Powerbook Image? [Archive] - MacRumors Forums

Over Achiever

Oct 21, 2002, 06:05 PM

I found it in the apple insider forums. Something about the return of the "powerbook duo". Can someone explain to me what that is? Is it similar to the iWalk...a failed rumor? Or is it like the Newton, or was it an antique computer? (ie old).

Sorry, I dunno what they're referring to.

Oh, that logo is supposed to be a chrome apple or something.

Mr. Anderson

Oct 21, 2002, 06:11 PM

The best indication of authenticity is the notification from Apple on the removal of the image. Lets see if that happens. Until then, I'm going to be doubtful.

bh192012

Oct 21, 2002, 06:17 PM

so I take it it would have around a 10" screen?

Mr. Anderson

Oct 21, 2002, 06:25 PM

Originally posted by bh192012
so I take it it would have around a 10" screen?

Using the image as a guide, the diagonal on the screen would just be over 8". Nice size for a pda, that's for sure.

Durandal7

Oct 21, 2002, 06:29 PM

Intriguing.

I would welcome a new Powerbook Duo, and I'm sure that a lot of mac fans would welcome it's return.

arn

Oct 21, 2002, 06:38 PM

Originally posted by Over Achiever
I found it in the apple insider forums. Something about the return of the "powerbook duo". Can someone explain to me what that is? Is it similar to the iWalk...a failed rumor? Or is it like the Newton, or was it an antique computer? (ie old).

Sorry, I dunno what they're referring to.

Oh, that logo is supposed to be a chrome apple or something.

powerbook duo's were apple's sub-notebook for quite some time.

arn

mischief

Oct 21, 2002, 06:41 PM

Mainly that it was commonly sold without it's Dock. Had the Duo been sold as a complete kit it would have killed many other portables.

Now a G3 Sahara based duo aimed at the high-end PDA market would be SICK.

G3 600 Sahara

1USB

1FW

Airport standard

Bluetooth standard

comes with a charging base with integrated FW/USB hub, Combo Drive and RADEON Mobility Card. Bundled with Keyboard, Mouse and 1 Snow Airport Base Station.

$800.00 USD

Over Achiever

Oct 21, 2002, 06:44 PM

Ok, found the source of the pic from the apple insider site. Seems to be www.aguru4hire.com ... the pic is embedded in the site. Investigating how to actually get to the pic through the site...i'll keep ya'll posted.

Oh, the link directly to the pic...
http://aguru4hire.com/pbd-spread-placement-72dpi.jpg

The pic isn't much better...it is 72 dpi of course;)
Anyway, so far this guy seems to be a mac fan, so it could be photoshopped.

Durandal7

Oct 21, 2002, 06:45 PM

Originally posted by mischief

G3 600 Sahara
1USB
1FW
Airport standard
Bluetooth standard
comes with a charging base with integrated FW/USB hub, Combo Drive and RADEON Mobility Card. Bundled with Keyboard, Mouse and 1 Snow Airport Base Station.
$800.00 USD
I would buy that in an instant. It would be nice if Apple released something along those lines.

technocoy

Oct 21, 2002, 06:57 PM

from what i can make out in photoshop, at the top it reads:
Magazine spread (product?) placement... not for final output. which is in common print terminology... i believe the blurred section does read: the new powerbook duo
starting at (cant make out)

hope that helps
technocoy

cr2sh

Oct 21, 2002, 07:57 PM

whatever it is, if it was real, it wouldn't be on spymac anymore...

oh by the way, i hate spymac

JSRockit

Oct 21, 2002, 08:05 PM

[i]

Now a G3 Sahara based duo would be SICK.

G3 600 Sahara

1USB

1FW

Airport standard

Bluetooth standard

comes with a charging base with integrated FW/USB hub, Combo Drive and RADEON Mobility Card. Bundled with Keyboard, Mouse and 1 Snow Airport Base Station.

$800.00 USD [/B]

I would love one of these...except that it would cost about $1500-$2000...believe me. Look at the PC laptops of this nature. Toshiba Libretto, Fujitsu P1000/P2000, and Sony Picturebooks...they cost that much money and they come with Crusoe processors and not much else.

