WWDC PowerBook G5 2.2GHz?

[MacRumors]

In an anonymous post to Craig's List (http://www.craigslist.org/pen/sys/32298991.html), one participant claims:

On June 28th, 2004, expect some very big changes in the Powerbook line up!
For now, all I can say is the entry level 12" Powerbook G5 will be at 1.6Ghz 12" --High end will
have a new G5 processor capable of speeds upto 2.2Ghz. One last thing, the memory on all models will
max. @ 4Gb. So keep a close eye and hold off on any big Laptop purchases, because the event we have been waiting for has arrived.

Expect the unexpected.


Obviously anonymous mailing list posts lack much credibility.

[joelypolly]

If that happens i will eat all my socks

[cjc343]

I seriously doubt this, but it would be great if it were true...

[sjap]

If this is true I will eat socks for the rest of my life.

[boomtopper]

Sounds like complete and utter bull plop to me.
I just can't see the powerbooks being upgraded yet becuase they have been just upgraded!

[CmdrLaForge]

If that happens i will eat all my socks

:D :D That is sooo funnnyyy. !!! Thanks for the laugh man ! :D And I second that. I eat my socks as well. :D :D

[T'hain Esh Kelch]

Looks like the world-supply of socks is going down.... :p

If this turns out to be true, expect me to be first in line to get a 15" top-end!

[nagromme]

Obviously anonymous mailing list posts lack much credibility.

Much? Any.

For now, all I can say is... No. :)

I think even Page 2 is too good for this one. I suggest Page 3 or beyond.

Now... go ahead and speculate about PBG5s because real or not, that's just good fun! :)

[CmdrLaForge]

Sounds like complete and utter bull plop to me.
I just can't see the powerbooks being upgraded yet becuase they have been just upgraded!

Second that as well. I see noooo way that they update the Powerbooks now. Did they ever do that ? Update in such a short time ? I don't think so.

I guess we see the PB G5 in January.

[johnnyjibbs]

We can dream on, but with the latest rumours about the difficulty of getting new G5s into even Power Macs I'm doubting this one very much.

1.6GHz 12" would be cool mind..

[Squire]

No. I don't believe it.
However, I have 2 questions:

1) When were the Powerbooks last updated? 5 or 6 weeks ago?
2) What is the shortest length of time in Apple history between major updates?

Anyone know?

Squire

[klaus]

Bogus..

http://www.macrumors.com/pages/2004/04/20040419232454.shtml

He said it himself..it would be "quite some time"...

[nagromme]

1) When were the Powerbooks last updated? 5 or 6 weeks ago?
2) What is the shortest length of time in Apple history between major updates?

See http://buyersguide.macrumors.com

Last update: 44 days ago
Average time between updates: 171 days
Shortest time between: 60+ days, BUT that was to add two new sizes--the 15" did not change
The shortest time since then--the shortest time for updating all 3 sizes, is 7 months! It was 8 months before that.

[csubear]

I don't beleive it at all. After buy my NEW powerbook less than a month ago. I would be very angry if they updated to G5 now.

[Squire]

See http://buyersguide.macrumors.com

Last update: 44 days ago
Average time between updates: 171 days
Shortest time between: 60+ days, BUT that was to add two new sizes--the 15" did not change
The shortest time since then--the shortest time for updating all 3 sizes, is 7 months! It was 8 months before that.

Oh, yeah. I forgot about the good ol' buyer's guide. So 44 days plus another 26 days. So even at 70 days, it would be the quickest update by far.

Squire

[ks23]

2) What is the shortest length of time in Apple history between major updates?

Anyone know?

Squire

AFAIK iBooks 4 month.

[G4-power]

I think they won't be seen at WWDC, but possibly at the Paris Expo, was it in September?

[HasanDaddy]

All I know is ---

they came out with a SuperDrive TiBook in November/December of 2002, and then the Al Books (12" and 17") came out in January 2003, one month later

soooo...... such things have happened before

NEVER EVER make apple predictions based upon typical product cycle updates ---- especially when the product is transitioning into a major piece of new hardware/processor, etc

[Windowlicker]

See http://buyersguide.macrumors.com

Last update: 44 days ago
Average time between updates: 171 days
Shortest time between: 60+ days, BUT that was to add two new sizes--the 15" did not change
The shortest time since then--the shortest time for updating all 3 sizes, is 7 months! It was 8 months before that.

...and that pretty much states the obvious: LET'S FORGET ABOUT THE PBG5 FOR A WHILE -- FOR GOOD!

* this doesn't mean it wouldn't be a kick ass announcement, even if they weren't available until september

[Mord]

this means new powermacs right?


(little getting my own back for all you people posting about pbg5's in every forum)

also the teams developing the g5 powerbook and the team developing the recently updated g4 powerbook are different teams they may very well have had a breakthrough with maybe the 975 or getting good yields of the 970fx?

if the pbg5 team finished early steve jobs is not exactly going to say "oh no we cant release those it would piss off all the people that bought the 1.5GHz g4 powerbooks". if it's ready it will be released, not that i think they are ready especially not at 2.2GHz

[Akira]

Even if it were true that they'd announce (not ship, duh) a Powerbook G5 at WWDC, I sincerely doubt that they would have a 2.2 GHz at the high end.

[JFreak]

I guess we see the PB G5 in January.

that would be my guess also.

[AT71]

All I know is ---

they came out with a SuperDrive TiBook in November/December of 2002, and then the Al Books (12" and 17") came out in January 2003, one month later

soooo...... such things have happened before

NEVER EVER make apple predictions based upon typical product cycle updates ---- especially when the product is transitioning into a major piece of new hardware/processor, etc

Thank goodness, I waited for two months then. The shortest revamp of the PowerBook line in Apple's history I think. Although the 17PB came 3 months later.

[wide]

I don't think it's coming out at WWDC...but it would be an answer to where all of the PowerPC 970 chips have been disappearing...

[nagromme]

That's not a fair time comparison: the existing PowerBook did NOT changein Jan 03--Apple just added two NEW sizes. Adding sizes makes sense to happen at any time. Changing an EXISTING product is another matter.

Past cycles aren't a basis for knowing the future with certainty. But they ARE a very GOOD way to make an educated guess.

A LOT more reliable way than the words of some anonymous prankster :) Especially when past cycles are far from the only evidence that PBG5s are a long way off.

[Bear]

Even tho' the announcement of the 12" and 17" PowerBooks came only a couple of months after an upgrade to the 15" model, it left the 15" Model as it was, so in my opinion, is was a new product announcement and not a short upgrade cycle.

Unless there are major breakthroughs, I doubt there will be a G5 Powerbook announced within the next couple o fmonths. And I highly doubt a 2.2GHz version at the end of this month.

In truth and reality, only time will tell.

[ChrisH3677]

If Apple do actually have the technology ready for G5 PBs, should they sit on it just so as not to offend people who bought a PB in the last month or so?

The reality is that no matter when Apple release an update, people who've bought in the previous month or two feel aggrieved.

If Apple has got G5 PBs, bring 'em on!

[phonic pol]

What a load of old tosh!

[Megaquad]

They may be announced at WWDC but they'll ship in september!

[pjkelnhofer]

Bogus..

http://www.macrumors.com/pages/2004/04/20040419232454.shtml

He said it himself..it would be "quite some time"...
Actually, Greg Joswiak said "some time". You added the "quite".
"it will be some time before that processor [G5] will be in a notebook".
Besides, it has already been three months since that article came out and I would guess there was probably another month of lead time before the article was written. Still "some time" is pretty open to interpretation.
Additionally, Joswiak is a marketing guy, so I wouldn't expect him to say the G5 PowerBook is just around the corner and destroy the current G4 PowerBook sales.
It occured to me that Apple still sells new G4 PowerMacs. Would it be possible we could see the PowerBook still availible in both G4 and G5 flavors (when the G5's finally come out)?

[wrldwzrd89]

If Apple do actually have the technology ready for G5 PBs, should they sit on it just so as not to offend people who bought a PB in the last month or so?

The reality is that no matter when Apple release an update, people who've bought in the previous month or two feel aggrieved.

If Apple has got G5 PBs, bring 'em on!
If this anonymous report turns out to be true...it's a total surprise for me that PowerBook G5s would be announced this early (but then again, I don't really need a PowerBook anyway - that's why I have an iMac - so I'm not the slightest bit concerned/miffed/what have you). I am also expecting PBG5s to appear in January 2005. I would expect the first generation PowerBook G5s to have processors like the ones in the first-generation PowerMac G5s - i.e. Single 1.6, Single 1.8, and Single 2.0 GHz (since the PowerBooks don't cope too well with dual CPUs - although perhaps the 17" PowerBook G5 could have a dual-core 2.0 GHz CPU, to mimic the PowerMac G5).

[Bear]

...
The reality is that no matter when Apple release an update, people who've bought in the previous month or two feel aggrieved.
...
You are partially correct. However, those who buy a new product on the day it is announced should have a reasonable expectation of the product not being upgraded in less then 4 or 5 months.

On the other end. if the current product is 6 months old and is probably about to be upgraded, yes those who bought might be a a bit annoyed, howeber, it's not the same as an upgrade happening two months after the previous upgrade.

Oh and more to your point, some people will find whatever they can to whine about. So ignore the whining.

[Bear]

...
It occured to me that Apple still sells new G4 PowerMacs. Would it be possible we could see the PowerBook still availible in both G4 and G5 flavors (when the G5's finally come out)?
Apple is still selling the G4 Powermac for those who still need to boot into OS 9. None of the current Powerbooks can boot into OS 9, so that's one less reason to keep them around when the G5 PBs come out.

I think the only major application that isn't G5 ready is Virtual PC. Will Apple wiat on a G% PB for Virtual PC? I don't know.

[eyeluvmyimac]

hahaha "and it generates enough heat to keep your entire home nice and toasty!"

If I had to make some predictions I would say,

WWDC: PowerMacs, Displays, iPods
Sept: iBooks (G4), iMacs (G5), (emacs?)
Jan: PowerBooks might get G5, some kind of iPod change (size? price?)

[russed]

add me to the list of people who will eat their socks if it is true. it would be bad business practice to bring out a new model, then about 2 months later replace it again. and 2.2ghz, yeh right, we dont even have 2.2 in powermacs.

[unregbaron]

What does Apple gain by announcing a G5 PB on 28 June that won't ship probably till September?

Seems to me it would make sense - I can imagine people won't buy new machines from now till September anyway so it wouldn't hurt too many sales to say that in 2 months it's all going to get a G5 boost..

[sjjordan]

maxing out the RAM on all systems is the most absurd thing I think I've ever heard

1. Apple makes a lot of profit selling upgrades to powerbook buyers.
2. It's going to drive the price up a few $100's
3. Most people don't need 4GB RAM. ha ha. I still can't stop laughing.

I needed that. This rumor made my day.

[stockscalper]

The Powerbooks just got a nice upgrade, so it ain't going to happen. I wouldn't be surprised to see a major upgrade in the imac, which is long over due for a make over and hasn't had one since last November. But, likely this round we'll see the same 1.5 GHZ chip that's in the PB as Apple generally mirrors the PB with imac upgrades. However, come late winter/early spring 2005 expect some major changes in both machines, ala the G5. They have been working on a number of prototypes with different form factors for both models.

[eSnow]

The IBM specs for the 970FX state a max bus frequency of 1.1 Ghz - exactly half of 2.2 Ghz.

[hob]

I can see why they may release a G5 powerbook... they may, as someone said, been sitting on the technology for some time now.

If they can't get the G5 up to 3GHz, steve can stand on stage, sigh, and admit he's only got a 2.2GHz G5, but hey! look at thsi! G5 PowerBooks!! Ok, so it may need some kind of ice-cooling :P

Hob

[sjjordan]

The IBM specs for the 970FX state a max bus frequency of 1.1 Ghz - exactly half of 2.2 Ghz.

So, that's it! Duel processor powerbooks! :D

[jwhitnah]

Bogus..

http://www.macrumors.com/pages/2004/04/20040419232454.shtml

He said it himself..it would be "quite some time"...

Probably true but I'm trying to be optimistic.

[jwhitnah]

So, that's it! Duel processor powerbooks! :D
Yeah but for that, you'd have third degree burns on your thighs!

[wrldwzrd89]

So, that's it! Duel processor powerbooks! :D
I think dual-core PowerBooks are more likely than dual processor Powerbooks at this point...there just isn't enough room for two CPU's, even in the 17" model when you take cooling requirements into account. A dual-core chip, on the other hand, takes up less physical space and should fit within the cooling guidelines for Apple's PowerBooks. I say, Apple - Bring on the dual-core G5 PB!!!

[Chaszmyr]

I can't believe this was even posted on Page 2 lol

[Brian Haworth]

Jesus backpeddling christ.
The PB is hot enough as it is, with a G5 it'd scorch your thighs immediately.

[bob_the_gorilla]

It's just possible - Apple would have been developing it apart from the G4 'Books, as it's a new product, and they're received a relatively minor upgrade. Bear in mind, they've received no really major changes (slight speed changes, basically, and now better graphics) for an EXTREMELY long time. This could point to development having been siphoned off elsewhere - a G5, perhaps. This would then be released as soon as it was ready, though might be announced at the WWDC for maximum impact.

However, logic would dictate that they won't release a totally new 'Book quite so quickly on the heels of an upgraded G4 - someone mentioned earlier that it wouldn't be good business sense. We won't see it, I'm fairly certain. I certainly don't expect to see speeds that high in the first revision, unless we really do have to wait as long as January - in which case, unless Apple manage to pull out something really special, they'll lose a lot of credibility in the laptop market.

[swissmann]

My guess - no sooner than announced January 2005 and shipping a few months later.

However if they do come this early I probably would buy 10. :)

[pjkelnhofer]

It's just possible - Apple would have been developing it apart from the G4 'Books, as it's a new product, and they're received a relatively minor upgrade. Bear in mind, they've received no really major changes (slight speed changes, basically, and now better graphics) for an EXTREMELY long time. This could point to development having been siphoned off elsewhere - a G5, perhaps. This would then be released as soon as it was ready, though might be announced at the WWDC for maximum impact.

I agree, although the PB's were upgraded in April, for over a year now it has been nothing but speed bumps and minor improvements. In fact, since the introduction of the G5 PowerMac only the iBook has had a truly major revision (G3->G4). Otherwise, it has been speed bump after speed bump for everything (iMac, eMac, and PowerBook). To me it looks like Apple is just trying to get the most of out the Moto G4's until there is no gain left to get. Well... does anyone expect the G4 to keep getting faster? If not, there is not where else for the PB line to go other than G5.

[zulgand04]

I was just thinking wasnt there a story a couple months ago hinting at refresh's on most product lines around WWDC. I thought i read it somewhere don't remeber where though.
So there always is a possibility.

_Neal

[HasanDaddy]

okay - for the record

I believe the rumor (I don't know if we'll see up to 2.2) but I do think we'll see a PB G5 at WWDC

BRING IT ON APPLE!!!!!!!!!!!

[bob_the_gorilla]

I still think the chip is too hot and power-hungry to be put in a laptop yet. If the G4s get unbearably hot (I should know), what on earth would the G5s be like?

[dizastor]

when i first saw this, i thought the rumor was for 2.2ghz PowerMacs... after a yearlong drought of updates that would be a really pathetic bump.

I don't think we'll see G5 powerbooks, but I'm not confident enough to make any sock eating comments... I do hope this rumor is true, if only to see all of you eat socks live via webcam.

[zulgand04]

I was just thinking wasnt there a story a couple months ago hinting at refresh's on most product lines around WWDC. I thought i read it somewhere don't remeber where though.
So there always is a possibility.

_Neal

Found it.
"In addition to updating resellers on the status of Xserve G5 shipments, Hansen reportedly provided hints that the company would be 'refreshing' many of its professional products during its World Wide Developers conference, set to take place in San Francisco during the final week of June." http://www.appleinsider.com/article.php?id=416

-Neal

[Steven1621]

If that happens i will eat all my socks

if this happens, i will eat my brand new powerbook g4 that came last month!

[DrGruv1]

Because they've had AT LEAST 1.5 years to get it ready....

The G5's PowerMac have been out for over a year (-25 days :))

They had chip samples probably for 2 years... So they didn't engineer the board and cooling system in 2 YEARS!?!

