Small and Big... New Powerbooks?

[MacRumors]

Tomorrow:

12" UltraPortable Laptop
17" Laptop

[dsamsa]

Woah! Whats THAT?!?! I WANT SOME!

[funkywhat2]

12" PB my ass. Who gave you this?

[insidedanshead]

wha???

[vniow]

What the hell is this?

[Stike]

ARGH!
*pukey smilie here*

[Kid Red]

mm, don't think so. If true, wow.

[j763]

obviously from a reliable source...

or it wouldn't get posted here :)

[rebscb]

interesting.... I purchased a 1GHZ powerbook a few weeks ago and it was defective. A replacement was ordered for me at the Apple Store in Tyson's Corner, VA this past Thursday. Apple Care (higher ed) told me that it would not arrive for 5 -7 business days - clearly after MWSF. He said that it would have to come off of the assembly line, but nothing about a new configuration.

[Durandal7]

arn says he has reason to believe this. That's enough for me right now.

[sprescott1974]

i thought arn pulled this story...

[sparkleytone]

heh you guys gotta get into the IRC channel...thats where its happening.

[mac15]

it sounds like BS to me, but that could be the new thing they are talking about

[DavidCL23]

Bye Bye Thinkpad T23, Hello 17" powerbook!!! Anyone know if a 128mb radeon 9700 mobility is released yet?
Also what is the largest Laptop hard drive these days?
Thanks guys, I am switching back to mac (The thinkpad was good for a month, but now it makes so much NOISE!!!)

[jacinto45]

Sounds pretty doubtful...I wonder what the source is. A 17" PowerBook?

[AssassinOfGates]

Thats a new one.

I guess it would make sense, that powerbook is a bit too big even for my tastes, and some people don't want a laptop that is literally begging to be stolen

[iJon]

i really dont think this will happen. but we will see in about 15 hours.

iJon

[yamadataro]

Wow this is a total surprise.
And the way Macrumors put it makes me even more excited!

I've always thought that there are people looking for portablity (incl. me) and people looking for hardcare power in PowerBooks. It's impossible to achive both on a single machine.

I think this two split personality for a new PowerBook line is a good way to go.

The photo above looks real enough, BTW.

[nickgold]

is turning into a crackhouse of silly-arse rumors. Hmm, maybe it will be a 17" PowerTablet PVR iPhoto viewer music player bluetooth/802.11g-equipped UBER GIZMO. Yeah, that's the ticket... I have it on reliable sources. Har! It's a video-phone as well, of course.

[JOHNGAETANO]

I don't see how this would help Apple. A 12" powerbook would hinder iBook sales, or vise versa. A 17" powerbook? You might as well carry an iMac around. My powerbook is nice but bordering on too big. 17" Wow that would be big.

Well, if thats it, Im disapointed.

[daveg5]

ha ha ha, of course its possible
how much $3500 and $1999? and how fast?

[Talon1138]

Don't know about the ultraportable...that would be the end of the iBook, or else it would have to be very expensive so that it would not canibalize iBook sales. But then who would pay in the high thousands for one when they could pay a little more for a full-sized PBG4.

[ELYXR]

I noticed that you said '12" Laptop' ... not '12" Powerbook'

There already is a 12" laptop!

[iBot]

Originally posted by yamadataro

The photo above looks real enough, BTW. [/B]

Photo? What photo?

[arn]

Originally posted by iBot


Photo? What photo?

there's no photo... someone posted a fake picture in the thread that cause confusion

arn

[medea]

the photo has been pulled....
to me it doesnt make sense, why keep the iBook and the regular size powerbook and introduce a smaller powerbook....
cant wait to find out.

[Kid Red]

Originally posted by macboy
Hence:
http://www.theapplecollection.com/design/macproto/images/Ti-and-MiniBook-compare.jpg

Just a mock up pic from applecollection comparing a 'mini' pBook to the current one not a 17" one.

[ELYXR]

Hey Arn... give us a meatier bone. :rolleyes:

[iBot]

Originally posted by Macrumors
Tomorrow:

12" UltraPortable Laptop
17" Laptop

Care to elaborate on your sourcing here? Hard to assess the reliability of the info if we have no idea where this came from....

Even Woodward and Bernstein gave us a few details about Deep Throat....

[Furious Tiger]

nah, its gotta be something that will have us say, well its about time. it is something that will have us say, how the !@#$ did i get along with out this? it is something that just fits into place. pda? i can only hope. i need to be able to tell the wife that it is time to throw out the CompaqPPC and get this. A Tivo type gadget would be really sweet. My wife has been asking questions on how it works. she wants to record her soaps. Laptop? maybe, but i don't think so. I am ready to have my socks BLOWN OFF tomorrow. If nothing really happens, I will really be let down. I think we are due some awe from our PC friends and some bragging rights. Apple is really hush, hush on this one. The leaked reports or images have not shown up. They are not threatening sites with cease and disist orders and saying that they are not invited the the Keynote. I think this should be good. Lets keep our fingers crossed.:)

[ibjoshua]

I know this is off topic but I'll be brief. Don't bother going onto the IRC chat unless you've got nothing to do. At least in these forums most people stop to think before they post. Out of 130 people in the IRC room there were about 5 that weren't shooting their mouths off and making dumb iJokes.

i_b_joshua

[demagalhaes]

reliable source....... my ass!!!!


17 and 12 inch powerbook, isn't going to happen, new device tomorrow, call it iPad, XPod, XNewton, but that is going to happen!!!!!

i can wait to see what is going to happen!

[vaal]

I have an all-Mac small business client who told me a month ago that she is going to buy a Sony Vaio sub-notebook because the iBook is "bigger than what she wants." She saw the Vaio at a meeting and thought, "THAT'S what I want!" She travels around the world year-round and wants something very small and light. She doesn't care about drives on the road. It's a market segment not yet filled by Apple. Think: SubPowerBook G4/550, 20GB 1.8" hard drive, 1 RAM slot, decent video (standard VGA out for presentations?), 802.11g Airport, 12" screen but with less bezel around it. 2.5 pounds, $1499. It wouldn't cannibalize iBooks (no drive, more expensive) or PowerBooks (slower, small screen) and would be the ultimate in cool!

As for the big one: sure, why not? Make it 3999 and the baddest laptop on the planet. It ain't always about volume! (TAM anyone?)

[jethroted]

Steve is going to strip naked in front of everyone, then he will make love to a g4 tower, which will create the next ipod. Soon after that, the aliens will come and take steve away to show him what he will release as next generation technology. Of course, to the aliens it will be the equivilant to the creation of the rock, but it will be a grand occasion for us earthlings. Bill gates swings in on a rope and tries to steal Macworld with his flashy entrance, but is quickly mauled by a convention full of angry mac users. Why are they angry? Beacuse the G5's that were supposed to come out at last year's expo, didn't again this year. So Bill is now dead and Microsoft crumbles leaving Steve to come back from the space ship and take a 95% share on the pc market. Mac users around the world cheer as they finally get to watch their favorite computer equipment come down to a reasonable price, and the world starts to work that much better. Bill gates' head is put on permanent display in the "Fecal Matter" hall of fame.

