PowerBooks in January

[arn]

PowerPage.org (http://www.powerpage.org/story.lasso?newsID=9761) reports that the Titanium PowerBook will not be updated until MacWorld Expo SF (2003).

The main difference with the new models (alongside the usual "speed bumps") will be the addition of BlueTooth wireless technology on the logic board.

In fact, they claim that all Macs in 2003 will ship with Bluetooth installed.

[vniow]

If you type in Powerbook in the search bar on the Apple homepage, you'll see the little icon at the top of the page lists it for 2,199 while the Store still lists it at 2,499. Hmmmmm......

[adelaney]

Not updated until? That sounds right on schedule or even slightly early. I still consider my 800 brand new.

[mymemory]

Well, looks like lots of things are coming up. Here in my country no ones knows what bluetooth is, so, that means that is a piece of technology not very well know yet.

But, more important than that is to think, where is the point when I should change my computer to a new one?

This new line coming up tomorrow is not a that signinficant for people who purchased a computer six months ago or even a year ago.

This new line (I asume) would be worth it for people with 400Mhz computers or less. In my case (I have a dual 500), I can wait for january. Right now I can get another cheap dual 500 for under $1000, load it with ram and that is it.

What sounds atractive is the new line of monitors.

[vniow]

Originally posted by mymemory
What sounds atractive is the new line of monitors.

I agree. If anyone can make widescreen computer monitors popular, it's Apple. :cool:

[goobus]

Woulodn't u think that they woudl update teh pb with the pm it woudl maek sence. I would liek a 1.25ghz dual laptop.

[Over Achiever]

Originally posted by goobus
Woulodn't u think that they woudl update teh pb with the pm it woudl maek sence. I would liek a 1.25ghz dual laptop.

You're joking right? Well, since you took the time to post, I'll post a reply. No way they'll make the powerbook as fast as the top of the line powermac, and dual? sheesh. Thats not gonna happen in a while.

Otherwise, its a nice dream...

[Over Achiever]

goobus

sorry i was rude. Welcome to MacRumors my friend.

[makkystyle]

That $2199 base price for the tibook is awesome!!! i'll take $300 off a kick-a$$ computer any day. Did anyone else think that the pic that comes up with the 2199 price looks like they have changed the paint on it??? Maybe there was some truth to the rumored black paint that was mentioned earlier today. That's one thing they really need to fix and could probably do quite easily.

[Over Achiever]

Originally posted by makkystyle
That $2199 base price for the tibook is awesome!!! i'll take $300 off a kick-a$$ computer any day. Did anyone else think that the pic that comes up with the 2199 price looks like they have changed the paint on it??? Maybe there was some truth to the rumored black paint that was mentioned earlier today. That's one thing they really need to fix and could probably do quite easily.

I love edu. pricing. Right now at the apple store, there is a sneaky promotion...they automatically take a hundred off the base model because of "promotional savings". Coupled with the fact that the pb is 250 less than regular pricing, the base model is only 2149. And I also got an e-mail promoting a free air-auto power adapter ($79 value) if i buy this month! This is great!

But...does it mean anything;)?

Welcome makkystyle to MacRumors.

[mcrain]

As far as the rumor of no new PB until MWSF 03 all I can say is:

Booo Hisss.

:mad:

If I can't have bluetooth, superdrive, duel processors, etc...
in a PB, the least they could give me is DDR this time around so I can finally pull the trigger.

[AlejandroGonzo]

If you type in Powerbook in the search bar on the Apple homepage, you'll see the little icon at the top of the page lists it for 2,199 while the Store still lists it at 2,499. Hmmmmm......

I did this with the PowerMac and EMac. The PowerMac shows 1699 there and 1599 at the Apple Store. The EMac shows 999. This is consistent with the MacMinute rumors for pricing. I'm getting my Powerbook tommorrow with this new pricing and switching from PC to MAC!

[spike]

Has anybody considered the possibility of no upgrades, but a simple price cut on the PBG4 Titanium line tomorrow or in the near future?

[Over Achiever]

New Prices!

Does this mean they'll be an update...even if its minor?

This is awesome! This means I'll save even more through edu. pricing...I'm soo glad I waited to buy my pb! Imagine, a brand spanking new powerbook for under 2 grand!

Oh yeah, that DOES NOT look like black paint...its just the shadow I guess.

[vniow]

I wouldn't put too much weight on the $999 eMac though. If you click on it, it takes you to the education store, which as most of you know, has discounted prices. If you click on the Power Mac and Book, it takes you to the regular Store, where the prices are not updated yet.

[drastik]

maybe, but the price on the Powermacs is going up a little. Plus, Evey body has disconinued Powermacs, so that really point to knew ones

[Over Achiever]

Originally posted by spike
Has anybody considered the possibility of no upgrades, but a simple price cut on the PBG4 Titanium line tomorrow or in the near future?

That's possible, but an upgrade isn't out of the question. It seems to be a minor one though. Either way, I'm happy that waiting to buy has finally paid off for me. I would've been pi$$ed if they didn't do anything until Jan, a price drop makes me happy. I see a mojor overhaul or loads of upgrades next year...quite possibly similar to the specs www.yourdailymac.com has right now.