(they could be coming..) IF the chip is ready :D

-mike

[wizard]

Interesting that this post has been removed?

As to faster PowerBooks, there is nothing to keep Apple form using faster G4's if Motorola can get its act together and deliver such a beast.

From the thermal point of view I don't see the FX as being a portable chip. Maybe the will double the battery size. Something would have to be done to extend run times.

On the other hand the reference was to a "new G5" so maybe they have a 970 optimized for portable duty. The 970 would be a much better portable chip if it was simply upgraded with an on board memory controller.

Thanks
Dave



In an anonymous post to Craig's List (http://www.craigslist.org/pen/sys/32298991.html), one participant claims:



Obviously anonymous mailing list posts lack much credibility.

[pjkelnhofer]

if this happens, i will eat my brand new powerbook g4 that came last month!

Mmm... G4.

Seriously, rather than eat it, send it to me, I would be quite happy with a G4 PowerBook. It would be a nice replacement for my G3 iMac.

[Macmaniac]

Its getting kinda of sad how we are getting so desperate for news of a PB G5, we are accepting the most random postings in hope that they will equal a new PB. Kinda reminds me of the McCarthy era where the most random things were used to try and prove a point. This belongs on Page 10. Next thing we know Spam will be providing the existance of PowerMac G6's

[SeanMcg]

...also the teams developing the g5 powerbook and the team developing the recently updated g4 powerbook are different teams they may very well have had a breakthrough with maybe the 975 or getting good yields of the 970fx?...

Can anyone provide a credible link to proof that IBM actually has planned or is working on a PowerPC 975 chip? AFAIK, I have not seen IBM release a suprise member of a chip family currently in production. I would love to be wrong on this. If someone has seen them do otherwise, please let us know.

As far as this rumor goes, I have to agree that it seems unlikely. However, Apple has announced products long before they shipped, or whose ship dates have un(?)intentionally slipped. Admittedly, these were breakthrough products that had little chance of cannibalizing sales of products currently in production, e.g. Xserve and/or Xserve RAID.

If Apple does announce a G5 PowerBook, I think they would have to drop the price on the PBG4s. This would reduce inventories by selling to people who can't wait or who don't care.

[denm316]

This is just down right comical, does anyone really think that this is going to happen at WWDC, unless this rumor was meant to represent WWDC '05...then there is a shot.

[mrsebastian]

not that i don't wish this rumor were true, there is just no way! for one, i'm sure apple's priority right now are the g5 powermac since they're lagging on that. second, there were just updates to the powerbooks. third unless a miracle happened over at apple design or they figured out how to liquid cool powerbooks, the g5 is too hot for powerbooks.

[pjkelnhofer]

Interesting that this post has been removed?

As to faster PowerBooks, there is nothing to keep Apple form using faster G4's if Motorola can get its act together and deliver such a beast.

I suspect it was removed because it was put was a classified ad.

As for faster G4's, is there any more reason to suspect that Moto has come up with a faster G4 (>1.5 MHz?) then there is to suspect that IBM has come up with a mobile or cooler version of the G5.

Is there anywhere to find what chips are actually inside the different Macs currently offered? I assume the MPC7447A is in the iBook and PowerBook and the MPC7457 is in the iMac, eMac and G4 PowerMac. Seeing as the 7447A is a lower power version of a chip that topped out at 1.267 GHz (according to Moto's own numbers), unless Moto is going to unveil a whole new chip where would another speed bump even come from?

[macrumors12345]

In an anonymous post to Craig's List (http://www.craigslist.org/pen/sys/32298991.html), one participant claims:



Obviously anonymous mailing list posts lack much credibility.

Page 2?? This belongs on Page 10...

[iLilana]

If this is true I will eat socks for the rest of my life.

heck if this is true I will never afford socks again.

[thatwendigo]

I agree, although the PB's were upgraded in April, for over a year now it has been nothing but speed bumps and minor improvements. In fact, since the introduction of the G5 PowerMac only the iBook has had a truly major revision (G3->G4). Otherwise, it has been speed bump after speed bump for everything (iMac, eMac, and PowerBook). To me it looks like Apple is just trying to get the most of out the Moto G4's until there is no gain left to get. Well... does anyone expect the G4 to keep getting faster? If not, there is not where else for the PB line to go other than G5.

Those "speed bumps" have also included at least three changes in processor - 7455 to 7457 to 7447A. The first two are pin-compatible, but I've heard some mutterings that the last is not compatible with the others and would require a new pin-out for the socket and minor revisions to the motherboard.

Oh, and I'm one of those people who does expect the G4 to "keep getting faster," because the core is about to be the basis for a new processor. The FreeScale e600 is a G4-based design with on-die memory controller, 400mhz FSB, low power consumption, and a clockrate that should be introduced around 2.0ghz at a mere 17 watts peak. The dual-core version adds a second logical core, and only 8 more watts, for a dual 2.0ghz chip at 25 watts peak expenditure.

That is what I want in the PowerBook.

[jeff.macaddict]

Since the PowerBooks were just updated, I can't really see Apple introducing a new line of 'Books. But, if they did, what would they do with the PowerBook G4's? I really can't see Apple having such a short lived revision.

And if PowerBook G5s were introduced, they would end the G4 lineup, and put that technology in the iBooks, which aslo were just updated.

Perhaps, its not a PowerBook that the G5 is going into? Maybe Apple is introducing a new, a third portable option? (my lame guess is XBook) As far as I know, it still doesnt seem like they can cool the G5 enough for portable use.

[pjkelnhofer]

Oh, and I'm one of those people who does expect the G4 to "keep getting faster," because the core is about to be the basis for a new processor. The FreeScale e600 is a G4-based design with on-die memory controller, 400mhz FSB, low power consumption, and a clockrate that should be introduced around 2.0ghz at a mere 17 watts peak. The dual-core version adds a second logical core, and only 8 more watts, for a dual 2.0ghz chip at 25 watts peak expenditure.

That is what I want in the PowerBook.

I just read all the FreeScale stuff on Motorola's site (http://e-www.motorola.com/webapp/sps/site/overview.jsp?nodeId=02VS0l72156402). I must say it is very interesting.
It seems logical for Apple to use these chips in PB's before going to the G5. In fact it seems they would be faster MHz for MHz than current Moto G4's.

Even more interesting is the upcoming e700.
e700
To scale to 3 GHz and beyond in next-generation process technologies.

Supports Supports 32-bit and 64-bit software.
Could this turn out to be Moto's version of the G5 and Apple's eventualy portable G5 solution?

[Wonder Boy]

hahaha. ya right.

[mkwilson68]

The only chance of a PB G5 appearing as early as June is if it is a completely new model that sits alongside the PB G4's at a premium price. And they are not going to get a G5 in the 12" for June, that's 110% certain.

Not even worthy of a page 2 item, imho.

[micvog]

Perhaps, its not a PowerBook that the G5 is going into? Maybe Apple is introducing a new, a third portable option?

My guess is you're half-right. Didn't one of the rumor sites mention that a G5 laptop motherboard is currently being manufactured, but it is going to end up in the iMac? A G5 iMac at WWDC makes sense to me, especially at 1.6GHz.

[suzerain]

...obviously, this post is utter ************.

but if it weren't, i would so be buying one of those. :)

[wrldwzrd89]

My guess is you're half-right. Didn't one of the rumor sites mention that a G5 laptop motherboard is currently being manufactured, but it is going to end up in the iMac? A G5 iMac at WWDC makes sense to me, especially at 1.6GHz.
I happen to agree with this observation. The iMacs are most definitely ready for G5 processors (even if it means a case redesign), but the PowerBooks are far from ready. The G5 iMac might also be introduced at 1.4 GHz and have higher-end 1.6 and 1.8 GHz models, too - but Apple will only do this if 2.0 GHz is the new low-end for the PowerMac G5. I hope this scenario DOES NOT come true!

[thatwendigo]

I just read all the FreeScale stuff on Motorola's site (http://e-www.motorola.com/webapp/sps/site/overview.jsp?nodeId=02VS0l72156402). I must say it is very interesting.
It seems logical for Apple to use these chips in PB's before going to the G5. In fact it seems they would be faster MHz for MHz than current Moto G4's.

An additional fact for you to put in front of anyone who trots out the "Moto? Graaah!" defense: two of their four new designs are shipping right now. The e300 and e500 are moving in volume and filling orders as we speak, selling mostly to embedded and communications solutions markets. Particularly interesting, the e500 has on-chip encryption capabilities that vastly speed the process of encoding and decoding keys for point-to-point secure communication, and they handle nearly every modern format I've seen any reference to.

I've heard that the e600 will be roughly 20-40% improved clock-to-clock with the G4, while also scaling higher. The reason for this is a massive revision of the core logics, while retaining the legacy MPC74xx libraries so that older code will still execute. Also, the on-die memory controller will speed things up, especially when paired with the 400 mhz system bus and modern RAM modules that can be fully taken advantage of.

Even more interesting is the upcoming e700.

Could this turn out to be Moto's version of the G5 and Apple's eventualy portable G5 solution?

It very much looks like it's the long-delayed Motorola "G5" that Apple couldn't wait for, because the execution units can handle 32 and 64-bit addressing and integers, which allows for the same kind of computing as the 970. One advantage the e700 will have, though, is dual-precision 128-bit SIMD, which is extraordinarily important for the scientific and engineering communities.

[DocGonzo2k3]

I found this on w3.hardmac.com!! And it speaks for it self :)

hidden info in 10.3.4

The recent OSX update 10.3.4 reveals that new PowerMac or iMac G5 are existing, ready or close to be launched.

The previous update already included an unknown reference code: Power Mac 7,3.
None of the current Apple computers owns such a reference code. Indeed, reference code of the current PowerMac G5 is Power Mac 7,2.
For information, PowerMac G4 had as reference code Power Mac 3,x, Cube G4: Power Mac 5,1 and iMac TFT and eMac Power Mac 4,x and 6,x respectively. You can find the complete list here: http://www.theapplemuseum.com/index.php?id=tam&page=products&subpage=newworld

Now if we look in details in the last MacOSX update, we can identify a new reference code: Power Mac 8,1, so it would mean that it is not an update of one of the current model, but a brand new model!!

We can also find the reference code SMU_Neo2, which could mean that Neo2 would be a new version of the current processor. If it is clear that the new processor will be derived from the current one, it is not clear if it will be a light version (such as the 970fx in the Xserve) or a boosted version (!!!)!

If you want to know more, look inside the last update 10.3.4, open this file:
/System/Library/Extensions/AppleMacRISC4PE.kext/
Contents/info.plist
and search for "8,1".

Knowing that the PowerMac G5 and the iMac have not been updated recently since a long time, then you can conclude...what you want... ;-)

I let you dream...
(for me, my personal feeling, the PowerMac 8,1 is an iMac G5 with a new design, available at the end of June, whereas the PowerMac 7,3 will be the revision of the current PowerMac G5, available at the same time)


My Dream goes much further.....POWERBOOK G5 2.2 GHZ

greetz gonzo2k3


There are Thread´s about it here:

Thread #1 (http://www.spymac.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=85479)

Thread #2 (http://forums.appleinsider.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=42288&perpage=40&pagenumber=8)

Thread #3 (http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?t=73831)

[Frobozz]

In an anonymous post to Craig's List (http://www.craigslist.org/pen/sys/32298991.html), one participant claims:
Obviously anonymous mailing list posts lack much credibility.

Okay, I would obviously give this rumor a 10% chance of being true, but it IS plausible. (flame retardant ON):

1) _if_ the 970fx is finally up to speed it may be ready for laptops. Heat is probably under control now.
2) _if_ it is ready for laptops it could certainly run at 1.6 to 2.2 GHz.
3) _if_ there's gonna be a 2.2 GHz laptop I'd be willing to bet a 2.6 - 3.0 GHz 975 based PowerMac is coming.

Speculation is sooooo gratifying. I can't wait to see what turns up at WWDC. Here's to anonymous posters!

[pjkelnhofer]

An additional fact for you to put in front of anyone who trots out the "Moto? Graaah!" defense: two of their four new designs are shipping right now. The e300 and e500 are moving in volume and filling orders as we speak, selling mostly to embedded and communications solutions markets. Particularly interesting, the e500 has on-chip encryption capabilities that vastly speed the process of encoding and decoding keys for point-to-point secure communication, and they handle nearly every modern format I've seen any reference to.

Another good defense for Motorola (now FreeScale) is that they have a definite roadmap for us all to look at which includes the soon to be released e600 series (possibly the the next PB chip) and the future 64-bit e700. On the other hand, we have no idea what is coming next from IBM (975, 980, Power5, etc.).

It is much easier to discuss chips that are known to be in the pipeline and have some details released rather than phantom chips they may or may not ever exist (weren't we supposed to have Macs using IBM 750VX by now ;))

If Moto showed up on Apple's door step with a 2 GHz "G4" with a 400 MHz system bus and low power consumption. I suspect a lot of past transgressions would be forgiven.

[bob_the_gorilla]

Here's to anonymous posters!

Amen to that!

I'd agree with your points on the whole, but I'd downgrade the likelihood to 5% or below (how scientific :) ) mainly because of the timing. I think it's a tiny bit too early for all the issues to have been worked out, and also a bit too soon after the speed bumps to the PowerBooks a couple of months ago.

[pjkelnhofer]

I found this on w3.hardmac.com!! And it speaks for it self :)

hidden info in 10.3.4

My Dream goes much further.....POWERBOOK G5 2.2 GHZ

greetz gonzo2k3

There is a whole long thread (http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?t=73831) about this already.

[edgar_is_good]

See http://buyersguide.macrumors.com

Last update: 44 days ago
Average time between updates: 171 days
Shortest time between: 60+ days, BUT that was to add two new sizes--the 15" did not change
The shortest time since then--the shortest time for updating all 3 sizes, is 7 months! It was 8 months before that.

It's not clear to me: in the buyer's guide, is that the average separation between _releases_ (i.e., ship date to ship date) or announcements. Or ship date and announcements? They need not be the same (admittedly, a difference I think would require a monotonically increasing separation between the announcement and the ship, but I think Apple has been satisfying that requirement...)

[stockscalper]

Apple has said they are not going to stop doing business with Motorola and that Motorola's chips would play prominently in upcoming releases. That means there is a place for their chips continuing perhaps in the imacs or just the laptops and emacs. It makes sense for Apple not to put all their egg chips in one basket. They've had problems with Moto delivering on time in the past and they've experienced the same with IBM recently. Having two chip makers competing against one another is good business sense. You don't see Apple only buying from one hard drive maker do you? I would expect the new "e" line of chips will be what we will see in the next generation of Powerbooks, whenever that will be - most likely September. With the specs they are previewing, ie 400 mhz fsb, they will fly. There has been nothing wrong with the G4's except their bus is slow as mud. I for one would love to have a laptop with one of the new Moto/FreeScale "e" chips. Of course I just got one of the new 1.5 ghz models and I'm not ready for an upgrade ;).

[Frobozz]

maxing out the RAM on all systems is the most absurd thing I think I've ever heard

1. Apple makes a lot of profit selling upgrades to powerbook buyers.
2. It's going to drive the price up a few $100's
3. Most people don't need 4GB RAM. ha ha. I still can't stop laughing.

I needed that. This rumor made my day.

Oy. While I will in no way defend this rumor, I think they meant it can go up to 4GB of RAM... not that they would come that way standard.

And, yes, a lot of people would want 2-4GB of RAM in their Powerbook. I don't know anyone running less than 1GB these days unless their machine can't hold it.

[stingerman]

Don't forget everyone that two things have happened since the 1.5GHz G4 Powerbooks were released:

1. There has been a precipitous drop in Powerbook sales, it's only because of the significant increase in iBook sales that total sales showed an increase.

2. Intel released Dothan, Pentium-M @ 2GHz.

Knowing how important the Powerbook market is to Apple, current events will force them to move on newer technologies. Apple can not allow the Powerbooks image to be permanently damaged by losing the marketing war to Intel Centrino. Powerbook sales are currently more important to Apple than iMac sales, so I believe Apple will allocatenew processors to the Powerbook before the iMac.

[stingerman]

Apple has said they are not going to stop doing business with Motorola and that Motorola's chips would play prominently in upcoming releases. That means there is a place for their chips continuing perhaps in the imacs or just the laptops and emacs.

