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17 inch Powerbooks shipped!

Pictues

I have some pictures of my PowerBook here: http://www.gamemore.com/powerbook/

Nothing too different than what other have posted. Except I've removed the memory bay cover for some shots of that and I have a lot of photos of Cashmere running.

Cashmere is Apple's internal test suite. My computer skipped the final HD imaging step somehow and was delivered to me with a 5GB partition that held the Cashmere software which it booted into on power-up.
 
Originally posted by Heart Break Kid
hows the battery life lookin? are the speakers better then other laptops?
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I just got -- to the minute -- 2.5 hours doing the following:

Screen was at brightest setting
Airport and bluetooth off
Surfed Internet via Ethernet
Installed Warcraft III
Made a disk image of Warcraft III
Mounted the Warcraft III image (twice)
Played Warcraft for about 15 minutes all setting maxed
Played some QuickTime move clips
Did some of heavy iMove work
Rebooted once
Imported 65 photos from a USB camera
Exported 65 photos to Web page
Copied files from file server
FTP 6MB to web site

I did not step the processor down for this test. And did not baby the use at all. Last night I didn't have a timer running for proof, and the battery was not conditioned, but I believe that I got 3.5 hours of normal use with some benchmarking being done.

I am very happy with the time.

As for the speakers there are by far the best I have ever heard on a laptop. Very nice for all uses IMHO. In Warcraft I heard all the swoops and other stereo effects. Same goes for iTunes. If I was being very picky, I would say it needs a little more bass, but I like a usually like more bass than others do. You shouldn't be disappointed.
 
Sound

A little update to my previous comment on sound.

I just put in the Toy Story DVD and during the initial THX "schwoom" the sound started so far over my left shoulder I honestly turned my head to see what was there!:eek:

The more I use this machine, the more impressed with it I get. I don't think that it is a desktop replacement, I think it is a desktop killer.
 
:D I just bought my 17PB at the Apple Pasadena store today!! I am IMPRESSED so far. I love the screen and the resolution is sharp, crisp and very clear!! I am looking at it right now and if you're from Los Angeles, the Apple Store at the Grove has 14 17 PB shipped late this morning...today. So here's a toast to my fellow 17PB owners: "CHEERS"!!:D :D :D
 
Originally posted by daedelgt
Have any of you had a dead pixel?
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Nope, at least none obvious.

Ok, after two days of using this machine, all I can say is that yes, it was the answer.

It is perfect. The screen size (especially combined with a spanned external monitor), the speed, the screen resolution, even just the cool feel of the keys on the keyboard, have probably made me twice as productive as I was on my poor old iBook.

In addition to work, I finally was able to take all the stored up digital footage on my video camera, and store each in its own project. As I may have said earlier, I even made the 'Christmas 2003' video before calling it a night. Tonight, I'll see how well it burns (or, I'll play Warcraft III, I haven't decided. Maybe both).
 
Hi everyone. I finally got word on what was happening with my big surprise. It seems that it was the 15" TiBook that was sent instead. I had a feeling that the 17" couldn't arrive so soon. Anyhow I can't wait much longer. I think I will get the 15" Tibook and buy a new Alubook when the bugs have been worked out (I truly don't think there is any though). Tell me your thoughts. I believe I can do what I need to accomplish with the TiBook. I might even get some money back as it was ordered through the employee plan since the price dropped. Anyhow that's my thoughts. I would like to hear yours.

Cheers.
 
Originally posted by D.W
Hi everyone. I finally got word on what was happening with my big surprise. It seems that it was the 15" TiBook that was sent instead. I had a feeling that the 17" couldn't arrive so soon. Anyhow I can't wait much longer. I think I will get the 15" Tibook and buy a new Alubook when the bugs have been worked out (I truly don't think there is any though). Tell me your thoughts. I believe I can do what I need to accomplish with the TiBook. I might even get some money back as it was ordered through the employee plan since the price dropped. Anyhow that's my thoughts. I would like to hear yours.

Cheers.
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That is a tough question. I am very happy with my 17". For the work I do this is perfect. And I would not trade it for the world. I truly think that Apple raised the bar with this one.

However you may have something on the bugs. I just noticed today that I may be getting noise from my speakers. I was playing iTunes and then muted it and I heard a lot of what sounded to be static I verified that it was not the HD by putting it to sleep. I've since rebooted and now I believe I hear it when I put my ear "right" next to the speaker.

While I am in a quite room, I am surrounded by many computers, computer wiring (I am in the our Cisco training room), and wireless networks. It may be environmental radiation. I'll know more when I get home tonight.
 
