[aliasfox]

Hey- I got the new 'book. Not only is this my first "new" style computer (post-iMac), it's also my first OSX computer. Coming from OS 9, I can figure most things out- the lack of an Application menu and a Control Strip are annoyances. Is there anyway to "tear-off" a small version of the dock, like you can with the Application menu in OS 9? Also, what's the easiest way to "show desktop" in OSX? Right now, I'm option-clicking the Finder icon in the Dock- after a few times, it'll show the desktop without other programs.
As for the computer itself, it's great. The only defect mine had was that the bottom wasn't quite flat, resulting in it rocking slightly on the table when I got it yesterday. It seems to have corrected itself, so I have a flawless computer- no modem problems, no dead pixels.
Awesome stuff: Great keyboard, screen, and sound- that's right- I can hear the difference between this output (24-bit) as opposed to my Power Mac 7300's 16-bit output on my Monsoon speakers. The built in speakers aren't bad- they're better than the built in speaker on the Power Mac, but they aren't really that loud. The CD Burner burned a 72 minute CD in about 4:30- the entire computer vibrated, but it came out alright. It only happened when I burned the CD, hasn't happened with CDs or DVDs yet- the computer gets warm, but very little vibration. Oh, and much stabler than OS 9, but most of you knew that already
Alright stuff: Performance with stock RAM- my extra RAM hasn't arrived yet (backordered /forums/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/mad.gif), so I've been running with stock 256 MB. There's often some lag, but it's not unbearable. Also, is it normal for an OSX computer to take so long to start up? It's taken this thing 2:30 each time for some reason- my upgraded 7300 can do the same task in OS 9 in under 100 seconds. It gets warm, but so far hasn't been too hot to handle. The only benchmarks I've run: Quake 3 Demo (Classic, 1024x768, High Quality): 42.2 fps. I expect more with a newer/carbonized/altivec enhanced version. It ran it's first SETI work unit in 10 hours, 21 minutes. If there's anything else out there that's free, I'm willing to try it- let me know- I'm doing Altivec Fractal Carbon when I go offline.
Bad stuff: Set me back a pretty penny, and I'm dreading the day I see the first scratch. Otherwise, I need to pay for a lot of OSX software. Oh, and the cables look kinda ugly pointing out the left side, but it's convenient, at least.
Lastly: which is better: Safari or Chimera? IE is too slow! Is iCab a contender on OSX?
Anything y'all want me to add or comment on? Drop a line!

[ny21blue]

Hey, sounds like you are going to enjoy your powerbook. It's a beautiful thing. Getting mine on March 9th, and can't wait.
So here is what you do: USE SAFARI
Here's why:
Apple builds the software to work perfectly with the hardware. Test have already shown that Safari surpasses all other browsers made for the MAC right now. Plus new builds of Safari are soon to come out. Safari is in beta stage however is probably more stable than any other browser out. Few bugs, and fast load times. Plus you get a beautiful, simple interface. Support Apple buy using it's products.
Enjoy!
Ryan

[Peter]

Hi alias,
Awesome news! Isn't it just a beautiful computer? I know you will enjoy using it.
Once the learning curve ends with OSX, you will really be happy for the change. I mean, could you even see OS9 on your new Powerbook? It would detract form the beauty!
And yes, use Safari. Be sure to add everything to it's toolbar through View and Preferences under Safari on the Menu Bar.
Peter

[Caelth]

Everything will run much better when your extra RAM arrives. The way Quartz handles windows is very memory hungry.
I'm glad you're enjoying the notebook. Mine will arrive in up to 3 (!) weeks /forums/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/mad.gif

[aliasfox]

I just installed the extra RAM- it was a pain considering I wasn't using the right screwdriver, and I'm too impatient to go out and find and buy the right one. The screws are a bit messed up now, but a) they're on the bottom, and b) i won't ever have to open that door again, will I /forums/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif? There's a nearly imperceptible scratch on the door now, at least it's not on the case- if I really want to, I can replace that door. As for performance, the difference with the RAM is subtle, but it's there: the Dock pauses less often now (especially with many programs open), and it zooms faster.
I do have one performance gripe now: Even with the extra RAM, Unreal Tournament Demo isn't quite smooth- at the same settings, my upgraded Power Mac 7300 is actually a bit smoother. Then again, it's playing in Classic- I have to find time to download an OSX game to see how this machine performs.
Oh, but the reports that this machine is faster than the Powerbook Ti GHZ makes me pretty darn happy- I spent less than I would have on a TiBook 867, and got a faster computer /forums/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif.
As for getting my machine early, ClubMac was going to take until the second half of this month, so I cancelled when I found that MacConnection had a few in stock- with 2nd day shipping that cost less than ClubMac's. Oh, and the Airport X card will ship next week- those were backordered- but installing it myself means that I get my computer earlier, and I don't have to pay the $40 install fee, either.
Yeah... when I see the Classic menu bar come up, I just groan /forums/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif.

[Caelth]

Don't expect miracles in 3D performance. GeForce4 420 Go has just a half of memory bandwidth of GeForce4 Go 440 which severly hurts the performance in high resolutions and with lot of texturing. The true king of 3D in mobile world is Radeon 9000 but if you don't intend to play Unreal Tournament 2003 or Doom 3, your 12" Powerbook's GeForce 4 Go 420 should be enough.

[kcmac]

Give the dock a chance. After using OS X for awhile you will find you like the way it is set up. In fact, after about a month of OS X only, jump back onto a machine that can boot into 9 and you just might be surprised how foreign it seems. This still shocks me.
Congrats on the PB!

[aliasfox]

I'n not expecting miracles, but I was kind of surprised when I realized that gameplay was jerkier than on my Power Mac that has a G3/473 and a Voodoo 3 card. In the Quake 3 benchmark, it benches higher than the Power Mac, but playing the game, you would swear that you're getting no more than maybe 25 fps- when it benched 42 fps (how do you get in-game framerates again? I only remember the benchmarking codes)
The Dock... it's growing on me, but I'd still like to have a very compact floating application strip.
I'm trying both Chimera and Safari, but I prefer Chimera at the moment- the standard aqua interface just looks so much smoother than the stainless steel Safari- and at the moment, it renders faster (at least on my 56K connection).
Oh, and iChat is nowhere near as full featured as AIM- then again, iChat's in version 1.0 and AIM is in version 4.5.
I've realized that this machine still isn't quite sitting flat on the table- it's better than when I got it, but it still wobbles a bit- is there an easy, non-painful cure for this?