Review of 12″ PowerBook. First thing you notice is that it’s really small. You will really like how small and light it is. When it comes to processor speed it is very zippy for such a small computer crammed in a small space. There is an ethernet port, 56k mode, two USB, one Firewire 400, Mini-DVI, Audio out, Audio in, and a security lock port. The PowerBook comes with Mini-DVI to DVI and then another adapter for VGA. The wireless internet (WiFi) range was awesome. I got about 500-700 feet roughly. I used a linksys router. The Powerbook is stock (512 RAM, 60 gig hard drive, 64 megabytes of Video RAM). The battery life is very good at around 3 hours.

Since the last revolution of the PowerBooks there have been many upgrades. There is now NVIDIA GeForce FX GO 5200 with 64MB DDR Video Memory, and a 1.5 gigahertz G4 processor and more stock RAM.

The stock PowerBook 12″ comes with either a Combo drive or a Super drive for $200 more. Also, if you get the Superdrive equipped 12″ it comes with a stock 80 gigabyte hard drive. The Combo drive Powerbook comes with a 60 gigabyte hard drive that is upgradable to 100 gigabytes ($150 more).

There are also some drawbacks with buying the small Powerbook. There is no back-lit keyboard where as the 15″ and 17″ Powerbooks do. There is also no Firewire 800, nor is there a PCI slot.

For the price the 12″ Powerbook is a great buy. At $1,500 stock it is great for a variety of people, from college student to a someone just beginning with computers. You get a super fast G4 running at 1.5 gigahertz, a small and compact computer with built in wireless capabilities (Airport and Bluetooth).

Thanks Ian Higgins for this review.