[heimdall]

spiderbat:
If I didn't already have a desktop system yes, a PowerMac), I wouldn't have purchased the MacBook specifically because of the FireWire issue. I have 4 FW drives, and a DV camcorder. I'm vacillating between getting a MacPro or an iMac (MacWorld and others have already written about why there are fewer reasons to spring for the Pro now), but if they drop FireWire from the iMacs, too... decision made for me.

Agree about the fan noise--my MacBook is much quieter. But I can't remember if the PowerBook was this noisy when new--could it be dust or some other issue that's making the fans run more?

[sphangman]

Smartsleep is an excellent prefplane that hibernates your mac instead of sleeping it .. might just do the thing you are looking for ..

[alansky]

My late-model 12-inch powerbook (1.5GHz) still runs like a champ, but the main reason I have not upgraded to an aluminum MacBook is NO FIREWIRE. This continues to be, imho, one of the dumbest things Apple has ever done. Even the Mac mini has firewire!!! What was Apple thinking???

[rfsmedley]

I too have a 12" PB and have been using it for 5+ years. I have 2 batteries and have never had a problem with it. Great machine but getting slower as technology gets faster.
Like you I ALSO have(and use as my backup) a Tuxedo PB. Another great machine with the added speed and ram.
Great to read everyone's thoughts as I am about ready to make the jump to a 13" uni-body Macbook as well due to the need for speed so to speak.
Again thanks for the thoughts. Now if we could only get Apple to come out with a 12" Macbook...naw, it will never happen.

[davebarnes]

YES.
We replaced our 12-inch PowerBook with an AirBook. Perfect for our needs.

[benr]

mbp12.com

There is still hope... (or not?)

[Durnaurion]

I replaced my 12" iBook about a year ago and it was the same story really. Thrilled about the power and speed, but I miss the 12".... :(

[Kees]

until Apple releases a small (smaller than 13.3") with a matte screen, my 1.33GHz 12" G4 PowerBook will stay my trusty travel and couch companion.
Fortunately it is still in excellent condition, and Apple gave me a new battery for fear of the old one exploding, so I can hold out for a while longer. (I do have a newish intel iMac for when I need more speed)

In the meantime, Apple, can I have a functional battery menu back already?

[ingenious]

I loved my 12" PowerBook G4. I used until the fall of 2007 when the logic board finally gave out... I'd had it since I was very young; it survived at least three falls from four feet off the ground, numerous dents, scratches, etc., but it kept trudging along. After using a few interim replacement 13" MacBook CDs, and a faulty Early 2008 MacBook Pro, I'm finally on an Alu 15.4" MacBook Pro (Late 2008).
Beautiful machine, but i still miss the utter portability of the 12incher...

[fyrefly]

As the proud owner of a MacBook Air, I have to say I loved my 12" PB. The 13" MB was never the same. I thought the unibody (whihc .5lbs less weight) would be the sweet spot, but I could not stand the low-quality glossy screen on the thing and returned it after using it for a week. If not for the LCD panel being utter garbage in the MB, I'd say it's a very worthy PB 12" replacement.

[SPOOF]

I'm still using my 15" PowerBook G4. It still runs adobe apps (though slowly), handles all my web, mail, writing, coding, and other communications needs.
My wife is on the new white MacBook. As an IT person, I refuse to buy a mac without a FireWire port, as Target Disk Mode has saved me so many times I can't count them. We both like it, she's really happy with it, and it's rather zippy.
I look forward to buying a new laptop to replace this G4 once SnowLeopard (10.6) ships and whatever new laptop gets made with the new announced architectures from intel. Then I'll finally give in to my technolust.
The only thing I can't do effectively on the laptop is game...so I do that on my home server on occasion (8 core Mac Pro). O:-)

[wgood]

I still want a 12" PowerBook. When I'm done school and get Mac Pro, I'm going to get a PB G4 to go with it :D

[jtnave23]

As an IT guy, I couldn't let my 12' iBook G3 with the faulty graphics card go to waist. I ended up getting another broken iBook and was able to combine them to make it work. I installed a new hard drive and 10.4 and we now have an internet device.
I love the fact that the iBook runs smoother than the other computers (running XP/Vista) I have and if I ever needed to give it away, I feel safe in knowing that the iBook will work for years to come. I recently got my first MBP (2 years old) and am amazed at the speed in which it runs everyday apps. In the end, I shall cling to that iBook until I can upgrade no longer...

[macsterguy]

"Say hello to my little friend"... My 62 month old - 1.33GHz 12" Powerbook with 1.25 GB of memory is the best laptop I have ever owned. I have 3 Mac's I use personally and over 20 in my business and the powerbook is my fav. Knock on wood... It looks and runs like a new one and I have never had a problem with it. I am on my 3rd battery and it has 845 loadcycles on it. Way beyond what it should... still get almost 2-hours.
It is slow, keeping up with my demands... I am soon going to replace my little buddy and I don't think Apple makes a laptop I will like as much as my powerbook....
The new Macbook is nice - but no firewire??? The Pro is to big for me...
I guess I will settle for the Macbook (unless I hachintosh something that I want). The new 24" display looks like a pretty good too!