Next (full) iBook Revision

[Durandal7]

When do you all think the next full revision of the iBook will be? What kind of specs do you think they might have?

edit- By full I mean a revision of all the models not just one of them.

[sparkleytone]

I'm calling early October around the same time they revved last year. If they aren't revved by late december, we may as well expect an entirely new iBook or iBook replacement product line. I doubt that tho. The IceBook is one of the most successful Apple products ever, and is one of the main switch products.

[Balin64]

I wonder how much faster a G3 processor can run? I mean, is the architecture similar to the G4 and can it reach 1Ghz? I would like to see the iBook reved up, but if they start putting G4's in them within six months I will be so pissed! :mad:
I just got my 700MHZ iBook (which i love) :) so I would like to have the top dog iBook for at least a little bit! Is that selfish of me? Anyway, it would be nice to see Apple stick to one processor, the G4. I think that's the next update to the iBook...

Balin64.

PS: iBooks running Jag are speedy and super-responsive! Also, if you have a desktop and a portable you can now set up a network and go wireless on the portable using OS 10.2. And you know what? 200 smackers for two AirPort cards compared to 400 for the AirPort base set up makes it do-able. i am wireless at home with minimal buyer's remorse. ha!

[job]

i'd like to see a major price drop.

perhaps in an effort to win over college students who are buying crummy, but cheap, dell and gateway laptops.

hardware-wise i would not mind a speed bumped ibook, although i'm not sure how much more they can squeeze out of the current g3 chip.

maybe slight revisions to the motherboard, however, i still think the price of the hardware is key. the average student would probably not need more than 800Mhz unless they are planning on playing doom3 on their ibook. :rolleyes:

i doubt that they would completely revamp the ibook. it would probably be more along the lines of keeping the current case with some slight revisions but droping the price.

[Durandal7]

I think we may see a price drop on them. I would like to see the 1194 model get a combo drive and a cheaper model get introduced with a CD-ROM drive.

[beez7777]

i would like to see a sub 1000 dollar iBook, even if it means no speed boosts. the current g3 in it seems to be doing ok.

[job]

i seem to recall a thread from a while back that discussed the merits of a sub-1000 dollar notebook.

i wonder if they could include a dvd drive in the baseline and a combo in the topend.

i'm not so sure if they would go back to the old cd-rom drive.

then again this is apple we are talking about...

one step forward, two steps backwards... ;)

[zimv20]

in the past 2 weeks, macosrumors.com speculated on a 13" ibook, though there wasn't discussion of that would be a new case or a larger screen in the current 12" enclosure (would it even fit? i don't have one handy to measure). the fate of the 12" screen/model was undiscussed, as well.

i'm all for keeping the g3 in it, as it draws a fraction of the power of a g4 and generates less heat. i'm keeping a close eye on this one, as i'll probably pick one up next time they're updated.

it'd be groovy if they upped the system bus to 133 while doing a speed adjustment. maybe throw in a 32 meg video card, as well.

i'd like a BTO option of the top-end chip w/ a plain-old CD drive. i can burn stuff on my desktop and watch DVDs on my TV. i can count on one hand if I had one finger the number of times i've watched a DVD on my powerbook.

[benjaminpg]

Although, I and many other people like the white iBook design very much, I think it will go when the iBook changes to a G4. My rationale is very simple for this. Every product that has gone to a G4 processor has had a fairly major case change. You can argue all you want, but what really catches people's eye isn't new DDR ram, but a new case. I don't think the iBook will switch to a G4 for a while though, because as apple has said the G3 has a great deal of life in it. Someone mentioned that the G3 has the potential for higher clock speeds than the G4, although the G4 has a great advantage if AltiVec is being used, which it is in OS X.

[Durandal7]

I really hope the low-end model gets a DVD or CD-RW. It seems like it should get a DVD, CD-ROMs should be abandoned by Apple and a DVD would be better suited to a laptop then a CD-RW.

edit- Here's what MOSR has to say:
The iBook is looking to see G3 processors at up to 933MHz, 133MHz memory, and new displays - a 13-inch standard flat panel, and a 14-inch widescreen. The timing looks to be between January and March of next year, but is very much subject to change depending on the economic climate that takes shape between now and then.

[Prom1]

I personally will be in the market to buy a current iBook within the next 4 months.....so if they are updated then all the better for me and the other kats.


