Just two months after the launch of its most significantly revamped notebook in nearly two years, Apple has upped the ante once again with the launch of the 12in PowerBook G4.

The previous PowerBook included a fast 1GHz processor and a Superdrive (combined DVD-R/CD-RW drive) for the first time, but was physically and cosmetically unchanged.

But Mac users have been clamouring for a notebook that combines the power and features of a PowerBook with the portability of the iBook.

The new 12in PowerBook does just that, and Apple hopes that it will also help it to win over a few more Windows users by offering a package with excellent value for money.

At its January launch in San Francisco, Apple chief executive Steve Jobs called it the world's most compact, fully featured notebook.

It is in fact marginally smaller in every dimension than the iBook, and slightly lighter too, yet it features the same high-quality 12in XGA resolution screen and a host of extra features.

The most important is the use of a G4 processor, in line with the rest of Apple's professional line-up.

This model uses an 867MHz version, which may not sound fast compared to the latest from Intel and AMD but, as with all Macs, bear in mind that Motorola processors use a much more efficient design so perform about as fast as a Pentium 4 with twice the clock speed.

The G4 is optimised for vector processing, speeding up graphics, design and video applications, as well as Mac OS X itself.

Having heeded the criticisms about the previous PowerBook's titanium casing, which made it light but a little flimsy and fragile, Apple has opted for aluminium on the new chassis. This makes it more durable and robust, yet keeps the weight down.

Another bonus is that it looks gorgeous. Opening up the PowerBook, using Apple's push-button release mechanism rather than a catch, reveals a redesigned keyboard with metallic keys, which looks good and is also a pleasure to type on.

The screen is supported by a similar hinge to the iBook, so that it sits behind the lower half of the computer when opened. This design has numerous advantages; it allows the overall case design to be more compact when closed.

The hinge also uses a contour-balance system so that the screen can easily be tilted backwards and forwards with the touch of a finger.

The third advantage is an innovation peculiar to the 12in model: the stereo speakers are mounted at the back of the notebook, and their sound reflects off the screen surround towards you, providing an impressively vibrant and rich sound - probably the best we've heard on a notebook.

There is also a third speaker below the keyboard, all of which means you don't have to use headphones when watching a DVD or playing a game.

There's a FireWire and two USB ports around the sides, but sadly these are version 1.1. Unlike on previous models, the keyboard is fixed and can't be removed so you can access expansion slots.

Instead, you can install additional memory by removing a small plate on the underside, while access to the wireless networking card slot is via the battery panel.

The PowerBook is equipped to take Apple's new wireless card, Airport Extreme, which uses the 802.11g standard and is fully compatible with existing 802.11b networks. The wireless card is a £79 optional extra.

Contact: Apple 0800 039 1010
www.apple.com/uk

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