[ibjoshua]

Originally posted by vaal
I have an all-Mac small business client who told me a month ago that she is going to buy a Sony Vaio sub-notebook because the iBook is "bigger than what she wants." She saw the Vaio at a meeting and thought, "THAT'S what I want!" She travels around the world year-round and wants something very small and light. She doesn't care about drives on the road. It's a market segment not yet filled by Apple. Think: SubPowerBook G4/550, 20GB 1.8" hard drive, 1 RAM slot, decent video (standard VGA out for presentations?), 802.11g Airport, 12" screen but with less bezel around it. 2.5 pounds, $1499. It wouldn't cannibalize iBooks (no drive, more expensive) or PowerBooks (slower, small screen) and would be the ultimate in cool!

As for the big one: sure, why not? Make it 3999 and the baddest laptop on the planet. It ain't always about volume! (TAM anyone?)

someones speaking some sense.

i_b_joshua

[Mr.Hey]

This is what I get for playing Medal of Honor....*****

if this is true this site will be the GOD of all rumors sites.......good luck :D

[cr2sh]

Originally posted by sparkleytone
heh you guys gotta get into the IRC channel...thats where its happening.

Efnet #macrumors?

I can't find a goddamn efnet server... can you suggest one?

[Bandit]

Originally posted by jethroted
Steve is going to strip naked in front of everyone, then he will make love to a g4 tower, which will create the next ipod. Soon after that, the aliens will come and take steve away to show him what he will release as next generation technology. Of course, to the aliens it will be the equivilant to the creation of the rock, but it will be a grand occasion for us earthlings. Bill gates swings in on a rope and tries to steal Macworld with his flashy entrance, but is quickly mauled by a convention full of angry mac users. Why are they angry? Beacuse the G5's that were supposed to come out at last year's expo, didn't again this year. So Bill is now dead and Microsoft crumbles leaving Steve to come back from the space ship and take a 95% share on the pc market. Mac users around the world cheer as they finally get to watch their favorite computer equipment come down to a reasonable price, and the world starts to work that much better. Bill gates' head is put on permanent display in the "Fecal Matter" hall of fame.

Go back to the Java Chat room. I want to discuss actual products, not read lame responses.

[pyrotoaster]

Assuming this is true, which may be a leap of faith for some, there's something to be pointed out.

Ignoring the supposed 17" model, a 12" laptop would be Apple's first "sub-notebook" in years, which would be amazing.

I'm finding this incrediby hard to believe, but would love to see a comeback of the sub-notebook, whether or not I have a remote chance of affording it.

Question for arn: Is this the mysterious "0.3 pounds lighter than the lightest iBook" laptop from Friday?

This'll be one hell of a fun keynote, especially for SJ. :D

[medea]

I doubt that this is what will be revealed still, in my personal opinion I say it will be macs, specifically iMacs and new screens with handwriting recognition and handwriting input. If apple doesnt implement this soon then they will fall behind on it, and much better to add handwriting input to a laptop then come out with a tablet, we will see though.

[pyrotoaster]

iMacs with screens you can write on? :confused:

One question: Why?

Also, how would Apple be falling behind by not putting that technology into their home consumer product? I haven't seen anything (desktop) from the PC world like that...

[nostradamus]

No 12 or 17in PERIOD!!

[pyrotoaster]

Originally posted by nostradamus

No 12 or 17in PERIOD!!

I can't say I believe it, either (although I'd love to see a cool new sub-notebook), but it also isn't the most implausible rumor out there.
I would bet on something like this long before I would for an iPhone.

[themacnut]

I personally would carry a 22" PowerBook as long as it stayed under 8 pounds. If the 17" PowerBook rumor is true, I will be the first in line. The larger screen is the upgrade I have been waiting for (From my PowerBook G4 500Mhz).

[pyrotoaster]

You've got a point.
The big screen iBook was a hit, why not a big screen Powerbook?

[porovaara]

I would buy one in a heartbeat. I use my laptop as a portable machine and an interface to the net, hence my current machine which is a 12" under 3lb sharp model from Japan.

If this rumor is true apple better make it a decent machine, that is 800mhz+ g3, expandable to 768meg memory and at least a 30gig toshiba HD. I would expect the machine to have 802.11b and bluetooth built in and probably come sans pcmcia (even thought most ultraportable have this and some have CF as well).

[Dave K]

Originally posted by Talon1138
Don't know about the ultraportable...that would be the end of the iBook, or else it would have to be very expensive so that it would not canibalize iBook sales.

Not really. Different markets.

People who buy ultraportables are willing to leave the peripherals at home and pay a premium in order to have a 2.7-3.5 lb notebook in their packs.

Most of the people who buy iBooks are looking for a complete package at a value price.

The 12.1 Ultraportable is not going to retail for $999 or $1299. I'd place odds on it being in the $1799-2099 price range that Sony and IBM's featherweights run. The crossover from the iBook would be minimal at that price point.

Interestingly, given that the majority of the featherweights are still running on 800 Mhz - 1.2 ghz P3's, an 867 G4 should still be pretty competitive in that market. Especially if Apple could make it even lighter that the 2.7 lb Sony...

[vaal]

BTW, I told the client to go ahead and get the Vaio. All she needs is web, email and the FileMaker databases I developed for her.

Upon checking the Sony website, I see that their "ultra-light" SRX laptops are thicker than the PowerBook G4, and weigh 2.7 pounds and up. They start at $1499. The specs seem right in line with what i suggested, so it's very doable.

I only hope it's not too late...

EPISODE VI: RETURN OF THE DUO!

[pyrotoaster]

I checked the Apple online store for shipping times.

Powerbooks: 3-5 days
iBooks: 1-2 days

It really doesn't mean much, considering the keynote is about 13 hours away, but I thought it worth mentioning.

[Timothy]

I hope they don't try to bill a 12" laptop as being ultra-portable...because it won't be, and if this is what Apple is releasing, it still leaves a gap to fill in the truly ultra-portable market.

[friendlyghost]

1. One of apple's core customers has always been the artists community, graphic design and publishing

2. This group has not been upgrading to new machines nor OS X and in some cases is switching to PCs for cost reasons

3. The 17" will be targeted at this sector to give them a very real and compelling reason to finally buy new hardware and get on board with Mac OS X. It will be a unique product with touchscreen the ability to remove the screen from the keyboard.

Just an idea. What do you think?

[pyrotoaster]

Isn't the iBook a twelve inch portable (more or less)?

[iJon]

Originally posted by pyrotoaster
I checked the Apple online store for shipping times.

Powerbooks: 3-5 days
iBooks: 1-2 days

It really doesn't mean much, considering the keynote is about 13 hours away, but I thought it worth mentioning.
apples site never changes. this will change right when something is introduced. they will still sell you the old computer 5 minutes before a keynote.

iJon

[minimansion]

if it happens....just say I told you so...

iMac>PowerMac
iBook>PowerBook
iPod>??????


maybe that's why there's so much confusion......if it is the "pro model" of the iPod, that would explain all the confusion in describing it.

it would need to have more features than the iPod to make it a pro model, probably larger, probably somewhat tablet-ish....but not a tablet....
..and it would be cool if it sported 802.11a....wireless....could be used to remote control a desktop machine or server....all you need is rendezvous...that would make it easy ....mac style...

features....? who knows....take your pick...mpeg integration...? like i said ...who knows...??? firewire2 aka gigawire??? who knows.....

we'll all know tomorrow....


good luck apple!!!!!:D :D :D :D :D

[pyrotoaster]

While we're wildly speculating on alternatives to a wild speculation here, I thought I'd bring up an old friend: The Newton.

