PowerBook Rumor Summary - Still Waiting...

[MacRumors]

On June 3rd, a MacPolls.com poll revealed (http://www.macpolls.com/?poll_id=195) that 32.89% of readers were waiting primarily for PowerBook updates. Unfortunately, those readers are still waiting... nearly 9 weeks later.

Previous Updates

15" PowerBooks were last updated in November 2002 (http://www.macrumors.com/pages/2002/11/20021106084600.shtml), with the introduction 1GHz machines with the Superdrive at the top end.

12" and 17" PowerBooks were introduced with little warning at Macworld San Francisco (http://www.macrumors.com/pages/2003/01/20030108221159.shtml) in January 2003. Almost immediately (http://www.macrumors.com/pages/2003/01/20030114224328.shtml), rumors of a 15" PowerBook updates emerged.

(Timeline available at BuyersGuide.MacRumors.com (http://buyersguide.macrumors.com))

Previous Rumors

Numerous sites have suggested 15" PowerBook revisions over the past 7 months: MacWhispers (http://www.macrumors.com/pages/2003/02/20030210065720.shtml) (Feb), SpyMac (http://www.macrumors.com/pages/2003/02/20030217121821.shtml) (Feb), Kodawarisan (http://www.macrumors.com/pages/2003/03/20030308184530.shtml) (March), PowerPage.org (http://www.macrumors.com/pages/2003/04/20030403131247.shtml) (April), MacBidouile (http://www.macrumors.com/pages/2003/05/20030514140248.shtml) (May 14), RailHeadDesign (http://www.macrumors.com/pages/2003/05/20030501204058.shtml) (May), Kodawarisan (http://www.macrumors.com/pages/2003/06/20030602010641.shtml) ( June), MacWhispers (http://www.macrumors.com/pages/2003/06/20030610012111.shtml) (June), DigiTimes (http://www.macrumors.com/pages/2003/06/20030613080326.shtml) (June).

In June, Apple dropped (http://www.macrumors.com/pages/2003/06/20030602091950.shtml) 12" and 15" PowerBook prices, which (in retrospect) may have hinted that PowerBook updates were not imminent.

Rumors peaked pre-WWDC with one site (http://www.macrumors.com/pages/2003/06/20030610012111.shtml) emphatically claiming 970 PowerBooks were arriving. No PowerBooks arrived, and one Apple executive finally hinted (http://www.macrumors.com/pages/2003/06/20030624150646.shtml) that PowerBooks would not see the G5 processor "anytime soon".

So When?

Speculation and rumors have placed the Motorola MPC7457 PowerPC Processor into the next PowerBook revisions.

The processor is expected to ship in Q4 2003 (http://www.macrumors.com/pages/2003/06/20030604091755.shtml), and reports from Appleinsider (http://www.macrumors.com/pages/2003/07/20030728175544.shtml) claim that the PowerBooks have been delayed due to the inability for Motorola to produce enough of these updated processors.

Even with a Q4 ship date expectation, the most recent rumors from MacBidouille (http://www.macrumors.com/pages/2003/08/20030807135533.shtml) (of uncertain reliability) suggest August 18-19th as possible dates for product introductions... however, no other reliable sources have confirmed this timeframe. Beyond these dates, the next major consumer event from Apple is Apple Expo (http://www.apple-expo.com/) on September 16, 2003 in Paris, France.

[LegionCSUF]

Article summery: we still don't know a dang thing. But there was no new unfounded rumor today, so let's recap the old ones.

[MrMacMan]

Yeah, lets Re-Cap something everyone wants, and yet, it still isn't out.

arg.

Come on, Apple and Moto, for one of the last time you guys will work with each other (I hope) please just get these OUT already!

[Jerry Spoon]

I'm almost thinking we'll see an apple PDA before PowerBook updates ;)

[Billicus]

I will get a new computer before next year. I would really like that to be an updated 17" PowerBook. If Apple can't deliver...ah, who am I kidding, what would I buy, a Dell? :rolleyes:

But seriously, where are the frickin updates Apple?

[Billicus]

Originally posted by Jerry Spoon
I'm almost thinking we'll see an apple PDA before PowerBook updates ;)

The way Apple has been twiddling their thumbs, they really dropped the ball on this one...:rolleyes: :mad:

[miradu]

maybe the recap was posted 'cause arn knows something he can't print.. :D just kidding. I ahve been waiting 3 months to get my new 12 inch powerbook.. i am hoping i can get it before labor day and school starting... I don't want to have to set up a new mac, and switch my life from windows while in school....

[Bruja]

I still want to beleive..

[DakotaGuy]

My question is that Motorola announced that the new processors won't be released until the 4th Quarter. It's not the 4th Quarter yet, so my guess is it might still be a month or two until we see the Powerbooks or at least until they ship.

[Bruja]

Apple appears to be thinking differently themselves. However, it defies logic and some since of "good business practice" if they wish to stay in the black. One last tidbit of thought befor the day is up: Let's say for some unknown reason, the release the updated products. If what they say is true about Moto, Would you really want a janky chip that may cause problems?? Maybe the real answer is to go to e-bay and get a cheaper priced book and wait until this crap is sorted out and this way, it would not interrupt productivity and Apple would kill to release an UP 2 DATE product because their new sales profit has gone through the floor?? Just a thought?? :D

[paulie]

I would have paid an arm and a leg for the new Aluminum 15".. My buddy has the Titanium, and I fell in love with the size of that 15" screen. But, too late.. I'm heading off on the road, and I needed a good portable, so I got the 12-inch.

I'm very happy with my purchase, but had Apple brought out a new 15" this summer, they would've made a lot of money off of a lot of people.

*sigh*.. poor Apple..

I did get the 12" PB for the same price as the top-end 12" iBook, and they threw in an iSight for me.. so, didn't really go wrong at all.. ;)

[Billicus]

Originally posted by Bruja
Apple appears to be thinking differently themselves. However, it defies logic and some since of "good business practice" if they wish to stay in the black. One last tidbit of thought befor the day is up: Let's say for some unknown reason, the release the updated products. If what they say is true about Moto, Would you really want a janky chip that may be defective?? Maybe the real answer is to go to e-bay and get a cheaper priced book and wait until this crap is sorted out and this way, it would not interrupt productivity and Apple would kill to release an UP 2 DATE product because their new sales profit has gone through the floor?? Just a thought?? :D

Taking after vniow by coloring your messages? Seriously, Apple dropped the ball, it rolled under the table, was eaten by a gnome and was never to be seen again...Where are these Books? I'm going to explode with anticipation!:mad::mad:

[bikertwin]

All these rumors about delayed PowerBooks worry me. I mean, if these units were designed to be shipped in May, does that mean they'll have 3-4 month old technology when they ship? DVD-recordable drives have made huge strides in the past two months (higher speeds, multiple formats), and widescreen high-resolution 15.4" screens (1680 x 1050 and 1920 x 1200) are even in Dells now. Here's hoping the new PowerBooks have stuff like that.

[Bruja]

Originally posted by Billicus
Taking after vniow by coloring your messages? Seriously, Apple dropped the ball, it rolled under the table, was eaten by a gnome and was never to be seen again...Where are these Books? I'm going to explode with anticipation!:mad::mad:


Nah, I was not aware.. I'm still a mac n00b :) *Chaneling the gnome* Hey!! Where's the creme fillin'?? :) Still, the Franken-book seems to be the most viable option for me. 12" is just too bloody small and my hands are too big for it.

[Powerbook G5]

Well, hopefully it will be soon...they have to be released sometime, afterall...soon....soon...*rocks back and forth*...it will be soon...my precious...

[stefman]

My local reseller is offering a 17" with free airport base station and iSight.

I love the 17" (although I would settle for a new Alu 15") and if I get all these goodies...well...it's hard to resist.

So, do I wait for a speed increase (or a 15" Alu) or go for this deal? Decisions, decisions

[e-coli]

It will be so nice when Apple doesn't have to deal with Moto any more.

They've been downright embarrassing as a chip vendor.

Originally posted by stefman
My local reseller is offering a 17" with free airport base station and iSight.

I love the 17" (although I would settle for a new Alu 15") and if I get all these goodies...well...it's hard to resist.

So, do I wait for a speed increase (or a 15" Alu) or go for this deal? Decisions, decisions

Bro, need you ask? Go for the deal. It's about $400 worth of free goodies. Take it.

[e-coli]

ooops

[Powerbook G5]

Wow, that sounds like a great deal. I'd definitely take it. Seriously, the only things I can really think of coming to the new revisions are possibly 300 MHz bump in speed, maybe more cache, maybe an updated video card...it's nothing hugely to get excited about. A free iSight and Airport would definitely make up for that. :)

[digitalbiker]

I have owned 3 different Titanium Powerbooks. I have loved them all and I love OS X but they are getting stale. I wouldn't personally buy another G4. They are just too slow. The Dells and Sony Vaios with the High end Pentiums and faster buses run rings around the G4.

I WANT THE G5! Let's all write letters to Apple. NO MORE G4, NO MORE G4. Only G5's in the pro-line of computers. I thought this was the year of the Laptop!

