Product Reviews

The day before Apple announced a $66m profit for the quarter ended 29 September, it quietly upgraded the two machines most responsible for that healthy set of results. The Titanium PowerBook G4 and the iBook caused a stir on their initial release this year and have sold by the barrowload. The challenge for Apple was to improve the portables enough to maintain the sales momentum, without losing the features that make the machines so popular. Apple appears to have pulled it off.

First up is the PowerBook G4. Its processor has been upgraded to 550MHz and 667MHz, and the system bus on the faster model increased to 133MHz. Each machine has 256k of on-chip Level 2 cache running at the same speed as the processor. Both models should come with 256Mb of PC133 RAM but, as this is Apple, the 550MHz PowerBook only has 128Mb as standard. However, for a limited period, the company is doubling the RAM on both machines at no extra cost. Both are expandable to 1Gb. Hard drives are 20Gb and 30Gb respectively, both running at 4800rpm, and there's an option to have a 48Gb 5200rpm drive instead.

The graphics chipset has been upgraded to a 4x AGP-based ATI Mobility Radeon with 16Mb of DDR VRAM in both models. Less exciting is the inclusion of gigabit Ethernet, although the chipset does include the useful feature where users don't need a special crossover cable to connect their powerbook to another using Mac via Ethernet.

This is because the Ethernet port recognises the difference between being connected to a hub and being connected to another computer.

Drive time

Apple has also included an AirPort card fitted as standard with the 667MHz PowerBook. Both new PowerBooks ship with slot-loading DVD-ROM drives as standard, although there's the option to fit a CD-RW drive instead. No doubt there will be a few complaints that there's no combo drive or SuperDrive, but it's probably fair to assume that slot-loading combo drives are just not available at a reasonable cost.

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As for a slimline, slot-loading SuperDrive, if Pioneer has managed to square that circle it's keeping very quiet about it.

The other big change is to the power supply. Gone is the silver yo-yo, and in its place, a snow-white square block. The block is made from the same material as the iBook case and has two pop-out 'hooks'. When the supply is not in use, the cable wraps around the hooks.

The power supply also has a removable corner that houses the end of the power cable, so that when the whole thing is plugged together it forms a perfect square.

The detachable part also has a built-in plug, so that the power supply itself can be plugged in, negating the need for the additional cable. This looks good and works well on the US power supply. It remains to be seen how it will work with UK plugs. The air vent on the rear of the PowerBook appears to have been enlarged and airflow improved when the ports' flap is closed.

This is a fairly minor upgrade, but one that will do enough to satisfy most users. It improves the PowerBook's overall performance while retaining everything that makes it a great machine.

By the book

The iBook range has been similarly beefed up. There are now only three models in the range instead of four, with the CD-RW model relegated to a build-to-order option. Processor speed on the CD-ROM iBook remains at 500MHz, but is pushed up to 600MHz on the other models. The 600MHz models have a faster system bus, running at 100MHz.

In a shocking display of common sense, Apple has included 128Mb RAM on all the iBooks, although you'll still need to add more if you want to use Mac OS X properly with anything more memory hungry than Text Edit. Hard drive capacities are 15Gb on the CD-ROM and DVD-ROM models, and 20Gb on the iBook with combo drive. The iBook also has the new power adaptor.

All the new machines are priced the same as before, except for the combo drive iBook, which is a very welcome £100 cheaper.

Improving on two hugely successful products was always going to be challenging. There will always be some who will be disappointed that a feature they were hoping for wasn't included, and we continue to be disappointed with RAM configurations on all the machines - except the 667MHz PowerBook. However, these are solid upgrades that provide fantastic value and anyone thinking of buying a PowerBook or iBook need wait no longer. It's time to get out your credit card.

PRICE: 500MHz £935.32 (£1099 inc VAT), 600MHz DVD-ROM £1105.53 (£1299 inc VAT), 600MHz DVD/CD-RW £1360.85 (£1599 inc VAT)