The iBooks are G4s and they will stay that way for a while depending on how Motorola prices them There is always the danger that Motorola will continue to overprice their processors and IBM will sell a 90NM 97Xx at a lower price. Then Motorola will be screwed. However, it appears of late that Motorola has more than halved the price of their G4s. Probably because of the relatively inexpensive price of the 970s.

Oh, one more thing. This past January Steve Jobs said that the future of the Mac was the G5. So unless Motorola can come up with a competitive G5 alternative, their screwed. IBM has already licensed other fabs to produce PPC's as secondary suppliers, thus removing fears of a single source.

[mklos]

I think who ever posted this rumor is seriously smoking something! Why would Apple go through the trouble of coming out with G4 updates a few weeks ago, then turn around 30 or 40 days later and release completely new PowerBooks? Doesn't make any sense to me. As far as the time when Apple updated the 15" Titanium then introduced new 12/17" PowerBooks, well if you remember they didn't update the 15" PowerBook until well into that year so to me that doesn't really count since they didn't update the 15" PowerBook with those new models.

I don't think you will ever see a G5 PowerBook anytime with in the next 2 years. There isn't a G5 processor out there right now that will be usable in a laptop configuration without eating the battery and boiling your leg. It ain't gonna happen people so quit pissing and moaning about it! As you can see its not getting you anywhere is it!!!

[johng723]

I highly doubt that the rumors are true because I dont think that apple would make the mistake of intruducing such a major change in the powerbook line so soon after the "new" line of powerbooks were introduced. After all, most people dont anticipate the new powerbook g5's for a few years and therefore are buying the "new" line of powerbooks that just came out. If apple does come out with the new powerbook g5's, I don't think that it would get as many sales as apple would like since most people aren't financially stable enough to get two highend notebooks within the course of several months.

But you know, I could just be telling myself this stuff to make myself feel better because I just bought a new 15" powerbook :p

[macridah]

If this is true, then I'll do 3 backflips, a doubletwist, and stick the landing.

[pjkelnhofer]

Oh, one more thing. This past January Steve Jobs said that the future of the Mac was the G5. So unless Motorola can come up with a competitive G5 alternative, their screwed.

The already have it planned the Freescale e700 (http://e-www.motorola.com/webapp/sps/site/overview.jsp?nodeId=02VS0l72156402)
To scale to 3 GHz and beyond in next-generation process technologies.

Supports Supports 32-bit and 64-bit software.

Since the PowerPC was design by a joint effort of Apple, IBM and Motorola, it could be possible for Apple to use a Moto (now Freescale) chip in it's lowend desktop and notebook computers while savings the more powerful IBM 97x for the top of the line high-end workstations and servers.

this is actually the second time I have posted this quote but clearly some people missed it

[eric67]

All I know is ---

they came out with a SuperDrive TiBook in November/December of 2002, and then the Al Books (12" and 17") came out in January 2003, one month later

soooo...... such things have happened before

NEVER EVER make apple predictions based upon typical product cycle updates ---- especially when the product is transitioning into a major piece of new hardware/processor, etc
I think in a normal time, I would have denied this hypothesis...now regarding the last 6 month, with an obvious missed revision for the PMG5, which will probably push Apple ahead to release a PMG5 based on PPC975 before the expected date, together with the iMac G5, I would not be surprized to see Apple introducing a portable line dedicated to more "transportable" than portable...having desktop power with limited but still raisonable battery life...
do not forget that more than 70% of PC notebook contain a desktop processor, meaning almost no battery life, but transportable performance...

so I think your statement in the current environment might be correct; we should be ready to expect the unexcpected...(good or bad)

[eric67]

Don't forget everyone that two things have happened since the 1.5GHz G4 Powerbooks were released:

1. There has been a precipitous drop in Powerbook sales, it's only because of the significant increase in iBook sales that total sales showed an increase.

2. Intel released Dothan, Pentium-M @ 2GHz.

Knowing how important the Powerbook market is to Apple, current events will force them to move on newer technologies. Apple can not allow the Powerbooks image to be permanently damaged by losing the marketing war to Intel Centrino. Powerbook sales are currently more important to Apple than iMac sales, so I believe Apple will allocatenew processors to the Powerbook before the iMac.
correct for the current powerbook, eventhough the recent update was rather a good one...with the Dothan announced (not yet really available)...the powerbook is facing a serious competitors eventhough the price of the dothan is quite high...So Apple needs to react..but I will rather think of an PBG5 for Apple Expo in Paris in September (where usually Apple notebooks updates are announced)

but not correct regarding the iMac: for Apple the iMac is not vaiable...perfomrnace wise the eMac is almost as good, and much cheaper ...the only difference, one has a all-in-one CRT display and the other one a TFT display...which makes the price of the iMac so high...
so definitely, the current iMac line is dead...and on the sale this can be seen...whereas the eMac remains a quite cheap/powerfull desktop solution for its targeted market...

so definitely expect an new iMac at the WWDC, I would bet with a G5, now 970fx, or 970...apparently IBM does not produce the 970 anymore...so 970fx ...975 will remain for the PMG5 for the moment...

[CrackedButter]

In an anonymous post to Craig's List (http://www.craigslist.org/pen/sys/32298991.html), one participant claims:



Obviously anonymous mailing list posts lack much credibility.

Not true, anyone remember the anonymous slashdot posting where a supposed Apple developer mentioned all cool stuff that was going to happen with the aluminium casing that the current ipods had? ipod metal casings were simply the run off technology from another use for this stuff, which inturn held true because we have the G5 PM and the aluBooks annouced afterward?

[JOD8FY]

I don't know anyone running less than 1GB these days unless their machine can't hold it.

I don't know anyone with 1GB even if they can hold it. That's a lot of RAM. I'm sure the number of people with 1GB+ has increased over the past year, but not so much that most of the population has it ;) .

This rumor seems very unlikely, but it still made me happy :).

If this is true, I'd go into my room, take out my sock droor and dig in :D.

Here's to sock eating,
JOD8FY

[Sun Baked]

I guess this must be the chip the StonedMacRUmorBunny was fantasizing about. The 970VX-2 with the dual core and half the power of the current 970FX.

Because at 2GHz a 25W/55W (Typical/Max) chip probably wouldn't be able to be boosted to 2.2GHz and still be stuffed into a sub-Notebook frame.

[wizard]

Where does everybody get this idea that the recent powerbook upgrade was a good one. It may have been all that Apple could have delivered but it certainly wasn't going to meet market requirements. Even with the 970 I have ot wonder if that chip has what it takes to keep the market happy.

I'm of the opinion that a good portion of Apples market is the result of the power effirciency of the G4 in the laptop. If motorola could deliver one of their high performance E600 or 700's to Apple then we may have a usable upgrade. That is assuming of course that Apple orders one of those chips as a SoC.

Dave



correct for the current powerbook, eventhough the recent update was rather a good one...with the Dothan announced (not yet really available)...

[jxyama]

i'll believe it when i see it... but i don't believe this rumor at all. 4 GB RAM capacity is the giveaway. since there is no 2 GB SO-DIMMs available, 4 GB RAM capacity implies these PBs have 4 RAM slots. 4 RAM slots would take enormous amount of space and PBs aren't exactly filled with empty spaces. (whether slots are use accessible or not isn't really relevant...)

[pjkelnhofer]

i'll believe it when i see it... but i don't believe this rumor at all. 4 GB RAM capacity is the giveaway. since there is no 2 GB SO-DIMMs available, 4 GB RAM capacity implies these PBs have 4 RAM slots. 4 RAM slots would take enormous amount of space and PBs aren't exactly filled with empty spaces. (whether slots are use accessible or not isn't really relevant...)

If it is true that the Xserve is capable of having 16 GB of RAM (http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?t=58773) once 2GB sticks are availible. It would be possible that the PowerBook could handle 4GB in two slot as soon as the DIMM are out there.

I don't know anyone with 1GB even if they can hold it. That's a lot of RAM. I'm sure the number of people with 1GB+ has increased over the past year, but not so much that most of the population has it ;).

You should look into it. I invested in a second 512MB stick for my G3 iMac and it was the best $100 I have spent on it. Makes a nearly four year old computer quite usable for most tasks.

[ingenious]

when i first saw this, i thought the rumor was for 2.2ghz PowerMacs... after a yearlong drought of updates that would be a really pathetic bump.

I don't think we'll see G5 powerbooks, but I'm not confident enough to make any sock eating comments... I do hope this rumor is true, if only to see all of you eat socks live via webcam.


Yes, I believe the rumor!
All of you who promised to eat socks better record it! :D

[Sun Baked]

Yes, I believe the rumor!
All of you who promised to eat socks better record it! :DLovingly donated by the contestants of this years stinky sneaker contest. :p

[iswimbikeandrun]

I still think the chip is too hot and power-hungry to be put in a laptop yet. If the G4s get unbearably hot (I should know), what on earth would the G5s be like?
The G4's do not get unbearably hot. They do get hot, but that is due to the aluminum casing, it is a good (better than plastic) conductor of heat. The G5 970fx consumes less power than the G4 clock for clock, less power translates directly to less heat.

[rosalindavenue]

I suspect it was removed because it was put was a classified ad.

Uh, what did you mean to say? I also wondered why the post was removed, but I cant figure our what you mean.....

[Squire]

Those "speed bumps" have also included at least three changes in processor - 7455 to 7457 to 7447A. The first two are pin-compatible, but I've heard some mutterings that the last is not compatible with the others and would require a new pin-out for the socket and minor revisions to the motherboard.

Oh, and I'm one of those people who does expect the G4 to "keep getting faster," because the core is about to be the basis for a new processor. The FreeScale e600 is a G4-based design with on-die memory controller, 400mhz FSB, low power consumption, and a clockrate that should be introduced around 2.0ghz at a mere 17 watts peak. The dual-core version adds a second logical core, and only 8 more watts, for a dual 2.0ghz chip at 25 watts peak expenditure.

That is what I want in the PowerBook.

Hey, thatwendigo, I've read quite a few of your posts regarding this new processor. It does sound like the logical choice. However, for marketing reasons, we all know that getting the G5 badge on the Powerbooks must be a priority. So...
What if they put the FreeScale e600 chip in a Powerbook and called it a G5 anyway? I mean, the name "G5" is not owned by IBM. Couldn't Apple call any new chip whatever they wanted? Maybe they'll call it the "mobile G5" or something.

Squire

[afields]

I think the Powerbook/ibook should have their own processor that is made specifically for a laptop, ala Pentium M, but better. Not a g4 or a g5. Anything like that out there?

(edit: maybe the freescale thing wendigo is talking about)

[sedarby]

Okay, so not only is there going to be a G5 in the Powerbook but now it is going to be faster than the current PowerMac? What a joke. Sad thing is someone is going to take this seriously. If it did happen I have a drawer full of socks and full bottle of ketchup at the ready! ;)

[James L]

Okay, so not only is there going to be a G5 in the Powerbook but now it is going to be faster than the current PowerMac? What a joke. Sad thing is someone is going to take this seriously. If it did happen I have a drawer full of socks and full bottle of ketchup at the ready! ;)


Amen!

People, please, this is page 5 of comments on a completely anonymous theory.... not exactly reliable at all. You can bet somewhere there is a PC weenie right now who submitted the rumor, sat back with a 6 pack of beer and some chips, and is now killing himself laughing at how gullible the Mac community is.

New PB's came out a month and a half ago. Some of those people are JUST receiving theirs now (I got mine in the first week mind you). Apple is not about to crush the current lineup with a new G5 PB so close to this release. For the people who say "well, they released in Nov 2002 and in Jan 2003, and those were only two months apart"... NO! They released a 15" in November, and 12" and 17" in January. If you want to compare 15" releases the next one after November 2002 wasn't for 10 months (Paris Expo, September 16th I think). Furthermore, for the people who say the G5 chip is cooler, therefore it can go in with less heat, remember the chip is only a small part of the heat generation. Finally, IBM hasn't even been doing a great job of the G5 of late (1 year with no G5 tower updates, unless you include making the single 1.8 into a double).

Please people, be realistic. If this rumor came from an Apple employee maybe... if it came from a shipping dude in Shanghai maybe (though not really maybe). This is completely unsupported, with no name, evidence, etc. If you believe this be VERY careful of the guy who wants to sell you a bridge too!

Cheers,

James

[nighthawk]

Don't forget that the 970FX is suppose to have it's own type of SpeedStep technology. So a 2.0ghz 970FX G5 could perform at 1.0ghz when on batteries and use less than 8w of power. Then when you have the power cord plugged in, it could run at the full 2.0ghz speed (if higher CPU speeds were needed). Of course that would mean that the fan would be running quite often when it is plugged in, but that would be a sacrifice that I am willing to make. :)

[nighthawk]

Please people, be realistic. If this rumor came from an Apple employee maybe... if it came from a shipping dude in Shanghai maybe (though not really maybe). This is completely unsupported, with no name, evidence, etc. If you believe this be VERY careful of the guy who wants to sell you a bridge too!

It is one thing to believe that a rumor might be true, and quite another to invest your money soly on a rumor. Nobody here is trying to *sell* you a G5 PowerBook, are they?

[Wyrm]

Hey, thatwendigo, I've read quite a few of your posts regarding this new processor. It does sound like the logical choice. However, for marketing reasons, we all know that getting the G5 badge on the Powerbooks must be a priority. So...
What if they put the FreeScale e600 chip in a Powerbook and called it a G5 anyway? I mean, the name "G5" is not owned by IBM. Couldn't Apple call any new chip whatever they wanted? Maybe they'll call it the "mobile G5" or something.

Squire

Apple has in the past - either a Moto or a IBM chip has been the G3.

The e700 sounds like it might be really close to the features of the IBM 970... unfortunately it's vapourware right now. Does Apple think Moto can deliver?

Would the Mac community be up in arms if they call something that doesn't have all the *features* a G5? For example, a 97x is 64bit, and FreeScale e600 is 32 bit (even though 64bits is more marketing than a practical advantage right now). It would give the PC fanboys a morsel to chew on. Unfortunately, the e600 is also vapourware right now.

That said, Apple could introduce the FreeScale cpus as the M series (for Mobility) in order to counter the Pentium-M marchitecture... claiming that yeah, while the G5 is the fastest cpu for the desktop (ahem), the *FreeScale* is the best thing for a laptop (which it probably is if it can be made)...

-Wyrm

[johnnowak]

maxing out the RAM on all systems is the most absurd thing I think I've ever heard

1. Apple makes a lot of profit selling upgrades to powerbook buyers.
2. It's going to drive the price up a few $100's
3. Most people don't need 4GB RAM. ha ha. I still can't stop laughing.

I needed that. This rumor made my day.

I think you need basic reading comprehension skills. That's not at all what the rumor is.

[johnnowak]

I would not be surprized to see Apple introducing a portable line dedicated to more "transportable" than portable...having desktop power with limited but still raisonable battery life...
do not forget that more than 70% of PC notebook contain a desktop processor, meaning almost no battery life, but transportable performance...

That's what I want! I want a lab/studio on the go. I don't need a little thing to check my email on and IM my girlfriend. I need high power, transportable equipment. I couldn't care less if it weighs 10 pounds, or even 15.

Bring on the UltraBooks!

[bob_the_gorilla]

That's what I want! I want a lab/studio on the go. I don't need a little thing to check my email on and IM my girlfriend. I need high power, transportable equipment. I couldn't care less if it weighs 10 pounds, or even 15.

Bring on the UltraBooks!

Why? What on earth do you do that demands that kind of power while sitting on a train, say?

Wouldn't mind a laptop that scaled up its power when plugged in, say - but I don't want it melting through the desk. And I don't want it like the PC laptops which have no battery life, charge at a crawl while on, have fans CONSTANTLY on with no break, output a stream of air hot enough to melt cables and still manage to be too hot underneath to touch...

[Sun Baked]

Cool that would make the newest 2.2GHz G5 powerbook as portable as the original Osborne PC.

But with the lates in carry-on luggage technology, the wheels and telescoping handles will make this PowerBook a breeze to use and carry around.

[bob_the_gorilla]

Do I detect a hint of sarcasm?

[johnnowak]

Why? What on earth do you do that demands that kind of power while sitting on a train, say?

