Subject: Titanium G4 PowerBook: The Ultimate Mobile Mac?

Article Text:

Titanium G4 PowerBook: The Ultimate Mobile Mac?

by Chuck Joiner.

"...you're so gonna want one."

That line from the TV commercial for the new Titanium G4 PowerBook pretty much says it all. Apple introducing a new PowerBook in San Francisco in January was no surprise; a new model was speculated on and expected. What wasn't expected was the Titanium PowerBook, arguably the most lusted-after Macintosh ever. Striking for both performance and looks, the "TiBook" has been selling faster than Apple can supply them. Here are some of the reasons why.

(This review is based on the PowerBook G4 500 MHz model, 500 megs of RAM, 20 gig hard drive.)

The Outside
The Ti inspires an unusual sense of reverence. Unlike the black plastic cases of yesteryear, the silver-finished titanium shell gives it a sleek, stylish appearance even though it is not as curvy as the predecessors. Closed or open, it is wider than previous models, but that only makes it more appealing, not more cumbersome.

Lighter than previous PowerBook models, it seems even more so when you hold it in your hands because of the 1" thickness. If you were used to the heft of the Wall Street, Lombard or Pismo PowerBooks, this one will surprise and delight you.

One thing which you'll immediately notice is that the Apple is finally oriented correctly to be upside down when closed in front of you and right side up when open. That's just fine, because with this Mac, you'll rarely have it closed.

Another change is a small white LED near the back of the closed lid which slowly pulses when the Ti is asleep. It is both more subtle and more visible than the old blinking LEDs.

When you open the Ti for the first time, you will gasp at the screen. Gorgeous! It is amazing how much difference an inch or so makes. Maybe the screen really is brighter than other notebooks, or just seems that way because there is so much of it. Either way, it is a pleasure to have room for two separate full-sized windows or one with plenty of room for tool palettes. This is probably the biggest selling point of the Ti, aside from the impact of its appearance.

The back panel sports all the current standard interfaces, including USB, FireWire, Ethernet, modem, IR, etc. Disconnecting the Ethernet cable can be a little difficult because of the lip created by the hinge and the thin body of the Ti. If you have large fingers, this may become an inconvenience because you'll need something thin to press down on the tab of the Ethernet cable connector.

While not obvious, there is a single PC card slot on the left side of the Ti, disguised as a ventilation port because of the grill-like cover.

The Inside
What's the first thing any Mac enthusiast does when he gets a new machine? Grabs the appropriate tools and takes a look under the hood, of course! That's exactly what you'll need to in order to upgrade your Ti. Installing RAM is as easy as past models. Release two catches, flip the keyboard off and you have easy access to the RAM slots.

Installing an AirPort card or new hard drive is a bit more problematic. To accomplish this, you must remove the bottom of the Ti, which requires a Phillips screwdriver and some patience. Because of the tight tolerances involved in this Mac you must be extra careful not to scrape the case. Also, because it is now metal, there is a danger of bending and warping the case if it doesn't come off easily.

Once off, installing an AirPort card is simple. Raise the bracket which holds the card, connect the antenna connector and you are ready for wireless Internet access. Upgrading the hard drive may be a bit more difficult because it requires the dreaded Torx screwdriver and there isn't much working room inside. If you know you're going to need a bigger hard drive than the standard configuration, it would be best to get the upgrade when you first buy the Ti.

Replacing the case takes at least as much care as getting it off. You must be sure that all the side tabs are tucked under the case and that the screw holes all line up exactly or you again run the risk of bending the case. It isn't difficult if you are careful and patient.

Operations
Using the Ti is a joy. The keyboard feels good...as good or better than previous PowerBooks. The trackpad appears unchanged, but the button has been relocated slightly due to the design of the case. It is amazing how you can become not only a touch typist but also a touch mouse-buttoner (a new phrase is invented!), and you will find yourself pushing down on the metal below the button for a little while. A week of adjustment and you won't miss a click.

Another great feature which seems to have been overlooked in much of the initial coverage is the "smart" Ethernet port. The port now senses what it is being connected to. A standard Ethernet cable can be used to connect to either a network or another Mac. No crossover cable required! This is a little nicety you won't truly appreciate until you are on the road and desperate to connect to something but think you don't have the right cable.

Because the entire Ti is now almost thinner than the old PowerBook power adapter plugs themselves, you won't be able to use your old spares. Too bad...maybe we could convince one of the accessory manufacturers to make an adapter?

Battery life is definitely longer than the Lombard or Pismo, but whether it can make the advertised 5 hours will depend on what you're doing with it. With minimal hard drive access it is probably an achievable feat.

The Airport capabilities work flawlessly. Some have reported reduced range as compared with prior PowerBooks. Since this was my first experience with the Airport I was overjoyed to be able to access the Internet from anywhere in my townhouse; if there is reduced range it didn't apply to my situation.

The slot-loading DVD drive takes a little getting used to. Reports from some of the very early adopters referenced having difficulty getting CDs and DVDs in and out. This has not been an issue for me, but I echo the opinion of a New York tech support firm: the drive has a fabric at the slot opening which is stiff when new. With a little use it softens and media go in and out more smoothly.

If there is a downside to the new Ti, it is a very small one. The built-in speakers don't sound quite as good as their predecessors. Whether it is the type of speaker used or the titanium case, the sound is thin and a little tinny. If you are going to listen to MP3's or play a DVD on the plane, you'll want to take advantage of the conveniently located headphone jack or external speakers to make your experience more enjoyable.

One of the big stumbling blocks to putting a G4 chip in a PowerBook was the heat issue. Whether it is the Ti's fan or the fact that the titanium case helps dissipate the heat (essentially making the whole case a heat sink), the computer doesn't seem to get any warmer than the Lombards or Pismos did. You might not want it on your bare legs for hours on end, but it isn't as hot as you might think.

The Bottom Line
If you have been waiting for the ultimate laptop, wait no longer. If you are already a PowerBook owner and are thinking of upgrading, don't hesitate.

Attribution Information:
Copyright 2001 Chuck Joiner. This article originally appeared in "Seeds," the newsletter of The Hershey Apple Core, May 2001.

This article may be reprinted by any Macintosh User Group in their newsletter or publication distributed on paper or online, with credit given to the author and original publishing user group (Chuck Joiner, Hershey Apple Core). Commercial or other publication prohibited unless specific permission is granted by the author.