PowerBook





PowerBook is Apple Computer's brand name for its series of Macintosh
professional laptop computers. Since 1999, Apple has a second series of less
expensive laptops, aimed at the consumer and education markets, the iBook.

Prior to the release of the PowerBook line, Apple had attempted to build a
portable computer in the form of the Macintosh Portable. As its electronics
were the same as a Macintosh Plus with an LCD, it was better known as a
"luggable" due to its unfortunate size and weight. It was the butt of many
jokes, and Apple was looking to improve the second time around.

In October 1991 the first series of PowerBooks were released, from the
low-end PowerBook 100 to the high end PowerBook 170. The machines caused a
stir in the industry, due to a combination of their compact dark grey cases,
use of a trackball, and the clever arrangement of the keyboard which left
room for resting your wrists on the case.

In 1992 Apple released a hybrid portable/desktop computer, the PowerBook
Duo. This was a very thin and lightweight laptop with a minimum of features,
which could be insterted into a docking station to provide the system with
extra memory, storage space, connectors, and could be connected to a
monitor. The model did not sell as well as expected, although several
companies have since picked up the design style.

The first series of PowerBooks were hugely successful and captured 40% of
all laptop sales for a time, a fact that Apple seemed to do little to
capitalize on. Instead the original team eventually were lured away to work
at Compaq, setting back the effort to introduce updated versions for some
time. These new versions were eventually released as the "blackbird" models
and were once again visually striking, but by this time most other companies
had copied the majority of the PowerBook's features, and Apple was unable to
regain their lead.

This remained the story until the Steve Jobs turned his eye to the re-design
of the PowerBook series in 2000. The result was a completely re-designed
unit built on a titanium chassis, with a huge 15.2" wide-aspect screen
suitable for watching widescreen movies. Built on the power of the PowerPC
G4 processor, it was the first supercomputer notebook in the world. It was
lighter than most PC based laptops, and due to the low power consumption of
the PowerPC it outlasted them by hours.

The TiBooks, as they became known, have become a fashion item. They are
especially popular in the entertainment business, where they adorn many
desks in Hollywood. They have also made some inroads into the desktop market
as well, thanks to their large screen. Many other laptop manufacturers
followed suit and imitated aspects of the design, such as the silvery
metallic casing.

The Titanium Powerbooks were released in configurations of 400, 500, 550,
667, 800 and 1000 MHz.

In 2003, Apple Computer launched both the largest-screen laptop in the world
and Apple's smallest full-featured notebook computer. Both machines are made
of anodized aluminum, feature DVD-burning capabilities (build-to-order on
the small model) AirPort Extreme networking, Bluetooth, and 12.1" or 17" LCD
displays. The 17" model includes an ambient light sensor built into the
keyboard which backlights the keys and adjusts the screen brightness when it
senses the light is darker.

The 12" PowerBook's screen is the same as that used on the iBook, while the
17" PowerBook uses the same screen as that used on the 17" flat-panel iMac.

Later in 2003, the 15" PowerBooks were redesigned, and now feature the same
aluminum body as their smaller and larger siblings.