Not just for Apple freaks; Linux too! (Apple PowerBook G3)

Member Name: chrishow

Product:	Apple PowerBook G3
Date:	24/10/00 (72 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Beautiful screen, looks great, fast

Disadvantages: Apple keyboard not to my taste

I've owned a Powerbook G3 since it came out; I've got the old fat one. I use a wide variety of computers; PCs, Macs, Desktops, Laptops and this is the best machine I've ever used (although it's a bit slow compared to the new ones).
I run Linux on mine, so don't think I'm just a Mac evangelist, and it performs beautifully.
The screen is still the best I've seen on a laptop - it's twice as bright as my (much newer) IBM ThinkPad. (so why did I buy the ThinkPad? I wanted a *tiny* laptop for travel) All the hardware is supported fine under Linux, from the PCMCIA slots to the built in modem to the SCSI port (NB you don't get SCSI on the new ones).
The only thing about the G3 which is not *perfect* is the keyboard; like all Apple keyboards it lacks a positive feel; the keys don't 'click' at all. I can't count this against the machine; it's personal taste.
I'd recommend them to anyone who wanted a fast Linux/Apple laptop. Perhaps not if you just want linux, as much software is distributed in i386 form, although you can usually track down a PPC compliation (or do it yourself; it's usually quite easy, really)
Make sure you buy an upgrade to on-site warranty, just in case; you don't want to be without it for a week if it goes wrong!

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