Apple PowerBook G4 Musings
Apple’s core problem (pun intended) is that the company designs and builds such outstanding and high quality computers. Other companies should have such problems. If you buy a Dell, by comparison, it will break and need to be trashed/replaced in a couple of years. But Apple Macs seemingly run forever.
Tomorrow, Apple’s Steve Jobs is going to unveil his company’s revamped product line of incredibly successful Macbook laptops. It will be an exciting event in San Francisco that will capture widespread media attention. The Macbooks and Macbook Pros are, in my opinion, the best laptops on the market. They are affordable, reliable and powerful. They also last forever. Best of all, they run Apple’s superb OS X operating system, and Microsoft Windows … although I have no idea why anyone would run Windows.
I am writing this short posting using my little 12-inch Apple PowerBook G4 computer that I bought in early 2005, and have carried with me around the world. The PowerBook G4 is a beautifully made laptop with its sleek and slightly sculpted aluminum case. It operates flawlessly and has been a great companion to write articles and books and to communicate online. But technology has moved on – Macbooks, which replaced the PowerBook line, are powered by dual-core Intel processors, and run today’s programs much faster. In fact, I guess by computer standards, the PowerBook G4 is beyond its prime, and is no longer in the same league with today’s Macbooks.
What to do … replace my trusted PowerBook with a zippier model? Or, just remain in love with my little 12-inch PowerBook? I have wondered why Apple doesn’t introduce a new 12-inch laptop packed with the latest technology. It’d be hot … no doubt about it.
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Filed Under: Apple • Featured • Personal notes
About the Author: David is a veteran communications strategist ... writer ... blogger ... online publisher ... and Emmy Award winning former CBS Network News correspondent. He lives in the Washington, D. C., area, and works worldwide.
I have the exact same problem. My 12-inch G4 has been slowing down and quitting out of programs. I was thinking I’d have to replace it. Talked to a friend’s husband, who is a Apple support specialist, and he just recommended adding RAM and upgrading the OS. On the one hand, I’m relieved I don’t have to spend so much. On the other hand…damn…no shiny new Mac.
Eva,
I maxed out RAM back in 2005. But even with that, the 1.5GHz PowerPC processor just lacks the horsepower, unfortunately, to run today’s programs quickly. I seem to spend a lot of time looking at the beachball spin. On top of that, the PowerBook G4 has a 80GB hard drive, and is costly to upgrade. I run Leopard OS X.
So, I am leaning toward turning to Craigslist to hopefully find a PowerBook G4 enthusiast who might want my terrific little machine.
Thanks for writing,
David