Maybe a new Newton-like iPod/Tablet/DLD is in the cards...

[Gus]

The iBook has a 12.1" screen. It is not a 12" inch ultra-portable. Maybe the 12" description is the overall size of the machine.

Regards,
Gus

[neilt]

can someone post a link to the java irc chat
or at least tell me where it is.

thanks,
neilt

[yamadataro]

Some of you guys might remember the failure of the small PowerBook 2400 in the US. That tiny-keyborded subnote (or a small PowerBook) was sold well only in Japan, because we've got smaller fingures than you hotdogs in the US (please please excuse my language :D)

I guess Apple has learned something there and would put bigger keys on that subnote.

BTW, another factor in 2400's failure was that American guys had the tendency to carry their notebooks via car, so that the size and weight didn't matter much. On the other hand, majority of Japanese guys carried them by hand and trains. So the size and weight mattered big time (and besides we are not as macho as you guys in a stereotypical way!). I hope that trend has changed a bit in the satats by the air travel business era.

We Japanese tech junkies tend to have some serious fetishism about tiny things (yeah, as if you guys don't know about it already...) New subnote Mac will be a serious hit in Japan for sure. We live in a much smaller area than the whole California and there are half the population of the whole US, OK? Does that explain something to you, I guess?

[kcmac]

Chat must be closed down. References to it are gone.

BTW, AppleInsider forums just shut down until the keynote. This is it.

[insidedanshead]

http://www.ipodhacks.com/chat.html

[chewbaccapits]

The photo above looks real enough, BTW. [/B]



what are you talking about?...I don't see any photos...

[ibrainch]

Maybe this pic that was floating around a while ago is actually accurate - given today's rumors it might not be far off...

http://www.spymac.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=8087

[Gus]

Ummm.. the 2400 was very popular here, and a lot of Americans were very upset when Apple discontinued it. We have been asking for a sub-notebook ever since its demise.

Now, it may be true that in Japan it was considered more practical, but it was most definitely popular here in the US.

Regards,
Gus

[Gus]

Originally posted by ibrainch
Maybe this pic that was floating around a while ago is actually accurate - given today's rumors it might not be far off...

http://www.spymac.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=8087

I was just looking for that pic again. Now that would something I would go for. I remember when that surfaced in November and I thought it was nice then. I would sell the new iBook for that with the right set of features/price point.

Regards,
Gus

[lmalave]

Originally posted by porovaara
I would buy one in a heartbeat. I use my laptop as a portable machine and an interface to the net, hence my current machine which is a 12" under 3lb sharp model from Japan.

If this rumor is true apple better make it a decent machine, that is 800mhz+ g3, expandable to 768meg memory and at least a 30gig toshiba HD. I would expect the machine to have 802.11b and bluetooth built in and probably come sans pcmcia (even thought most ultraportable have this and some have CF as well).

Ummm...my iBook has (or could have) everything you mentioned except built in Bluetooth. I think a 12" PowerBook is a great idea. I don't think it'd cannibalize iBook sales very much. My iBook was $1300 and I don't think I would ever pay the two grand that a 12" TiBook would cost...

[lmalave]

Originally posted by pyrotoaster
Isn't the iBook a twelve inch portable (more or less)?

Yeah, man, I don't understand all these people lamenting how Apple doesn't have an ultraportable. That's what I consider my iBook - I put it in the same category as the Dell, Sony, and Fujitsu ultraportables when I was shopping for a laptop. I mean, how can someone have seen an iBook first hand and not consider it an ultraportable? The first thing people say when they see my iBook is "wow, that's so small and cool!".

[nickmcghie]

Originally posted by Gus
Ummm.. the 2400 was very popular here, and a lot of Americans were very upset when Apple discontinued it. We have been asking for a sub-notebook ever since its demise.

Now, it may be true that in Japan it was considered more practical, but it was most definitely popular here in the US.

Regards,
Gus


hmmm.. he didn't say the 2400 wasn't popular here, he just said that it was a failure (i.e., it didn't sell as well as they expected), and thats why apple discontinued it... you could say that the cube was "popular" too, but it never sold as well as apple's expectations, so they discontinued it

as for new laptops tomorrow, i personally don't think that will happen.. maybe in the near future, but not tomorrow... cuz the powerbook was just updated less than 2 months ago

[HasanDaddy]

I just got back from the Apple Store

when mentioning the rumor of 17" PowerBooks, I had two sales employees laugh at me, and one manager laugh with them

One employee guaranteed that a 17" will not be unveiled.........i didn't mention the 12" rumor

On the other hand.........Apple Store employees are left in the dark on a lot of these things, so their guess is as good as ours........

Anyhoo......I'll be there at 10 AM watchin' the Keynote!

[ibjoshua]

Originally posted by nickmcghie
as for new laptops tomorrow, i personally don't think that will happen.. maybe in the new future, but not tomorrow... cuz the powerbook was just updated less than 2 months ago

But no one has suggested that Apple will replace the current Powerbooks just the extend the number of available models.
The 12" may even have one of the new G3 chipsets in it. Who knows?

i_b_joshua

[porovaara]

Originally posted by lmalave


Ummm...my iBook has (or could have) everything you mentioned except built in Bluetooth. I think a 12" PowerBook is a great idea. I don't think it'd cannibalize iBook sales very much. My iBook was $1300 and I don't think I would ever pay the two grand that a 12" TiBook would cost...
The ibook also weighs 2lbs more than my machine, is slower and is at least 1/4" thicker. Ultraportable aren't defined by overall size, but by weight. The market has been changing a lot and is a premium one for the most part, Apple would do well to address it.

I'd love an iBook if it weighed 25% less.

[mcrain]

I have no idea if this is coincidence or not, but I sent my brand new 20 gig iPod to Apple for a repair, and was informed that they were just going to send me a new one. Because of some messups on their end, it got delayed. It was supposed to be here today, but for whatever reason, the shipment got delayed until after MW. I can only hope I suppose.

[Chef Ramen]

Originally posted by HasanDaddy
I just got back from the Apple Store

when mentioning the rumor of 17" PowerBooks, I had two sales employees laugh at me, and one manager laugh with them

One employee guaranteed that a 17" will not be unveiled.........i didn't mention the 12" rumor

On the other hand.........Apple Store employees are left in the dark on a lot of these things, so their guess is as good as ours........

Anyhoo......I'll be there at 10 AM watchin' the Keynote!

their reaction was probably the same as mine. "how the **** is a 17" laptop possible?"

so if it really is happening then uh, yeah i want one

[akohm]

More models? This is where apple sunk years ago. Do we remember the 6200, 6400, 7000, 7200, 9400, etc. (model numbers are just examples!!).

The last thing apple needs to do is to go down that path again.

[Flowbee]

Originally posted by HasanDaddy


Anyhoo......I'll be there at 10 AM watchin' the Keynote!

Better set your alarm back an hour... the keynote starts at 9. :)

[Hemingray]

Originally posted by Flowbee


Better set your alarm back an hour... the keynote starts at 9. :)

Why'd ya tell him? :rolleyes: :p :D

I don't think you guys should get all hyped up over this... I'll believe it when I see it!