[weev]

"Year of the MISSING Laptop"

[punter]

Originally posted by stefman
My local reseller is offering a 17" with free airport base station and iSight.

I love the 17" (although I would settle for a new Alu 15") and if I get all these goodies...well...it's hard to resist.

So, do I wait for a speed increase (or a 15" Alu) or go for this deal? Decisions, decisions

Go for the deal! An update of the 17" will SURELY have the g4 in it, so it won't be that much faster then the current model.

Plus we still don't know when this update will be.

[neonart]

I've been looking to update my iBook 466 for awhile now. I'd like to get either a 12" AlBook or a 15" TiBook. I'm ok with the current models, but I know at this point the minute I buy one of these, the next day new ones will be released and my purchase is worth $200 less (at least). Maybe the new models will have something I want, or maybe I can get a deal on a discontinued model.
But what's happening now creates a whole bunch of uncertainty on buyers and people hold back.
As soon as we hear the new specs and prices we'll know what to do and sales will boom.

Keeping your customers in the dark is horrible for business.

[cb911]

i was just thinking before, "i wonder if there's any news on the PowerBook front?" then i came here and saw that there was a PowerBook rumors summary. this is interesting because MacRumors wouldn't write this sort of thing just out of the blue, right? something's got to be up?

I guess it's pretty much guaranteed that the new PowerBooks will use Moto's 7457, or else what is Apple waiting for? and a G5 PB has been ruled out for a long time...

i'm about to just go for a 17" PB from eBay, sick of all this waiting. sure if i get one now the new ones might have the 7457, but at least i'll be able to have it NOW!!:mad:

[Powerbook G5]

Agreed, if I knew some details I'd either buy a Ti right away or hold off to immediately buy an updated 15" (or if they do preordered I'll preorder right then and there) either way, if Apple says anything about new PowerBooks, I know they will get some money from me.

[tizza]

Assuming that we do get PB updates in the near future I'm cool with them staying with the G4 (better then putting a rushed, cut-down version of the G5 in that has all sorts of heat problems) but as I'm wanting the new 12'' I would certainly hope that as well as a speed-bump to > 1Ghz we will get:
- USB 2.0
- level3 cache
- (maybe) backlit keys
- NO PRICE RISE : )

If we get all that then I'll be happy!

[Doctor Q]

I'm out of time. I need to buy a PowerBook and take delivery before school starts. If they don't announce something this coming week, I'll pick from available stock.

[mvc]

I wonder how the CEO of Snotorola feels about making Steve Jobs look like a complete and utter pillock for his "year of the laptop comment"?

Does he smile on the inside remembering the powerpc licensing debacle.

Dammit, if Moto was a horse, you could at least shoot it.

[Aciddan]

Sometimes the most obvious answer is the one we have written off as impossible:

It's gonna be a G5 powerbook :D

-- Dan, who hops back on his unicorn and flies away to the volcano of doom guarded by the dragons of eternity... :p

[macphoria]

15" Aluminium PowerBook has to be just around the corner. Just a bit longer brothers and sisters. It's almost here...... it's almost here....... It's so close I can smell its 1.3 GHz G4 firing up......

[theipodgod16]

obviously, Mr. Jobs has more than just speed bumps on his mind for this revision, but did anyone think that they just wanted to have a os 9 bootable powerbook on the line??:confused:

[MarkCollette]

If around 1/3 of people are waiting for a new PowerBook, then that must have a huge impact on revenue. If a typical update cycle is 6 months, then they've effectively thrown out one iteration of the cycle. What I'm wondering is, how have they explained this to shareholders? "Yeah, we couldn't make a cool enough computer, so we just decided that we didn't need people's money" ?

Seriously, as if they couldn't have thrown a 1.25 GHz chip into a notebook, and either just made the case thicker, or marketted it as a luggable, not a laptop. A lot of people use notebook computers because they need something portable, not because they actually want it resting on their lap. PC companies capitalize on this by putting the faster desktop (not mobile) chip they can into a thick notebook, which has a 1 hour battery life. Why is that acceptable? Because they're only used on a desk, plugged in.

That's why not have a G5 notebook is idiotic. No matter how bad the cooling situation is, they could easily throw a 1.0, 1.4, or maybe even a 1.6 into a thicker case, and it would sell. Not doing so is a slap in the face of the shareholders, and the users.

[ZildjianKX]

Originally posted by bikertwin
All these rumors about delayed PowerBooks worry me. I mean, if these units were designed to be shipped in May, does that mean they'll have 3-4 month old technology when they ship? DVD-recordable drives have made huge strides in the past two months (higher speeds, multiple formats), and widescreen high-resolution 15.4" screens (1680 x 1050 and 1920 x 1200) are even in Dells now. Here's hoping the new PowerBooks have stuff like that.

I was wondering that too. It better be a damn nice laptop with a damn nice screen... if not, I'll pay 1/2 the price of it for a faster PC laptop. If Apple made me wait this long and can't deliver the goods, they lost their sale to me.

[MarkCollette]

Originally posted by theipodgod16
obviously, Mr. Jobs has more than just speed bumps on his mind for this revision, but did anyone think that they just wanted to have a os 9 bootable powerbook on the line??:confused:


It's not like there's a rule anywhere that there can only be three different pro notebooks. They could specifically market the old 15" model as being dual booting, and market another 15" as OS X only. With big words on the box. They could call it the "ClassicBook"...

[Zuckuss]

Originally posted by Doctor Q
I'm out of time. I need to buy a PowerBook and take delivery before school starts. If they don't announce something this coming week, I'll pick from available stock.

I'm afraid I'll be stuck without a computer at school as well. But I'm sticking in out (I've already waited all summer, a little longer can't hurt). My current plan is to cry myself to sleep each night as I imagine my shiny 15" Al p-book while my roomate clack away at his peecee.

hahaha...sniff.

[Powerbook G5]

It looks like my trusty PowerBook G3 will be coming along with me for yet another semester at college. If the PowerBooks come out any later than the next week, it will be too late to get one until perhaps Christmas break. By the I will have the ability to order one with Panther preloaded. :)

[Zuckuss]

Originally posted by MarkCollette
[B

Seriously, as if they couldn't have thrown a 1.25 GHz chip into a notebook, and either just made the case thicker, or marketted it as a luggable, not a laptop. A lot of people use notebook computers because they need something portable, not because they actually want it resting on their lap. PC companies capitalize on this by putting the faster desktop (not mobile) chip they can into a thick notebook, which has a 1 hour battery life. Why is that acceptable? Because they're only used on a desk, plugged in.
[/B]

I strongly disagree. People that want a god-awful "luggable" are cubicle stiffs that work dreary desk jobs with the occasional boring holiday inn express stay. These 'business professionals' use peecees. Apple does not throw down a shoddy product that is a big, ugly, meltdown-hot "luggable" just to appease the blood-sniffing Wallstreet jerks. That is why we mac-heads love Apple and that is why you plod away on your dell p.o.s. Have fun "lugging" it around town while searching for ac power.

[solvs]

It seems like Apple thought they would be getting the new G4s awhile ago. Maybe that's why they never updated the 15" to parity with the 12" and 17". When it didn't happen, they delayed, and delayed. No WWDC, no MacWor... I mean CreativePro (or whatever), hopefully Apple Expo at the latest. That's why the price drops, the bundles, the rebates. I doubt Apple is holding anything back, but that's what they get for counting on Moto.

I bet the new ones will me minor CPU updates (thanks Moto), feature parity, lower prices, probably better vid card, and we'll probably see them (or at least see them mentioned) around Sept. Hopefully with new xServes and/or iMacs. I'm sure Steve knows that he's missing the back-to-school opportunity and hoping they just buy 12"ers and iBooks.

I'm sure Arn is just sick of the many threads like this and wanted to beat the rush by posting over the weekend on the main page.

And you couldn't pay me to use a PC laptop.

[zigzag]

:D

[Powerbook G5]

You can pay me to use a PC laptop...but then I'd take that money, along with the money I'd get trying to pawn it off on ebay and buy an iPod or something for my new 15" AlBook. :)

[SiliconAddict]

Well you can increase the percentage to 32.90% because I ain’t touching a PowerBook until a G5 hits it. Moving from Windows to Mac requires moving the substantial software investment I have made which means virtual PC which in turn means the more horses under the hood the better.
I’m expecting great thing next spring. Dang. This is going to be the longest Fall and Winter of my life. A friend of mine just got himself a new iBook for school. It was delivered Friday. I was clamoring to have him bring it over and show it off. The freak ;) isn’t even going to open it until Monday because that’s when his iPod arrives and when he will transfer the info on his iMac over to his iBook. I swear I’m more excited about that thing then he is. It sucks having to live vicariously through another person’s Mac but if that’s what I have to do until a G5 shows up then that’s what I have to do.