What I would like to see first up is a G4 processor. Nothing with 700mhz+ but about 500Mhz (the same as the initial TiBook) but with about 512MB of L3 cache or even 256L2 running at FULL CPU clock speed.

if not a G4 well then Apple should negotiate last years batch of IBM G3's which last I read were capable of running up to 1.5Ghz! Dont know if any batch does exist though--aftermarket buyers will know for sure.

I'm hoping for at least 32MB of DDR video RAM onboard via ATi or NVidia, please bebe please! And also a 5400 RPM ATA/66 or ATA/100 Hard drive!!!


THe TiBook i want at least 64MB of Video Ram being of PC2600 DDR or better and I want to see a 7200RPM or 5400RPM Hard disk drive on a ATA/100 bus not the ****** ATA/33 or ATA/66 that is the laptop universe main stay.

I kinda like the 12" iBook much better than the 14"; the size of a text book principle really suits the purpose and the image and the success of the iBook!!!!

[solvs]

Originally posted by zimv20

i'd like a BTO option of the top-end chip w/ a plain-old CD drive. i can burn stuff on my desktop and watch DVDs on my TV. i can count on one hand if I had one finger the number of times i've watched a DVD on my powerbook.

Uh, you can already do that.

$150 less.

As far as the rest, I'd love to see a new iBook with 1 GHz G3, 512 MB PC133 RAM, 32 MB Video Card, 60 GB 5,400 RPM, etc. But it's probably going to be an 800 MHz G3, same FSB, same RAM, 40 GB Hard Drive (though 5,400 RPM would be nicer than the current 4,200. They already make the drives), maybe a VC upgrade if the TiBook gets a 64 MB one, and the usual. 32 MBs would be really nice.

I'd like to get one after I move, but I might just wait until they do get the 1 Gig, or buy an "old" 700 12.1 inch. I like the small form factor (and the smaller price). But the 14 does have better battery life.

And before anyone says they're too slow, have you actually used one? I got to play with one for a little while. I wouldn't be do audio/video on it much, but for basic stuff it was fast (even on 10.1.4). And durable. The guy dropped it from a few feet up, it just kept right on working.

Much nicer than my Mom's old 400 MHz G3 PB.

[zimv20]

Originally posted by solvs


Uh, you can already do that.

$150 less.

even with the 700 MHz one? on the apple configure page, there's no dropdown for the optical drive. the best you can do is select the 600 MHz one.

or am i missing something? my info's based on what i see on that page.


But it's probably going to be an 800 MHz G3, same FSB,


i agree w/ the 800 in the next revision. but w/ that, they could do a 133 bus and have it make sense. that would cinch it for me.


And before anyone says they're too slow, have you actually used one?

Much nicer than my Mom's old 400 MHz G3 PB.

it's a good point. i borrowed a 700 MHz one w/ 10.1.5 and was quite happy. i just loaded 10.2 on my 400 MHz G3 PB, 192 meg RAM, and it has a new life.

EXCEPT the pointer sometimes freezes when coming out of sleep and i have to unplug it to reboot. anyone else see such behavior? (okay, i'm off-topic here)

[G4scott]

It's weird how we think that the iBook and the TiBook are the coolest, best designed Apple products ever, but then they come out with something better... It's so good (of course, the iBook could use some improvements...)

[solvs]

Originally posted by zimv20

even with the 700 MHz one? on the apple configure page, there's no dropdown for the optical drive. the best you can do is select the 600 MHz one.

or am i missing something? my info's based on what i see on that page.


The 14 inch has the option. I guess the 12 doesn't. That's kinda weird. Oh well, I guess we'll see...

[Durandal7]

I'm guessing:
700Mhz,800Mhz
13" LCD, 14" LCD
128MB RAM, 256MB RAM
30GB HD, 40GB HD
DVD-ROM, Combo

[zimv20]

Originally posted by asurace
I'm guessing:
13" LCD


ah, but is the enclosure bigger than the current 12" model?

[zimv20]

Originally posted by solvs


The 14 inch has the option. I guess the 12 doesn't. That's kinda weird. Oh well, I guess we'll see...

we're both right! i love it.

i'd guess that the profit margins on the 12" are sufficiently small that it doesn't make sense for them to not make the extra profit on the drive (if anyone can parse that, well done :-)

i want a small, fast machine w/ no frills. hey, i'd even trade in the optical drive for an extra battery if they offered such a configuration. i could always mount media from my desktop if i needed to install something.

