Anecdotally, I have a 17" Powerbook that I think I bought in 2002. Still fine, although kinda slow. I think about upgrading it from time to time. As far as m

Anecdotally, I have a 17" Powerbook that I think I bought in 2002. Still fine, although kinda slow. I think about upgrading it from time to time. As far as maintenance, the contacts for the screen are starting to delaminate 7 years in, I had to have the motherboard replaced after somebody ran into it on a bike (long story), and I replaced the hard drive after it died a few months ago. It's been quite reliable, all told.