PS-I can't let this ago anymore. I use a Dell Latitude (The only good dell model.) with Windows 2000 (The only good MS OS) and don’t crash EVER. Period. I’ve had this install for over a year nothing. Notta. Zip. If you know your way around Windows you can tweak it to make it stable, secure. The thing that most of my friend don’t get is that you shouldn’t NEED to tweak it to get it to that point. That is reason one why I’m switching. Reason two is the little thing that have been around in Windows since 95. Waiting for the file explorer to open because it’s spinning up the CD-ROM. Typing in a URL in explorer (I use firebird now) and having the floppy drive spin up. Having to wait for the retarded start menu to open after clicking start -> Programs…wating. Jumping from a wired network to wireless then back to wired and have windows get confused requiring a reboot. Little crap. And reason three. $@#*(* service packs!!! ARRGH!! I just upgraded 164 systems to SP3. (Can’t go to SP4 since it breaks internal apps we have in house. I’m so freaking sick of SPs!!
My point? Windows works. It may stick in your craw but there it is. 9x is a sucking pile of dog feces but 2K is an acceptably robust OS. I’m sorry but I see this blatant MS bashing day in and out on the site scattered through threads that I can’t avoid without having to skip interesting conversations altogether and it gets annoying after a while. I suppose it goes with the territory and isn’t totally unwarranted but still. *sighs and shakes head* I suppose this little rant won’t change anything but its therapeutic nonetheless. We now return you to your regularly scheduled bashing.
All things Micro$oft sucks.

[dguisinger]

Originally posted by SiliconAddict
Well you can increase the percentage to 32.90% because I ain’t touching a PowerBook until a G5 hits it. Moving from Windows to Mac requires moving the substantial software investment I have made which means virtual PC which in turn means the more horses under the hood the better.
I’m expecting great thing next spring. Dang. This is going to be the longest Fall and Winter of my life. A friend of mine just got himself a new iBook for school. It was delivered Friday. I was clamoring to have him bring it over and show it off. The freak ;) isn’t even going to open it until Monday because that’s when his iPod arrives and when he will transfer the info on his iMac over to his iBook. I swear I’m more excited about that thing then he is. It sucks having to live vicariously through another person’s Mac but if that’s what I have to do until a G5 shows up then that’s what I have to do.

PS-I can't let this ago anymore. I use a Dell Latitude (The only good dell model.) with Windows 2000 (The only good MS OS) and don’t crash EVER. Period. I’ve had this install for over a year nothing. Notta. Zip. If you know your way around Windows you can tweak it to make it stable, secure. The thing that most of my friend don’t get is that you shouldn’t NEED to tweak it to get it to that point. That is reason one why I’m switching. Reason two is the little thing that have been around in Windows since 95. Waiting for the file explorer to open because it’s spinning up the CD-ROM. Typing in a URL in explorer (I use firebird now) and having the floppy drive spin up. Having to wait for the retarded start menu to open after clicking start -> Programs…wating. Jumping from a wired network to wireless then back to wired and have windows get confused requiring a reboot. Little crap. And reason three. $@#*(* service packs!!! ARRGH!! I just upgraded 164 systems to SP3. (Can’t go to SP4 since it breaks internal apps we have in house. I’m so freaking sick of SPs!!
My point? Windows works. It may stick in your craw but there it is. 9x is a sucking pile of dog feces but 2K is an acceptably robust OS. I’m sorry but I see this blatant MS bashing day in and out on the site scattered through threads that I can’t avoid without having to skip interesting conversations altogether and it gets annoying after a while. I suppose it goes with the territory and isn’t totally unwarranted but still. *sighs and shakes head* I suppose this little rant won’t change anything but its therapeutic nonetheless. We now return you to your regularly scheduled bashing.
All things Micro$oft sucks.

Um, clicking on the application folder on the doc takes several seconds to popup a menu of applications. Just because windows needs to lookup things on the hard drive doesnt mean the mac won't do a similar thing. Anything dealing with the hard drive can be inherently slow. There is a reason all of these things aren't cached in memory. It would slow startup, and your free memory would be down to zero.

[macphoria]

Assuming that we do get PB updates in the near future I'm cool with them staying with the G4 (better then putting a rushed, cut-down version of the G5 in that has all sorts of heat problems) but as I'm wanting the new 12'' I would certainly hope that as well as a speed-bump to > 1Ghz we will get:
- USB 2.0
- level3 cache
- (maybe) backlit keys
- NO PRICE RISE : )

If we get all that then I'll be happy!
I'm all for that.

Next 12" PowerBook is sure to have 1GHz G4. But I don't know about USB 2.0 and L3 Cache, even though that would be great. Backlit keys I don't care much about. No price increase I think is a possibility, unless they make 867MHz the lowend 12" PowerBook with slightly lower than current price and 1GHz slightly higher than current price.

[vrapan]

Assuming that we do get PB updates in the near future I'm cool with them staying with the G4 (better then putting a rushed, cut-down version of the G5 in that has all sorts of heat problems) but as I'm wanting the new 12'' I would certainly hope that as well as a speed-bump to > 1Ghz we will get:
- USB 2.0
- level3 cache
- (maybe) backlit keys
- NO PRICE RISE : )

If we get all that then I'll be happy!

Nice stuff for the 12" but I don't think we will be getting L3 cache. The PB is hot enough with what it already has. Unless they get a much cooler HD (is that even possible) or the new moto is cooler I don't believe L3 is a realistic proposition.
What I would like to see is a bigger battery. Is it because of heat reasons that they did not include the battery of the iBook? I would like to see the 12" go over 4 hours - with 7B28 hits 3 - 3:30 with Jag around 2:30.

I can't let this ago anymore. I use a Dell Latitude (The only good dell model.) with Windows 2000 (The only good MS OS) and don’t crash EVER.

Dunno about the Dell but I would not disagree about Win2000. They are the most stable windows but there are problems with them. For one it is not a consumer product. There are several games that do not play on it and many devices that won't be happy with it either. I remember when I tried install them on a laptop I had that came with the ultimate anti-OS (WinME) it wouldn't recognise graphics card or win modem or ethernet or the internal floppy. I had to go to the labs find WinNT or experimental Win2000 drivers (not from the manufacturers who they clearly stated they did not support Win2000 for my hardware) in order to bring it back to a workable point. So Win2000 kills a huge advantage of Windows that they run on any configuration you have. It is defenitely not a "normal" windows version. I will agree though that they are much more stable than even WinXP although they did crash on me on occasions.

[gadg]

So here are a few things I could see happening in the new 12" Powerbooks ...

(a) Faster processor, hopefully >1GHz
(b) L3 cache
(c) Faster memory-/internal bus
(d) Larger harddrive
(e) More memory capacity
(f) Firewire 800
(g) USB 2.0
(h) Faster videocard, more videomemory
(i) PCMCIA expansion slot

I'm sure not all of these will happen, but hopefully a lot of them will. Curious what you guys think is likely to be updated.

[vrapan]

Faster Proc 1GHz or a faster - maybe 1GHz in combo and 1.13 - 1.2 in SuperDrive

Would love to see standard 512MB (so it can go to 1GB with an extra 120$) but i think it is more reasonable to be 256MB in one chip and leave empty the expansion.

Faster video card - I dont think more memory though.

FW 800 is very possible

USB 2.0 very possible

PCMCIA does not fit in there

Larger HD. Maybe standard 60GB (is it my impression or is it the cheapest HD upgrade on ANY laptop - 40 to 60 only 50$??? Sony charges 150$ on their V505 and I think Dell 100$)

And I can only hope for the inclusion of an iBook capacity battery.

[Squire]

Originally posted by Jerry Spoon
I'm almost thinking we'll see an apple PDA before PowerBook updates ;)

Or the iPhone. ;)

Actually, I'm more interested in the revisions for early next year. Might have some cash then. Course, I might have some cash by the time THESE PowerBooks come out.

Squire

[CrackedButter]

I want a 12" or a 15" depending on these features:

12"
1Ghz G4/ 1meg L3 Cache
256megs of RAM/ 1280 max
40 - 80GB HDD BTO
64meg Gcard
USB2
FW 400 + 800
10/100/1000 Network card
DVI
2 mouse buttons BTO
Superdrive at x2 min BTO
4 hour battery

THIS is fully featured AND i would pay more for it.

15"
1.3Ghz G4/ 1 or 2 meg L3 Cache
256 or 512 as standard
60 - 80 GB HDD BTO
128meg Gcard
USB2
FW 400 + 800
10/100/1000 Network card
DVI
2 mouse buttons BTO
Superdrive BTO
4 hour battery

This could last me years until a G6 came out!

[MattG]

Originally posted by CrackedButter

2 mouse buttons BTO
YES!

[Ambrose Chapel]

what about those rumors a couple of months back about apple having engineering problems with the AL 15" book? could those have actually been referring to delays with the new g4? or maybe apple's own problems delayed the new PB and then when they were ready moto droped the ball.

i guess it doesn't matter, people still want them now.

[gadg]

whats BTO?

[vrapan]

BTO=Built to Order

[krohde]

How can apple even think about gaining market share when they are so lazy at bringing updates? It appears to me that Steve Jobs might have been a little too optimistic in January when he announced the year of the notebooks. How many revisions have we seen this year? One - and that was 8 months ago! Give me a break Apple. You embarrased yourself.

5 down - 95 to go. You must be talking about executive replacements, because if you want to achieve something through innovation, you are not being very good at it.