[BongHits]

Originally posted by hitman
i'd like to see a major price drop.

perhaps in an effort to win over college students who are buying crummy, but cheap, dell and gateway laptops.

hardware-wise i would not mind a speed bumped ibook, although i'm not sure how much more they can squeeze out of the current g3 chip.

maybe slight revisions to the motherboard, however, i still think the price of the hardware is key. the average student would probably not need more than 800Mhz unless they are planning on playing doom3 on their ibook. :rolleyes:

i doubt that they would completely revamp the ibook. it would probably be more along the lines of keeping the current case with some slight revisions but droping the price.

the current g3 chip seems to have plenty of life left in it...as for doom 3 on an ibook...i'll be impressed when i see it running on a TiBook!! (min 64mb vid card)

[BongHits]

Originally posted by zimv20
i can count on one hand if I had one finger the number of times i've watched a DVD on my powerbook.
does this mean your missing a finger or several???

[aznatari]

You probably could consider seeing these specs in the upcoming months.

Either with 750mhz or 800 mhz as a maximum
14" to 15" LCD screen
256 MB or 512 MB of RAM
30GB to 40 GB HD
DVD/CD-RW Combo Drive
Same amount of ports



atari

[rice_web]

iBook
- 800MHz G4 (750FXe from IBM)
- 512K L2 cache
- 100MHz system bus
- 12" screen
- $1199

Pismo (as iBook line diverges into two seperate products)
- 800MHz G4 (750FXe from IBM)
- 512K L2 Cache
- 133MHz system bus
- 14" screen
- $1399

I'd bet on October

[zimv20]

Originally posted by BongHits

does this mean your missing a finger or several???

ha ha ha! I WISH! :-)

naw, just means i watched exactly one (1) DVD while on the road. i just never used it.

oh yeah -- and because i've got a lombard pre-firewire powerbook, i can't use my DVD player in osx. unsupported. the jaguar install didn't even give me the DVD player app.

[zimv20]

Originally posted by rice_web
iBook
- 800MHz G4 (750FXe from IBM)
- 512K L2 cache
- 100MHz system bus
- 12" screen
- $1199


i'd likely buy such a system. though i'd be much hipper on it if the FSB were 133.

btw, has anyone done any testing on the real-world use of the 512k L2 cache? my 400 MHz lombard powerbook has a 1 meg L2 cache. just wondering if 1 meg is overkill or is apple trying to save a few $$.

(and as w/ everything, i'm sure the answer is: it's a little bit of both)

[Durandal7]

Spymac says that the new iBooks will have Bluetooth integration and new cases. Then again it is Spymac... :rolleyes:

[Macwizzard]

I may just be mad, but it appears as if everyone desires a new line of Apple Computers. There are the Professional, the consumer, and educational for desktops. There are 2 different consumer models and 1 pro model for portables. Should the 12" iBook become a educational model and the 14" a consumer model? That would evenly balance apple's products and suit most people for needs.

Just a thought

I'm not sure why, but I don't see a larger iBook screen in the near future. The Powerbook already has one. Most consumers and educators use iMovie instead of Final Cut and that is the main reason for a wider screen on the PB-for final cut. Unless they release a new line, I suspect that the current laptop screens will remain the same.

One more thing-bluetooth is a very possible addition. Apple has supported it and pacted with companies that make bluetooth devices-why not add it.

That is all of my ranting you can handle-i'll stop now

[JSRockit]

The 12" model kills the 14" model in all aspects... except battery life. I really hope Apple kills the 14" iBook, makes the 12" iBook into a middle-range laptop...then makes an eBook for students. The only way they could keep the 14" screen in the line up is if Apple changes the resolution.

[rice_web]

I wish Apple would just break the iBook line into two seperate products, the 12" iBook, and a return of the Pismo. The two could carry much the same in respect to configurations, with screen size being one of the few differences.

[JSRockit]

That could work. Perhaps we can see a 12" iBook SE, graphite in color with 32MB VRAM, and 750mhz-800mhz G3? or maybe a G4? damn, I hope so...probably not. I'll leave the Pismo to you guys.