[doood]

The 17" seems incredibly unlikely. I do think something may be happening w/ the powerbooks though. I ordered one a week ago, and was told it would ship in 1-3 days. According to their site it's still being assembled, while I should have already gotten it. Apparently the Apple store here is completely sold out of powerbooks as well...

[iBot]

I see that the splash page of this site has been updated with a new caveat for this thread. Now it says. "Warning: Some doubt has been introduced. " Doubt has been introduced by what or whom? The skeptical members posting to this thread? Macrumors' inside sources? I know this is a rumors site, and isn't bound to the rules of formal journalism, but I'd appreciate it if you could let us know in general where this info is coming from or in the very least why it is evolving.

No, I'm not an Apple PR narc trying to sniff out inside leakers. I realize you can't harm your sources by being too specific, but as another poster to this thread aptly put it, please throw us a meatier bone.

[djkut]

Originally posted by iBot

No, I'm not an Apple PR narc trying to sniff out inside leakers.

I think that is going to be my new sig....great stuff.

And I agree with everything you said...doubt where???? Not that I really think it is going to happen but I want to know why there is doubt now?

[Talon1138]

Wow I can't believe that I'm so excited about this. I know Jobs wants to move away from expos, but I don't think he realizes the power of anticipation. I mean, we can't forget that anticipation has essenially sold the new star wars movies, and definately sells macs.


My guess: the video iPod-tablet.

[cyberfunk]

I dunno.. I'm all hyped up for a new DLD, I just came across 800$, and if this new goodie is in that price range, and it rocks, i just might get it. And I agree withwhoever said, " I dont think (Steve) understands the power of anticipation"

It's true, it's incredibly powerful! I mean, hell some of us are chomping at the bit!

[boobers]

...because if they intro these powerbooks at a lower price and drop the ibook line altogether they make room for
..............................!!!!! the ultraportable mactab or itab..something you can use inkwell on..as another poster stated..apple didn't make inkwell to run on some oversized wacom tablet.
This way the tablet doesn't eat at the ibook line. (since its gone in my theory) This leaves the G3 for the Tablet and the G4 for the macs that need the altivec.
Makes sense to me.

[williwilli]

visit this page (http://www.sejus.com/earth2willi/forums/viewtopic.php?t=130) to read my extensive rumor analysis

interesting idea boobers

[mmoore00]

While this rumor does indeed sound a bit outlandish, remember that MacRumors.com was the only (or one of two) website to accurately predict a SuperDrive in the latest powerbook. I think that gives a little credence to this rumor, even though I doubt its truth.

I dont think MacRumors ever got enough credit for that, but then again arn doesn't constantly remind everyone of the accurate predictions of this site like Nick DePlum does over at ThinkSecret. ("Think Secret first predicted this rumor to be true...")

MacRumors - I don't post much, but I read a lot. Kudos to you. Best of luck.

[mccoma]

I would love a Macintosh Ultra Portable

Give me a machine with firewire 2, 802.11g, a 30 gig hard drive, 512MB memory

you can skip the internal CD if an external DVD Burner is finally offered. I would love to keep as much weight off of it as possible.

[achbed]

Think about this...
a 12.4" G4 Powerbook, low-end processor, but with a screen that folds around to a tablet, with integrated touchscreen capabilities.
Airport and bluetooth installed by default for netowkring and kb/mouse while in tablet mode. Price at about $1999. Any takers??

[MacBandit]

Give a 12" model a reversible/flip screen and you have a table mac. This would make it work with other incomprehinsible rumors of recent.


Hahaha, seems someone beat me to this by a few minutes. Guess I should have read the very last posts before posting one of my own.

[firestarter]

Fact: Apple is loosing market share, and this is potentially a downwards spiral for them. Smart users won't switch to a dying platform. Neither will developers.

Fact: For a variety of resions (Apple's 'religeous' design principals etc.) Apple doesn't cover all the PC market segments with their machines. While this is the case, they're missing out on potential switchers.

Hypothesis: Apple would be much better off spending time plugging their computer range to encourage more switching and address the market share problem rather than wasting time on toys. This is a computer company right?

So where are the gaps?

Desktop:

Very high end: We'll have to wait for new chips, so no movement here.

Small Enthusiast Desktop: PC companys like Shuttle are selling small cube systems as quickly as they can make them to the geek/gaming LAN party buyer. Apple has a fantastic (=geek friendly) Unix operating system. They need a small expandable desktop without a built in monitor. The iMac and eMac aren't really transportable. They aren't expandable. Apple needs to give its users a bit more respect and start building in more expansion possibilities.

Small Serious Notebook: If you check out IBMs site, they have 4 ranges of notebook: Cheap and heavy (R), Ultraportable (X), Expensive lightweight 2 spindle (T), Big desktop replacement (A). Apple have (R) sewn up with the iBook, and (A/T) addressed with the PowerBook. Still leaves space for an ultralight though. APPLE NEEDS A SMALL SERIOUS LAPTOP. It needs expandability though. 640M limit, no external DVI, no PC card expansion on the iBook is a joke - it's a student's laptop and Apple is loosing out on a big market segment.

So I'm happy to see a rumor that actually addresses Apples problem. Please, no new toys (Video iPod), and no new computers with no market (iTablet). Let's see more desktop and laptop alternatives!!!

[MacBandit]

Originally posted by firestarter
Fact: Apple is loosing market share, and this is potentially a downwards spiral for them. Smart users won't switch to a dying platform. Neither will developers.



Apple's losing market share? With all the PC manufacturors either going out of business or on the verge of going out who's eating up the market share that Apple is supposedly losing?

I don't think they are losing marketshare simply selling less computers just like the whole industry. This is due to market saturation and the economic woes of this country.

[s10]

loosing market share doesn't necessary mean selling less computers.

[NewOrder]

Its true and its happening.

Ship date: 2-28

No more Titanium....

[daveg5]

Originally posted by achbed
Think about this...
a 12.4" G4 Powerbook, low-end processor, but with a screen that folds around to a tablet, with integrated touchscreen capabilities.
Airport and bluetooth installed by default for netowkring and kb/mouse while in tablet mode. Price at about $1999. Any takers??
This is probably where those 1.25 sahara g3 chips are going if they upgrade the g4 in powerbooks at the same time but that would be to soon an update and the would make the g3 machine faster then the new 1ghz at certain things. maybe ibm found away to add altivec to its sahara chip. no matter what scenerio it seems weird.

[HasanDaddy]

Shipping time on Ti's has been increased - 7 to 10 days.........

8 more hours.....

[HasanDaddy]

Lastly, the rumor reminds me of this post, which was posted about half a month ago -

Chaszmyr
macrumors regular

Registered: Aug 2002
Location:

Its going to be a new portable computer called a SuperBook!

Its quite a bit bigger than a powerbook... a full inch thicker and a little bigger LxW, but it has dual processors, handwriting recognition, a built-in cell phone for wireless internet, a built-in printer, and a built-in digital camera!

