Laptops in Lotus Land

by John Tyler

That was in 1993. The price of PowerBooks in Japan has dropped, and configuration packages have improved. While it's still possible to pay big bucks for mobility - Apple's newest PowerBook, the 3400, will sell for between $4,500 and $6,500 when it arrives by spring 1997 - at least now a range of models and setups exists.

The 5300 series, launched in 1995 but plagued by bugs, hiccups, and aberrations, is still available in Japan and has the greatest range of prices and functionality among its four models. All models share the same chip, the 603e, but two different clock speeds are available. Bottom end is the plain-jane 5300 with a 100-MHz clock, 16MB of RAM, 500MB hard disk, and a 9.5-inch grayscale screen. Prices start at JPY178,000. The 5300cs has an identical motherboard and clock speed, but it ships with a bigger hard disk (750MB) and a larger (10.4-inch) passive-matrix color monitor. The 5300cs is priced at a still-affordable JPY238,000.

The two decidedly corporate models of the 5300 series differ considerably in price, though not much in configuration. Except for the active-matrix color screen, the 5300c has an identical setup to the 5300cs. Stock is becoming scarce, though, and if you can find it, it will cost a hefty JPY380,000. Slightly cheaper, at JPY378,000, and running a faster (117-MHz) clock speed is the 5300ce, with 32M of RAM, 1.1GB hard disk, and a 10.4-inch color screen.

The 190 and the Duo 2300 were introduced along with the 5300 series, but only the Duo can still be found in stores. It ships with an internal modem and 100-MHz processor, but maintains an older screen technology. The 190 was discontinued (some say thankfully) in November 1996.

The 1400 series, introduced in November 1996, is (as of mid-March) the newest PowerBook series available in Japan. This laptop runs a 603e processor (117 MHz) and has an 11.3-inch color monitor. It has been popular mainly because of its universal System 7.5 operating system, its affordable pricing, and it being a working alternative to the 5300. In the stores now, however, few of the inexpensive models remain. The least expensive model is the 1400cs at JPY328,000.

The 1400c/117 is more expensive, at JPY408,000, but differs from its little brother only in screen technology. With the introduction of the 1400 series, Apple no longer supports a grayscale screen. As one friend attests - having bought an entry-level 190 model that is slowly driving him blind with its fuzzy resolution and dim LCD-like readout - crisp, clear color in a monitor is more than the whim it used to be; today, it's a necessity.

The 1400 series uses two new color screen technologies. The large 11.3-inch screen comes in dual-scan, passive-matrix or active-matrix versions. Users of earlier PowerBook models, whose screens left "ghost" images (of the cursor when you moved it quickly, for example), will remember the passive-matrix's claim to fame, but reports have it that the new dual-scan generation of screen is a rebirth in quality. The active-matrix screen, which has always been bright and watchable, still has sharpness and superior color.

The last of the 1400 series triumvirate is the 1400c/133. Priced at JPY468,000, this model is not for weekend warriors. The price is somewhat justified in that it includes an optional CD-ROM drive which fits snugly into the drive bay on the right front of the computer. If you want top-of-the-line today (and can't wait a few months for the 3400 series), this is the model to buy.

Apple's PowerBooks continue to be the sexiest component in the entire Macintosh line. (The 20th-anniversary special edition model, code-named Spartacus, uses existing PowerBook technology and design considerations to achieve its sleek, postmodern presence.) Prices in Japan are similar to those Stateside, and configurations are customizable (to a certain extent). Granted, you will pay a premium for the option of being able to take your computer from shop to home to office to park in the basket of your bike, but there's always been a price for portability.

In closing
My first article in Computing Japan (May 1995) wasn't platform-specific, but it grew out of my experience training employees how to better use their Macintosh computers. That eventually led to "The Mac Chooser" column, and in the past 15 months I've only begun to cover the wide range of topics surrounding Apple and the Macintosh.

With so much left to explore, and so many readers requesting more, I hesitate to move on. But like many writers, I have another full-time profession and personal goals that cry for attention.

I don't intend to give up writing about the Mac as my hardware of choice, but I do feel the need to step away from the rigors of a regular column. With the grace of the editor, I will make periodic re-appearances with articles, but this will be my last "Mac Chooser" column.

Thanks to the readers who took time to write me with their thoughts, criticism, and support. Please continue to encourage other columnists and writers, and the editors, in this manner. And continue to support your favorite platform. Thank you.


Back to the table of contents