The new 15-in. PowerBook: A laptop for all?

By Ken Mingis

June 2, 2004 12:00 PM ET

Computerworld - For the past two weeks or so, I've had my hands on the latest incarnation of Apple Computer Inc.'s midrange, bread-and-butter PowerBook, the new 15-in. model unveiled in mid-April (see story). And with this version of its sleek aluminum laptops, Apple has really hit its stride.
If the 12-in. PowerBook is too small (or too slow), and the 17-in. PowerBook is too big (it can't be too fast -- right?), then the 15-in. model is probably just right. Speedy? Check. The 1.5-GHz processor shows its stuff in day-to-day tasks. Versatile? Very much so. With AirPort Extreme now incorporated across the PowerBook line, wireless connections are made easy. The SuperDrive allows for easy CD and DVD burning. The backlit keyboard is useful in dimly lit places. Portable? You bet. You get a bright and clear 1,280-by-854-pixel widescreen LCD, full-size (and solid-feeling) keyboard, all in a package that weighs 5.7 lb.
Add to that the fact that Apple dropped the price of the faster of its two 15-in. models by $100, to $2,499, and what's not to love?
In this case, not much -- although I do have a couple of nits to note.
You may recall that the 15-in. model was the last of the pro laptop line to get an aluminum case, following last year's 12-in. and 17-in. models to market by several months. While its bigger and smaller siblings are now at Rev. 3, this is only the second version of the aluminum-clad 15-in. PowerBook -- and the first run got off to a rocky start last fall when owners began seeing white spots on their LCD screens. While the problem units were repaired and the problem was eventually eliminated, it left would-be buyers leery of the 15-in. model.
I'm happy to report no such problems with the current crop, which Apple provided me for review purposes, though I do have a minor quibble with the LCD screens Apple uses. To be blunt: I want a higher-resolution screen.


Powerbook 15 on the left, Sony Vaio on the right.

Let me explain: The resolution on the 15-in. PowerBooks has remained unchanged for more than two years now, and I think it's time for something a little higher than 1,280 by 854 pixels. Don't get me wrong. There's nothing inherently wrong with the current resolution; it certainly wouldn't stop me if I were eyeing a new PowerBook.
But given the higher resolutions offered on the PC laptop side (some of them too high, in my book), I'd like to see Apple offer

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