There is only going to be one model available, which retails for $3599

The specs are:

Dual 1ghz G4s &1mb L3 cache per processor
133mhz System Bus
512mb SD-RAM
80gb Ultra ATA HD
1x Superdrive
Radeon 9000 video card w/ 64mb vram
bluetooth equipped

[NewOrder]

Think: Metal, just not Titanium....

4 ports.

all 4 ports will be 2.0 of two different things...

[NewOrder]

$1799

$1999

$3299

[daveg5]

[
Desktop:

Very high end: We'll have to wait for new chips, so no movement here.


everyone agrees there we are toward of getting whip inprocesser, memory and bus and frame per second speed by wintel. I dont care who makes the processor just make it the fastest and best.

Small Enthusiast Desktop: PC companys like Shuttle are selling small cube systems as quickly as they can make them to the geek/gaming LAN party buyer. Apple has a fantastic (=geek friendly) Unix operating system. They need a small expandable desktop without a built in monitor. The iMac and eMac aren't really transportable. They aren't expandable. Apple needs to give its users a bit more respect and start building in more expansion possibilities.

everytime i suggest apple add dual monitor support, a pc card slot, and upgradeable video card and cpu card i get shot down and flamed. this will cost apple nothing as they are already there except for pc card. just make the cpu and video removable and unlock the dual display capability. anyone with a current emac,imac,ibook whowants firewire2,usb2, or any other new interface is out of luck with no pc card slot and its great for camera cards no cable.

Small Serious Notebook: If you check out IBMs site, they have 4 ranges of notebook: Cheap and heavy (R), Ultraportable (X), Expensive lightweight 2 spindle (T), Big desktop replacement (A). Apple have (R) sewn up with the iBook, and (A/T) addressed with the PowerBook. Still leaves space for an ultralight though. APPLE NEEDS A SMALL SERIOUS LAPTOP. It needs expandability though. 640M limit, no external DVI, no PC card expansion on the iBook is a joke - it's a student's laptop and Apple is loosing out on a big market segment.

Apple is so scared to add any exspansion on its consumer machine to even go as far as locking out features that are there, Apple engineers must hate this increase the mem to 2 gig unlock dual monitor suppor, add a pc card(its actually there in the form of an airport slot, audio in, two button pad/scroll, usb 2 and firewire 2 already and stop hoarding the 1-1.25 sahara chips as not to imbarress the powerbook

So I'm happy to see a rumor that actually addresses Apples problem. Please, no new toys (Video iPod), and no new computers with no market (iTablet). Let's see more desktop and laptop alternatives!!! [/B][/QUOTE]

I disagree with you there I have been pushing for the video ipod since the ipod and this is Apples one item that is truly making money and switchers with a price of 199 for a 5GB and a new high end vido version both multi platform this can creat some revenue to get the other things going. and maybe stop the paid upgrades

[adamcoop]

Three price points?
Is this based on screen size?

Magnesium?

[brainchild2b]

What if i told u that the 17' screen was that large because it was detachable.. Think big people. Think big.

[adamcoop]

Originally posted by brainchild2b
What if i told u that the 17' screen was that large because it was detachable.. Think big people. Think big.

Detatchable screen on a laptop?
That really doesn't make sense.

On an iMac, yes.

[charlievarrick]

carbon fiber reinforced aircraft quality aluminium.

[HasanDaddy]

Hydrogen?

[adamcoop]

Originally posted by charlievarrick
carbon fiber reinforced aircraft quality aluminium.

Now a carbon PowerBook would be sweet.

The current Ti's have carbon around the edges, which, I'm led to believe, is the main cause of the bad AirPort reception.

[NewOrder]

Originally posted by charlievarrick
carbon fiber reinforced aircraft quality aluminium.

VERY close...

[adamcoop]

Originally posted by NewOrder


VERY close...

Wasn't there a company doing a 'super-alloy', that had all of the benefits of plastic, but the strength, look and feel of metal?

[DannyZR2]

join #macrumors on EFNET if you can.... I can't get to IRC from where I am, only EFNET.... it'll be fun!!!

you'll see...

[williwilli]

Originally posted by DannyZR2
join #macrumors on EFNET if you can.... I can't get to IRC from where I am, only EFNET.... it'll be fun!!!

you'll see...

EFNET is IRC. just type /server irc.newnet.net and you will be on the same server that the rest of us are on

and read my rumors summary here (http://www.sejus.com/earth2willi/forums/viewtopic.php?t=130)

[Royal Pineapple]

brushed aluminum
thats my guess

[michaelyoung]

Originally posted by NewOrder


VERY close...

Aluminum
Beryllium
Brass
Bronze
Carbon
Copper
Magnesium
Nickel
Tantalum
Foil...


cmon...just one more clue..



my guess: 12" flip screen no removable media sub notebook..

airport 2
bluetooth
fw2

[DannyZR2]

hehehe... i went out and bought a pci radeon 7000 for my MDD so I could have S-Video out... hooked it up to my 55" mitsu hdtv and ...... sweet..... I'ts like being at the Applestore showing of the keynote... only.. my fridge is 12 steps away and my couch is more comfortable. I like it!~

[daveg5]

Originally posted by brainchild2b
What if i told u that the 17' screen was that large because it was detachable.. Think big people. Think big.
we were discusing this in another powerbook thread yesterday and i sugessteted among others detachableand/or swivel screen.
basically at the end everyone was ask what five things would they do to enhance the powerbook. check it out and add your top five.
http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?threadid=15714&goto=newpost

[MARKUS]

OK, Maybe if Apple does introduce a 17" Powerbook, the size probably came about so they can have a big enough trackpad that would double as a small tablet input area and trackpad for their Inkwell technology so, instead of having an expensive touchscreen, they just make a bigger tabletpad. If they don't? They should.

And maybe while we are speculating, a dual hard drive option so you have some storage for the FCP editing or, dual battery option since the Superdrive might take a while to burn a DVD or, a Dual processor (Plug in AC outlet only) desktop replacement Powerbook.

All this is purely speculative and should be taken as speculative speculation.

:D

[.a]

well, the big thing for the tiBooks should be stability... i use mine for business purpose almost everyday since two years (the good old'n'slow pb 400mhz g4) and now this machine has so much bugs and scratches on the case and the worst: since the screws are loose on the back and i tighten them again, my pb freezes everytime i want to turn it or carry it. so i have to restart the machine... and that's totally weird... and no appleCare... uhhh...

anyway, if there come new machines i hope for their stability!

for me, the pb was too expensive to lose it after just two years and repaircosts are almost as high as a new pb...
.a

[pyrotoaster]

I don't think Apple will introduce a tablet/laptop like the PC companies have. It doesn't seem right.

[ibjoshua]

Originally posted by NewOrder
Its true and its happening.

Ship date: 2-28

No more Titanium....
Think: Metal, just not Titanium....

4 ports.

all 4 ports will be 2.0 of two different things...
$1799

$1999

$3299
carbon fiber reinforced aircraft quality aluminium.

VERY close...

Someone's very confident. Could it be we have someone here who knows more than the rest of us? Or just a ****-stirrer?

i_b_joshua

[redAPPLE]

Originally posted by mcrain
I have no idea if this is coincidence or not, but I sent my brand new 20 gig iPod to Apple for a repair, and was informed that they were just going to send me a new one. Because of some messups on their end, it got delayed. It was supposed to be here today, but for whatever reason, the shipment got delayed until after MW. I can only hope I suppose.

i was thinking about this. does one get a "better" product, if it is anounced?

like if i ordered an ipod and an ipod with mic in gets introduced, do i get the one with the mic in?

thx.