The powermacs are cool yes I'll give you that and so too are the iPods, but I think that's about it. You have some nice machines but frankly you are too slow to update them. You can't preach the megahertz myth to 95% of computer users.

[bikertwin]

With all the predictions/desires for a new 12" PowerBook in mind (L3 cache, etc.), here's an interesting comment from a "Helper" on Apple's iBook forum:


Douglas McLaughlin
(Helper)
RE(2): RE: serious q: iBook G4s imminant or what!?
(msg # 1.1.2: Posted Aug 8, 03 3:12 pm)

The "G4 iBook" is a 12" PowerBook. Marketing wouldn't let them put "iBook" on a machine with a G4 processor. One day the "G4 iBook magically became a "PowerBook". The iBook team at Apple designed and tested the 12" PowerBooks...

[rjstanford]

Originally posted by Zuckuss
I strongly disagree. People that want a god-awful "luggable" are cubicle stiffs that work dreary desk jobs with the occasional boring holiday inn express stay. These 'business professionals' use peecees. Apple does not throw down a shoddy product that is a big, ugly, meltdown-hot "luggable" just to appease the blood-sniffing Wallstreet jerks. That is why we mac-heads love Apple and that is why you plod away on your dell p.o.s. Have fun "lugging" it around town while searching for ac power.

You know, its funny. I like Macs, like Mac OS X. But I'm sitting here typing this message on a Dell 600M with the fast Intel mobile processor in it.

I wanted to buy a PowerBook. Unfortunately, I'm a developer working on fairly large systems and I just wasn't satisfied with the power available in the 1ghz G4. I, for one, would have bought a lower-batterylife-but-faster PowerBook in a heartbeat. Heck, I bought one for my in-laws and I love playing with it, but it would drive me nuts as a primary machine.

Its pretty sad actually. For around $1300 (rebates, coupons, etc) I was able to buy a new 1.6ghz machine with 512mb of RAM, DCD/CD burner, 1400x1050 screen w/ 64MB ATI card, wireless and bluetooth, 40gb hard drive, etc that weighs 5lbs and has a real-word 3.5 hours of battery life. What's sad about that? I would have been happy to pay twice that much for a similar Mac. I couldn't -- there isn't one. What's more depressing is knowing that twice that much ($2600) might not be enough to buy said Mac when it comes out.

The engineering is wonderful, and the OS is great, but if the products aren't available to buy then there's going to be much suffering in the financial department.

-Richard

[bikertwin]

What would be really cool is a wide-screen mini-notebook. Just take the 12" iBook and put a screen the same height but just wider. The only downside is it wouldn't be quite as portable, one of the primary benefits of the 12".

More than anything else, though, I want a 15" with:

--1.2+ GHz G4 for editing video and encoding DVDs (I've read that the AltiVec in the first generation G5 isn't as fast as the G4's?)
--HiRez screen 1680 x 1050 or so (my 15" iMac's 1024x768 screen is soooo limiting for editing pictures, movies, and DVDs; and Java IDEs are too squished at that resolution)
--2x DVD-R and (wonder of wonders) DVD-RW and (miracle of miracles) +R/RW

On that last point, I've pretty much given up on Apple supporting +R/RW in this decade, so I went out and bought a cheap ($129!) 2.4x DVD+R/RW burner and found a ROM upgrade that I flashed onto it that made it a 4x DVD+R, 2.4x DVD+RW drive, and stuck it in a firewire enclosure and use Toast to burn. It's a zillion times faster reading and writing CDs and DVDs compared to the Pioneer A04 in my iMac.

BareFeats (I think) has shown that PowerBook are significantly faster than iMacs at the same rated speed, so I'm hoping a 1.2 or 1.3GHz PowerBook will completely blow the doors off my iMac 800 MHz. A G5 would be nice, but not really necessary. (Although it's weird how half the people here insist the G5 would run way too hot, and the other half insist that at 1.2 GHz it would be much cooler. Who's telling the truth?)

[jocknerd]

Just think how they'd be perceived if they actually considered themselves a hardware company. (TiC) For them to say they are a hardware company, it must be embarassing that their software completely outshines their hardware. Consumer level computers that get trounced by the competition. Laptops that don't get updated for almost a year. Reliance on a processor mfr. that couldn't give a rats a$$ about the market.

Maybe they should consider being a software company. At least the software kicks a$$.

By the way, my neighbor is looking for a new computer. Whats in Apple's product line that I can recommend to keep her from going with another PC. Don't tell me to recommend an iMac. I talked my mom into a 1Ghz 17" iMac several months ago. I upgraded the memory to 512mb. It doesn't seem much more responsive than my iBook 700mhz. My sister was interested in getting one until she used my moms. Instead she had me build her a 1.8ghz AMD system that flies. Photoshop Elements is much faster on the PC than the iMac.

I love Apple, but right now the hardware is lacking. The G5 is an unrealistic choice for 90% of the public. Its entry cost is twice that of a PC. And I can preach till I'm blue in the face about the virtues of it, but cost will win out 100% of the time.

I will never recommend any computer from Apple that contains a G4 processor. Until the G5 is the consumer line, I think I'll have to recommend a PC instead.

Maybe Apple should be looking to AMD or Intel. At least they can get their chips out there.

[weev]

These delays are putting a lot of pressure on Apple. If the new notebook launch is a bit of a yawn (cause of modest improvements) it will adversly affect Apple's reputation, but if it's a pleasant surprise, all may be forgiven.

It does seem a little lame to be waiting soooo long for decent G4 speeds, especially with the G5 coming out this month.

The new Powerbooks should be priced very competitively, otherwise they'll lose sales while people wait for a G5.

My min requirement for the 12": 1Gh+, DVI connection. Cache and video card upgrade would be nice but if the price is right, no problem.

Better be a bargain guys!

[bikertwin]

Originally posted by rjstanford
Its pretty sad actually. For around $1300 (rebates, coupons, etc) I was able to buy a new 1.6ghz machine with 512mb of RAM, DCD/CD burner, 1400x1050 screen w/ 64MB ATI card, wireless and bluetooth, 40gb hard drive, etc that weighs 5lbs and has a real-word 3.5 hours of battery life. What's sad about that? I would have been happy to pay twice that much for a similar Mac.

Well, comparing apples to apples (no pun intended), I have a brand-new Dell flyer sitting next to me. Just received it in the mail.

Dell Insipiron 8500
--15.4" widescreen display (same aspect ratio as the PowerBook, but higher resolution; I'm guessing the new PowerBooks will have a screen much like this one)
--512MB RAM (same as current PowerBook)
--2x DVD burner (Apple rewrote the firmware to only support 1x for some odd reason; the drive is actually capable of 2x and I assume the new PowerBooks will support 2x)
--60 GB HD (same as current PowerBook)
--Pentium 4-M 2.5 GHz (OK, faster than PowerBook)
---Faxmodem and ethernet (PowerBook's is gigabit)
--Dell Movie studio essentials (iLife it's not!)

Price as configured: $2599.

Gee, that's *exactly* the same price as the 1GHz SuperDrive PowerBook.

And the PowerBook is considerably thinner and lighter (not to mention better looking) and comes with a wireless networking card.

People may arguably have a point that desktop PowerMac systems are more expensive than PCs, but you just can't say that about *equivalently configured* notebooks. It just isn't true.

[stockscalper]

Why bother with the new G4 Powerbook? Speed increases will only be slight. I'll just wait another two years for the G5's to make their way into the Powerbooks.

[Lord Bodak]

Originally posted by MarkCollette
That's why not have a G5 notebook is idiotic. No matter how bad the cooling situation is, they could easily throw a 1.0, 1.4, or maybe even a 1.6 into a thicker case, and it would sell. Not doing so is a slap in the face of the shareholders, and the users.

Apple's strength is how well-designed their products are. Throwing a G5 into a PowerBook just to get a product out there would be a slap in the face of the users who love Apple products because of their innovative design.

[Lord Bodak]

Originally posted by vrapan
Nice stuff for the 12" but I don't think we will be getting L3 cache. The PB is hot enough with what it already has. Unless they get a much cooler HD (is that even possible) or the new moto is cooler I don't believe L3 is a realistic proposition.


L3 cache is just extremely fast RAM between the standard RAM and the processor's onboard L2 cache... memory doesn't run particularly hot.

[fnabki]

That's it, I won't take a chance.
I just callled up apple and canceled my order of a 15" TiBook and 10Gb Ipod.
The rep was quite startled and offered me tons of free accessories (hint to people who order... call them up to cancel and thell offer you 200-300$ worth of accessories!)
I still cancelled and asked him about the new 15" AlBooks.
He agreed that the unit was due for an update but said that no one had been informed of the new product release.

Anyhow, I am now in waiting mode.... Hopefully the August 19th rumor will prove to be true.

[idwire]

This is the year of the G5, not the laptop. I refuse to bend to Apple's delays, and bought a 2ghz Vaio for $1600 - too bad, but I:

1) Don't want an oversized Powerbook for $3000+

2) Don't want what is basically an EOL 15"

3) Love but don't want a 12" limited Powerbook (only 768 RAM)

This delay is wild considering Apple's verbal boast about this year. I also agree that a G5 PB is a must - G3 is purely consumer and G4 IS slow for the powerusers who want it - but I don't think we would be able to hold it. It would burn a hole in the floor - can you imagine 4 fans in it?