Don't diss Spymac...it isn't that bad. I find that site to be quite entertaining.

MrMacMan

Oct 21, 2002, 08:31 PM

Uh there are been MANY more promising picutes and photoshops... Are their any Other rumors to back this "pic" up? um... I don't see any.... sorry guys this goes under the nice try catogory.

zorblaz

Oct 21, 2002, 08:48 PM

hmmmm.... keyboard?
It would seem as if (with Inkwell) apple could seriously start leaving keyboards behind and put out something that is a cross between a Newton & a Powerbook, and nobody would ever complain. If this is fake, it probably wouldn't be for too long.

cubist

Oct 21, 2002, 08:48 PM

So this is what inkwell is for. It won't be cheap. Expect around $1000.

beatle888

Oct 21, 2002, 09:01 PM

Originally posted by zorblaz
hmmmm.... keyboard?
It would seem as if (with Inkwell) apple could seriously start leaving keyboards behind and put out something that is a cross between a Newton & a Powerbook, and nobody would ever complain. If this is fake, it probably wouldn't be for too long.

using inkwell to input text into a computor
is really a lot slower than typing. i would need
the screen to have some sort of touch screen
keyboard for intering larges amounts of text.

applemacdude

Oct 21, 2002, 10:17 PM

100% fake
:( Sorry

Snert-a-Gert

Oct 21, 2002, 11:02 PM

Kind of lots like the text says, "New Memorex Something".

Just my thought

idi_t

Oct 21, 2002, 11:11 PM

Originally posted by applemacdude
100% fake
:( Sorry

I'd have to agree; the real tip-off is the space between "Power" and "Book"... (i.e. it reads "Power Book" not "PowerBook" as it should). Great piece of wishful thinking, though...

rice_web

Oct 21, 2002, 11:18 PM

All that I can read where the speculated "PowerBook Duo" appears is "Form Bad Dxx"

Although, the real giveaway is the white background. It's uneven as if a paintbrush were used to fill in the gray spots (albeit very poorly)

Though.... I wouldn't be surprised if we saw one (I want one :D )

marcsiry

Oct 22, 2002, 12:26 AM

'd have to agree; the real tip-off is the space between "Power" and "Book"... (i.e. it reads "Power Book" not "PowerBook" as it should). Great piece of wishful thinking, though...
Uhh, look closer (or, even better, open it in Photoshop and blow it up 6000%, like I did). The "r" blur touches the "B" blur, while the "k" and the "D" are seperated by whitespace.
http://marcsiry.com/check_text.jpg
Although, the real giveaway is the white background. It's uneven as if a paintbrush were used to fill in the gray spots (albeit very poorly)
That's the hallmark of JPEG artifacts. An image this small, compressed that agressively, is going to have ratty spots all over.

This reminds me of when the eBay Red Motherboard came out- people found green spots in the JPEG artifacts and immediately started yelling, "Fake!" Even worse, they jumped all over those gorgeous Cube pics, explaining how the lighting was "wrong."

In a situation like this, you can't reliably look to image artifacts as proof of a hoax. Better to attack it on the basis of its viability as a product.

As for me- I'd buy it- to clean up image artifacts while I'm sitting on the subway :-)

redAPPLE

Oct 22, 2002, 01:37 AM

Originally posted by cubist
So this is what inkwell is for. It won't be cheap. Expect around $1000.

include a rendezvous adapter (receiver) for a stereo system and... SOLD!!

Tiauguinho

Oct 22, 2002, 03:42 AM

Hmmmmm... The photos look nice and it would be an amazing product, but Apple Legal still didn't take off the pictures from the net... Don't know if I'll believe in this... Only time will tell...

aussiesteve

Oct 22, 2002, 05:09 AM

I think that is the clue that says it’s real. If it said PowerBook then it would have to be a lot bigger.
But think about it, it is a Power Book! Duo. You can read and write!;)
I don’t know about the logo though. Does it say i.

DJ_TRicks

Oct 22, 2002, 05:09 AM

You know it has been known that apple has been working on a slimmed down version of OSX with all the same graphical interfaces and the new incorperation of the old newton technology makes me wonder what are they gearing up for
i have heard rumors of the g4s being put to a possible alpha hardware stage in apple from a meta developer freind of mine
as a side to the new power macs to come out next year

maybe .... maybe .....
just maybe

RandomMacGuy

Oct 22, 2002, 05:30 AM

.... as per my previous post.

