unless you want to save $50 by replacing the slot-loading DVD burner with a combo drive, which doesn't burn DVDs. Since all PowerBooks come with 802.11g wireless and Bluetooth 2.0+EDR built in, they're already fairly complete. Now, if only they had TV tuner cards.

See more CNET content tagged:: Apple PowerBook G4,; Apple PowerBook,; Apple iBook,; notebook computer,; Apple Computer

User reviews

Average user rating: 4.0 stars out of 64 reviews
My rating: 0 stars Write review

Showing 3 of 64 user reviewsSee all 64 user reviews
4.5 stars

33 out of 34 people found this review helpful

"Taking issue with what & who it's for, business use"

by tlmurray on April 16, 2005

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5.0 stars

23 out of 23 people found this review helpful

"The Best Computer I've Ever Used"

by hatandglasses13 on March 23, 2005

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4.5 stars

10 out of 10 people found this review helpful

"Best Notebook on the Market period"

by rlee01 on March 4, 2005

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Apple PowerBook G4 (17-inch)

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Where to buy

Apple PowerBook G4 (17-inch): $929.99

store	price	in stock?	rating
	$929.99	Yes

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Reviews from
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machome.com

Editors' rating: 80

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techradar.com

Editors' rating: 90

Summary: However, even if you're purely interested in cramming in more information, say within Excel, the extra real estate makes your life far easier

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maxpc.co.uk

Editors' rating: 80

Summary: The PowerBook G4 17-inch is admittedly a very expensive piece of kit. However, it does offer desktop performance in a package that's not too unwiedly or heavy. If you need portability then this is about as powerful and compact as it gets. It beats the pan

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computerarts.co.uk

Editors' rating: 90

Summary: The 15-inch PowerBook is a fantastic laptop for Mac-based designers. More portable than the 17-inch, better specs and bigger than the 12-inch, this fast machine will be snapped up by art directors and designers everywhere

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tech.co.uk

Editors' rating: 100

Summary: PowerBooks are always superb, but performance isn't as good as the Intel machines

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