PowerBook Monday


Apple has announced updated PowerBooks, featuring G4s up to 1.67GHz, faster hard drives and a faster 8X SuperDrive. All now come standard with 512MB memory, faster graphics, integrated AirPort 802.11g, Bluetooth 2.0 and two new Apple technologies--the scrolling TrackPad and the Sudden Motion Sensor.

"Apple continues to lead the industry with the most innovative notebooks," said Philip Schiller, VP, marketing (everywhere). "With new features like the scrolling TrackPad and Sudden Motion Sensor, the new PowerBooks are the ultimate combination of performance and portability."

The scrolling TrackPad works with every application and document, so users can easily scroll through long web pages or across large photographs. Simply touch the trackpad with two fingers instead of one to quickly scroll or pan within the window. Every PowerBook also includes Apple's patent-pending Sudden Motion Sensor technology which integrates a tri-axis accelerometer to help protect a spinning hard drive if the notebook is accidentally dropped. Further, Apple's "revolutionary" [ed in a teacup] backlit keyboard with ambient light sensors for working in low-light conditions is now standard on all 15- and 17-inch P'Books and is up to 10 times brighter than before.

Here are the updated specs, prices:

1.67GHz, 17-inch--$2,699 (US)
• 512MB DDR333, (1) open slot, 2GB max;
• 8X SuperDrive, 100GB w/ Sudden Motion Sensor;
• Radeon 9700 w/ 128MB;
• DVI (30" Cinema Display), VGA, S-video, composite video;
• AirPort Extreme, Bluetooth 2.0+EDR, Gigabit LAN, 56K modem;
• (2) USB 2.0 ports, FireWire 400 / 800;
• Optical digital audio I/O;
• Scrolling TrackPad; and
• Illuminated keyboard w/ ambient light sensor.

1.67GHz, 15-inch--$2,299
• 512MB DDR333, (1) open slot, 2GB max;
• 8X SuperDrive, 80GB HDD w/ Sudden Motion Sensor;
• Radeon 9700 w/ 64MB;
• DVI (30" Cinema Display), VGA, S-video, composite video;
• AirPort Extreme, Bluetooth 2.0+EDR, Gigabit LAN, 56K modem;
• (2) USB 2.0 ports, FireWire 400 / 800;
• Scrolling TrackPad; and
• Illuminated keyboard w/ ambient light sensor.

1.5GHz, 15-inch--$1,999  
• 512MB DDR333, (1) open slot, 2GB max;
• 8X SuperDrive, 80GB HDD w/ Sudden Motion Sensor;
• Radeon 9700 w/ 64MB;
• DVI (30" Cinema Display), VGA, S-video, composite video;
• AirPort Extreme, Bluetooth 2.0+EDR, Gigabit LAN, 56K modem;
• (2) USB 2.0, FireWire 400 / 800;
• Scrolling TrackPad; and
• Illuminated keyboard w/ ambient light sensor.

1.5GHz, 12-inch--$1,699
• 512MB DDR333, expandable to 1.25GB;
• 8X SuperDrive, 80GB HDD w/ Sudden Motion Sensor;
• GeForce FX Go5200 w/ 64MB;
• DVI, VGA, S-video, composite video support;
• AirPort Extreme, Bluetooth 2.0+EDR, Gigabit LAN, 56K modem;
• (2) USB 2.0, FireWire 400 / 800; and
• Scrolling TrackPad.

1.5GHz, 12-inch--$1,499
• 512MB DDR333, expandable to 1.25GB;
• Combo drive, 60GB w/ Sudden Motion Sensor;
• GeForce FX Go5200 w/ 64MB;
• DVI, VGA, S-video, composite video;
• AirPort Extreme, Bluetooth 2.0+EDR, Gigabit LAN, 56K modem;
• (2) USB 2.0, FireWire 400 / 800; and
• Scrolling TrackPad.

These models will be available through the Apple Store later this week.

Editor's note: Neat new technology, Scrolling Trackpad, that reduces the need to carry a mouse--didn't see this coming. Additionally, as IGM reported back in December, motion-detection software (aka Sudden Motion Sensor) has indeed made it into the P'Book.

The other updates announced today are in line with earlier predictions, though Apple went cheap on the VRAM with the exception of the 17-inch model. Further, it appears that the 12-inch models carry two 256MB DIMMs, which will require throwing one or both away to increase memory.

The price drop is nice, though not unexpected.

And, you can forget about the P'Book G5 for a good six to nine months if not longer.

Do these specs and prices meet your expectations?