Apple PowerBook G4 (17-inch)

CNET Editors' Rating 7.3/10 Very good Editorial policies >>
Average user rating from 64 users 8.6/10 Excellent Read user opinions >>

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.

Specs: Environmental & energy standards compliance: EPA Energy Star See full specs >>

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 opinions

8.6/10 Average user rating from 64 users Excellent

WRITE YOUR OWN REVIEW How would you rate this product?

9/10 Spectacular April 16, 2005

by tlmurray (see profile)

"Taking issue with what & who it's for, business use" Read more >>
10/10 Perfect March 23, 2005

by hatandglasses13 (see profile)

"The Best Computer I've Ever Used" Read more >>
9/10 Spectacular March 4, 2005

by rlee01 (see profile)

"Best Notebook on the Market period" Read more >>
WRITE YOUR OWN REVIEW See all 64 user opinions >>

Apple PowerBook G4 (17-inch)

Series info

User Opinions

Compare

Accessories

Shop