[bikertwin]

can you imagine 4 fans in it?

If they all pointed straight down, it would levitate.

And if the fan directions were individually adjustable, you could have it hover at different angles.

Who needs an iCurve?:p

[Nobs]

I'm glad I bought mine over the summer. I would have been going crazy if I didn't have my 15" PB this summer. I was going to wait until the new models came out. I'm glad I didn't. I've been ultra productiive with my PB. I couldn't stand to wait any longer.

[bikertwin]

Just add a remote control (wireless, of course) and you've got a hovercraft.

I was never much of a gamer, but this would be way cool. The cats would freak out.

[brucku]

I remember sitting around reading these exact forums expecting a new powerbook, right before the 1ghz 15 inch came out.....


Remember apple said "no way will there be a dvd-r drive in a powerbook" and then it happened????


So perhaps we'll see a G5 powerbook? I think that would shut everyone up.


But to be realistic, no matter what apple announces, as long as it has improved airport reception and aluminum casing i will purchase one the day they are available for order.

[CrackedButter]

You know, a G5 could be in the PB, i cannot now that i think about it see Apple AND IBM working on the G5 for 2 years and THEN not allocate enough resources to develop a mobile version of the chip and THEN making us wait even longer.

[Squire]

Originally posted by weev
These delays are putting a lot of pressure on Apple. If the new notebook launch is a bit of a yawn (cause of modest improvements) it will adversly affect Apple's reputation, but if it's a pleasant surprise, all may be forgiven.

You're right. If the PowerBooks are what everyone is expecting (the new Moto chip), people will just sort of say, "Finally," and place orders- assuming they didn't get a used one on eBay or opt for a Sony or Dell machine.

I think it'll take more than a backlit keyboard to please the masses this time. Problem is, the improvements will probably not be earth-shattering.

Squire

[rjwill246]

Originally posted by krohde
How can apple even think about gaining market share when they are so lazy at bringing updates? I if you want to achieve something through innovation, you are not being very good at it.



What a ripper! Is this note from Mars... or beyond? Let's see. The reason Apple is behind (btw not according to most media experts at the moment) is 'cause they are lazy. Nothing to do with getting OS X whipped into shape, introduction of the G5s after an intensive collaboration with IBM, trying to get Moto off their behinds to fulfill Apple's existing contracts, trying to get iTunes out to the PC whiners, releasing iPods and stunning PBs- which, after all, are only 8 months old! - if this is lazy mate, I would love to watch you work... it's clear you wouldn't need 6 days to create the Universe, so I suggest you get cracking. I want to see the fireworks and a new world order! Come on, you can do it! can't you?

[yuc7zhd2]

What is everyone expecting in the 15" category? It seems like apple wants to base performance on size, so perhaps we will see one model for each size until the G5 revision? I really hope they don't, but if they do, perhaps we will see a price inbetween current 15" model pricing, with full features. What I'm really hoping for is a 15.4" Pbook with bluetooth, 1.3ghz, ddr ram, lighted keyboard and airport extreme. I just really hope they don't pull the performance/size crap and make the 15 a medium speed processor (what are the 7457s? 1.0, 1.2 and 1.3?).

[wizard]

Hi everyone;

I don't know about you guys, but this guy is still thinking that the longer we go without an upgrade to the Powerbook the more likely it is that we will see a 970 something based Powerbook. Wishful thinking I know, but the evidence is clear that IBM and Apple are working very hard on the 970 and revisions to this chip. The closer we get to the end of the year the more likely we are to see this new technology popping up.

This may not have been Apple original plans but the new revisions are for all appearnaces being delayed by things out of Apples control. That may have been the new ATI GPU or more likely the new Motorola processor. If in the likely even Motorola screwed up agian, I could very well see Apple saying F*&# it and just waiting unit the 970 based hardware is upgraded.

Furhter didn't the Apple guy say that Motorola and the G4 was still big with Apple. I don't recall it being specifically said that the 970 or variant won't be going into a laptop.

Dave

[wizard]

Actually the thought that the new processors may in fact be a bit flakey has occured to me also. On the other hand Motorola and Apple would not likely try to pull an Intel and shovel a flakey processor on the market. It is one of the reasons we have had such slow improvements to the G4 and that 50MHz slow down awhile back.

As to Apples profits I don't think that it is a problem. Powerbooks have been leading sales for awhile now, those that really need them buy them when they need them. There is always something better around the corner. Those of us that really don't need the new machines can always wait.

Then again, in the case of the 15" machine, there are those that have ligitimate reasons to wait. One of those resaons would be improved airport performance. Which buy the way I can see very clearly from the point of view of a student.

Dave

Originally posted by Bruja
Apple appears to be thinking differently themselves. However, it defies logic and some since of "good business practice" if they wish to stay in the black. One last tidbit of thought befor the day is up: Let's say for some unknown reason, the release the updated products. If what they say is true about Moto, Would you really want a janky chip that may cause problems?? Maybe the real answer is to go to e-bay and get a cheaper priced book and wait until this crap is sorted out and this way, it would not interrupt productivity and Apple would kill to release an UP 2 DATE product because their new sales profit has gone through the floor?? Just a thought?? :D

[vwcruisn]

i was with everyone else.. waiting for updates.. seemed like forever. last month i bit the bullet and bought a 17 inch PB.. I couldnt be more happier and if I had the chance to go back, id do it again in a heartbeat. This thing has saved my butt and lots of time in the one month ive had it. its already more than payed for itself. Id recommend the current 17" PB to anyone.. its a wonderful system.

[mdntcallr]

Apple is taking their customer base for granted here.

With no meaningful powerbook updates for over 1 year, i mean really, the nov. release was a minor upgrade with Superdrive. The 12' and 17" upgrades were only minor new technology and not really faster.

Apple has been having their hands tied by motorola. And it is really disappointing.

Their leaving us, their customers in the dark is not unexpected, but honestly, their laptop product line in the "year of the laptop" sucks. 12" and 17" not really what i want. and the 15" model is just plain old and slow.

Give us the g5 or who the hell knows an ultra fast g3 ( with altivec?). we know the g3 has way faster speeds, perhaps it can go faster than a g4 in the end.

I am just getting sick of waiting for a laptop i can really use. this is getting fairly ridiculous. Stop making us wait, get the good stuff out. and i dont mean a stupid minor revision with 1.1 to 1.25 g4 chips. we have been waiting too long for that to mean anything. that at this point would be a minor revision.

[impierced]

11/10/1997 PowerBook G3 14" 250Mhz (->intro<-)
05/06/1998 PowerBook G3 14" 233/250/292 Mhz (6 months)
09/01/1998 PowerBook G3 14" 233/266/300 Mhz (4 months)
05/10/1999 PowerBook G3 14" 333/400 Mhz (8 months)
02/16/2000 PowerBook G3 14" 400/500 Mhz (9 months)
01/09/2001 PowerBook G4 15" 400/500 Mhz (11 months)
10/16/2001 PowerBook G4 15" 550/667 Mhz (9 months)
04/29/2002 PowerBook G4 15" 667/800 Mhz (6.5 months)
11/06/2002 PowerBook G4 15" 867/1000 Mhz (6 months)

01/07/2003 PowerBook G4 12" 867 Mhz (->intro<-)
01/07/2003 PowerBook G4 17" 1000 Mhz (->intro<-)


I've separated out the 12" & 17" as they are considered new products in the lineup. I image that Apple will want to bump them when they bump the 15" line as to have the updates happen at the same time from now on.

It's now been over 9 months since the 15" has been updated and over 8 months since the 12" & 17" have been updated.

With regard to the 14"/15" line, Apple has averaged an update every 7.4 months. However, the longest wait was between the G3 and G4, and that was 11 months. It also appears as though many of the longer update wait periods were due, in part, to difficulty on Motorola's part to supply the chips. History, it seems, keeps repeating itself.

[impierced]

Originally posted by mdntcallr
With no meaningful powerbook updates for over 1 year, i mean really, the nov. release was a minor upgrade with Superdrive. The 12' and 17" upgrades were only minor new technology and not really faster.

Your logic is a little confusing.

The 12" and 17" introductions were significant (Apple actually expanded thier laptop lineup), including many major new technologies, FireWire 800, 802.11g, built-in Bluetooth, faster video, illuminated keyboards and more.

Sure they really weren't faster and didn't provide faster dvd burning - than a laptop released just 2 months earlier.

[Powerbook G5]

I'm not sure about the G5 making an appearance, but it seems pretty likely that the new PowerBooks will be around 1.3 GHz, ship with 512 Megs RAM (please make it one DIMM and not two with an extra $100 to make it one in the 15", I'd like to upgrade and not spend an extra $100 for the priviledge), 2x superdrive, 60-80 gig HD, APE, BT, FW 800, backlighted keyboards, maybe a better graphics card (I see 64 megs, I just don't think we'd be so lucky to see 128 megs), and possibly 2 megs L3...I'd be happy with that config, especially at the current prices. I don't want to wait, but I can...and especially if Panther ends up preinstalled as a result. If I am going to wait, might as well save myself $129 in the process. I am anxious as hell to have a new PowerBook, but in all honestly, I can easily get by another semester with my current PowerBook G3 until then, since more often than not, Apple makes it worth the wait.

