Meanwhile, details on the long-awaited and so-close-we-can-taste-it PowerBook G4 continue to waft through the ether. The laptop code-named "Mercury" is an oddsmaker's favorite as a likely candidate to share the stage with Steve on Super Tuesday, and while we've all been burned before by "sure thing" PowerBook predictions (Pismo, anyone?), the AtAT staff's feeling mighty confident about this one. Maybe it's the sheer volume of available information about the elusive laptop, or the increasing frequency with which "insider information" has begun to appear. Maybe it's just the sense of confidence and well-being which comes with a huge spaghetti dinner. Who knows? In any case, AtAT's fully expecting to see the PowerBook G4 next week, and we'll be crying a river if we're deprived of that simple and reasonable pleasure.

Until then, we continue to marvel at the vast wealth of information about Apple's mysterious new laptop available on the 'net-- though, of course, we can't assume that all of the information is true. In particular, Go2Mac's latest installment in its "Mercury Week" series leaves us with a skeptical glint in our eyes. Remember the old rumor that the PowerBook G4 would ship with a widescreen display, boasting a 16:9ish aspect ratio just like the mammoth Apple Cinema Display? Well, we thought that whimsical notion had since withered away-- AppleInsider, at least, had claimed last month that Mercury's screen is decidedly a standard 4:3 shape. But Go2Mac is sticking with the prediction that the display of Apple's mobile G4 will adopt the more dramatic widescreen form.

The implications of a "widebook" are interesting, to be sure; with a 15-inch 16:9 display in the chassis, Mercury might not be even as portable as the current Pismo, which is already a bit bulky for use while flying coach. Then again, Mercury might wind up being shorter from front to back, which would translate into less chance of the guy in front of you smacking his seat back into your screen when he decides to take a nap. In addition, a wider screen could also mean a wider keyboard, which might be nice. And what if Apple also reveals the "CubeBook" next week? That could be the teeny subnotebook that road warriors use at 30,000 feet, while Mercury might be more of a luggable desktop for pros who need to tote as much power as possible from stationary location to stationary location.

Okay, we admit that it's possible. But we're not putting any money on a widescreen Mercury, because frankly, it just doesn't sound right. Plus, it's not like Go2Mac has a spotless track record when it comes to PowerBook predictions... but if they get this one right, we'll welcome a 16:9 PowerBook G4 with open arms. (And, we assume, empty wallets.)