Nothing.. that's why I don't need a light little Powerbook.

What I do need is something I can take to laptop-music-type performances once a month maybe, and take home once every two months or so. I don't even care if it doesn't have a battery. I'm fine using it always plugged in... any music venue or museum has electricity. I just want a desktop with a built-in screen that I can carry around. 95% of the time it'll just be sitting on my desk anyway.

I want the power of a desktop in something that's "transportable", as someone said above. I don't want to use it on the train or the bus, or carry it with me every day even. I just want to be able to move it for special occasions like doing a performance or something. You need all the power you can get with doing real-time audio and video synthesis, but what you don't need is battery life or a lightweight system.

I realize there probably isn't much of a market for a dual-G5 15lb laptop... but you might be surprised. ;-)

It's like kids with LAN parties (that's what they're called, right? :-\). Hauling the desktop and the monitor over is a huge pain in the ass. Taking a 10 pound laptop is no big deal, and no one cares about battery life. However, you need the power of a desktop and an all-out video card. No one wants a namby-pamby G4 machine... although if you're are so obsessive over your games then you probably need more than a faster computer.

[bob_the_gorilla]

If you love games, you need a PC </hushed voice>

I see your point. But, the G5 has handles, doesn't it? ;)

[Gyroscope]

My prediction for WWDC.

New iMac (or something new in that range).
Updated PowerMacs upto 2.6 ghz if we are lucky.
Lots of bla-bla about Tiger and other sofware.

In regards to G5 PowerBook,who really knows?. Logic implies that it won't happen soon,after new G4 PB's haven't been around that much. High end 17" model has barely started shipping. On the other hand editor of German mac magazine (MacUp i think) claims that he had his hands on PB G5 fully working prototype. Could Apple add another high-end G5 laptop(high-end $ as well) to its existing G4 PB range without canibalising its sales. Maybe they could. Potential customers then would not expect G5 PB to replace G4 PB at the same price point and then there would be no reason to delay their purchases. G5 PB would sit there as top of range ultra expensive model for a few that really need all that power in laptop for premium price.

[DHagan4755]

Gyro, I think you are right.

The only PowerBook I think Apple would introduce at the WWDC with a G5 would be a high-end 17-inch. It would fit the $3,299 niche that was once occupied by the initial release of the 17" PowerBook G4. Notice that the current 17" is now $2799. Using history as a guide, recall that pro G4 tower prices were lowered on the G4 revision prior to the G5s. Perhaps Apple lowered the price to may way?

So you offer a high-end G5 model...1.6GHz? 2.0 GHz? I don't know, but a G5...
128 MB of VRAM standard
Improved 17-inch display
etc.
$3,299.

I can see it happening. I hope it does happen. "One more thing..."

[SiliconAddict]

I can dream can't I.....but I'm highly doubting this claim. :(

[SiliconAddict]

In regards to G5 PowerBook,who really knows?. Logic implies that it won't happen soon,after new G4 PB's haven't been around that much. High end 17" model has barely started shipping.

Logic doesn't work when it comes to Apple. The PowerBook hasn't REALLY seen any major revamp since the 15" last fall. Everything else has been pathetic speed bumps. That being said I think IF any G5 PowerBook is announced at WWDC it won’t be released until 4th quarter anyways. Even if Apple does have the product finished look at how many products would be running G5’s at that point. It’s a given that Apple is going to release new PowerMacs. So IBM now has to crank out enough CPU’s to meet demand for both PowerMacs and one or possibly two models of PowerBook. Its been stated in numerous new sites that IBM has been having problems producing the new 90nm G5 CPU’s. So I’m expecting fall as a good timeframe as to when they could produce enough CPU’s to meet demand and make NO mistake about it. A G5 PowerBook, even if it was only a 17”er, is going to be in insane demand.

[SiliconAddict]

Bogus..

http://www.macrumors.com/pages/2004/04/20040419232454.shtml

He said it himself..it would be "quite some time"...

Hmmm I've used the unit conversion tool on my PDA to try and convert from "quite some time" to days but I get failed date return error. Please convert that for the people on the thread who don't have the software to convert generalizations. :rolleyes:

[HasanDaddy]

Apple isn't gonna half ass the G5 PB

if they release it, it will be all across the PB line

btw --- with the iBooks having G4's now, its about time that the G5 come out

I think we'll see it at WWDC

PS --- the "this should be on Page 10/Page 3" joke has gotten old

[SiliconAddict]

I still think the chip is too hot and power-hungry to be put in a laptop yet. If the G4s get unbearably hot (I should know), what on earth would the G5s be like?


This has been talked into the ground. 90nm G5's running in the 1.6-1.8Ghz range are in the same bracket of heat generation and power consumption as a G4. That coupled with a number of speed scaling techs IBM has introduced over the last 6-8 months that will allow the G5 to scale in speed would make a G5 PowerBook very possible. Also keep in mind we have NO idea how long Apple has been working on this. They very well could have had a team dedicated to the G5 PowerBook in tandem with the development of the PowerMac. Who knows.

[SiliconAddict]

I think who ever posted this rumor is seriously smoking something! Why would Apple go through the trouble of coming out with G4 updates a few weeks ago, then turn around 30 or 40 days later and release completely new PowerBooks?


Again has anyone considered that they may pull a PowerMac? Announce it June and release in September-October?

[Wyrm]

Hmmm I've used the unit conversion tool on my PDA to try and convert from "quite some time" to days but I get failed date return error. Please convert that for the people on the thread who don't have the software to convert generalizations. :rolleyes:

Yeah, understandable. What he really meant to say is that it will require a process shrink, power features, lower current drain and packaging. When all that happens, voila, they'll stick it in a Powerbook. :)

-Wyrm

[Nemesis]

In an anonymous post to Craig's List (http://www.craigslist.org/pen/sys/32298991.html), one participant claims:
Obviously anonymous mailing list posts lack much credibility.

That's NOT true!
First, they've introduced new laptops only a month ago. Users would KILL them. Quentin Tarantino would make a new movie in his trilogy: KILL STEVE.

Second, they don't have such fast processors running in small portables, yet. Not even in one year. They've been testing 1.6 GHzs so far, but new PowerBooks won't be on the market before next MWSF anyway.

But I personally believe they will go for rewamped G4-based chips coming from Motorola, not G5s.

But what we know anyway? Nothing. I think that same situation is inside Apple too. No one knows nothing. Maybe Steve, and he reveals his secrets to Rubinstein and Schiller just 5 minutes before conference. That's why they're so confused when you press people ask them something :D

[James L]

Anyone noticed the original link has now been removed by the website? Even they thought it was utter crap and took it down. Now let's get back to reality, forget about a PB upgrade 2 months after the last one, and continue guessing about the realistic WWDC stuff?

:rolleyes:

[stingerman]

As far as Motorola/Freescale coming in with a competitive processor to Dothan, have you people forgotten the last 5 years! Jeez. Even if Freescale comes through, do you really think Steve is going to give them yet another chance to hurt Apple? Come on now.

Apple moves for competitive reasons, Intel made the last move now its Apple's turn. I think this WWDC will be a watershed event with Apple re-entering the battle for the Enterprise. That means they will need Enterprise hardware in addition to Xserve. The Powerbooks for the Execs and mobile workers and a new iMac that will look good in the office and at home.

If Apple could, I think they would announce a G5 based Powerbook as soon as they can get it ready. There is absolutely no reason for them not to. The 1.5GHz Powerbook was a quick interim solution to help stave off further declines in Powerbook sales as users awaited a faster notebook. The next step for Apple will need to be 2GHz plus for the Powerbook. And they need it now before Intel's marketing plays deja vue with Apple.

[Analog Kid]

You are partially correct. However, those who buy a new product on the day it is announced should have a reasonable expectation of the product not being upgraded in less then 4 or 5 months.

I love this attitude (just using your post as an example, Bear, you're not alone). "When I buy a piece of hardware, I expect the market to stand still for half a year".

Wish Einstein were still around... Maybe he could explain how the appearance of a faster machine makes existing units suddenly run slower...

[Analog Kid]

This has been talked into the ground. 90nm G5's running in the 1.6-1.8Ghz range are in the same bracket of heat generation and power consumption as a G4. That coupled with a number of speed scaling techs IBM has introduced over the last 6-8 months that will allow the G5 to scale in speed would make a G5 PowerBook very possible. Also keep in mind we have NO idea how long Apple has been working on this. They very well could have had a team dedicated to the G5 PowerBook in tandem with the development of the PowerMac. Who knows.
Been talked into the ground and you still don't get it... It's not the chip power, it's the system power.

If they want to optimize performance/power (as they always have in the past) they're going to have to wait for technology to catch up. To make this work they need to bring down the system power-- power numbers for the G5 with all pins floating doesn't make the point.

People keep looking at the G5 process to predict when the PBG5's are coming out-- look at DDR2 uptake.

[Analog Kid]

Nothing.. that's why I don't need a light little Powerbook.

What I do need is something I can take to laptop-music-type performances once a month maybe, and take home once every two months or so. I don't even care if it doesn't have a battery. I'm fine using it always plugged in... any music venue or museum has electricity. I just want a desktop with a built-in screen that I can carry around. 95% of the time it'll just be sitting on my desk anyway.

I want the power of a desktop in something that's "transportable", as someone said above. I don't want to use it on the train or the bus, or carry it with me every day even. I just want to be able to move it for special occasions like doing a performance or something. You need all the power you can get with doing real-time audio and video synthesis, but what you don't need is battery life or a lightweight system.

I realize there probably isn't much of a market for a dual-G5 15lb laptop... but you might be surprised. ;-)

It's like kids with LAN parties (that's what they're called, right? :-\). Hauling the desktop and the monitor over is a huge pain in the ass. Taking a 10 pound laptop is no big deal, and no one cares about battery life. However, you need the power of a desktop and an all-out video card. No one wants a namby-pamby G4 machine... although if you're are so obsessive over your games then you probably need more than a faster computer.

Sounds like a G5 iMac to me... 15" comes in at 20 lbs.

[rdowns]

I think who ever posted this rumor is seriously smoking something! Why would Apple go through the trouble of coming out with G4 updates a few weeks ago, then turn around 30 or 40 days later and release completely new PowerBooks? Doesn't make any sense to me. As far as the time when Apple updated the 15" Titanium then introduced new 12/17" PowerBooks, well if you remember they didn't update the 15" PowerBook until well into that year so to me that doesn't really count since they didn't update the 15" PowerBook with those new models.

I don't think you will ever see a G5 PowerBook anytime with in the next 2 years. There isn't a G5 processor out there right now that will be usable in a laptop configuration without eating the battery and boiling your leg. It ain't gonna happen people so quit pissing and moaning about it! As you can see its not getting you anywhere is it!!!

We can all sit here and speculate all we want but none of us knows about what is really going on inside Apple. How about this scenario:

The PB G5 team was having a very hard time overcoming heat issues (or others) and told Jobs that they were at least 6 months away from solving them. Apple decided to update the PBs with 1.5 G4s. The PB G5 team has a breakthrough and solved the issue much sooner. Now what? Sit on the technology while sales and market share continue to erode or introduce it depsite the recent update?

Or this...

IBM tells Apple in January of the G5 problems (yields, rumored glue problem, whatever). Apple is forced to alter all their release schedules. Slap the 1.5 G4 in the PB thus delaying that chip in the iMac. Go ahead and put it in the eMac due to its low volume. Postpone the PM update. By March or April, IBM tells Apple the problem is solved and Apple decides to kill the G4 iMac upgrade because G5s will be available in 60-90 days. Apple decides to bet the farm on WWDC and revamp much of their line. New iMacs, PMs and maybe even PBs.

There was an interesting rumor submission recently from a supposed laid off Apple employee in the Sacremento facility. Said he was posting because he was pissed about being laid off.

He speaks of cancelling first quarter updates due to IBM delays. Goes on to say that Trinity is the next big step, which is really not a G5 any longer, because it is based on the PowerPC 975, which is a single core variant of the Power 5... The new powerpc 975 will have its own on board memory controller which will support ram of no less than PC 3200 in dual channel

Trinity PMs will ship at speeds of up to 3.2Ghz come late summer...Even further on the horizon is the next revision codename cypher, which will used the PowerPC 976, which is a dual core monstrosity.

As we speak right now, IBM is currently ramping up production of the PowerPC 975 processor which it will unveil during Steve Jobs' keynote. During test yields, it has consistently produced good yields at speeds up to 3.2 Ghz. A lot of the problems that plagued the 970fx also plagued the 975, but they were both worked on at the same time. For the record, the 970fx is destined for the next iMac revision coming soon.

Who the hell knows? No more or less plausible that the other speculation around here.

[Zaty]

I doubt we'll se PBG5 at WWDC but not because the PBs were recently updated. Even if Apple announced PBG5 at WWDC, they wouldn't be available in decent quantities for some time. Furthermore, there are so many people out there who have been waiting for a PBG5 for months, so demand would definitely be high. Apple could continue selling the G4s until supply of the G5s matches demand. Now, I can already see people saying:" Who in their right minds would buy a G4 PB after the annoucement of G5s?" Well, there are such people, some peolpe just don't care because they're not following rumor/news sites (due to lack of interest in doing so) and there are always people, who for whatever reason need new a computer immediately and cannot wait 2 or 3 months. In a nutshell, if PBG5s were ready at WWDC, Apple wouldn't wait to start selling them just because the released new G4s two months earlier. (It would be downright foolish to wait IMHO).

[AmigoMac]

Yeah! It will be in Paris! I heard it... I dreamed about it and can already see them...wwdc will be more like a PM event, and one more thing ... anyway paris is the place!

[jxyama]

If it is true that the Xserve is capable of having 16 GB of RAM (http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?t=58773) once 2GB sticks are availible. It would be possible that the PowerBook could handle 4GB in two slot as soon as the DIMM are out there.

there are desktop RAMs that are 2 GB in capacity already.

SO-DIMMs are now barely hitting the 1 GB, in a sense the supply has improved to the point it's semi-affordable. it's gonna be a while before we see a SO-DIMM with 2 GB capacity.

[Sun Baked]

I hope it isn't dual channel DDR, could you imagine the look on people's faces when they get a 1GB machine, and have to pull out all the DIMMs to upgrade it to 2GB, then do the same thing if they ever go to 4GB. http://forums.macrumors.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=11368&stc=1

[stockscalper]

All this speculation about Intel one upping Apple is nil; Intel admitted last week they have hit the wall. They've overclocked the P4 as much as can be done. Prescott runs at 100 watts and an engineering bulletin warns of cracking the chip due to the heat it generates. While Intel scrambles to stay afloat Apple has all the options; it has paths from both FreeScale and IBM and there is no point in putting all of its chips (eggs) in one basket. For Apple the skies are blue and the horizon bright; for Intel it's dusk and smoggy.

[DHagan4755]

Given what we do know of the G5, there is no way it's going into a PowerBook anytime soon. But you have to admit Apple has to have been working on putting a G5 in a PowerBook since well before even IBM announced they were doing a PowerPC 970 (G5). Given that, and what little we know about newer, supposedly cooler versions of the 970, anything is possible.

[Frobozz]

We can all sit here and speculate all we want but none of us knows about what is really going on inside Apple. How about this scenario:

The PB G5 team was having a very hard time overcoming heat issues (or others) and told Jobs that they were at least 6 months away from solving them. Apple decided to update the PBs with 1.5 G4s. The PB G5 team has a breakthrough and solved the issue much sooner. Now what? Sit on the technology while sales and market share continue to erode or introduce it depsite the recent update?

Or this...

IBM tells Apple in January of the G5 problems (yields, rumored glue problem, whatever). Apple is forced to alter all their release schedules. Slap the 1.5 G4 in the PB thus delaying that chip in the iMac. Go ahead and put it in the eMac due to its low volume. Postpone the PM update. By March or April, IBM tells Apple the problem is solved and Apple decides to kill the G4 iMac upgrade because G5s will be available in 60-90 days. Apple decides to bet the farm on WWDC and revamp much of their line. New iMacs, PMs and maybe even PBs.

There was an interesting rumor submission recently from a supposed laid off Apple employee in the Sacremento facility. Said he was posting because he was pissed about being laid off.