:o :o :o

(Ref: Chaos theory)

MR Lurker

Oct 22, 2002, 06:32 AM

I thought it was interesting, and may be significant, that the screen in the "paperback" mode is blank.

If the picture is a fake, then the authors have forgotten that Apple usually illustrate their products with Aqua running.

clubsport

Oct 22, 2002, 06:44 AM

Click here to view the Sony Vaio PCG U3 (http://www.vaio.sony.co.jp/Products/PCG-U3/Images/wallpaper_pop_02.jpg)

Striking resemblance, wouldn't you say? In fact, it is exactly the same computer as the "PowerBook Duo"...

An obvious fake.

JSRockit

Oct 22, 2002, 07:20 AM

redAPPLE

Oct 22, 2002, 07:27 AM

that was a sony, dude.

is it a fake? i think i would say, i hope not.

look, apple surely did not create the inkwell technology for third party software makers. or hardwaremakers.

(that was my opinion)

so, i think apple would sooner or later use this technology for its own hardware.

thinking that apple lost some money, they have to innovate again (although this hardware design is not new, acer has this product, i think)... and gain new switchers and make the other users happy.

kperry8

Oct 22, 2002, 09:40 AM

Originally posted by clubsport
Click here to view the Sony Vaio PCG U3 (http://www.vaio.sony.co.jp/Products/PCG-U3/Images/wallpaper_pop_02.jpg)

Striking resemblance, wouldn't you say? In fact, it is exactly the same computer as the "PowerBook Duo"...

An obvious fake.

Nope, sorry. Look at it opened up and compare:
http://www.vaio.sony.co.jp/Products/PCG-U3/Images/wallpaper_pop_04.jpg

The spacing between then thing's edge and the monitor is completely different. I think this would have requried some pretty spiffy Photoshop work to fake the image from this product.

However, I'm not really saying that I believe this yet... I have no proof against it, nor for it. As you all know, we've seen some pretty good fakes in the past.

Only time will tell I suppose :-P

Raiden

Oct 22, 2002, 01:03 PM

I dont believe that that will be an apple product.

Unlike the new powermac pics that some guy released and got flamed for, this has no background, no aqua interface, is very blurry, a icon that looks nothing like apple's apple icon, and most importantly, it really doesnt look like a product apple would design.

"to every truth there is a lie and to every lie there is truth"
I think apple is making a PDA/tablet/cell phone type thing, but this is in my eyes definatly not it.

anthonymoody

Oct 22, 2002, 01:58 PM

In case you're interested, the prior (silver) sony can be found for sale here with a bunch of pictures:

http://www.dynamism.com/u1/main.shtml

I agree that it would have taken quite a bit of work to turn the sony into the picture in question. That said, people have spent plenty of time on much less interesting hoaxes.

I'd buy one.

TM

Gelfin

Oct 22, 2002, 02:06 PM

Originally posted by dukestreet
The best indication of authenticity is the notification from Apple on the removal of the image. Lets see if that happens. Until then, I'm going to be doubtful.

Heh. If I were in Apple Legal I'd request it be pulled regardless, which they can justify doing on the basis that false claims about future Apple product directions can harm their business both now (people hold off buying to wait for the nonexistent product) and in the future (because the nonexistent product will never appear). But the other reason is that if they ONLY request sites pull the true items, then it does become confirmation, which isn't good.

Then of course, there's the third reason: it's fun to tweak the rumor site geeks, and all it takes is a boilerplate email. :)

JSRockit

Oct 22, 2002, 05:42 PM

I want an Apple Sub-Notebook...but Apple would do it better than this.

pudrik

Oct 22, 2002, 06:08 PM

Good catch clubsport.

I admit, this had me going. I wouldn't be surprised to see an apple subnotebook coming out soon - seemed obvious after putting Inkwell in the OS. But this isn't it. The left pic is obviously the Sony, and the right is the same with a black shaded-edge box draw on top.

And of course, if the image was stolen, why would the name be blurred? That's only done by someone trying to tease us.

