HD For Indies

Failed to clue in to this - the new 17" PowerBook has two features no other PowerBook has - optical audio in and out, which I noted in the context of 5.1 sound work, but hey, if you want a clean digital audio input and output, stereo or whatever, here it is built in.

The second feature is support for dual link DVI, meaning you can drive the monstrous 30" Apple Cinema Display from a laptop as well.

As far as Serious Road Kit goes, the ability to have a 1440x900 pallette window and a 2560x1600 main screen is pretty impressive. A backpack with laptop and FireWire drive, plus a Cinema Display of up to 30", will let you get a LOT of work done. Of course, that would be a $6000 piece of kit * - not including the FireWire drive.

* Check out the Brenthaven Professional 17" Video Backpack, different from the regular Professional model. Has room for 17" 'Book, plus videocamera and accessories Way trick/swank, but $300. Check it out, pretty cool.