He speaks of cancelling first quarter updates due to IBM delays. Goes on to say that Trinity is the next big step, which is really not a G5 any longer, because it is based on the PowerPC 975, which is a single core variant of the Power 5... The new powerpc 975 will have its own on board memory controller which will support ram of no less than PC 3200 in dual channel

Trinity PMs will ship at speeds of up to 3.2Ghz come late summer...Even further on the horizon is the next revision codename cypher, which will used the PowerPC 976, which is a dual core monstrosity.

As we speak right now, IBM is currently ramping up production of the PowerPC 975 processor which it will unveil during Steve Jobs' keynote. During test yields, it has consistently produced good yields at speeds up to 3.2 Ghz. A lot of the problems that plagued the 970fx also plagued the 975, but they were both worked on at the same time. For the record, the 970fx is destined for the next iMac revision coming soon.

Who the hell knows? No more or less plausible that the other speculation around here.

I tend to believe your second scenario. I suppose anything can happen late in the game to throw it off, but I DO believe it's the most likely scenario. I know IBM... and they won't be kept down for long. They have those chips (whatever they're called) and Apple will be getting them.

[trianglejuice]

I don't even know why you guys are so excited anyway. Via the OS X 10.3.4 update there's a suggestion of a new Mac (see previous rumors about PowerMac8,1), but that can't be a PB. Otherwise there would be something like PowerBook4,1 or so (like the other portables)...

Think about it! Think very different.

[ingenious]

As far as Motorola/Freescale coming in with a competitive processor to Dothan, have you people forgotten the last 5 years! Jeez. Even if Freescale comes through, do you really think Steve is going to give them yet another chance to hurt Apple? Come on now.

Apple moves for competitive reasons, Intel made the last move now its Apple's turn. I think this WWDC will be a watershed event with Apple re-entering the battle for the Enterprise. That means they will need Enterprise hardware in addition to Xserve. The Powerbooks for the Execs and mobile workers and a new iMac that will look good in the office and at home.

If Apple could, I think they would announce a G5 based Powerbook as soon as they can get it ready. There is absolutely no reason for them not to. The 1.5GHz Powerbook was a quick interim solution to help stave off further declines in Powerbook sales as users awaited a faster notebook. The next step for Apple will need to be 2GHz plus for the Powerbook. And they need it now before Intel's marketing plays deja vue with Apple.


That's what I'm thinking. Give the powerhungry mobile warriors an interim release to keep them happy, and then bring out the real release a few months later. It might cause them more sales, or they might (if those G4s haven't shipped by the time the G5s are actually released...) just replace the orders....

[Squire]

As we speak right now, IBM is currently ramping up production of the PowerPC 975 processor which it will unveil during Steve Jobs' keynote. During test yields, it has consistently produced good yields at speeds up to 3.2 Ghz.

I can just see it now...

Steve: Now back in (insert date of Keynote) I told you...no, I assured you that the G5 would be up to 3GHz by next summer- now. Well, I was going by the info I had at the time, given to me by the fine folks at IBM. A lot of things have changed since then and I stand here before you today to tell you I'm sorry...I was wrong. (dramatic pause) It's up to 3.2 GHz!

(standing ovation)

(insert new 3.2 GHz PM G5 spec slide)


Squire

[utilizer]

I usually don't say much on these forums but have to now!
OK, I will be possibly the first one to admit that I was wrong last year when I told you guys that there would not be a chance in hell that we would see the G5's announced at the time they were last year...In fact, I said that they would not have been shipped during 2003, until MWSF '04.
Well, I was dead wrong.
Let's flashback to that time:
As I recall it, the PowerMac line was refreshed with only 1.42 Dual Ghz G4's in March, to everyone's dismay. The current PowerBook line was just refreshed too at roughly about the same time I believe of this year. Now, taking that into account, along with recent comments by Steve to stock analysts that expressed frustrations with IBM's ability to produce sufficient quantities of G5 chips for both the XServe and PowerMac lines, I feel that IBM and Apple wanted to get it right this time. That's why we have yet to see a revision B to the PowerMac.

Now, also imagine the retail stores and how marketing works. Picture yourself as the "average John Doe" that knows that computers basically work! It's July of 2004 and you need a new computer and as you're walking through the shopping mall, you see these elegant computers sitting in a spiffy store. You say to yourself, "Gee, a Mac; I've heard recently that they're like a badly needed breath of fresh air when switching from Windows. I'll check it out."

You like the new G5s that were released but really want a laptop -- You suddenly realize, "Uh-oh. The G5 runs up to Dual 3 Ghz but the PowerBook tops out at 1.5 Ghz? AND it's an antiquated G4?!?!" So, you storm out of the store, leaving with the perception that you were essentially getting ripped off. Think about it: The Dual 3 Ghz coming out will be FAR superior to anything on the PB line; it already is now, it's embarrassing for Apple. It'll probably cost about $3,000, about the same for a well-equipped PB. Given, that price is without the monitor on the G5.

Yet, Apple continues to try to propel the argument that the G4 can do "most of the things most users require." True enough, BUT marketing always wins at the end of the day. Despite the brilliant iPod ads, people are still under the impression that the iPod only works on a Mac. I have an aunt who told me that the other day when she was having problems with her iRiver; the user interface is so hard she doesn't know how to use it. I suggested the iPod and that crap comes out of the mouth! It's not only her: FOUR of my other friends also brought up the same point -- AND two of them are *gulp* computer science majors. Yes friends, unfortunately Apple has an uphill battle over the coming months and I would give more credence to the G5 PowerBook making its debut at the WWDC later this month, just probably not as good as the specs suggested in the original post. :D

So, to sum up, Americans in particular are ignorant about technology; you can't market to these people with abstract ads. Furthermore, if Apple doesn't release the G5 PB, I give you the following analogy of how this scenario would play out in the media if something similar occurred in the auto industry:
"Mercedes releases the new S-Class with 800-HP; the fastest production car ever at under $100,000. Also the existing J-Class, which competes with the Kia Amanti has been discounted to $80,000, despite Kia's extremely competitive price of $26,500." :p

[utilizer]

I can just see it now...

Steve: Now back in (insert date of Keynote) I told you...no, I assured you that the G5 would be up to 3GHz by next summer- now. Well, I was going by the info I had at the time, given to me by the fine folks at IBM. A lot of things have changed since then and I stand here before you today to tell you I'm sorry...I was wrong. (dramatic pause) It's up to 3.2 GHz!

(standing ovation)

(insert new 3.2 GHz PM G5 spec slide)


Squire

That would be AWESOME!

[uzombie]

...So, to sum up, Americans in particular are ignorant about technology; you can't market to these people with abstract ads....

Um, it should read "most ignorant Americans.." I am not one of these
:)

but I think all advertising plays on impulse so...

Anyway, I predict (drumroll)... a tablet Powerbook TBA.

/fire when ready, Gridley

[Frobozz]

I don't even know why you guys are so excited anyway. Via the OS X 10.3.4 update there's a suggestion of a new Mac (see previous rumors about PowerMac8,1), but that can't be a PB. Otherwise there would be something like PowerBook4,1 or so (like the other portables)...

Think about it! Think very different.

*ahem*

Unless, of course, the PowerBook isn't available until the next release of Mac OS X. Which would be October. Which would make the update to the PowerBook exactly 6 months apart.

Hmmmmm....

[pjkelnhofer]

Cool that would make the newest 2.2GHz G5 powerbook as portable as the original Osborne PC.

But with the lates in carry-on luggage technology, the wheels and telescoping handles will make this PowerBook a breeze to use and carry around.

It's funny because my dad still has his Osborne in the basement. In fact, I played with it about two months ago. I tell you, that second 5.25" floppy drive makes life soooooooo much easier.

[SiliconAddict]

All this speculation about Intel one upping Apple is nil; Intel admitted last week they have hit the wall. They've overclocked the P4 as much as can be done. Prescott runs at 100 watts and an engineering bulletin warns of cracking the chip due to the heat it generates. While Intel scrambles to stay afloat Apple has all the options; it has paths from both FreeScale and IBM and there is no point in putting all of its chips (eggs) in one basket. For Apple the skies are blue and the horizon bright; for Intel it's dusk and smoggy.

Ummm dude. That is why the Pentium M is going to be tweaked for used in desktops in the future. (Check that, NEAR future.) The Pentium 4 sucks. This isn't a question anymore. It just does. Period. Stop debating it. It just does OK? :p The Pentium M scales damn well for a laptop chips now stick that sucker in a desktop, add more L1/L2 cache, jack up the chip speed, and watch it blow anything that was released under the P4 name out of the water. The people who developed the P4 should be embarrassed as hell that a chip designed for a laptop outperforms their "top of the line" CPU.

[SiliconAddict]

Anyway, I predict (drumroll)... a tablet Powerbook TBA.


If Apple announced that at WWDC they better have tissues on hand for the men in the audience. :D :eek:

[pjkelnhofer]

Um, it should read "most ignorant Americans.." I am not one of these
:)

but I think all advertising plays on impulse so...

Anyway, I predict (drumroll)... a tablet Powerbook TBA.

/fire when ready, Gridley

I may be ignorant and an American, but I am not... what was the other thing he said.

Seriously, I have been under the impression that the Tablet market is not really all that big right now. While it would be neat for Apple to expand there offerings in this way, I don't see where it would really be a spectacular announcement. How many people need or even want Tablet PC's? Seems like a pretty small market that is not going to help Apple move that 3% number up very much.

(waiting for posts of people explaining that they would buy a PowerBook tablet in a heartbeat)

[stockscalper]

It would be so wonderful if Apple did announce a new 64 bit chip for the Powerbook, but let's be realistic - it ain't going to happen! Before every one of these shows wild rumors like this always circulate. Remember, changes in chip technology has always been evolutionary, not revolutionary. Plus, the Powerbook was just upgraded. What is long overdue for an upgrade is the imac and what is getting overdue is the Power Mac. So expect upgrades to be announced for those two lines and stay tuned for something for the Powerbooks this fall.

[G4-power]

So, to sum up, Americans in particular are ignorant about technology; you can't market to these people with abstract ads.

Well, maybe, but here in Finland most people have never even heard of Macs or Apple Computer, and those friends of mine who've heard about Macs are like "Oh, that computer that has a built-in monitor, what Windows does it run?" That's quite sad. :(

And Apple ads in Finland, well, there's none. Most new Mac users here have heard about them from friends who've used Macs.

[mewzrh33]

I think who ever posted this rumor is seriously smoking something! Why would Apple go through the trouble of coming out with G4 updates a few weeks ago, then turn around 30 or 40 days later and release completely new PowerBooks? Doesn't make any sense to me. As far as the time when Apple updated the 15" Titanium then introduced new 12/17" PowerBooks, well if you remember they didn't update the 15" PowerBook until well into that year so to me that doesn't really count since they didn't update the 15" PowerBook with those new models.

I don't think you will ever see a G5 PowerBook anytime with in the next 2 years. There isn't a G5 processor out there right now that will be usable in a laptop configuration without eating the battery and boiling your leg. It ain't gonna happen people so quit pissing and moaning about it! As you can see its not getting you anywhere is it!!!

The rumor didn't say there would be a complete new line of PowerBooks. Maybe they'll keep offering a low-end and mid-range G4 and replace only the high-end PB with a G5 model. I don't see any reason why this couldn't be possible.

[SiliconAddict]

So, to sum up, Americans in particular are ignorant about technology; you can't market to these people with abstract ads.


Wait wait wait wait wait. I'm not an ignorant American. I'm an American barbarian. Keep the slurs straight why don't ya! :p ;)


other then that I have to agree. If nothing else from a marketing standpoint having a G5 will help Apple.

[James L]

The rumor didn't say there would be a complete new line of PowerBooks. Maybe they'll keep offering a low-end and mid-range G4 and replace only the high-end PB with a G5 model. I don't see any reason why this couldn't be possible.


The "rumor" was a crock, the poster was anonymous, and it was pulled by the site it was on. I can't believe it has generated this much attention.

[SiliconAddict]

The "rumor" was a crock, the poster was anonymous, and it was pulled by the site it was on. I can't believe it has generated this much attention.

Its generated this much attention because people want their G5 PowerBook. Enough said.

[coldspot]

I believe the new PowerBooks will be available only at the WWDC 2005. Steve Jobs certainly is going to show the new PowerMac 2.6 GHz in this WWDC 2004.

[iChan]

I seriously doubt this, but it would be great if it were true...

of course it would be great, but wouldn't many things, no matter how utterly fantastical be great if were found to be true? like living on the moon, or teleportation. These things would be great too... but doesn't mean they are going to happen any time soon. and not within the very near future anyway.

[iChan]

Looks like the world-supply of socks is going down.... :p

If this turns out to be true, expect me to be first in line to get a 15" top-end!

if it happens... you can put me down for some more apple stock... and one of these for each member of my family.

[ingenious]

of course it would be great, but wouldn't many things, no matter how utterly fantastical be great if were found to be true? like living on the moon, or teleportation. These things would be great too... but doesn't mean they are going to happen any time soon. and not within the very near future anyway.


Well, you know... they can teleport beams of light now and other nonmatter articles.

[rdowns]

I tend to believe your second scenario. I suppose anything can happen late in the game to throw it off, but I DO believe it's the most likely scenario. I know IBM... and they won't be kept down for long. They have those chips (whatever they're called) and Apple will be getting them.

Yeah, that seems most plausible. But I do tend to believe the excerpts of the submission I quoted.

[Rocketman]

Looks like the world-supply of socks is going down.... :p

If this turns out to be true, expect me to be first in line to get a 15" top-end!

One more thing . . .

Ditto.

:D

[ingenious]

I believe the new PowerBooks will be available only at the WWDC 2005. Steve Jobs certainly is going to show the new PowerMac 2.6 GHz in this WWDC 2004.

I think they will show this year.

[173080]

I don't beleive it at all. After buy my NEW powerbook less than a month ago. I would be very angry if they updated to G5 now.

Very True. I bought a new PowerBook recently and if they are udpated I'm going on a Killing Spree. :mad: (UT2004, of Course :D )

[ingenious]

All of the key components for Apple to produce a PowerBook G5 appear to be ready, and Mac users should expect to see the new laptop no later than this summer, Peter Glaskowsky, analyst with Instat/MDR and editor of the Microprocessor Report, told MacMinute. He noted that the IBM PowerPC 970FX-which is used in the XServe G5- offers basic power-consumption features needed for a portable machine. Glaskowsky explained that the 970FX also has PowerTune, IBM's version of the voltage and frequency scaling technology used on x86 laptop processors. "With all this new technology, a PowerBook G5 should be much faster and last about as long as a PowerBook G4 in average usage, "] he said.

Hmmm, this article is dated February, so maybe we will see them at WWDC?!?! :D

[~Shard~]

There is no way we will see G5 PowerBooks @ WWDC 2004. If anyone is a betting person, please let me know and I'll be happy to take your money. :cool:

No G5 PowerBooks until 2005 - end of story.

[Wyrm]

Hmmm, this article is dated February, so maybe we will see them at WWDC?!?! :D

That article was before Bernie said that getting the 970fx to fab was like staying out of the bathroom after taking Maxiumum Relief Exlax.

Not a pretty sight.. :(

I'd like an update to the PowerMac, since I'll be in the market.
WWDC seems like a great place to unveil it, since most of the people there who do dev, probably use PowerMacs. Dev on a laptop is like... well... y'know, cramped.

-Wyrm

[mcfudd]

This sounds good, but it is not going to happen.

Look for a 2.0GHz PowerBook 17" with a dual layer superdrive.

It will be a number of months (Jan-Feb 2005) before the G5 hits the PowerBook line-up.

You can bank on new G5 iMac systems however.

[jeff.macaddict]

There will be no PowerBook, there will however, be an XBook.

-15 and 17 only.
-Aluminum enclosure, all of which resembles the speaker grill on the current PBs.
-1 and 2 iPod hard drives, totalling 160 GBs, for pro apps where multiple drives come in handy.
-2.2 and 3.0 GHz G5 processor with 1.2 GHz and 1.8 GHz system bus.
-2 and 4 GB PC4000 RAM
-16X AGP Pro GPU with 512 MB VRAM
-3 USB, 2 FW400, 2 FW800, ADC (XBook must be plugged in) and DVI (full size)
-Swap Bay- A second optical drive, or a second battery.
-Built in mini WiFi
-Longer lived battery, yielding a claimed 8 hrs.

