Universal Rule

Book Reviews

Monday, November 25, 2002

Replacing a desktop computer with a portable -- Comment()
Andrew Green e-mailed a comment about my recent PowerBook review: "Saw your quick review of the new TiBook and your comment about its ergonomics issues when used as a full time desktop machine. [...] I wanted to show you my solution for just that issue - the iCurve."

The iCurve seems to be a solution, at a price. I'm inclined to use the PowerBook without such an aid, working with the lid closed and with external display, mouse, and keyboard. But there might be others interested in the iCurve.

There is one problem with using both the LCD of the PowerBook and a traditional CRT display: after watching the LCD, the eyes need some time to get used to the CRT display. An LCD is flicker-free, which is not the case of even a high-quality CRT display. Thus, a big flat-screen display would be an ideal complement to a PowerBook.

-- Comment()
Earlier today I wrote: "Perhaps [IBM ThinkPad T30] will be even better than a PowerBook, who knows. Should I cancel my order for the new PowerBook?" I got a quick reply from JMTee: "What, changing PB to TP?!? Heck, man, don't even joke about things like that ;-)"

However, I was only half joking. I ordered the "middle" PowerBook model with the 1 GHz processor but without the SuperDrive. I tested the high-end model with SuperDrive, and it functioned fine. Writing backup data to a DVD-R disk is starting to make sense, although I still don't see myself making a DVD disk to be viewed on TV.

-- Comment()
Werblog writes: "Steve Gillmor is excited about Microsoft's OneNote. I haven't had time to check out the details of the announcement, but it sounds almost as if this is Microsoft's answer to Weblogs."

Loss of PowerBook -- Comment()
Today noon I had to return the 1 GHz PowerBook G4 back to Apple. I had the machine for one week, and miss it already. I'm now back to using my iBook portable. Tomorrow I'll receive an IBM ThinkPad T30 for testing. Perhaps that machine will be even better than a PowerBook, who knows. Should I cancel my order for the new PowerBook? No, I'll check instead when the order will be delivered. Mid-December, or earlier?

-- Comment()
I have been using the 1 GHz PowerBook G4 in my lap while browsing the net and writing, for several hours at a time. The bottom of the machine gets a bit warm, especially under the battery when you are charging the machine. Fortunately the part of the machine closest to you stays cool. When running on battery power the machine doesn't get hot at all. Contrast this with the following story. This Laptop's Too Hot to Handle: "A Swiss scientist sears his private parts while typing on his portable computer. Could this take the 'lap' out of laptops? Get real, manufacturers say. By Julia Scheeres." [Wired News]