Folks, believe it or not, we here at AtAT have just been accused of-- get this-- being too negative. We know, we know... it's a side-splittingly hilarious development, since, as you're all well aware, we're actually all sweetness and sunshine and rainbows and all that other shiny, happy stuff. The very notion that we might actually be negative, well, it's enough to make us laugh a giggly and non-threatening chuckle. Or hunt down the vicious bastard who impugned our lighthearted and positive attitude and beat him to death with a shovel. (Just kidding! See? Light, funny, the feel-good show of the season! Tee-hee!)

Still, the accusation (while ludicrous in the extreme) has made us extra-careful about casting all Apple news in the most positive light possible. So let's talk about the PowerBook G4, shall we? Remember that oh-so-cheerful spin we put on the Apple Store's increasing lead time on shipments for new PowerBook orders a couple of days ago? Here's the gist: whereas most early orders for stock PowerBook configurations initially reported estimated shipping times of 21 days, new orders are showing a 45-day wait instead. Well, according to The PowerBook Zone, that 45-day delay has just been retroactively applied to all PBG4 orders. So now everyone, including those enthusiastic souls who ordered their titanium wonders as soon as the option appeared at the Apple Store, gets to wait a month and a half for delivery from the time the order was placed.

A uniform 45-day delay? Why, we can't stop grinning! There are just so many reasons why this extended wait is a positive development. For one thing, it reaffirms Apple's steadfast commitment to consistency; virtually every portable the company has released in the past three years has shipped far later than promised, so we're tickled pink that the company didn't inconsiderately break from tradition and confuse its loyal fans. For another thing, all those sourpusses who decide that they can't wait an extra three weeks will cancel their orders-- which is great, because it just means more PowerBooks for the rest of us. And then there's the fact that waiting for a new Mac is the best part of the whole process; the anticipation is delicious, and Apple has thoughtfully given its customers an extra-big helping.

Now, in the interests of proving just how positive and upbeat we really are, we ask you this: would a company with serious financial problems risk even further strife by delaying a long-awaited product just out of consideration for its customers? Of course not-- which means that Apple's clearly in better shape than Wall Street thinks. So smile, people; sing, dance, and rejoice!