This will be sold alongside the existing portable options. Prices rumored to start at $3,499 and $4,099

This is real people!

[unregbaron]

There will be no PowerBook, there will however, be an XBook.

-15 and 17 only.
-Aluminum enclosure, all of which resembles the speaker grill on the current PBs.
-1 and 2 iPod hard drives, totalling 160 GBs, for pro apps where multiple drives come in handy.
-2.2 and 3.0 GHz G5 processor with 1.2 GHz and 1.8 GHz system bus.
-2 and 4 GB PC4000 RAM
-16X AGP Pro GPU with 512 MB VRAM
-3 USB, 2 FW400, 2 FW800, ADC (XBook must be plugged in) and DVI (full size)
-Swap Bay- A second optical drive, or a second battery.
-Built in mini WiFi
-Longer lived battery, yielding a claimed 8 hrs.

This will be sold alongside the existing portable options. Prices rumored to start at $3,499 and $4,099

This is real people!


HoochieMama!! if this turns out to be true....


:eek:

[BJNY]

I've been clamoring for these specs for well over a year, except I would want 5400rpm 2.5" hard drives instead of iPod 1.8" ones. I wonder how tough, and how thick this xBook would be...I wouldn't mind if it's 1.5 to 2 inches thick overall. A version without the built-in display would be my "Slab" concept (headless iMac, too) since I would always connect a [much] larger LCD to this "transportable". Bring it on!

[Nemesis]

Amen!

People, please, this is page 5 of comments on a completely anonymous theory.... not exactly reliable at all. You can bet somewhere there is a PC weenie right now who submitted the rumor, sat back with a 6 pack of beer and some chips, and is now killing himself laughing at how gullible the Mac community is.


Better to say, how pathetic and blind we are. Thank that to Apple and their ridiculous iron curtain they are hiding behind. In fact, they are pathetic, not us. Normal users of normal products of normal world companies out there demand some valuable information to make educated purchases, but that's not the case in Apple's world. We all are blind bunch of enthusiasts who feed ourselves only with a thought that sometime, in some respects, we are ahead of the rest of IT industry.
And that's about it. According to economic theories, there are about 5% of such users (early adopters) on the market. And guess what -- that's close to the size of Apple's computer market share out there.
;)

[Anna]

No way would they put the G5 in the Powerbook before they did in the iMac. I wish they would stop stuffing around with small speed bumps...and get the G5 in the PB...I have been waiting for around a yr now, and i am sure i speak for most people in the market for a PB.

[DHagan4755]

Better to say, how pathetic and blind we are. Thank that to Apple and their ridiculous iron curtain they are hiding behind. In fact, they are pathetic, not us. Normal users of normal products of normal world companies out there demand some valuable information to make educated purchases, but that's not the case in Apple's world.
;)I agree and I disagree. Apple has to protect competition from stealing ideas before Apple gets them to market. Are they a little to rabid about protecting it...yes...I believe they have played into the hands of their loyal supporters by using the carrot and stick routine. But Apple also has to sell their products, and they can't do that if people are going to hold off knowing what is around the corner. It's a double-edge sword. If Apple gains some more ground and broadens its marketshare, I could see that rigid secrecy lessen to a degree.

[AT71]

Will there be a live webcast of SJ's keynote address at WWDC'04? Or a delayed telecast?

[pjkelnhofer]

Will there be a live webcast of SJ's keynote address at WWDC'04? Or a delayed telecast?

I am sure it will be live. All the keynotes have been webcast live. At the very least MacRumors will keep up a running transcript of the presentation.

[~Shard~]

There will be no PowerBook, there will however, be an XBook.

-15 and 17 only.
-Aluminum enclosure, all of which resembles the speaker grill on the current PBs.
-1 and 2 iPod hard drives, totalling 160 GBs, for pro apps where multiple drives come in handy.
-2.2 and 3.0 GHz G5 processor with 1.2 GHz and 1.8 GHz system bus.
-2 and 4 GB PC4000 RAM
-16X AGP Pro GPU with 512 MB VRAM
-3 USB, 2 FW400, 2 FW800, ADC (XBook must be plugged in) and DVI (full size)
-Swap Bay- A second optical drive, or a second battery.
-Built in mini WiFi
-Longer lived battery, yielding a claimed 8 hrs.

This will be sold alongside the existing portable options. Prices rumored to start at $3,499 and $4,099

This is real people!

LOL - thanks for the laugh, you got my day off to a good start! :cool:

Of course, on the remote off-chance that you're being serious (for some reason), a source would sure be nice! ;)

[dongmin]

Those "speed bumps" have also included at least three changes in processor - 7455 to 7457 to 7447A. The first two are pin-compatible, but I've heard some mutterings that the last is not compatible with the others and would require a new pin-out for the socket and minor revisions to the motherboard.

Oh, and I'm one of those people who does expect the G4 to "keep getting faster," because the core is about to be the basis for a new processor. The FreeScale e600 is a G4-based design with on-die memory controller, 400mhz FSB, low power consumption, and a clockrate that should be introduced around 2.0ghz at a mere 17 watts peak. The dual-core version adds a second logical core, and only 8 more watts, for a dual 2.0ghz chip at 25 watts peak expenditure.

That is what I want in the PowerBook.

A. The last chip revision was from 7447 to 7447A, and yes, they are pin compatible.

B. Steve Jobs himself has said that Apple is working on fitting a G5 into the PowerBooks. (I'm too lazy to find the link but it's on this site somewhere.) And no, Steve wasn't being cute when he talked of a G5, i.e. he's not thinking some future Freescale chip a "G5." The G5 is going into the PowerBook. It's just a matter of time, and of which flavor--970fx is the most likely but Apple-IBM may have something completely new up its sleeve.

[DaveGee]

There will be no PowerBook, there will however, be an XBook.

-15 and 17 only.
-Aluminum enclosure, all of which resembles the speaker grill on the current PBs.
-1 and 2 iPod hard drives, totalling 160 GBs, for pro apps where multiple drives come in handy.
-2.2 and 3.0 GHz G5 processor with 1.2 GHz and 1.8 GHz system bus.
-2 and 4 GB PC4000 RAM
-16X AGP Pro GPU with 512 MB VRAM
-3 USB, 2 FW400, 2 FW800, ADC (XBook must be plugged in) and DVI (full size)
-Swap Bay- A second optical drive, or a second battery.
-Built in mini WiFi
-Longer lived battery, yielding a claimed 8 hrs.

This will be sold alongside the existing portable options. Prices rumored to start at $3,499 and $4,099

This is real people!

1 or 2 iPod type HDs totaling 160GB?!?! What the heck were you smoking? Coulda had a good rumor-float going but...

1 - iPod HDs in a box this size doesn't make any sense at all
2 - iPod HDs MAX size is 40GB now and 60GB 'late summer'
3 - iPod HDs are slower than 2.5" normal laptop drives
4 - Normal 2.5" are cheaper and have no problem fitting into the current super slim PowerBook design so in a thicker designed systems like you've detailed above certainly wouldn't have any problem using a 2.5" drive too.

I won't even get into full ADC on the system...

Finally with the amount of ram that video card has... how many fans with that sucker have anyway?!?! :lol: :lol:

The only way you could ever come up to 160GB using iPod hard drives (OR Toshiba 1.8" drives as most people refer as) would be to use THREE drives (1 @ 40GB + 2 @ 60GB) and even then I'm betting that the 60GB when it does ship will be pretty much reserved for a new iPod when it gets announced. Heh, you shoulda left well enough alone and just quoted 160GB HD size (without going over the top and trying to shoehorn in the word iPod when it clearly doesn't make any sense for a product like this) you might have suckered more people.

Live and Learn... :p

[~Shard~]

B. Steve Jobs himself has said that Apple is working on fitting a G5 into the PowerBooks. (I'm too lazy to find the link but it's on this site somewhere.) And no, Steve wasn't being cute when he talked of a G5, i.e. he's not thinking some future Freescale chip a "G5." The G5 is going into the PowerBook. It's just a matter of time, and of which flavor--970fx is the most likely but Apple-IBM may have something completely new up its sleeve.

Oh yes, there is no doubt there will eventually be a G5 PowerBook, and I realize Jobs said this, but as you said - it's a matter of time. Early 2005 is my guess.

Of course, the more important question is does a G5 PowerBook make sense, and is it the most logical thing to pursue right now? Sometimes companies get caught up in doing something for the sake of doing it, and not considering whether it's the right thing to do or not, or does it make sense and is it feasible. The average uneducated consumer is like this as well - they just want the latest and greatest technology in everything regardless of if it makes sense or not, and paying no consideration to any type of re-engineering work, etc. that may need to be accomplished, let alone a slew of other technological and business-related factors.

Will there be G5 PowerBooks? Yes. Does it make sense to shoehorn in a server-class chip into a laptop? I guess that's up for debate, but I haven't seen many Itanium laptops around - seems like Intel has a different take on things, and perhaps another G4 revision would make sense in Apple's case. Will it happen? I personally don't think so, but as for comments made by posters like thatwendigo, I completely agree with what they're saying.

Don't get me wrong, I'm all for G5s in everything, but it's not always as simple as that!

[themadchemist]

Guys, I must also tell you that the new powerbooks will be able to masquerade as you so that you can send them to work in your stead. They will do your job more effectively than you would have and you will get big promotions accompanied by big fat paychecks.

It's the new Powerbook NGH: Not Gonna Happen.

[jeff.macaddict]

1 or 2 iPod type HDs totaling 160GB?!?! What the heck were you smoking? Coulda had a good rumor-float going but...

1 - iPod HDs in a box this size doesn't make any sense at all
2 - iPod HDs MAX size is 40GB now and 60GB 'late summer'
3 - iPod HDs are slower than 2.5" normal laptop drives
4 - Normal 2.5" are cheaper and have no problem fitting into the current super slim PowerBook design so in a thicker designed systems like you've detailed above certainly wouldn't have any problem using a 2.5" drive too.

I won't even get into full ADC on the system...

Finally with the amount of ram that video card has... how many fans with that sucker have anyway?!?! :lol: :lol:

The only way you could ever come up to 160GB using iPod hard drives (OR Toshiba 1.8" drives as most people refer as) would be to use THREE drives (1 @ 40GB + 2 @ 60GB) and even then I'm betting that the 60GB when it does ship will be pretty much reserved for a new iPod when it gets announced. Heh, you shoulda left well enough alone and just quoted 160GB HD size (without going over the top and trying to shoehorn in the word iPod when it clearly doesn't make any sense for a product like this) you might have suckered more people.

Live and Learn... :p

I can't believe you thought I was at all serious. :p I was merely making a specultion that is just as believeable, and just as reliable as the one that started all this madness.

[pinto32]

It wouldnt really surprise me a whole lot if Apple would put out an update to the PB G4s only a couple of months before releasing a PB G5...it would be a great way to get one last sales boost out of that mature design.....

[elo]

I believe I mentioned previously that the G5 PowerBook would not arrive during 2004. Once again: Apple is working hard on a G5 PowerBook. When it's ready, it will be nothing short of spectacular. And that won't be during 2004.

elo

[James L]

I believe I mentioned previously that the G5 PowerBook would not arrive during 2004. Have people really not figured out who I am, or are they just not listening?

Once again: Apple is working hard on a G5 PowerBook. When it's ready, it will be nothing short of spectacular. And that won't be during 2004.

elo


or, option 3, they don't care who you are? If you want to say it, say it.

[Squire]

I believe I mentioned previously that the G5 PowerBook would not arrive during 2004. Have people really not figured out who I am, or are they just not listening?

Once again: Apple is working hard on a G5 PowerBook. When it's ready, it will be nothing short of spectacular. And that won't be during 2004.

elo

I've got it...YOU'RE ~Shard~!

Squire

[JonMaker]

The great strength of the PMG5s is their blazingly fast system bus. What does a G4 top out at? 133mhz? With a 1.5Ghz proc.?
All of the PMG5's have a bus equal to half the proc speed. :eek: Will this feature find its way into the new PBG5's? :confused:
If not, they'd may as well keep on scaling the G4's! :eek: :confused:

[whenpaulsparks]

reading some of the posts in this thread really made me laugh.

there will NOT be a PowerBook G5 before the end of the year.

it will be too hot, it wouldnt make sense considering G4's were just updated, since the highest feasible DDR SODIMM available now is 1GB, it would max out at 2GB anyways, and plus, look at older releases. anytime they update a line, they ALWAYS update it's capabilities. what would they update, thats not already top of the line in the powerbook G4 series?

FireWire 800? check.
Superdrive? check.
USB 2.0? check.
DVI Video? check.
Airport Extreme? check.
Gigabit Ethernet? check.
Bluetooth? check.

in the older releases, they were identified by what capabilities they had. (ie DVI Powerbook, Gigabit Ethernet, etc.) and there's nothing to update, unless something like firewireless would be ready and apple actually wanted to do it. the only update i could see would be the 100GB hard drives that were rumored. so wow, a 1.6 GHz G5 with the only difference being a 100GB hard drive? psh, what an update over a 1.5GHz G4!

people, don't believe something that's anonymous. you all are tools that do. he/she is probably sitting back laughing at you all now.

[~Shard~]

I've got it...YOU'RE ~Shard~!

Squire

Hey, what the hell is that supposed to mean? Is this some indirect crack against me and my posts?! ;) :)

Well, this elo guy does seem to be copying exactly what I've been saying (word for word nonetheless!) - but I ensure you I have no idea who this guy is... and why he's making such a big deal about who he is.

Hmm, perhaps he's... NEATGEKKO!!! :cool:

[DJY]

what would they update, thats not already top of the line in the powerbook G4 series?


What about a dual layer SuperDrive?

DJY runs to hide

[aswitcher]

There will be no PowerBook, there will however, be an XBook.

This is real people!

:D

[Ryan1524]

even if they announce it on WWDC, it'll probably only start shipping 2 months later, or maybe even January. if so, then the time-interval between updates would be more plausible.

[~Shard~]

even if they announce it on WWDC, it'll probably only start shipping 2 months later, or maybe even January. if so, then the time-interval between updates would be more plausible.

As I said before, I don't know if Apple would do this unless forced into it by chip delays from IBM. Usually, when a RevB of a product is announced it ships essentially right away, so unless there are some huge changes to the PowerMac line thus warranting longer shipping times, I don't think Apple will want to do the old "release now, ship in x months" game again - especially not with there already being an entire year between PowerMac updates. If Jobs has to announce yet another 2, 3 or 4 month wait on top of that, then many people will be quite upset. As I said, if his hands are essentially tied due to technological setbacks over the past few months, so be it, but I think Jobs would want to do everything possible to ensure that once the new PowerMacs are announced, they will be available immediately.

Perhaps this is in part why the wait for PowerMac updates has been so long - new models were possibly ready a couple months ago, but Jobs wanted to hold onto them until WWDC when he coulsd showcase them AND announce that they are shipping instantly. That would be the formula for good press. Now if he announces the new PowerMacs are shipping right away AND the new top-end is a 3 GHz G5, then that will be BIG news. :cool:

[eric_n_dfw]

There will be no PowerBook, there will however, be an XBook.Awe, darn! I was hoping for the PowerBook Extreme!!! :rolleyes:

[johnnowak]

Sounds like a G5 iMac to me... 15" comes in at 20 lbs.

The only problem is that its a -biiitch- to carry that thing because its weighted so oddly. No way it'll fit in a briefcase either. ;-)

20lbs is a bit more than 10-15 though. ;-)

Now if I could get the iMac with just the base... except more CUBE shaped than round... then we'd have something. Add in one of those collapsable flat-panels and I'd be kicking ass and taking names.

[johnnowak]

Wow, I'd love an XBook. :-)

17" wide-screen
*Carbon fiber case*
3ghz G5
1.5Ghz Bus
Graphics whatever
No illuminated keyboard (its worthless on my 15" Albook, the grey keys and light grey letters is a bitch to read... using the screen to light up the board works much better in most cases... i leave the optics off)
4 hour battery life (that 970fx scales baby)
4GB RAM max
No built in speakers... instead, a NUMPAD + page up/down/end/home, etc
Full size function keys
1x Firewire 800
2x Firewire 400
2x USB 2
ADC/DV out
gigabit ethernet
56k v.92 modem
bluetooth
airport extreme
1 cardbus slot
160GB 7200 RPM HD
mic/line-in
11 lbs

$3499.00

[Squire]

Hey, what the hell is that supposed to mean? Is this some indirect crack against me and my posts?! ;) :)

Well, this elo guy does seem to be copying exactly what I've been saying (word for word nonetheless!) - but I ensure you I have no idea who this guy is... and why he's making such a big deal about who he is.

