At a Glance
Expert’s Rating
Pros
- Advanced port options
- Roomy hard drive
- Enormous screen
- Reduced price
- Improved SuperDrive, trackpad, backlighting, and Bluetooth
Cons
- Too big and heavy for comfortable travel
Our Verdict
The top-of-the-line PowerBook sees its processor speed bumped to 1.67GHz and its optical drive upgraded to an 8X SuperDrive. Like other PowerBooks, this model adds scrolling Trackpad and Sudden Motion Sensor technology. Its installed RAM occupies a single SO-DIMM slot, making it easier to upgraded memory.The 17-inch model also features Dual Link support through its DVI monitor connector to support the 30-inch Apple Cinema HD Display.
Individually, none of the changes in the latest round of PowerBook updates will knock your socks off. But collectively, they make the PowerBook lineup both more appealing and more affordable. If you want a big screen and/or the latest connectivity technologies, the 15- and 17-inch PowerBooks–though still a little pricey–offer elegance and power no other laptop can match.