[Zuckuss]

Originally posted by Powerbook G5
I am anxious as hell to have a new PowerBook, but in all honestly, I can easily get by another semester with my current PowerBook G3 until then, since more often than not, Apple makes it worth the wait.

Unfortunately, I do not have the luxury of an old computer to fall back on. I'll be at school with no computer until the new 15" comes out.

[Powerbook G5]

I'd either try borrowing my roommate's computer, get a current, or buy a cheap used one off of ebay to hold me over if needed. When it really comes down to it, I'd rather have any of the laptops that Apple offers than none at all since they are all good and each have their strong points.

[AllenPSU]

If the new G4 chips are keeping the PB backed up, you would think they would try to milk a little out of other upgrades. Go with the new motherboards and old 1 Ghz chips. That might bring USB 2.0, FW 800, a faster 167 MHz bus, and maybe some other goodies.

That way you can get a 1 GHz TiBook with all the new additives. It would boost sales a little and make those who get caught with the slower CPU less grumpy.

Just a thought.

[Powerbook G5]

It would be nice, but perhaps Apple is just thinking that these updates will be coming asap so doing any extra work to the existing ones would be a waste of resources...I hope...

[toes]

Release History...
11/10/1997 PowerBook G3 14" 250Mhz (->intro<-)
05/06/1998 PowerBook G3 14" 233/250/292 Mhz (6 months)
<...>

FWIW: I think you forgot that the original PB G3 had a 12" screen and there were also some 13" screen versions in the Wallstreet lineup.

[MarkCollette]

Originally posted by Zuckuss
I strongly disagree. People that want a god-awful "luggable" are cubicle stiffs that work dreary desk jobs with the occasional boring holiday inn express stay. These 'business professionals' use peecees. Apple does not throw down a shoddy product that is a big, ugly, meltdown-hot "luggable" just to appease the blood-sniffing Wallstreet jerks. That is why we mac-heads love Apple and that is why you plod away on your dell p.o.s. Have fun "lugging" it around town while searching for ac power.

I remind you, as I have some other poster, that Apple can have multiple lines. I'm not saying they should uglify and degrade their PowerBook line. I'm saying that there's room for at least one super killer speedo luggable notebook. I hope that Apple doesn't have the attitude that boring cubicle employees aren't worth selling computers to, because that's a guarrantee of never reaching any substantial marketshare.

Remember that Apple did once make thicker notebooks, and it was alright then. So it shouldn't be too bad to do that once again. If that was your only way of getting a 1.6GHz G5 in a notebook for the next 6 months to a year, wouldn't you buy it?

[actripxl]

Well thats my deadline for new computer and the PB is what I was waiting for. If its not out by then and I mean OUT not announced Im getting a Vaio, cause I just can't wait any longer. I will get a mac just not for another two years.

[impierced]

Originally posted by toes
Release History...
11/10/1997 PowerBook G3 14" 250Mhz (->intro<-)
05/06/1998 PowerBook G3 14" 233/250/292 Mhz (6 months)
<...>

FWIW: I think you forgot that the original PB G3 had a 12" screen and there were also some 13" screen versions in the Wallstreet lineup.

You are correct, in my haste to get it published I forgot to edit that. The first G3 had a 12" screen and then 12",13", and 14". The release dates are correct, just the screen size is wrong.

[AllenPSU]

Originally posted by Powerbook G5
It would be nice, but perhaps Apple is just thinking that these updates will be coming asap so doing any extra work to the existing ones would be a waste of resources...I hope...

By splitting the updates you do lose the BANG of a super release, but you keep your customers happy. Who would have thought that after updating the 15" PB in Nov that Apple would have come out with the 12" and 17" PBs so soon.

That sounds like a phased release process to me.

[AllenPSU]

Originally posted by actripxl
Well thats my deadline for new computer and the PB is what I was waiting for. If its not out by then and I mean OUT not announced Im getting a Vaio, cause I just can't wait any longer. I will get a mac just not for another two years.

The guy who sits next to me in class hates his Vaio. Not sure why but he says it crashes all the time and he is currently working on a kernal panic. (Uses Windows XP)

In my opinion, I would settle for the current 12" PB before going to Vaio.

[AllenPSU]

Originally posted by MarkCollette
Apple did once make thicker notebooks...

I know that its not in everyone's budget, but if you need both a portable and a super-computer... then you might want to consider getting a desktop AND a laptop.

I've been using this BORING 15" Dell P4 that pretty much takes my arm off every time I pack up... I for one cannot wait until I get a 12" PB.

[Powerbook G5]

Yeah, I like carrying my PowerBook around a lot better than those 10 lbs bricks they call laptops on the PC side...

[Zuckuss]

Originally posted by MarkCollette
I hope that Apple doesn't have the attitude that boring cubicle employees aren't worth selling computers to, because that's a guarrantee of never reaching any substantial marketshare.

If that was your only way of getting a 1.6GHz G5 in a notebook for the next 6 months to a year, wouldn't you buy it?

Well, actually, no I wouldn't buy a heavy, thick laptop just to get a G5 p-book. I would opt for a more compact, appealing G4 or wait for a trim G5 with acceptable battery life.

And, no, Apple probably doesn't have an anti-cubicle employee attitude. But I do, and I'm rather grumpy without a new p-book. :)

[grahamtriggs]

I can't seem to find this mentioned anywhere, but it's worth stating...

These 18th/19th dates... well, don't forget that Apple have already announced that they are shipping DVD Studio Pro 2 on the 18th August...

Now, of course that doesn't make things certain one way or another - it could be that someone has confused the shipping of DSP2 with some other product release / announcement. Equally, they could be introducing Powerbooks to coincide. Although, I think it does more or less certainly rule out 19th August...

[Powerbook G5]

Noooo, PowerBooks on the 19th, damnit!:mad:

[uberman42]

I am really under the impression that the next PBs will be G5's. I just think that once IBM released the PPC 970s, All apple engineering has put energy into using these chips for all future pro products. They need to start sometime and if that meant that the PB line would get long in the tooth by a few months, so be it...Go Apple!

[Bruja]

This is You: $$$$$
This is Apple: :confused:
This is you without the new (6 month old technology but not released) powerbook :mad:



Any Questions??

[Bruja]

would it be against the rules to bring this stuff to Apple's attention?? It seems to me that everytime the mention of a new update crops up, people initally get anxious and then anger follows because they (myself included) are hoping for the Great Pumpkin to arrive??

[vrapan]

Well you could but here is what I think about it:

Apple is a company that tries to make money. They tend to release product not when some people feel that they want a new product but when the company can and feels appropriate to do so. Dont take me wrong that does not mean that they are always right but if any time some people got and demanded a new product the company gave it to them then well i dont think that company would survive. On top of that I dont believe that if Apple could realistically introduce new machines now or could have a week ago or a month ago they didn't cause they wanted to torture some poor souls.

And of course the fact that people get dissappointed after each rumor does not materialise is not Apple's fault. The rumors do not come from Apple they come from other people Apple never came and said that in WWDC we will announce new laptops or that on the 19th of August we will announce new laptops. The expectations and consequent dissappointment comes from the same people. If you didn't hear the rumors you wouldnt get dissappointed.

In my opinion Apple is stuck somewhere. There are several points to where you can get stuck:

Moto issues
Heat issues (especially if they are trying to fit faster graphics cards bigger and faster HDs and higher frequency Processors)
Maybe they did not want to announce two major products together: G5 and a whole new series of laptops. They wanted the dust over the G5 to settle and they want people's attention to the G5.
Maybe they are waiting for some technologies to mature in order to be included.

I mean if you think about it it is better that it takes them some time and they dont rush. I would love a quality well made laptop a few months later than a loud hot unstable machine now. they had enough complains about their Ti G4 and the 12" G4 to not want another imperfect series of laptops.... I think time is not against us although I do sympathise with all those of you wanting to get ahold of a new machine....

[AllenPSU]

Originally posted by Bruja
Any Questions??

Yah!

What is me with a new really cool 8 month old 12" PB? :D

Honest, I would be happy with an old 15" PB (Pre Nov-2002) with a SuperDrive!

[Powerbook G5]

I agree, I would like a quality product and not have something super hot (like the 12") or something that would have paint flaking off and things breaking on it within the first week. I understand the value of patience and waiting, I just sometimes get super anxious and excited, much like a child's excitement around the end of November when Christmas is coming...I just can't help but be excited for the new PowerBooks to arrive.