[Mr. EMan]

Originally posted by i_b_joshua


Someone's very confident. Could it be we have someone here who knows more than the rest of us? Or just a ****-stirrer?

i_b_joshua

A certain NewOrder posted in the AppleInsider boards that Apple will start charging for the iApps (see thread called Some Info.., if and when AI returns).

However, I thought s/he also said that s/he didn't have info regarding hardware.

[MikeH]

Just a thought, but maybe the rumored 17" Powerbook is really less of a laptop and more of a portable computer. Bigger, heavier, tougher - not necessarrily designed for compactness but for workstation power in a portable form.

I've seen an AMD WinXP version, that when closed looked like a reinforced briefcase, but open it up and it had a large keyboard and screen, multiple 3.5 inch harddrives and full range of ports. It's main use was for on location, no compromise film editing and compositing.

Just a thought.

[iAlan]

12" - not really a 'sub' notebook
17" - not very portable

built-in larger 'writing area' on trackpad - good idea...but why not removable so you can possition it next to the computer to write (a more writer friendly position) with bluetooh and charges when re-inserted...or if not removable, extended width wise to allow writing of several words without lifting the pen...

[rdas7]

I'm personally hanging out for the 23" portable. I mean, the TiBook is cool, but it's a little cramped isn't it? I heard the 23" portable will come with retractable wheels so you can push it like a cart.

[Dave K]

Originally posted by iAlan
17" - not very portable

Sony makes a 16.1" standard screen portable. Weighs about 8Lbs.

If Apple can do a 17" widescreen with Superdrive and make it lighter, it would sell.

One would also have to wonder what you could do with the extra ~2 inches of width in the case.

Extra processor and larger battery to compensate?;)

Would Apple then be first to market with a Dual-Processor notebook? Off the top of my head, I don't recall anyone else doing that, at least recently....

[iAlan]

Sony makes a hell of a lot of different models...desktop and laptop

i have seen the 16" display laptop model and was not impressed, it just seemed BIG. Sure Apple could do it better, but what about cost? How many of us would buy this to replace our current TiBooks or iBooks? How many 'switchers' would opt for this larger machine? What about current Desktop users, would they switch to a larger laptop? 17" sound great, but is really quite big.

BTW - I have a VAIO at work with a screen about 10"x 5" (sorry don't know the exact measurements) - my company bought it for me to check email by remote (wireless H2 modem card). Not a practical machine for much really, screen awkward, no built in CD or floppy, only 1 USB and 1 card slot. Sony also have a smaller Vioa about twice the screen size of a standard Clie/Palm PDA. Runs W2000, but not really sellin well.

Could Apple split the size difference of these two with a 12" (or even slightly smaller) - and do it successfully?

Let's wait and see.

[rdas7]

Um, maybe they could even call this 12" wonder an iBook...

[Durandal7]

Originally posted by rdas7
Um, maybe they could even call this 12" wonder an iBook...
Wow, no one has posted that similarity before. Thank you for your deep and meaningful input :rolleyes:

[Over Achiever]

I'm getting the 17".

SJ was right, great desktop replacement. Especially with Firewire2 and DDR memory ;).

[kcmac]

Woohoo! I just ordered the new 12" Powerbook! :D :D

Steve said on stage 2 weeks shipping. Online it said 1-3 days. Will be interesting. I remember when I ordered the 500 ibook after the keynote. Think it said the same thing and it took about a month.

Can't wait.....:cool:

[Backtothemac]

Originally posted by crazy_will
12" PB my ass. Who gave you this?

just goes to show you that sometimes things are real when they seen false.

[Over Achiever]

For my 17" model, it says 30 days :(

B2TM, how long do you expect it to take to get some new models?

[iAndy]

Well congratulations NewOrder - you nailed it !!! - just hope it hasn't endangered your job ! :D

Anyway it's now 4.20am over here in Hong Kong, and I am so pumped I can't sleep. What a great keynote !

OK so I didn't get the iPad/iTablet that I wanted, but boy am I glad that I didn't finally upgrade my Sony Vaio to the newer PCG-R505TFP model. Tomorrow I am ordering the new 12" Superdrive Powerbook.

Why ? Well when you total up the bundled software it is actually cheaper than the Sony, smaller and lighter (as it doesn't need a docking station) and on paper beats it hands down on battery life and connectivity, not to mention the way cool design and new case. IMHO this is going to be a VERY competitive model for Apple, and very attractive to many PC users thinking of switching.

Way to go Apple - after nearly 20 years with PCs, I will soon be completely SWITCHED !

Now I just need to get some sleep..... ;)

[Tiauguinho]

HAHHAHAAHAHA! Take that!

Way to go Arn, Congratulations! I hope that Thinksecret may now shut up for good with that 100% sure things! Congratulations again Arn!

[kcmac]

Apple dropping the top end iBook to $1299 really opened up a sweet spot for the 12" PB. I am pumped!

$1799 is exactly what I paid for the 500 iBook originally plus I think I added $200 for either the extra hard drive space or the combo drive.

I am so happy that I waited for this show. :D

[wesmac]

Incredible. Just incredible. I want that 17-incher bad. It's great for the graphics crowd.

And kudos to macrumors!!! I'm new to this site, but it's now officially my favorite rumors site. Keep that source nice and warm and fed!

[ibjoshua]

Originally posted by wesmac
...kudos to macrumors!!! I'm new to this site, but it's now officially my favorite rumors site. Keep that source nice and warm and fed!
Amen to that!

Well done Arn (and NewOrder)

i_b_joshua

[OutThere]

Just think about DVDs on the plane with a 17 inch screen and a 4.5 hour battery (extra option). All the passengers would get up just to envy your sicknasty laptop;) . I'm buying the ram and getting jaguar ASAP, so i can use the iApps, safari, and a GUI that knocks win XP and oS 9 out of this world!!!:D

Sux that they disabled booting to OS9, there is still a lot of stuff that I have that won't run in os x:mad: Sure its a dead system but I really think that they should allow people to start up in an os that nothing is developed for, but still has a host of nice old apps.

[ddohnggo]

as far as the pricing goes on the new powerbooks, wouldn't it be a good idea to possibly purchase the new powerbooks via the developers hardware purchase program? i mean you'll be paying $100 for a years membership, but get the perk of buying a 12", 15" or 17" powerbook with 20% off the price. so the 17" would go for about $2639 as opposed to the $3299 that is listed and the 12" with the superdrive would be around $1899.

[legacyb4]

While I foresee a new 12.1 PB in my future, the only downer is what they had to cut to get the PB in that price range...

- 256K Level 2 cache
- limited maximum memory

I'm sure we've all seen the posts on just how a limited L2 cache (less than 512k) really take a performance hits for apps like VPC; unless you are Altivec dependent, it really feels likes a toss-up between the 12.1 iBook and PBook for what should really be an easy choice to make... after all, as a working person, I would have gladly paid an extra $150 to make sure that the internals on the PB were fully specced to match the PB line.