I'm sure they have a tablet or subnotebook in the works, but this isn't it. sigh...

clubsport

Oct 23, 2002, 03:45 AM

Guys, it is the Vaio. I've used one, and it looks identical to the one in the PowerBook pic. The pic on the right just has a black box drawn over the top as a screen.

e-coli

Oct 23, 2002, 09:17 AM

If it is real, it's an e-book reader / notepad.

Apple's language always means something.

It's a great missing component to the digital lifestyle devices for the academia. It's small, it folds open like a book so it doesn't become unwieldy. It's perfect for students to take notes, and a great way to reduce the amount of books and notebooks you have to carry around. I bet it sends email and has internet access (via Airport), and has a CD burner in it as well.

Text input is done via Inkwell, just like one would take notes in class.

zimv20

Oct 23, 2002, 04:51 PM

Originally posted by anthonymoody

http://www.dynamism.com/u1/main.shtml

wow, i'm in love.

i like that computer, too. that's exactly what i need -- but w/ osx. it's basically the newton updated.

i still use my newton messagepad 2000 (way ahead of its time).

e-coli

Oct 23, 2002, 06:31 PM

anyone else remember the agreement between Sony and Apple to share "all relevent technologies"?

could have something to do with this...

gopher

Oct 23, 2002, 07:56 PM

scratch that, I didn't see the earlier post.

lbbinc

Oct 23, 2002, 08:19 PM

This new Sony would be the coolest sub notebook I've ever seen! Now, if Apple made it, it would be a huge hit, especially bundled with iMovie!

http://www.dynamism.com/gt3/index.shtml

vniow

Oct 23, 2002, 08:38 PM

Too bad it's $1700.http://img.ranchoweb.com/images/veronica/damn.gif
But that's partly to install English software, import taxes, etc.
Other than that, if they made it a touch screen and if it flipped around, you've got yourself a little mini-tablet.

Hell, I'd buy it if I had the ca$h. That Sony looks ******** great!
It's not entirely unfeasable that they're considering something like this, I think there is a market for it, like students who just need a small computer to take notes with, the keyboard looks big enough to type on.
They could even use the Sony iself with Marklar installed.http://img.ranchoweb.com/images/veronica/ppphhht.gif

JSRockit

Oct 23, 2002, 09:29 PM

Originally posted by lbbinc
This new Sony would be the coolest sub notebook I've ever seen! Now, if Apple made it, it would be a huge hit, especially bundled with iMovie!

http://www.dynamism.com/gt3/index.shtml

Are you kidding? This is the wackist laptop I have ever seen...and I like most of the sony stuff... this is one of those products that does a few different things, but none of them well.

glowurm

Oct 24, 2002, 12:24 AM

Well guys, it seems I've found some promotional materials with the actual ad! Take a look - I'll post more details later!

>grin!<

-Chris

vniow

Oct 24, 2002, 12:28 AM

Originally posted by glowurm
Well guys, it seems I've found some promotional materials with the actual ad! Take a look - I'll post more details later!

>grin!<

-Chris

Later!?!
C'mon, we're impatient!
http://forums.macrumors.com/attachment.php?s=&postid=169277

mnkeybsness

Oct 24, 2002, 01:34 AM

refer back to the pictures of the vaio computer...look at the sides where the keyboard underneath the screen is a little bigger...you'll notice quite a striking resemblance to them being the SAME...just really well photoshop-ed

DreaminDirector

Oct 24, 2002, 02:03 AM

Ahhhh, damnit! Is this thing real or not? I would love to have the new Duo, but a nagging voice says that it's just the usual bullplop. If this isn't real, then what is inkwell really used for? See, it's real. But that sony looks nearly identical. It's fake. I wish the answer would come soon!

vniow

Oct 24, 2002, 02:13 AM

Definately fake.
Check out the similarities:

shadowfax

Oct 24, 2002, 02:20 AM

good call, edvniow! LOL

DreaminDirector

Oct 24, 2002, 02:22 AM

Strange. Looking at them next to each other like that really shows how much it was directly ripped off. But, didn't someone mention in an early post that Apple and Sony are sharing technologies, whatever that means. I hadn't heard anything about this. Has anyone else?

