Spotlight on Apple notebooks: 1989 to 2008

IT IS 1:45 PM ET WHERE IS THE NEW PRODUCT

ex ped: It’s up on the Apple store now.

I am here at 1.21PM EST, and the show is still not out.

Already 10:15 am PST, and no change here?

I’m about to say goodbye to my PowerBook G4 (snif). No matter what Steve will present tonite, I got some $$$ to spend !
“Got something that might interest you stranger! ” cf. reseident evil 4.
Long live to Apple’ laptops

Might as well add to the ad here. I’ve had seven Macs at work since 1986. Four of them were notebooks. I had a PB 540, a PB G3 FireWire (Pismo), a PB G4-17, and I’m typing this on a MacBook Pro 15 loaded to the gills.

I loved them all. I still have the PB G3 and G4 and both still work.

I remember getting my first apple machine, TiBook Onyx in 2002 and clutching it on my knees all the way home in the car. I couldn’t believe it, at the time it was the best looking computer by miles and miles and miles, and it’s hard to beat even today. That the current (not for long) MacBook Pros are no thinner is testament to just how far Apple was then ahead of the curve, and, naturally, still is. That computer still works fine, although now it has 1 gig of ram and 100 GB hard-drive, and no longer lives in its case…

Although I must include, first is not always better. But in the case of Apple. It is.

When you do it for the enjoyment, the passion, the inner love of what ever it is you are doing, that means more than doing it for glory, fame, money, and one’s ego.

(I am wondering why Apple everything does in secret…)

Well the same reason ALL companies have their secret board meetings. If news were to leak about what business they were doing, everyone would be doing it and probably do it first. One of the reason I am a Mac guy. they did it first, they took the risk, they were geeks in it for the pleasure of the hunt, not like IMB and MS when they came in. “Oh my gosh, we got to get a piece of this pie.”

Just like all those iPhone and iPod followers. Let’s follow the leader and try to get into their share. But that is business. It happens every where. Look at books, movies, tv shows. the only ones that are really successful are the ones that go against the grain and give us something really different.

But they did it in secret, until it is out, then they can say, We did it first.

My original Titanium PowerBook is still fully functioning as well. The casing is in great nick…

I just ordered a MacBook Pro the other day, I may have to return it if this new one looks like a winner…

Might want to mention that the PowerBook 100 (right after Macintosh Portable) was the first “true” Apple notebook. It was co-designed by Sony, and had an external floppy drive, as it was omitted from the internal design to trim down on weight.

I too lost my HD on an ‘06 macbook. Same thing, it went down quick. Fortunately I got off what I needed. Out of warranty meant it was expensive, but I could do it myself… otherwise I have been extremely happy with the computer.

I had to replace my HD in my ‘06 Mac Book just last week. Thank goodness the extended warranty was good for three more weeks and the external backup drive paid for itself!!

It was a kick in the gut to loose the drive so suddenly since the machine has operated without flaw until that moment.

My original PowerBook Titanium lasted just over 7 years.

I’ve owned 4 of ‘em. Starting with the original 1989 Macintosh Portable.

Still use a Titanium Powerbook daily. Funny thing about Macs is how long they remain useful machines compared to Windows machines.

Steve is coming to reach everyone with Apple starting US800 (rumors) for lowest end notebook. He is smart and he wants every smart users to have an Apple at home or anywhere in the world. Globally, with internet everyone will starts to look at Apple as their 1st choice of Personal Computer. In 1984, he launched Macintosh and never look back in his vision to make a mac for everyone.

I’ve almost owned them all but,for some reason, my favorite memories are of my my black G3 “Bronze:(Named after the bronze tint of the keys), I was on a plane back from Malayasia years ago and switched out the “Hot Swappable” Zip Bay for the DVD Bay. The PC guy in the seat next to me couldn’t believe what he saw and we had a 4 hour conversation on the subject. I believe he planned to get off the plane and run to buy a Mac. (PS: Two Hot bays= two Batteris for long fights)

Powerbook 1400 for the win.

It’s been a long relationship with Apple for me.

I’ve had many Apple Laptops:

PB140 16MHz
PB145B 25MHz
PB170 25MHz
PB180c 33MHz (first with colour)
PB5300ce 112MHz
PBG3 Bronze 333MHz
PBG3 Bronze 400MHz (first with DVD)
MBPro 2.4GHz

Now I want an Air how ever it has to be fast.

I did get a Macintosh Portable just because it was $20, I never did used it.

You didn’t include the PowerBook 5300 series, a dismal failure by maybe, but brought me satisfaction straight out of college.

It was the first PB with a PPC processor, and with a 1.2GB hard disk, I was convinced I would never have to empty the trash, ever again!

In jan of 2006 I ordered a MBP online while the keynote was still echoing through the halls. I received it about 10 days before the stores id, and just in time to go on an 8 month trip to Spain, where I used it extensively every day to write a novel, process over 10,000 photos, edit videos. It was with me traveling to 5 other countries over the last 2+ years. It has been great.

Yes a few minor issues. Seems like the USB port will not always talk to my external HD, and the iSight is on-again off-again.

