Why are Apple Powerbooks so expensive? At the face level, there are
pretty pricey for not-so-impressive hardware tech specs. Is there
something that makes this trendy little machines better or comparable
to a similarly priced (top end?) PC laptop? Thanks! Is there any way
that one could list for me the advantages and disadvantages of a PC
machine and the powerbook G4? Why does it seem to be 'that much
better'?

Cosmetically, the Titanium PowerBook G4 is the same. Inside, however,
you'll find a faster, 800-MHz G4 processor, which replaces the 667-MHz
processor in the previous PowerBook.


Apple also has added a 1MB L3 cache which, with the new processor,
makes for a faster overall system; the company claims the new Titanium
PowerBook will be just as powerful as its line of desktop systems.
While we like the speed increase, we would have liked to see speeds
approaching 1 GHz for the top-end PowerBook.


As for the overall feel of the machine, Apple improved the sturdiness
of the display and boosted the laptop's AirPort reception. Admittedly,
I dropped my first review unit from a height of about 3 feet. The
accident resulted in a broken hinge, but everything worked just fine.

Not only is the display sturdier, it is brighter and runs at a higher
resolution. The upgraded PowerBook's display -- measuring 15.2 inches
wide -- is no larger than its predecessor, but it delivers a native
resolution of 1280x854 pixels, an increase over the original's
1152x768-pixel display. You might think that at the increased
resolution everything on the display would look too small and you
would end up squinting to see, as you would on the 12-inch Apple
iBook. Luckily, this isn't the case.


The display goodies don't stop there. Apple delivers another first: a
DVI connector on a laptop. Add a $150 DVI-to-ADC converter and you can
plug into any of Apple's LCD monitors, including the new high-end,
23-inch Apple Cinema HD Display.

One problem plagued previous editions of the Titanium PowerBook: Spare
change and pens in laptop bags and metal watch bands that came into
contact with the computers tended to mar the machines' finish. The
problem is so well-known, threads have been started on Apple's message
boards, and a paint "fix" has been created called TiPaint.


Unfortunately, we could not test the paint immediately on the new
machine. Proper testing requires months of real-world extended use,
which it will get.

Is it worth it, it depends what you are doing, if you want to do
graphic design, or film , then yes. The proccessors architecture makes
it perfect for multitasking and for renedering and other heavy tasks.
If you want to game then i would suggest getting one of the new
voodooo or alienwares of the same price using athlon 64 technology.