(I'm still just hanging on the a thread of hope that this might be real....)

vniow

Oct 24, 2002, 02:32 AM

I did a quick Google search and all I could find out was them teaming up on the Sony-ericcson phone or something.
I'd like something like this too, but unless Apple has a stretched version of that Sony in the works, then it's definately a fake.

DreaminDirector

Oct 24, 2002, 02:41 AM

oh well, wishful thinking only lasts so long. Thanks for the heads up Edvniow. Love the bunny. Monty Python rules!

cb911

Oct 24, 2002, 03:41 AM

so it is a fake, unless Apple is working with Sony...

that would be soooo cool though.:D

edvniow: i like you 'tar. is that the killer bunny form Monty Python? LOL that was a funny scene...:D

glowurm

Oct 24, 2002, 07:33 AM

I spend an hour faking this larger version - post it with a hint that it's not a real image - and Ed gets the credit for the discredit???

Not to be a hater, but I think I did a pretty good job on it. Perhaps my subtlety undermined my intentions. Or sarcasm doesn't come accross well in text. Or whatever. I do appreciate the compliment though, MonkeyBusiness.

The image was fairly simple to do - the hardest part was the reflection in the Apple logo. After the break from looking at it from last night to this morning, I'd say it's a pretty good job, even if it doesn't match the original "questionable" pic.

The easiest was the color - take the Sony book and desaturate it. You'll notice I've left the size the same for eazy comparison; the shell of the case is even in the same position as the Sony. You could place one upon the other and have a match.

The font is Garamond Regular, as I don't have Apple Garamond. It's been stretched to create the taller look. I didn't include the various subtexts in this one because I didn't want it being confused with the original "questionable" pic, which by the way, uses a sans-serif font for the text which would be out of character for an Apple ad.

I've still got the source files - Photoshop format - if anyone wants to check my work.

By the way - this was a "proof of concept" exercise, done to see if it's possible. I think that if you check my fake against the original "questionable" pic, you'll find that the form factor (down to the tabs on the side) is the same. I wasn't sure until about half way through the modifications.

All in all, I hope there's no bitterness here; this was posted in jest. While I would definitely be interested in a product of this nature, I have no information on the viability or probability of such product which neither confirms nor denies the existence of this item.

-Chris

technocoy

Oct 24, 2002, 09:42 AM

plus if the screen was flipped that way, then the tabs and ports on the back of the computer would be reversed...

good photoshopping glowurm

technocoy

cubist

Oct 24, 2002, 10:01 AM

Let's see if other sites pick up the new pic! :D

BTW why not put an OS X screenshot on the paperback side...!

DreaminDirector

Oct 24, 2002, 12:58 PM

I must admit that it's a good photoshoping Glowurm. There's no bitterness here, but this whole thread has stumbled upon something that I think Apple should persue. I would love to have a subnotebook that small and it just goes to show how constrained and outdated the Apple lineup is now. Where's this digital hub that Job's was talking about? So far it's been all software (sans the best MP3 player, iPod). I want to see iPhones and iDigicameras and iWalks or iDuo-notebooks. Apple has always created both hardware and software for their computers which is the reason why the OS runs so smoothly. Why not expand?

I always get too excited about these rumors because most of them are really great ideas. I want a true digital lifestyle that is centered around my Mac. If Apple starts making even half of these faked products, they would have my money for many years to come.

Durandal7

Oct 24, 2002, 02:31 PM

You should post it on the Spymac boards and call it the iWalk.

shadowfax

Oct 24, 2002, 05:12 PM

OH MY GOD EDVNIOW! that's freaking hilarious. i laughed my a$$ off the second i noticed!

that's the most foul, cruel, bad-tempered rodent you ever saw!

vniow

Oct 24, 2002, 05:27 PM

Originally posted by Shadowfax
OH MY GOD EDVNIOW! that's freaking hilarious. i laughed my a$$ off the second i noticed!

that's the most foul, cruel, bad-tempered rodent you ever saw!

It's official.
People luv the 'tar.http://img.ranchoweb.com/images/veronica/grinning.gif

Just wish I had the link to that damn audio clip.http://img.ranchoweb.com/images/veronica/imad.gif