Hmm, perhaps he's... NEATGEKKO!!! :cool:

Not a crack at all, ~Shard~. It's just that this elo guy does seem to be copying exactly what you've been saying (word for word nonetheless!). ;)

Squire

[Mord]

There will be no PowerBook, there will however, be an XBook.

-15 and 17 only.
-Aluminum enclosure, all of which resembles the speaker grill on the current PBs.
-1 and 2 iPod hard drives, totalling 160 GBs, for pro apps where multiple drives come in handy.
-2.2 and 3.0 GHz G5 processor with 1.2 GHz and 1.8 GHz system bus.
-2 and 4 GB PC4000 RAM
-16X AGP Pro GPU with 512 MB VRAM
-3 USB, 2 FW400, 2 FW800, ADC (XBook must be plugged in) and DVI (full size)
-Swap Bay- A second optical drive, or a second battery.
-Built in mini WiFi
-Longer lived battery, yielding a claimed 8 hrs.

This will be sold alongside the existing portable options. Prices rumored to start at $3,499 and $4,099

This is real people!

hey theres no such thing as agp pro 16x

and how can you have a 3GHz g5 with a 1.8GHz system bus

and not even a fire gl has 512 vram

[elo]

Hey, what the hell is that supposed to mean? Is this some indirect crack against me and my posts?! ;) :)

Well, this elo guy does seem to be copying exactly what I've been saying (word for word nonetheless!) - but I ensure you I have no idea who this guy is... and why he's making such a big deal about who he is.

Hmm, perhaps he's... NEATGEKKO!!! :cool:

Shard, I haven't been keeping up with much of the discussion, though I did read this thread. If any of my wording is similar to yours, I can assure you it's just coincidence. If you search my old posts, you'll see that I've been denying rumors of an early G5 PowerBook release for quite a while.

I also don't think I'm making a big deal about "who" I am. About a month or so ago, I had the opportunity to deliver some actual *news* to this site, but I could not reveal who I was. Though posting so-called inside information without an identity diminishes somewhat the credibility of the information posted, I made a decision to do so anyway because I thought it would be helpful to some. One person here said some very unkind things because I *wouldn't* say who I was. My identity comment was directed at that person only.

elo

[starcrossed]

:( Now I'm in a major bind. I have my credit card ready to purchase my very first Powerbook, and now a little rumor comes along that Apple will release PB G5s as early as WWDC. I want one so bad but I would have to still wait 22 days to find out if Apple does come through. A part of me wants to get my hands on a G5 processor and even if Jobs annouces it would still be willing to wait till September for delivery, but the other part says just give in buy one now, cause they're probably might not be much faster generally and I wouldn't have to wait, plus Rev.A models might have some little defects cause of the G5. Plus I think with Jobs already probably spending most of the Keynote discussing Tiger, possibly new PowerMacs and Displays he might not have much time to discuss Powerbooks which would need a bit of Jobs time to really discuss their design that he might not have. What to do!! :(

[Doctor Q]

:( Now I'm in a major bind. I have my credit card ready to purchase my very first Powerbook, and now a little rumor comes along that Apple will release PB G5s as early as WWDC. I want one so bad but I would have to still wait 22 days to find out if Apple does come through. A part of me wants to get my hands on a G5 processor and even if Jobs annouces it would still be willing to wait till September for delivery, but the other part says just give in buy one now, cause they're probably might not be much faster generally and I wouldn't have to wait, plus Rev.A models might have some little defects cause of the G5. Plus I think with Jobs already probably spending most of the Keynote discussing Tiger, possibly new PowerMacs and Displays he might not have much time to discuss Powerbooks which would need a bit of Jobs time to really discuss their design that he might not have. What to do!! :(Since you are willing to wait until September, you might as well wait a few more weeks just in case. Personally, I don't think we'll see a new PowerBook this month, but I wouldn't be surprised to see price drops, and that's another reason to wait.

[maverick13]

:( Now I'm in a major bind. I have my credit card ready to purchase my very first Powerbook, and now a little rumor comes along that Apple will release PB G5s as early as WWDC. I want one so bad but I would have to still wait 22 days to find out if Apple does come through. A part of me wants to get my hands on a G5 processor and even if Jobs annouces it would still be willing to wait till September for delivery, but the other part says just give in buy one now, cause they're probably might not be much faster generally and I wouldn't have to wait, plus Rev.A models might have some little defects cause of the G5. Plus I think with Jobs already probably spending most of the Keynote discussing Tiger, possibly new PowerMacs and Displays he might not have much time to discuss Powerbooks which would need a bit of Jobs time to really discuss their design that he might not have. What to do!! :(

Time rewards those who wait... I am also waiting for the PowerBook G5 to buy ... when it comes out. The G5 will have a clear speed difference ,even in low GHz than current models. However I am afraid that we won't see it this
year. I am placing my bet for Jan 2005.

Maverick

[ingenious]

I think that if they 970fx production has ramped up enough, we will see PowerBook G5s at WWDC. Even if production hasn't increased enough, I think that we will at least see them previewed at WWDC.

[cb911]

wow. i'd be really suprised to see a 2.2GHz G5 PowerBook anytime soon... that's a massive speed jump.

it's probably more likely that if the G5 was to be realeased it'd be around the 1.7 or 1.8GHz speeds.

mind you, if Apple wants to put the G5s in iMacs the PowerBooks would also have to be updated to use the same speed (at least) processor. ;)

[CmdrLaForge]

I think that if they 970fx production has ramped up enough, we will see PowerBook G5s at WWDC. Even if production hasn't increased enough, I think that we will at least see them previewed at WWDC.

Funny that people really think that. Maybe its presented by some aliens from mars :D

[~Shard~]

I think that if they 970fx production has ramped up enough, we will see PowerBook G5s at WWDC. Even if production hasn't increased enough, I think that we will at least see them previewed at WWDC.

Are you a betting man? ;) No G5 PowerBooks will be released until 2005. As for being previewed, I don't think Apple has ever really "previewed" new hardware which is 6 months (or more) away from release (let alone shipping dates) - Apple has always just previewed software, as it is doing with Tiger @ WWDC.

Plus Apple will have enough to announce at WWDC as it is - PowerMac updates, possible iPod updates, possible iMac updates, iTMS Europe, new displays... PowerBooks are going to be at the bottom of the list, especially since they were just updated. Heck, technically eMacs are due for updates before PowerBooks at this stage of the game. ;) :cool:

[~Shard~]

Not a crack at all, ~Shard~. It's just that this elo guy does seem to be copying exactly what you've been saying (word for word nonetheless!). ;)

Squire

No worries Squire, just having some fun myself. ;) :cool:

[James L]

:( Now I'm in a major bind. I have my credit card ready to purchase my very first Powerbook, and now a little rumor comes along that Apple will release PB G5s as early as WWDC. I want one so bad but I would have to still wait 22 days to find out if Apple does come through. A part of me wants to get my hands on a G5 processor and even if Jobs annouces it would still be willing to wait till September for delivery, but the other part says just give in buy one now, cause they're probably might not be much faster generally and I wouldn't have to wait, plus Rev.A models might have some little defects cause of the G5. Plus I think with Jobs already probably spending most of the Keynote discussing Tiger, possibly new PowerMacs and Displays he might not have much time to discuss Powerbooks which would need a bit of Jobs time to really discuss their design that he might not have. What to do!! :(

I say buy now, people who are honestly expecting a G5 powerbook at WWDC, only 2 months after the release of the lateset update, are on glue (no disrespect intended).

The current lineup ARE the new PB's, they only came out on April 19th. More importantly, they didn't ship to many people until a month ago. They had a significant price drop when they came out. For people to expect more only a month or two later is a serious pipe dream. Some people seem to think if they want it bad enough that they will get it sooner. Then there is the real world.

Look at how this thread got started. An anonymous idiot posts a report with absolutely NO foundation whatsoever. The site he posted it on put so little faith into it that they actually pulled it from their site. And yet, even with how completely unfounded this rumor is look at how many people think it is still going to happen.

The bottom line, Apple manages its inventory well. Some people have said that the last update was just to clear old stock out of channels... A) Apple doesn't carry months of stock anymore (they got bit by that bad in the 90's) and B) they are making these machines daily. Furthermore, Apple has never updated the PB lineup twice in a 2 month period (And no, the 15" in Nov 2002 and the 12" and 17" in Jan 2003 doesn't count). Finally, there are heat issues besides the processor.

A new chip will come in the PB lineup, of course. Is it going to happen immediately after an update... not likely. Look to September or or more likely January for that.

Cheers!

James

[~Shard~]

Shard, I haven't been keeping up with much of the discussion, though I did read this thread. If any of my wording is similar to yours, I can assure you it's just coincidence. If you search my old posts, you'll see that I've been denying rumors of an early G5 PowerBook release for quite a while.

I also don't think I'm making a big deal about "who" I am. About a month or so ago, I had the opportunity to deliver some actual *news* to this site, but I could not reveal who I was. Though posting so-called inside information without an identity diminishes somewhat the credibility of the information posted, I made a decision to do so anyway because I thought it would be helpful to some. One person here said some very unkind things because I *wouldn't* say who I was. My identity comment was directed at that person only.

elo

No problems at all elo, glad to have you in the forums and particiapting in the discussions - we're just all having some fun here and as Squire pointed out, he thought it amusing that you're comments were mirroring my own. :cool: And by all means, if you have "inside information", please share it - just please don't convey it with the attitude of the now infamous NeatGekko, who was arrogantly stating his wild predictions as fact (he actually guarranteed 3 GHz G5s @ MWSF!) :)

[starcrossed]

Thanks for the reply James L, I clearly see your point about how the time the latest Powerbooks finally got in the hands of their first consumers has only been about a handful of weeks, so the line is perspectively, extremely young. So either I wait 22 more days to see what happens, or just give in and enjoy my PB now and not be waiting till the shipping day in September or an annoucement in January and shipping in the Spring '05. But as I think about it, the current machines, yes have old G4s, but are still fairly decent machines. I imagine going from my iMac 800mhz G4 to the Powerbook 1.5Ghz G4 would already be great power boost for me, and I can always load that baby with more ram to keep it purring for at least two years, and it also has specs that are higher than the requirments of the power hungry apps I use, so I should be okay. However Apple/Steve Jobs can be unpredictable at times so I'll probably at least give it a week to think it over and watch for any more rumors then I'll make my decision.

[thatwendigo]

There will be no PowerBook, there will however, be an XBook.

-15 and 17 only.
-Aluminum enclosure, all of which resembles the speaker grill on the current PBs.
-1 and 2 iPod hard drives, totalling 160 GBs, for pro apps where multiple drives come in handy.
-2.2 and 3.0 GHz G5 processor with 1.2 GHz and 1.8 GHz system bus.
-2 and 4 GB PC4000 RAM
-16X AGP Pro GPU with 512 MB VRAM
-3 USB, 2 FW400, 2 FW800, ADC (XBook must be plugged in) and DVI (full size)
-Swap Bay- A second optical drive, or a second battery.
-Built in mini WiFi
-Longer lived battery, yielding a claimed 8 hrs.

This will be sold alongside the existing portable options. Prices rumored to start at $3,499 and $4,099

This is real people!

B.S.

Toshiba just announced 1.8" 60GB drives, so there are no 80GB ones. AGP Pro is 8x, not 16X. The technology that you're referring to is PCI-Express, and it's bleeding edge in laptops right now. The G5 doesn't support partal bus modifiers, so the 2.2ghz would have to be 1.1ghz, 550mhz, or some other whole-number variant, just as the 3.0 would have to be 1.5ghz, 750mhz, or another variant. There is no PC4000 SO-DIMM RAM and using full-sized DIMMS would take an inordinate amount of space in a laptop, especially with that PCI-Express GPU and giant heatsink for the 3.0ghz G5.

Last, but not least... How the hell would it increase battery life, while entirely moving to hotter, faster parts?

[James L]

B.S.

Toshiba just announced 1.8" 60GB drives, so there are no 80GB ones. AGP Pro is 8x, not 16X. The technology that you're referring to is PCI-Express, and it's bleeding edge in laptops right now. The G5 doesn't support partal bus modifiers, so the 2.2ghz would have to be 1.1ghz, 550mhz, or some other whole-number variant, just as the 3.0 would have to be 1.5ghz, 750mhz, or another variant. There is no PC4000 SO-DIMM RAM and using full-sized DIMMS would take an inordinate amount of space in a laptop, especially with that PCI-Express GPU and giant heatsink for the 3.0ghz G5.

Last, but not least... How the hell would it increase battery life, while entirely moving to hotter, faster parts?


Actually, if you read back a few posts, he admitted the whole thing was a joke a while ago. It was posted to point out how ludicrious this whole thread is!

Cheers,

James

[thatwendigo]

Actually, if you read back a few posts, he admitted the whole thing was a joke a while ago. It was posted to point out how ludicrious this whole thread is!

Ah, lovely. That's what I get for posting right after work has been beating me senseless. :o

[stockscalper]

Guys, get real. Stop and think how powerful and advanced the last Powerbook release is? There is nothing on the Wintel side that can touch the new Powerbooks. Almost all of the Centrinos have 3600 rpm drives and a 32 mb video card. Plus the chip used in them is nothing more than a glorified Pentium 3. Intel won't tell you that because it hurts their marketing campaign. The other option in the Wintel world is to get one of the standard P 4 laptops that weigh between 11 and 12 lbs, has 1 hour of battery life and run hot enough to fry eggs on the cover. The Powerbooks are the most powerful and elegant laptops available today.

[thatwendigo]

Guys, get real. Stop and think how powerful and advanced the last Powerbook release is? There is nothing on the Wintel side that can touch the new Powerbooks.

You know, I'm all for supporting Apple, but that's one of the most ignorant blanket statements I've ever heard. The new batch of Pentium-M processors pretty well kills single G4s on most benchmarks, because it defeats the desktop Petium 4 on a lot of things. There are also plenty of PC manufacturers that make top-end Centrino laptops that are at least somewhat feature competitive with the Powerbook and do it at around the same price.

Almost all of the Centrinos have 3600 rpm drives and a 32 mb video card.

Actually, most PC laptops have something like SiS or Intel integrataed graphics at the low end. If you move into the professional sector, like IBM's thinkpad T4x series, you see things like 7200RPM drives, but a lot of the OEMs cut corners somewhere.

Plus the chip used in them is nothing more than a glorified Pentium 3. Intel won't tell you that because it hurts their marketing campaign.

:rolleyes:

Come on. I love the mac and all, but you don't accomplish anything by using such blantantly misinformed rhetoric. The "nothing more" Pentium M has a revised memory bus, vastly more advanced cache, and more execution units than its little brother, while also managing to outperform Pentium 4s at around double it's clockspeed.

The other option in the Wintel world is to get one of the standard P 4 laptops that weigh between 11 and 12 lbs, has 1 hour of battery life and run hot enough to fry eggs on the cover.

There are a large number of things that are available on the PC side that don't come over to us, from true subcompacts and tablets on to the huge slabs of "desktop replacements" that you're talking about. It's the strength of their market - more choice and generally cheaper prices. This has all been overly simplistic cheerleading, and it's not at all what we need to be doing when it comes to Apple.

The Powerbooks are the most powerful and elegant laptops available today.

I'll go with you on elegance, but I can't follow on performance with a fully clear conscience.

[maverick13]

Guys, get real. Stop and think how powerful and advanced the last Powerbook release is? There is nothing on the Wintel side that can touch the new Powerbooks. Almost all of the Centrinos have 3600 rpm drives and a 32 mb video card. Plus the chip used in them is nothing more than a glorified Pentium 3. Intel won't tell you that because it hurts their marketing campaign. The other option in the Wintel world is to get one of the standard P 4 laptops that weigh between 11 and 12 lbs, has 1 hour of battery life and run hot enough to fry eggs on the cover. The Powerbooks are the most powerful and elegant laptops available today.