[vrapan]

i understand excitement i mean i am excited and read the rumor sites although i am not getting one - not yet anyway maybe in a few months time - i just dont understand why bashing Apple while well they are not at fault really. i mean you can say as much as you want that the 15" Ti is old but i have a 12" PB and I am playing with the 15" Ti 1GHz SD and it is an awesome machine. I think Apple does have a very good line up in decent prices of laptops. they might not be faster than 3GHz 30 minutes lasting 10lbs hernia causing PCs but they are extremely practical extremely stylish very well built and very well speced. if i needed a 15" now i would get the old one with no regrets whatsoever. if i could wait i would as long as it was possible. but i would definitely not yell at apple for not having an 15" Al PB out and a 12" with L3.

[MattG]

Originally posted by Bruja
This is You: $$$$$
This is Apple: :confused:
This is you without the new (6 month old technology but not released) powerbook :mad:



Any Questions?? I think that about sums it up for me..

[jaedreth]

Yes, I wouldn't yell at Apple either.

You see it's my personal philosophy that everyone is doing as best as they can, given what they have to work with...

Yes, even Motorola... Keep in mind they are severely handicapped in having ***** for brains... So of course they're going to ***** up.

(Ok, maybe that was a bit untoward, but I bet it at least got a chuckle out of some of you...)

Apple needs all the pieces to make a computer. If one of their suppliers shaft them, then we get shafted too. (Note: You have been shafted by the ***** for brains at Motorola yet again. Just thought I'd let you know.)

So, if there are no new PowerBooks on the 19th, then wait for an announcement in September. And keep in mind, Apple has *not* released OS X 10.3 or the "new" PowerBooks, so they don't exist yet. Apple doesn't owe you updates in a timely fashion. Apple reserves the right to change it's product line and pricing at any time. However, Apple does *want* to provide you the best products possible. Because that's what makes them money.

So, when you get your brand new PowerBooks (for those of you waiting), just sit back a moment and contemplate: Was all the shafting really worth it?

H*ll yes.

Jaedreth

[Powerbook G5]

When I hear that startup "bong" on my new 15" AlBook for the first time I am going to think to myself "What a wonderful world" Hell. Freaking. Yes! :D

[BlainKBanquier]

Well, my 12" PBook order just got bumped from shipping "on or before 8/11" to "on or before 8/18". I'm trying really hard to take this as good news. FW 800 and less heat would be worth the agony. But I'm typing this on a 266mhz iMac, so you know I've been waiting quite a while already...

[jaedreth]

Yeah, since the Pleistocene Era (http://www.ucmp.berkeley.edu/quaternary/ple.html).

Or perhaps this one (http://www.macmuseum.com/room2.html).

Jaedreth

[coachingguy]

Having read through all the posts in this thread, someone mentioned that they thought the next 12" PB would be 1ghz etc... with the same price and that the current 887 mhz would drop in price. That makes a lot of sense, as Apple still has a lot of the 12" in the channel. How attractive, even hot, would a 12" pb be at $1299 edu discount, $1399 standard? A G4, even without the L3 for $1299? I know I'd pop for one. If they don't update the pb's the 18th or 19th, I'll spring for a maxed out ibook 12"$1199 edu discount. The macbench scores have the ibook being better than the 12" G4 in all but 3 or 4 tests. Whattya think?

[LegionCSUF]

Originally posted by BlainKBanquier
Well, my 12" PBook order just got bumped from shipping "on or before 8/11" to "on or before 8/18". I'm trying really hard to take this as good news. FW 800 and less heat would be worth the agony. But I'm typing this on a 266mhz iMac, so you know I've been waiting quite a while already...

Well, my 12" PowerBook order is still on target for "on or before 8/12", so I'm kinda doubting it. :)

[LegionCSUF]

Originally posted by coachingguy
How attractive, even hot, would a 12" pb be at $1299 edu discount, $1399 standard?

Well I ordered mine a few days ago at $1399 w/education discount (yes, they cut a whole $200, not just $100, off the PowerBooks).

Think they might actually offer it for $1199?? I dunno, I don't think I see that happening.

[Powerbook G5]

Here's hoping...new PowerBooks just a week away...

[macphoria]

Here's hoping...new PowerBooks just a week away...
Or tomorrow would be nice too.

[Powerbook G5]

If only!

[weev]

Brothers, sisters - - let's hold hands and channel our energy directly and fully into the production of these powerbooks.

And I am sure, as light follows night, that we will very soon be able to lighten our wallets accordingly as our new [insert desired inches here] Apple Powerbooks whir up to warm our little hearts and hands.

Together lets all pray so that we can pay for our notebooks, and then play with these great and given toys brought to us by the Apple of temptation. :o Amen.

---

Speaking of Tempatation.... As an aside - the original apple logo with the rainbow colours in the wrong order is one of the finest logos ever. Why? Because it stands for Lust, Knowledge and Anarchy. Three of my favourite things :D :o

[LegionCSUF]

Uhm, our channeled energy made a Motorola chip plant explode.

I think we better learn to wield this power before we try using it again!

[LegionCSUF]

> [insert desired inches here]

12, baby.

[vrapan]

don't want to excite anyone but i read an article in UK today at MacUser saying the following: Apple does not expect the PowerMac G5 to average the 300,000 units per quarter of the PowerMac G4. They expect them to be north of 200,000. This is due to the turn of professionals to higher end laptops. The magazine went on to comment that this is why they believe Apple is working day and night to come with high speed G5 PowerBooks. Maybe the comment "we won't see G5 in notebooks for a long time" was meant as a marketing strategy so the coming of the G5 processor won't jeopardise the sales of G4 notebooks especially if they are going to have one more iteration of G4s. I still don't believe that this is the reason of the delay but who knows Apple is known to surprise people right?

[CmdrLaForge]

Originally posted by bikertwin
.......

Price as configured: $2599.

Gee, that's *exactly* the same price as the 1GHz SuperDrive PowerBook.

And the PowerBook is considerably thinner and lighter (not to mention better looking) and comes with a wireless networking card.

People may arguably have a point that desktop PowerMac systems are more expensive than PCs, but you just can't say that about *equivalently configured* notebooks. It just isn't true.

Thats absolutly true. And for the iBook as well (beside that the processor is running at a lower rate)

Cheers
CmdrLaForge

[CmdrLaForge]

Apple said that this is the year of the notebook. Currently we got a slight speed bump on the iBooks - thats it. Everyone expected new revisions and new products.

But on the other hand notebook sales are relativly higher than ever - and I think thats what Apple meant.

Looking on revenues - this is the year of the notebook. More and more revenues come from notebook sales and this will go up in the future.

Cheers
CmdrLaForge

[Squire]

Originally posted by vrapan
The magazine went on to comment that this is why they believe Apple is working day and night to come with high speed G5 PowerBooks. Maybe the comment "we won't see G5 in notebooks for a long time" was meant as a marketing strategy so the coming of the G5 processor won't jeopardise the sales of G4 notebooks especially if they are going to have one more iteration of G4s.

If (a big, fat "if") that is the case, that's good news for potential iBook customers, as well. The way I see it, they'd throw the G5 in the PowerBooks and then juice up the iBooks with that new Moto chip.

Unfortunately, the PowerBooks will probably not get the G5 "anytime soon." Or so I've heard.

Squire

[Inunyan]

Now, for the Mac rumor mongers world wide, here's the latest from Tokyo.

http://www.kodawarisan.com/ug/index.html

Kodawarisan.com says

New Powerbook G4s will be out early next week.
There will be 12inch, 15inch, and 17inch models.
All models sport over 1GHz clock speed.
The body of 12inch model is slightly thiner than the current one.

No source is quoted other than a statement saying "obtained from a reliable source." But this site, true to Japanese norm, has been pretty cautious and conservative over all.

You can have machine translation with following URL:

http://babelfish.altavista.com/babelfish/tr?doit=done&urltext=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.kodawarisan.com%2Fug&lp=ja_en

--------
Inunyan

[daveL]

Originally posted by vrapan
don't want to excite anyone but i read an article in UK today at MacUser saying the following: Apple does not expect the PowerMac G5 to average the 300,000 units per quarter of the PowerMac G4. They expect them to be north of 200,000. This is due to the turn of professionals to higher end laptops. The magazine went on to comment that this is why they believe Apple is working day and night to come with high speed G5 PowerBooks. Maybe the comment "we won't see G5 in notebooks for a long time" was meant as a marketing strategy so the coming of the G5 processor won't jeopardise the sales of G4 notebooks especially if they are going to have one more iteration of G4s. I still don't believe that this is the reason of the delay but who knows Apple is known to surprise people right?
Wow, what publication was that? I'd stop reading it if I were you. Apple didn't sell anything close to 300,000 G4 PM in a recent quarter. From data on the Apple site, they sold 156,000 G4 PM in their second quarter. PM sales declined in Q3 to 133,000. Even that number includes Xserve units, not just desktops.

[Edit] I had Q2 numbers instead of Q3, so now both quarters are given.

[LegionCSUF]

Well, my 12" PowerBook, which was supposed to ship by today, is now listed as shipping on the 19th.

I hope this means upgrade!

I'll be awfully pissed if it doesn't.

[Bruja]

Originally posted by Inunyan
Now, for the Mac rumor mongers world wide, here's the latest from Tokyo.

http://www.kodawarisan.com/ug/index.html

Kodawarisan.com says

New Powerbook G4s will be out early next week.
There will be 12inch, 15inch, and 17inch models.
All models sport over 1GHz clock speed.
The body of 12inch model is slightly thiner than the current one.