FLASH - just out of curiosity - thats a lot of open field thats near yer place. you a farm boy? and is it snowing where you are? cuz its like 20 degrees here in atlanta
 
However you may have something on the bugs. I just noticed today that I may be getting noise from my speakers. I was playing iTunes and then muted it and I heard a lot of what sounded to be static I verified that it was not the HD by putting it to sleep. I've since rebooted and now I believe I hear it when I put my ear "right" next to the speaker.
While I am in a quite room, I am surrounded by many computers, computer wiring (I am in the our Cisco training room), and wireless networks. It may be environmental radiation. I'll know more when I get home tonight. [/B][/

Boy, you guys are really picky about everything on your computers. Just enjoy them, and dont spend time looking for flaws so insigificant that you have to be in a quiet room with your ear right next to the speaker...lol. This makes me laugh how you look for every little flaw. Just be happy and realize how fortunate you are that you have the smarts to get a real computer instead of some windows POS. Enjoy that beautiful 17" screen and aluminum casing and backlit keyboard, its the best notebook on earth, and dont forget that!!!
 
Originally posted by Heart Break Kid
FLASH - just out of curiosity - thats a lot of open field thats near yer place. you a farm boy? and is it snowing where you are? cuz its like 20 degrees here in atlanta
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I'm not a farm boy myself but I've lived in farming communities most my life. The town I live in now is only 900 people, almost everyone has a view like mine. ;)

It has been getting up to 35-40 up here so all the snow has melted and we are no longer wearing jackets (I'm sure that's not too different from your native Toronto). Today it hailed. But 20 degrees in Atlanta? Wow, it is not often you go north for warm weather!
 
Originally posted by swahilibill
Boy, you guys are really picky about everything on your computers. Just enjoy them, and dont spend time looking for flaws so insigificant that you have to be in a quiet room with your ear right next to the speaker...lol. This makes me laugh how you look for every little flaw. Just be happy and realize how fortunate you are that you have the smarts to get a real computer instead of some windows POS. Enjoy that beautiful 17" screen and aluminum casing and backlit keyboard, its the best notebook on earth, and dont forget that!!!
Click to expand...

I must not have been clear enough. The first time it was quite loud. Loud enought that I heard it even though I was listening to iTunes.

BTW, it may have been some environmental interference. I am home now and no longer hear anything.

And don't worry I believe that I am the luckiest guy in the world being able to own one of these. :D
 
For you guys/gals that have your PB's already.....bastards....J/k I've heard some question on how the alum body casing holds up to flex...I heard that it's not as strong as the ti and I was wondering if that was true....Hope note.. and also I heard that its' scratches easier. ?? any thoughts?
enjoy those sweet 17's..
N:)
 
Originally posted by photohead
For you guys/gals that have your PB's already.....bastards....J/k I've heard some question on how the alum body casing holds up to flex...I heard that it's not as strong as the ti and I was wondering if that was true....Hope note.. and also I heard that its' scratches easier. ?? any thoughts?
enjoy those sweet 17's..
N:)
Click to expand...

For the same thinkness, Al is more flexable than Ti, however the 17" and 12" have a thicker casing than the TiBook.

I can not "twist" my 17" like one can with a TiBook. Even when picking it up by just the CD corner, which I assume is the weakest part, the computer does not flex or bend. This machine is rock solid.
 
Oh, and as for the scratching it depends on how the Al is made. There are different types of Al alloys, some can be very hard. Remember many airplanes are made from Al. All I can say is that I don't have a scratch yet. ;)
 
Originally posted by FlashBIOS
Oh, and as for the scratching it depends on how the Al is made. There are different types of Al alloys, some can be very hard. Remember many airplanes are made from Al. All I can say is that I don't have a scratch yet. ;)
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Thanks this is a big selling point for me....I don't want to have to baby the dang thing....I will use it in my satchel and I'm worried that I'm going to crack the screen or bend the body as I'm running around shooting and stuff...
thanks
N
 
I have made my choice..

Thanks Flash. I will just pick up the TiBook today. It's here and I really need to get started with my work. As the revisions come out later for the AluBook I will probably pick up one then (1-2yrs from now of course). Perhaps by that time the machine will be faster. Anyhow either way I won't lose. As for everyone else with a 17" enjoy and enjoy some more for me. Talk to you guys later.

Peace.
 
I've had that popping noise as well. It seems to be because of the sound system going to sleep, and then when the system plays a sound, waking up it makes a popping noise. Theres an app that prevents this "KeepSoundAwake" or something. Look it up on versiontracker.

As for the static...I seem to think it's from underneath the keyboard...not quite sure tho'.

The speakers sound quite nice to me...I have no complaints.
 
Heat

I'm simply amazed at the heat management on this thing. It CAN get hot, but boy does it cool off quickly.

Can anyone confirm my suspicion that the speakers double as vents? On top, they are by far the warmest (although never hot) thing around.

When my pismo fan kicks on - watch out for tornados - but even with the fan on, I can't feel a breeze.

The speaker 'wake up' thing bugs me.

Also, I don't think that we're looking for flaws to complain about as much as we are being nervous that our large investment in a brand new product might have some problems that we want to get taken care of ASAP.

I count myself as VERY fortunate to own one.
 
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