[ugru]

In Italy the 17" will cost 4200 euros that is IMPOSSIBLE.:mad: :mad: :mad: :mad:

[kwajo.com]

i think the new 12" PBook is really just the G4 update of the iBook we used to hear about all the time. look at the photos, they are so similar, a definite resemblance. apple probably developed the G4 ibook, but changed their mind (for whatever reason), made it metallic and called it a powerbook. oh well, works fo me, now I can look forward to what is basically the perfect poor-musician's audio friend. audio ports and a G4 in a small package for running pro tools, etc. great for gigs

[zac4mac]

Does that mean your lips will pucker up if you lick it?

Nice call Arn and New_Order(Watch yo aiss, bro) on the Books. I thought it farfetched till I saw them.

I thought it was a great Keynote, watched it at the local CompUSA.
Got a good chuckle from the dig on Quark. No regrets on picking up a new 12" 800 Combo iBook.
Think I'll pick up an old Cube and a new Vid card for my Mystic and start saving for that Dual970 this fall.

Zack

[Billicus]

Originally posted by Over Achiever
I'm getting the 17".

SJ was right, great desktop replacement. Especially with Firewire2 and DDR memory ;).

I want one so bad. Imagine the look on people's faces if I strolled in to school with one of those...druel.

[adamcoop]

I'm gonna get one of the 12".

Am gonna trade-in my Cube on one, and retire my current TiBook 400 to MP3 duties (previously done by the Cube).

[aarond12]

The lack of L3 cache is the biggest reason I will not be getting a 12" PowerBook. (Anyone remember the PowerBook 5300?)

I love the form factor of my 12" dual-USB iBook, and the thought of having a G4-equipped computer with the same form factor is quite appealing. However, if I'm not going to get an appreciable (read: significant) speed increase across the board, not just with Altivec-enabled applications, I'm not going to dish out the cash.

I would've also liked the backlit keyboard the 17" PowerBook has. I use a clip-on USB light for using my computer in the dark which isn't terribly convenient, but it works just fine.

For the 12" PowerBook, Apple should consider borrowing IBM's method of illuminating the keyboard with their newest ThinkPads: A white LED above the LCD display that aims onto the keyboard. Simple, but very effective.

-Aaron-

[Backtothemac]

Originally posted by Over Achiever
For my 17" model, it says 30 days :(

B2TM, how long do you expect it to take to get some new models?

We are getting 3 - 5 weeks on them. They are going to be in huge demand, so get them early.

[rebscb]

The Apple Store - online - has recently changed delivery times from 30 days to 7-10 WEEKS! Holy ******! Did orders hit them this quick?

I'm ordering one tomorrow and fully expect to be told that it will arrive in JUNE!!!! Wow!

[lmalave]

Originally posted by rebscb
The Apple Store - online - has recently changed delivery times from 30 days to 7-10 WEEKS! Holy ******! Did orders hit them this quick?

I'm ordering one tomorrow and fully expect to be told that it will arrive in JUNE!!!! Wow!

Apple better not go back to the bad old days of production delays. They better start cranking those out!!!

[kcmac]

My 12" PB combo is being assembled. The fun begins. :D

[iAndy]

Well congratulations NewOrder - you nailed it !!! - just hope it hasn't endangered your job ! :D

Anyway it's now 4.20am over here in Hong Kong, and I am so pumped I can't sleep. What a great keynote !

OK so I didn't get the iPad/iTablet that I wanted, but boy am I glad that I didn't finally upgrade my Sony Vaio to the newer PCG-R505TFP model. Tomorrow I am ordering the new 12" Superdrive Powerbook.

Why ? Well when you total up the bundled software it is actually cheaper than the Sony, smaller and lighter (as it doesn't need a docking station) and on paper beats it hands down on battery life and connectivity, not to mention the way cool design and new case. IMHO this is going to be a VERY competitive model for Apple, and very attractive to many PC users thinking of switching.

Way to go Apple - after nearly 20 years with PCs, I will soon be completely SWITCHED !

Now I just need to get some sleep..... ;)

[legacyb4]

My point exactly...

Though the upside of the G4 over the iBook is the addition of Aiport Extreme compatibility as well as onboard Bluetooth...

Backlit keyboards? If you know how to touch type, shouldn't really make a difference anyway... after all, how many of you type looking *at* the keyboard?

(Sigh)...

Originally posted by aarond12
The lack of L3 cache is the biggest reason I will not be getting a 12" PowerBook. (Anyone remember the PowerBook 5300?)

I love the form factor of my 12" dual-USB iBook, and the thought of having a G4-equipped computer with the same form factor is quite appealing. However, if I'm not going to get an appreciable (read: significant) speed increase across the board, not just with Altivec-enabled applications, I'm not going to dish out the cash.

I would've also liked the backlit keyboard the 17" PowerBook has. I use a clip-on USB light for using my computer in the dark which isn't terribly convenient, but it works just fine.

For the 12" PowerBook, Apple should consider borrowing IBM's method of illuminating the keyboard with their newest ThinkPads: A white LED above the LCD display that aims onto the keyboard. Simple, but very effective.

-Aaron-

[MacBandit]

Originally posted by ddohnggo
as far as the pricing goes on the new powerbooks, wouldn't it be a good idea to possibly purchase the new powerbooks via the developers hardware purchase program? i mean you'll be paying $100 for a years membership, but get the perk of buying a 12", 15" or 17" powerbook with 20% off the price. so the 17" would go for about $2639 as opposed to the $3299 that is listed and the 12" with the superdrive would be around $1899.


Just remember the developer program doesn't work for everyone and is also a once in a life time purchase. Meaning once you buy a computer using this deal you will never be able to use it again.

[RogueLdr]

Originally posted by legacyb4
My point exactly...

Though the upside of the G4 over the iBook is the addition of Aiport Extreme compatibility as well as onboard Bluetooth...

Backlit keyboards? If you know how to touch type, shouldn't really make a difference anyway... after all, how many of you type looking *at* the keyboard?

(Sigh)...



LOL...for all my skills at a computer, I still have to look on occasion, especially when I am working in a program and don't have my fingers resting on the keyboard but have to just hit one key here and there. The backlit effect is a bit practical and a whole lotta COOL!
And the upside of the PowerBook 12" over the iBook is not only Bluetooth and APExtreme but the G4 with VPU and, I must admit, that really cool casing and slightly smaller footprint.

RL

PS: The videos seem to imply this, but I was wondering...do the new PowerBooks have an illuminated Apple logo on the back of the screen?

[badika]

Originally posted by kwajo.com
i think the new 12" PBook is really just the G4 update of the iBook we used to hear about all the time. look at the photos, they are so similar, a definite resemblance. apple probably developed the G4 ibook, but changed their mind (for whatever reason), made it metallic and called it a powerbook. oh well, works fo me, now I can look forward to what is basically the perfect poor-musician's audio friend. audio ports and a G4 in a small package for running pro tools, etc. great for gigs

Agreed. I remember getting a lot of flame earlier this year for expecting a G4 iBook, (flacktothemac, et al). It's about time a poor man's version of the powerbook came out, though I still don't agree why a 12'' screen has to take a power hit. A 12.1'' 1Ghz w/L3 G4 would rock.
Who knows what revisions will appear in 6mos. I should have the cash together about then anyway.