No source is quoted other than a statement saying "obtained from a reliable source." But this site, true to Japanese norm, has been pretty cautious and conservative over all.

You can have machine translation with following URL:

http://babelfish.altavista.com/babelfish/tr?doit=done&urltext=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.kodawarisan.com%2Fug&lp=ja_en

--------
Inunyan We'll see... Not really assured that it's going to happen. Chicken Little has already stated a number of times that the sky was falling. One thing that I did find interesting was that Consumer Reports Magazine was really talking up the 867 Mhz 12" Pbk. and not the 1Ghz.

[Bruja]

Yo' weev,

That sounds too "fluffy bunny" for me. I say we break out the consecrated salt, holy water and silver artefacts to construct a rightious pox on Moto for bollucksing up the whole situaton. The way I see it, we would be returning the bad energy sent out by Moto, thrice times.;)

[Powerbook G5]

Well let's hope that next week is not a let down for all of us.

[LegionCSUF]

Originally posted by Bruja
We'll see... Not really assured that it's going to happen. Chicken Little has already stated a number of times that the sky was falling. One thing that I did find interesting was that Consumer Reports Magazine was really talking up the 867 Mhz 12" Pbk. and not the 1Ghz.

Agreed. The only thing that has me thinking that we might be looking at the real deal this time is the delayed PowerBook shipments (as mentioned above, mine has been pushed to the 19th, and other people have reported similarly). It could be just a regular delay or a shortage or whathaveyou, but it's the only thing in the ballpark of actual "evidence" to back up the current rumors.

[sacrilicious]

Yeah. I've got to hurry up and buy!

[DHagan4755]

This (http://www.macprices.com/g4tracker.shtml) is the most promising sign yet! ...How many green dots left? Not many! :eek:

[ryaxnb]

One thing I'd like to know is why yoy want 12/17" PB updates. I would like a 15" AlBook, but the 12/17" PB's seem good enough.
Also, I don't think Apple wants to lose more of its already smalll marketshare. I bet Motorola is part of the holdup, and I hope IBM comes out with the rumored G3+AltiVec soon!

[wizard]

If for nothing else there is a hope for extended run time due to a more efficent processor. We would also likely get more RAM and a larger harddisk.

Frankly more RAM is possibly the most important aspect beyond the processor upgrade. The PowerBooks are under speced RAM wise and the reality of OS/X is that more is better.

Since no one really knows what is coming there are also the possibilities of major upgrades. The possibilities are SMP and 970 processors and enhanced graphics adapters. Things like SATA and port improvements are also possible.

Thanks
Dave


Originally posted by ryaxnb
One thing I'd like to know is why yoy want 12/17" PB updates. I would like a 15" AlBook, but the 12/17" PB's seem good enough.
Also, I don't think Apple wants to lose more of its already smalll marketshare. I bet Motorola is part of the holdup, and I hope IBM comes out with the rumored G3+AltiVec soon!

[AllenPSU]

I personally would like to see USB 2.0 in the 12" PB. A 167 MHZ bus and L3 would be nice too.

[LegionCSUF]

Weirdness defined:

I now got an email stating what my order status was saying: the ship date on my PowerBook has been pushed back to the 19th, due to "an unexpected supply delay".

Yet, when I go back to the Order Status page, I find that it has returned to listing my ship date as 8/12!

Oh, but that's only if I click "Order Status" at store.apple.com. If I go to the www.apple.com/orderstatus link provided in the email, and enter my web order number and zip code as asked, I get a different order status page that lists the ship date at 8/19 again!

As that "angry mac user" Switch spoof video states, clearly the Mac is practicing some kind of bizarre psychological warfare on me. My ship date is bouncing up and down like a Jack Russell f%$&^ng terrirer.

[macphoria]

Weirdness defined:

I now got an email stating what my order status was saying: the ship date on my PowerBook has been pushed back to the 19th, due to "an unexpected supply delay".

Yet, when I go back to the Order Status page, I find that it has returned to listing my ship date as 8/12!

Oh, but that's only if I click "Order Status" at store.apple.com. If I go to the www.apple.com/orderstatus link provided in the email, and enter my web order number and zip code as asked, I get a different order status page that lists the ship date at 8/19 again!

As that "angry mac user" Switch spoof video states, clearly the Mac is practicing some kind of bizarre psychological warfare on me. My ship date is bouncing up and down like a Jack Russell f%$&^ng terrirer.
Come on now. You won't be complaining if Apple sends you latest upgraded PowerBook with 1+Ghz G4 and USB 2, FireWire 800, etc. Hopefully that's what they are planning to do.

[LegionCSUF]

Oh, hopefully you're right.

I am merely confused by the laptop's ability to simultaneously ship on 8/12 and 8/19. :)

[grahamtriggs]

Originally posted by ryaxnb
One thing I'd like to know is why yoy want 12/17" PB updates. I would like a 15" AlBook, but the 12/17" PB's seem good enough.
Also, I don't think Apple wants to lose more of its already smalll marketshare. I bet Motorola is part of the holdup, and I hope IBM comes out with the rumored G3+AltiVec soon!

Well, you can never have too much power! ;-)

Besides, it's not so much that people want 12"/17" updates - rather, we know there are new revisions of the G4... that, and the fact the 17" pricing hasn't changed in 8 months, and it's starting to look a little bit on the expensive side....

Oh - and cooler running PBs - especially the 12" - wouldn't go amiss!!

[sacrilicious]

Get me 1.3Ghz, an 80gb option, USB 2.0, backlit 15" and I think I won't say anything bad about Apple again. Mind you, I won't be here to say bad things, because I'll finally have the freakin' PowerBook I've been waiting for about four months to purchase, in hopes of an update.

[Lori]

I like the merits of both arguments I see (I've been blind to all the other ones...hehe).

I ordered my powerbook yesterday and, instead of the "3-5 days shipping" it first claimed, the order says that it will be shipped on the 19th. I'll be extremely happy if something super spiced up comes to my door...but I'll take anything at this moment...I just couldn't afford to wait anymore.

The argument that why on earth would Apple go and introduce fresh pb's while they still have the education discount going on seems to make the most sense to me. It doesn't seem like they would (though they did let me use the 15 dollar off promo code they had even though it was an edu and I'm getting a rebate).

Hehe, legion, I love that "I am merely confused by the laptop's ability to simultaneously ship on 8/12 and 8/19. :)" Too funny. Proving once again Mac ppl can have more fun and a sense of humour cuz they don't have to deal w/all the stupid windows problems that would drain those two things from them...lol. :)

[AllenPSU]

Originally posted by Lori
I ordered my powerbook yesterday and, instead of the "3-5 days shipping" it first claimed, the order says that it will be shipped on the 19th.

Which one did you go with and did you customize it?

[Lori]

It's gotta last me three years so I maxed it out :) 60 gb hd, 640MB RAM, Superdrive, 12.1" and I threw in an Airport Extreme card for good measure.

I've heard quite a few pieces of info about how those type have to be assembled in Taiwan and then shipped to California and then to their new owners (thus the long ship length); but hey, might as well dream till it gets here, right?

[AllenPSU]

Originally posted by Lori
It's gotta last me three years so I maxed it out :) 60 gb hd, 640MB RAM, Superdrive, 12.1" and I threw in an Airport Extreme card for good measure.

I've heard quite a few pieces of info about how those type have to be assembled in Taiwan and then shipped to California and then to their new owners (thus the long ship length); but hey, might as well dream till it gets here, right?

That is pretty much what I wanted to buy, but with the word of updates possibly on the 18/19th I am giving thoughts to waiting. I would hate to wait until Monday and find out no new releases and have to stick with the original plan and wait an extra ???? days for the PB to show up.

[Matt88]

As someone else mentioned, the Apple Education Store (Canada) is posting a 30 business day shipping time (regarding 12" Powerbooks)... as for myself, I ordered on August 1st (via University Computer Store) and they have yet to even receive a shipment notice from Apple.

For a student, the $300 rebate off the iPod, plus the $150 printer free is a major attraction (this will be my first Mac), but that only works if you receive your 'book before September 27th. Initially, ordering at the beginning of August, this hardly seemed an issue.

There's a thread at the Apple.com discussions regarding these delays (in the Powerbook --> 12 Inch --> Usage forum).

Anyway, I realize that posting this will not make it come faster (although that would be EXCELLENT)... but it is nice to know that others share the same predicament.

Just needed to get that off my chest,

Thanks,
Matt

[Mac&Sushi]

I doubt we will really see a major revamp on the PB lines in this Paris show.

Why? Notice how apple is reskinning our OSX with all the stainless metal look.

I really really think that the next PB update is when they recolour our PBs back to the real aluminium color. Then it will match the new Panther look.

No new PB until January. Maybe just reskinning of the 15inch into Aluminium with the bluetooth built into it.

Minor speed bumps for all PBs are possible.

[Cantab]

Originally posted by Mac&Sushi
I doubt we will really see a major revamp on the PB lines in this Paris show.
How many different threads are you planning on posting this to?