Where did you get this info? I see 128MB video card ram PC laptops. Moreover the Pentium M/Centrino(The glorified Pentium 3) kicks Pentium 4's ass in similiar clock frequencies. Intel will probably use Pentium M as the successor to Pentium 4.

Maverick

PS: So ,the G5 PowerBook is realy needed for Apple, for performance issues.

PS2: And there are some Athlon64 PC laptops on the market too...

[DHagan4755]

I, for one, think it will be here sooner than some people think, just because Apple loves surprises.

[maverick13]

I, for one, think it will be here sooner than some people think, just because Apple loves surprises.
I Hope so...

[stockscalper]

Where did you get this info? I see 128MB video card ram PC laptops. Moreover the Pentium M/Centrino(The glorified Pentium 3) kicks Pentium 4's ass in similiar clock frequencies. Intel will probably use Pentium M as the successor to Pentium 4.

I get this info from manufacturers' spec sheets that are sent to me. As a corporate president I have final authority on what we buy. I just went through an exercise two weeks ago and reviewed the VAIO's, HP's and Toshibas' and the specs I quoted were what was given in the pricing info. The Sony had a nice screen, but except for that the Wintel machines are way behind the Powerbooks. They are slow, hot, ugly and clunky. That was my impression after spending a significant amount of hands on time with them.

[rdowns]

I get this info from manufacturers' spec sheets that are sent to me. As a corporate president I have final authority on what we buy. I just went through an exercise two weeks ago and reviewed the VAIO's, HP's and Toshibas' and the specs I quoted were what was given in the pricing info. The Sony had a nice screen, but except for that the Wintel machines are way behind the Powerbooks. They are slow, hot, ugly and clunky. That was my impression after spending a significant amount of hands on time with them.

I hope the president of my company is not posting to forums during business hours. (I have the day off)

[pjkelnhofer]

I get this info from manufacturers' spec sheets that are sent to me. As a corporate president I have final authority on what we buy. I just went through an exercise two weeks ago and reviewed the VAIO's, HP's and Toshibas' and the specs I quoted were what was given in the pricing info. The Sony had a nice screen, but except for that the Wintel machines are way behind the Powerbooks. They are slow, hot, ugly and clunky. That was my impression after spending a significant amount of hands on time with them.

Maverick13 is right, the Pentium M is considered are far better chip than the Pentium 4, and there are those who believe the next generation chips will be based on the M. I also believe the Pentium M is a better chip than the G4 MHz for MHz. As to whether it is not a "glorified Pentium III" you can find plenty of arguments about if the Pentium M was truly "designed from the groung up" as Intel claims. No matter what, it was designed to be a mobile chip and is excellent at that.

Also, PB's have a reputation for being amongst the hotter of laptop computers. I totally disagree with your assement of the Windows laptops. Don't get me wrong I would love to have a PB myself, but there are plenty of other laptops I wouldn't classify as slow, hot, ugly or clunky.

[elo]

No problems at all elo, glad to have you in the forums and particiapting in the discussions - we're just all having some fun here and as Squire pointed out, he thought it amusing that you're comments were mirroring my own. :cool: And by all means, if you have "inside information", please share it - just please don't convey it with the attitude of the now infamous NeatGekko, who was arrogantly stating his wild predictions as fact (he actually guarranteed 3 GHz G5s @ MWSF!) :)


It's a deal!

Acutally, I almost never have insider information; usually I'm just as surprised as everyone else.

elo

[Mord]

You know, I'm all for supporting Apple, but that's one of the most ignorant blanket statements I've ever heard. The new batch of Pentium-M processors pretty well kills single G4s on most benchmarks, because it defeats the desktop Petium 4 on a lot of things. There are also plenty of PC manufacturers that make top-end Centrino laptops that are at least somewhat feature competitive with the Powerbook and do it at around the same price.



Actually, most PC laptops have something like SiS or Intel integrataed graphics at the low end. If you move into the professional sector, like IBM's thinkpad T4x series, you see things like 7200RPM drives, but a lot of the OEMs cut corners somewhere.



:rolleyes:

Come on. I love the mac and all, but you don't accomplish anything by using such blantantly misinformed rhetoric. The "nothing more" Pentium M has a revised memory bus, vastly more advanced cache, and more execution units than its little brother, while also managing to outperform Pentium 4s at around double it's clockspeed.



There are a large number of things that are available on the PC side that don't come over to us, from true subcompacts and tablets on to the huge slabs of "desktop replacements" that you're talking about. It's the strength of their market - more choice and generally cheaper prices. This has all been overly simplistic cheerleading, and it's not at all what we need to be doing when it comes to Apple.



I'll go with you on elegance, but I can't follow on performance with a fully clear conscience.

out of interest how long do you spend reserching and typeing out your epic post's?

[~Shard~]

out of interest how long do you spend reserching and typeing out your epic post's?

Well, no matter how long it is, he sure knows his stuff, you gotta give him that! ;) :cool:

[windowsblowsass]

No problems at all elo, glad to have you in the forums and particiapting in the discussions - we're just all having some fun here and as Squire pointed out, he thought it amusing that you're comments were mirroring my own. :cool: And by all means, if you have "inside information", please share it - just please don't convey it with the attitude of the now infamous NeatGekko, who was arrogantly stating his wild predictions as fact (he actually guarranteed 3 GHz G5s @ MWSF!) :)
ill eat my hand if powerbooks dont come ;)

[bousozoku]

When the G5 models of the PowerBook line arrive, don't expect the clock speed to be near what the PowerMac series will have. Despite the 90nm fabrication process, it's still a processor in need of more cooling than a notebook form factor can provide at full speeds.

What did they do with the XServe? They removed one drive bay to allow more air and they sped up the eight fans to compensate for the lack of air volume. Can they do this with a PowerBook? No. However, a machine running at 1-1.2 GHz might be cool enough to avoid a meltdown.

Perhaps, a new metal alloy capable of dispersing the heat to the exterior and gloves for the user to wear.

[nyprospect]

ill eat my hand if powerbooks dont come


All of it? :D

[Legacy user]

:confused: You guys sure know alot! All I can relate to is that when I upgraded my G3 Imac 350 to Panther (I waited, didn't do Jaguar)
I essentially got a new machine. Although I can't run any of the new games, or edit video (no firewire model) for basic needs such as email, web, and writing letters paying bills. This was an amazing upgrade in software alone.

My point is if they to Tiger as well as they did Panther, All you guys with first genration G5 or late model G4's (1 gig and above) will probably not be dissapointed.

Sadly, I will probably not be able to partake with Tiger, as I presume it will be G4 only. Makes sense.

[windowsblowsass]

ill eat my hand if powerbooks dont come


All of it? :D

you werent registered for the neat gekko fiasco were you i was joking
notice the ;)

[El Duderino]

ok, so what if this is pretty far-fetched. its enough for me to put off buying a laptop that i dont even need untill school starts. i was ready to go to bestbuy and purchase a PB (that have just recently been re-added to the website) and use my employee discount (which is just a few bucks more than the educational discount).

i actually couldnt care less if it was a G5 or not, i just want to wait so that i am not kicking myself in the nuts if something spectacular does come out....for instance maybe a new kind of portable like the continually speculated Apple Tablet which i would buy in a heartbeat (tablet are so frickin cool) :p

lets not be so pestimistic people, be at the very least a little open-minded

[hmg]

I'll be buying a new Powerbook 15" (full kit) to start paying from July 2004 (AU tax year start) which is in another couple'a'weeks....
And if a G5 Powerbook comes out early 2005, great, the AU FBT year starts in April, right? Salary sacrificing is a wonderfull thing! :) Lucky me!
I think I want one of those music streamer doodaas.

[themacman]

This would be so amzing. Acording to this rumors, it would be 2.2, and if this is true which is very well could be wrong then the desktop would have to be like Dual 2.6 Dual 3.0 and like a single 2.4. If that happend that would be very nice, and jobs fufilled his 3ghz promise and then some

[themacman]

I am going to buy a powerbook in september- october no matter what. If its g5 then ok if its like a 1.5 G4 then ok

[James L]

ok, so what if this is pretty far-fetched. its enough for me to put off buying a laptop that i dont even need untill school starts. i was ready to go to bestbuy and purchase a PB (that have just recently been re-added to the website) and use my employee discount (which is just a few bucks more than the educational discount).

i actually couldnt care less if it was a G5 or not, i just want to wait so that i am not kicking myself in the nuts if something spectacular does come out....for instance maybe a new kind of portable like the continually speculated Apple Tablet which i would buy in a heartbeat (tablet are so frickin cool) :p

lets not be so pestimistic people, be at the very least a little open-minded

Open minded is where there is some type of evidence that something is going to happen, so we wait and see.

This entire thread is based on one useless, anonymous, unfounded, no proof, thread that was even removed from the site it was posted on. The machines were just updated 6 weeks ago! I know people want a G5 PB, but please don't confuse pessimism with realism. There are many intelligent people on here that realize when Apple releases a machine 6 weeks ago, a machine that took over a month to get to some customers who ordered right away (as in they got it 2 weeks ago), that they are not going to then update it again.

We all want the G5 PB now, but then there is the real world!

Cheers!

[ingenious]

I think it's very possible we'll see PB G5s at WWDC, like I've said before. Apple must have something up their sleeve! I don't care that the PBs were just updated last month! I think that was a just an interim release.

[Squire]

I think it's very possible we'll see PB G5s at WWDC, like I've said before. Apple must have something up their sleeve! I don't care that the PBs were just updated last month! I think that was a just an interim release.

Do you feel that way because of the rumor, or did you originally think 2.2 GHz G5 Powerbooks would be introduced at WWDC?

Squire

[James L]

So, read this:

http://maccentral.macworld.com/news/2004/06/09/apple/index.php?redirect=1086765595000

...and NOW can we agree that the G5 PB will NOT be out anytime soon? Here is the direct quote:

"I think it's important to realize that the technical challenges are not trivial putting that G5 in a PowerBook or anything else and not to expect a G5 anytime soon in a PowerBook -- certainly not before the end of the year," said Boger."

Everyone enjoy their G4 Al Books for a little while longer... I know I will!

Cheers,

James

[ingenious]

Do you feel that way because of the rumor, or did you originally think 2.2 GHz G5 Powerbooks would be introduced at WWDC?

Squire


I felt that way before the rumor, but regarding today's announcement, looks like I was wrong :(.

[Florida Gator]

Hopefully something like this can be released between September and February.

-Powerbook G5-Mobile
-(maybe using e600 or e700 w/ 400mhz fsb)
-new Gun Metal case, still roughly 1 inch thick
-All widescreen
-128mb video
-gigabit internet and airport extreme
-superdrives

-1.7ghz 13 inch
-1.8ghz 15 inch
-2.0ghz 15 inch
-2.0ghz 17 inch

[thatwendigo]

out of interest how long do you spend reserching and typeing out your epic post's?

It depends on the subject, really. Some take me longer than others because I actually need to dig up reference materials - PDFs, websites, and so on - and others are just things I know or have read already.

Mostly, my posts lately have been rehashing points with people who seem to think that some of their wants will defy physics and general system design. It was good to be validated today on what I said about both the iMac and PowerBook moving to the G5, though I do believe it will happen eventually. The question is what the "G5" will be, and what the specifications will end up showing us.

[hob]

Hopefully something like this can be released between September and February.

-Powerbook G5-Mobile
-(maybe using e600 or e700 w/ 400mhz fsb)
-new Gun Metal case, still roughly 1 inch thick
-All widescreen
-128mb video
-gigabit internet and airport extreme
-superdrives

-1.7ghz 13 inch
-1.8ghz 15 inch
-2.0ghz 15 inch
-2.0ghz 17 inch

You don't ask for much, do you?! Although, I must admit I like the idea of a 13" W/S - I think we should all just accept that the G5 really won't be in the powerbook for a good 8-12 months minimum. How long did it take them to get the G4 from tower to notebook?!

Hob

[pjkelnhofer]

You don't ask for much, do you?! Although, I must admit I like the idea of a 13" W/S - I think we should all just accept that the G5 really won't be in the powerbook for a good 8-12 months minimum. How long did it take them to get the G4 from tower to notebook?!

Hob

You realize the chip he is talking about (e600/e700) is not an IBM G5 at all, but the next generation chip from Freescale (the former chip department of Motorola). Based on the power/heat specs expected from these chips, it would be perfectly reasonable to get them into a laptop. Of course, that is assuming Apple wants to keep using Moto chips and not go to an exclusively IBM line.

To me it makes sense to use one chip for portables (esp. when that chips is low heat) and one for desktop with more power but high heat.

[hob]

You realize the chip he is talking about (e600/e700) is not an IBM G5 at all, but the next generation chip from Freescale (the former chip department of Motorola). Based on the power/heat specs expected from these chips, it would be perfectly reasonable to get them into a laptop. Of course, that is assuming Apple wants to keep using Moto chips and not go to an exclusively IBM line.

To me it makes sense to use one chip for portables (esp. when that chips is low heat) and one for desktop with more power but high heat.

Ah my apolgies, in that case it makes more sense to me also - but is there anything wrong with the current G4? Do we really NEED more speed in our laptops? - that's the point i was trying to make...!

[Florida Gator]

Ah my apolgies, in that case it makes more sense to me also - but is there anything wrong with the current G4? Do we really NEED more speed in our laptops? - that's the point i was trying to make...!


a) if we only produced what we NEEDED, youd be inside a cave right now tapping your fingers on some rocks
b) some people do need faster processors now
c) some people want faster processors now, so in 4 years when they do need it, they have it
d) its called progress

[ingenious]

Ah my apolgies, in that case it makes more sense to me also - but is there anything wrong with the current G4? Do we really NEED more speed in our laptops? - that's the point i was trying to make...!


Yes we need more speed! The current G4s are hobbled by their slow FSB and clockspeed. We need new processors.

[Montserrat]

How long did it take to get G4 into a PB?
This was before my time (as a Mac user at least!) and it would be interesting to compare with the G5's progress to portables.

[johnnyjibbs]

How long did it take to get G4 into a PB?
This was before my time (as a Mac user at least!) and it would be interesting to compare with the G5's progress to portables.
PowerMac G4 released August or so 1999 @ 300/350/400/450 MHz
PowerBook G4 (TiBook) released January 2001 @ 400/500 MHz

Therefore there was a massive gap, but then the Pismo PowerBook G3 (2000) was 500 MHz G3 so was still reasonably competitive.

It was a long time to get the G4 into a PowerBook but then they did completely redesigned the look (i.e. small, thin, light).

I would think we have a while to go yet until the G5 PB sees the light of day (i.e. next Jan at absolute minimum).

[Montserrat]

18 months from G4 tower to G4 powerbook, so I suppose January would be a likely introduction for G5 books given G5 tower came out last summer. Not that the transition is going to involve all the same problems, but I'm not one of those who believes the WWDC rumour (though I'd love to be proved wrong).

Maybe they'll use liquid cooling like the new 2.5GHz - has that been done in a laptop before? I can see the banners now: "Ultrafast, Ultraquiet, Ultracool" - Might attract some PB G4 users (like myself) with advanced Erythema ab igne on their thighs!


(EDIT)
OK I guess I should do some simple googling before asking questions:
http://www.appleinsider.com/article.php?id=167
Talks about plans for liquid PB G5s and previous implementations of Liquid cooling in laptops

[johnnyjibbs]

I think it'll be a while. A G5 1.2 GHz wouldn't cut the mustard, even if it did have 600 MHz frontside bus. I'd stick with the G4. A faster G5 would be too hot.

Apple is obviously having difficulty getting the G5 heat down. I would think they would like to get it in a 1 - 1.5 inch thick enclosure so that it rivals centrinos. It takes time.

Besides, I'm perfectly happy with my 1GHz 12" PowerBook G4 ;) :p

[nyprospect]

you werent registered for the neat gekko fiasco were you i was joking
notice the ;)

You were joking? lol :D

[Bilvox]

silly rumors... (i hope)
as I sit here using my 1.5ghz 15inch PB
I would hate so soon to see such a jump in power... but progress happens.
:-)
-b





http://www.bilvox.com

[Mord]

PowerMac G4 released August or so 1999 @ 300MHz

fyi there was no 300MHz g4