Overall? I am really pleased. My daughter now uses it in college.
—

BTW- When I was writing, whether in Spain or here, I had it do automatic backups 2x per day, to my .Mac account iDisk. I NEVER worried about my equipment being stolen and loosing all my work. I knew it was safe on the internet. Without that I would have been constantly worrying!

I’ve owned more PowerBooks than I can remember, but always loved my Pismo best. And you know, to this day I usually use my older Titanium, because it will run OS 9.

Nice to see the development it the apple range. I love the old models somewhat stylish in a way. I think it will we interesting to see what apple does. I wrote a similar blog but its more on the likes of the amazing things they do produce.
http://jackbrandtman.wordpress.com

I’ve had 9 different models shown in the article and every one of them had both quality and attention to detail that Apple has been know for. The first one cost $3000 back in 1991 and the value/price performance has increased with every one. I’m a MacBook Pro guy so looking forward to the next rev. Great memories!

I’ve had a PowerBook Duo 230, PowerBook G3 (WallStreet), PowerBook G4 (aluminum) and now two MacBook Pros. Love em all.

Love my iBook G4. Just added 1G of Memory and upgrade my Hard Drive to 1.25G. What else can I say? Oh! New battery!
Can I fall in love again? Waiting for Tuesday!

I started with the original PowerBook in 1991 and it was fine except for the lack of color. I could get online, barely, but the Internet in B&W just seemed wrong. My G3 was wonderful and I still have it but the screen would not stay vertical and then went out completely and I had to use a desk moniter until I bought my G4 Aluminum. Nothing has tempted me to upgrade yet.

This ad is way better than those silly Microsoft commercials with Jerry Seinfeld. Well done, Apple.

My awesom ibook died after a bath of white wine and the macbook replacement has been nothing but disappointment. I never expected Apple to go backwards in design.

The Powerbook under 1996 is a Powerbook 1400.

Did someone say they have a Powerbook Tit?

Can I get one of those?

(or two)

Had one of those first Portable doorstops, a PB 1400, a G-3 Wallstreet, and now a beloved iBook. Apple continues to surpass in each iteration. They earned my respect from the time of my Mac Plus through this very moment of time. One of the few American companies we can still have pride in. Go Apple.

Been lovin’ my 12″ AL 1Ghz for years. Been waiting for a replacement for the last 3 yrs. Still waiting. With money in hand, I couldn’t buy the MBP Intel. With money in hand, I couldn’t buy the MacBook. With money in hand, I couldn’t buy the Air. I was always tempted, but my 12″ just keeps doing what I need it to do.

In spite of the state of the economy, the money and interest I have saved over the past 3 years (thanks to my 12″) is enough to buy 4 or 5 sub $1000 laptops.

I am hoping that Tuesday yields the unveiling of my new laptop. But if not, no worries. I still have my little 12″ wonder.

Nice article.

Great retrospective, but I’d like to add the Outbound, a brilliant, true portable Mac that came out as early as the dreadful Mac Portable, boasted a detachable keyboard with Trackbar, and even a bootable RAM disk. Way ahead of its time–and was not built by Apple, but cleverly used the Apple ROM chipset.

I’m having to replace the HDD in my ‘06 MacBook. I’ve always liked Mac, but this was the first time I could actually afford one. It was a great computer, but now, I am disappointed, to say the least. Grrrr..!

i’ve worked for a few years with a portable. 8 hours battery. i miss it

Brings back lots of memories of my Mac notebooks of days gone by (I’ve owned five so far).

While my current 15 inch MBP is new and doing the job quite well, I still have my Powerbook G3 and will always claim that it is the best “styled” Apple notebook bar none.

It will be nice to see Apple take the next step beyond the aluminum brick. That may be a few years off yet, as Tuesday will not give me what I am looking for. But I am sure that whatever is ushered forth from Cupertino will be more than adequate.

I want to throw in a bit of praise for the IGhz Titanium PB. I got mine in Nov of 2002 and it is beat up but still cranking away. The Superdrive died but everything else works fine.

We really wait for the 15.8-pound “Macintosh Portable”; we believe that it’s going to be something great.

I am wondering why Apple everything does in secret…

Chano says: You also omitted to feature the little 2400, the smallest Mac laptop ever.

ex ped: Added, by popular demand.

I had the original brick, a dud. The best Apple has done is 2000/G3, 2001/G4 Tit, purchased both. Still using the 1mhz/1gig Tit/G4 (swap keyboard, hd, fans), does very well, thank you–well enough to skip G4 Aluminum. It’s been nearly 7 years on Tit–well beyond 2 year planned obsolescence, still has a value on used market. Not impressed enough to swap with recent ‘04-current models. Nice but no cigar. Air a real dud. Soft/Hard glitches with newest version chipper. Unimpressed, but ready for next upgrade. Tit doing fine…:-))

the macbook air came out in 2007 i watched the keynote address

ex ped: Macworld Jan 15, 2008. See here.

eggs

“To fid out”

ex ped: I wish I could say I was making sure you read to the end. Fixed now. Thanks.

forgot the MacBook Air…

ex ped: Good catch. Thanks. It’s there now.