[moby1]

Originally posted by OutThere761
Just think about DVDs on the plane with a 17 inch screen and a 4.5 hour battery (extra option). All the passengers would get up just to envy your sicknasty laptop;) .

Yeah, you try opening up your PowerBook and trying to get some work done on the plane. Then, just as you start, the nasty woman in front of you slams her seat back. You end up having to type a few notes with your PB open 3/4/ way.

Unless you are in 1st class, I don't think you can get any real work done on a plane. Maybe the 12" iBook or AIBook might work in this situation, maybe.

It looks cool in all those commercials but it doesn't really work out in real life. And just wait till some dopey stewardess offers you coffee by holding it right above your PowerBook!

:rolleyes:

[kazuo]

This is slightly off-topic (but I'm getting the 15"!). I really want to find out the name of the artist who did the soundtrack for the "Cosmos" PowerBook ad. So, please post if you happen to know. Thanks!

http://www.apple.com/hardware/video/powerbookg4cosmos.html

—K

[Furious Tiger]

With the release of the 12" AlPB it will be a matter of time before Apple makes a Tablet PC of PDA. That 12 could have very easily been or can be a Hybrid Laptop (Swivel LCD screen anyone?).

[pnz999]

I know Apple redesign thier product every 2 years, so this the new re-design PB for the next 2 years?


BTW, the 12" PB lacks L3 cache. What is L3 cache? and what is the system bus on the 12" PB? 100 MHz or 133 MHz?

[MacBandit]

Originally posted by pnz999
I know Apple redesign thier product every 2 years, so this the new re-design PB for the next 2 years?


BTW, the 12" PB lacks L3 cache. What is L3 cache? and what is the system bus on the 12" PB? 100 MHz or 133 MHz?

The Bus is 133MHz and L3 cache is an off CPU instruction cache usually running at half CPU speed. It does help with some tasks and in some cases greatly. What is more important though is how much on cpu cache it has in the form of L1 and L2.

[formasfunction]

I just ordered my 17" powerbook through the developer program and was also told 7-10weeks and that was only a couple of hours after the keynote. Someone said the 4.5 hour battery for the 17" was an option--I don't think so. At http://www.apple.com/powerbook/index17.html
it says

"The PowerBook G4 comes with a Lithium-ion battery that?s good for up to 4.5 hours of work and play, depending on system configuration and usage."

Anyway, apple finally included everything that I was looking for so I took the plunge. Anyone remember the rumors about a new casing that wasn't painted and was scratch resistant? I think MacOSrumors was finally right about something.

[gopher]

I would get a 17" Powerbook, except I think a house a more important investment. Maybe next year. Still very happy with my 15" Superdrive iMac.

[MacKid]

Originally posted by .a
well, the big thing for the tiBooks should be stability... i use mine for business purpose almost everyday since two years (the good old'n'slow pb 400mhz g4) and now this machine has so much bugs and scratches on the case and the worst: since the screws are loose on the back and i tighten them again, my pb freezes everytime i want to turn it or carry it. so i have to restart the machine... and that's totally weird... and no appleCare... uhhh...

anyway, if there come new machines i hope for their stability!

for me, the pb was too expensive to lose it after just two years and repaircosts are almost as high as a new pb...
.a

And you're using OS 10??????

[MacKid]

Originally posted by redAPPLE


i was thinking about this. does one get a "better" product, if it is anounced?

like if i ordered an ipod and an ipod with mic in gets introduced, do i get the one with the mic in?

thx.

They'll probably introduce a mic that plugs into the FireWire port, after all, the software allows it and the 90mhz processor should be fast enough.

[GeneR]

It looked as good as the one in the Glendale Galleria. In the front, as you walk in there is a table of different powerbooks and ibooks sitting there. No 17" Powerbook for display yet but there was a 12" on the front right corner.

About the 12" Powerbook...
I liked the size, but the metallic colored keys weren't so hot. I really like the black keyboards of the 15" Powerbook much better. Even the white keyboards of the iBook. Both colors with the metallic look of the laptops add real character and make it stand out. The metallic keys made it less than impressive in my opinion... more like a SONY laptop. I would think they would want to stay with black so that the light from under the keyboard would be more visible.

I hope they give us options to have different keyboard colors.

All in, all each laptop I tried, I really liked. I know I'm being a bit picky here, but c'est la vie.


:rolleyes:

[MacKid]

Originally posted by RogueLdr


LOL...for all my skills at a computer, I still have to look on occasion, especially when I am working in a program and don't have my fingers resting on the keyboard but have to just hit one key here and there. The backlit effect is a bit practical and a whole lotta COOL!
And the upside of the PowerBook 12" over the iBook is not only Bluetooth and APExtreme but the G4 with VPU and, I must admit, that really cool casing and slightly smaller footprint.

RL

PS: The videos seem to imply this, but I was wondering...do the new PowerBooks have an illuminated Apple logo on the back of the screen?

I believe that it is the backlighting system of the LCD screen that automatically makes the logo light up in the dark. I'm probably wrong though...

[lmalave]

Originally posted by GeneR
It looked as good as the one in the Glendale Galleria. In the front, as you walk in there is a table of different powerbooks and ibooks sitting there. No 17" Powerbook for display yet but there was a 12" on the front right corner.

About the 12" Powerbook...
I liked the size, but the metallic colored keys weren't so hot. I really like the black keyboards of the 15" Powerbook much better. Even the white keyboards of the iBook. Both colors with the metallic look of the laptops add real character and make it stand out. The metallic keys made it less than impressive in my opinion... more like a SONY laptop. I would think they would want to stay with black so that the light from under the keyboard would be more visible.

I hope they give us options to have different keyboard colors.

All in, all each laptop I tried, I really liked. I know I'm being a bit picky here, but c'est la vie.


:rolleyes:

White keyboards are awesome - you can use them in the dark very easily. The 17" AluBook's backlit keyboard is pretty, but I'm just glad I already have a laptop I can use in the dark for much less than 1/2 the price.

[MacKid]

Originally posted by GeneR
About the 12" Powerbook...
I liked the size, but the metallic colored keys weren't so hot. I really like the black keyboards of the 15" Powerbook much better. Even the white keyboards of the iBook. Both colors with the metallic look of the laptops add real character and make it stand out. The metallic keys made it less than impressive in my opinion... more like a SONY laptop. I would think they would want to stay with black so that the light from under the keyboard would be more visible.

I hope they give us options to have different keyboard colors.

All in, all each laptop I tried, I really liked. I know I'm being a bit picky here, but c'est la vie.


:rolleyes:

Actually, none of the PowerBooks have backlit keys except for the 17".

[Furious Tiger]

Originally posted by MacKid


Actually, none of the PowerBooks have backlit keys except for the 17".

wow that sucks, but he is right? wtf?

[MacKid]

Originally posted by Furious Tiger


wow that sucks, but he is right? wtf?

You can go to www.apple.com to check it out.

P.S.: Look at my signature. ;)

[Furious Tiger]

Originally posted by MacKid


You can go to www.apple.com to check it out.

P.S.: Look at my signature. ;)

dood, i know this. i was in agreement with you and your sig means nothing to me. :o

[MacKid]

Originally posted by Furious Tiger


dood, i know this. i was in agreement with you and your sig means nothing to me. :o

dood, i wasn't serious. . .