[Durandal7]

The 12" iBook will remain in it's current form. I expect that if anything is done to the 14" it will get a 15" screen and a black case, labeled the iBook SE.

[JSRockit]

Originally posted by Durandal7
The 12" iBook will remain in it's current form. I expect that if anything is done to the 14" it will get a 15" screen and a black case, labeled the iBook SE.

The 14" iBook is already a tank... a 15" screen? I hope not. The 12" is the one raking in the cash. Why not make that the SE model? or are you thinking the 14" sucks so bad that they have to change it?

[Durandal7]

Originally posted by JSRockit


The 14" iBook is already a tank... a 15" screen? I hope not. The 12" is the one raking in the cash. Why not make that the SE model? or are you thinking the 14" sucks so bad that they have to change it?

The 12" is fine as a low-end notebook like it is now, Apple has no need to change that setup.

The 14" should be made more high end compared to the 12" and given a new case to reflect that, Apple may want to try this to give a boost to sales. It's biggest problem is that it needs something to really set it apart from the other iBooks and this would serve that function.

[King Cobra]

I would say that the 14 inch deserves a faster either a faster graphics card or more video memory. Just like the iMac 17 inch has a GeForce 4 MX instead of it's little cousins, which have the GeF2MX, the iBook 14 inch could have a faster/better card.

[JSRockit]

That's cool and all...but most people favor the smaller iBook for portability. It seems most people like the 14" iBook here, but at other forums...people hate it. The 12" iBook is such a great design...it would be sad to see it only available at the low-end. Now, if you change the 14" completely...that could be cool.

[LimeiBook86]

DAM! I justed typed a whole long message about this and I pressed escape by mistake and it deleted it, I tryed to undo but no luck! So this is what i think in a nutshell. CD-ROMS are borinfg they should be optional, the optical drives should be removable and you should be able to change from a CD-ROM to say a SuperDrive, a CD-RW or a Combo Drive. The High-end should come with a SuperDrive and be 900mhz and have a 80GB HD that matches the iMac. The proccesser should be a highend G3 or a G4 :) These iBooks whould blow my Key Lime iBook FW SE away :D!!! :cool:

[gopher]

Albeit in unknown production quantities. Wonder what happened to that. Could that be coming in our next iBooks?

The real question, and we probably won't know the answer for a couple years, is when will we see our first OLED laptops?

OLED, Organic Light Emitting Diodes has the amazing capability of being able to fold the screen itself and be thinner and cheaper than LCDs to produce in the long run. Only trouble is, not enough people are making them. Unless Apple has a skunkworks project with OLEDs nobody knows about!

[mcrain]

What they need is a new white iBook with a silver/chrome square on the front along with some groovy air holes shaped like ovals!

That'd be neat.

(yeah, a little sarcasm after a long weekend)

[Postal]

I'm going to be conservative, and expect something like this:

- 12" and 14" options remain intact
- choice of 700 or 800 MHz G4s
- possible introduction of a 133 MHz bus (on at least the higher-end models)
- 256 MB of RAM minimum
- Mobility Radeon 7500 graphics with 32 MB of RAM

Now, that's what I think is likely to happen, but there could be a few pleasant surprises. For example, if the 133 MHz bus does come, we could see an 867 MHz iBook. Alternately we could see an instance where the CD-ROM option is dropped entirely, and the Combo drive models come down to the prices the CD-ROM models are at now. That would make an iBook choice simple: 12-inch or 14-inch?

I don't see Bluetooth, Firewire 2 or any other specialty hardware features being included, but you never know...

[razakaze]

To summon up this thread, yall seems to agree that 16mb of graphics i pathetic and should be raise to accendate the recomended 32mb Radeon in the jagwire specs.

Fact is that the G3 is much more efficent when is comes to power dissapation. althoug it is weaker per clock, than the G4, it could be tweaked a great deal.

FACT: G3 = IBM 750FX
IBM 750FX runs at stunning a 1Ghz, Apple use the lowend 700Mhz edition, so that it would not move the light away from its TiBook series.

If IBook should go 1Ghz then
TiBook must go 933Mhz+

[JSRockit]

I agree...32MB VRAM is needed... Also, get rid of the CD-ROM and 128MB Ram standard unless Apple brings the low-end iBook to $999.

[JSRockit]

Apple has 3 12" models on their website now...added one with DVD only. They should have gotten rid of the CD_ROM model.