Oh yeah, welcome to MacRumors spike. Gosh, I've said that too many times now.

[drastik]

Maybe the upgrades bigger than we thought. For the low end, might just be DDR with same speed procs. That would some out around a hundred, I think. Of course, there may be a drop on the 800 all together, or possibly they go edu like the 733's. Then the 933 becomes the bottom of the line, drop in DDR and that's a killer entry machine.

[cyberfunk]

Originally posted by goobus
Woulodn't u think that they woudl update teh pb with the pm it woudl maek sence. I would liek a 1.25ghz dual laptop.


I've said it once, and I'll say it again:

Me fail english ? thats unpossible ! --Ralph

[robguz]

No update until january? That would be bad since they were updated in April and it was pretty minor. 9 months is way to long for aging hardware, especially if any of the rumored specs on the new towers come true. Who would pay $3200 for a single 800 when they could get a dual 867 for $1600 and an upgraded ibook for another $1600?

Apple really needs updates across the line.

[~/indigo]

Well, take a look here (http://search.apple.com/find/results/images/) at the dates on the files for those images. I don't remember the TiBook starting at $2199 a year ago (24-Aug-2001).

Tell me what you think,
Jeff.

[vniow]

Maybe in the process of updating the web site, they accidently replaced the powerbook picture. I don't remember the 2001 Powerbooks being that low either. Maybe they were considering lowering the Powerbook price in '01. In any case, the site has been acting strangely lately,

[macman21]

Maybe they created a whole bunch of those .gif pics on August 24th. That way they would have them when needed for price changes. Unlikely I suppose, but who knows?

[saabmp3]

It has been acting strange latly. I don't know why, and it doesn't seem like anybody else does. However, why would they be messing around with powerbook graphics when all of the rumor sites show powermac's being updates? I just got my powerbook in the mail today (edu pricing, so this prolly doesn't have much to do with me). It was sent very quickly, no delays, nothign out of the ordinary. I personally don't think that new powerbooks are coming out and it would surprise me if they came down in price (hell, the ASD (apple student developer) price is 1999 and they are basically making no profit on that. It seems odd that Apple would willingly make so little profit on machines sold to consumers. Think, if they sell it like that to consumers, then the edu pricing must be around 1999 or less. That's very slim margins for such a nice computer.

But all in all, let's just wait 10 more hours and all questionswill be answered.

BEN

[cyberfunk]

Originally posted by saabmp3
10 more hours and all questionswill be answered.

BEN

I think 12 to 15 is more realistic ?

[MacArtist]

Originally posted by ~/indigo
Well, take a look here (http://search.apple.com/find/results/images/) at the dates on the files for those images. I don't remember the TiBook starting at $2199 a year ago (24-Aug-2001).

Tell me what you think,
Jeff.
The Tibook 550MHz Gb ethernet was $2199

At Apple History (http://www.apple-history.com) you see the prices for the 2001 PowerMac and PowerBook are the same as the pics state.

[MacArtist]

Originally posted by mcrain
As far as the rumor of no new PB until MWSF 03 all I can say is:

Booo Hisss.

:mad:

If I can't have bluetooth, superdrive, duel processors, etc...
in a PB, the least they could give me is DDR this time around so I can finally pull the trigger.

Have you used a Tibook for any length of time? They get hot as h*** with one processor, put two in it and you might as well kiss everything good-bye because it'll melt.

[galstaph]

hmmm... with that new lower pricing on the ti pbook, i just may have to think twice about an ibook and go for one of them, that is if they've lowered the price significantly in canada as well... just a few more hours to wait.... then all will be answered....

[adelaney]

Okay couple things, and this may sound a little defensive considering I'm writing this on my gorgeous 800 TiBook that I love so much...apologies. First off, the last PB update was not minor by any stretch of the imagination. The clock speed wasn't huge, but there were lots of other elements added to the logic board that made the real world performance much better. Go to Macworld.com and look at their review. Not to mention stuff like the graphics card which will kick it further ahead when Jaguar comes and then the heat sink which keeps the fan from coming on much, and then the second fan which keeps the fan from kicking up to full speed very often. The last update finally made the TiBook viable, when before it had just been pretty and expensive. It's still a hot little puppy but nothing like it was before.

Secondly, whoever wrote about the $1600 dual 867 and $1600 iBook needs to think about various peoples' situations. For starters, the dual 867 needs a monitor. That isn't chump change. Secondly, having to work on two computers is a big disadvantage in my opinion. You have to make sure you've got the right files for what you need when you go to work, take the time to copy them over, do a whole lot of other stuff twice, and then when you get to work you've got to process that great big file and your productivity goes down because you've got a g3 processor doing the major processing of your life, but then again you hardly want to donate your personal dual 867 to the company...etc. There are lots of reasons to have a TiBook. My life is encased in a 5.4 pound package. And I like it that way. So there.

[iMarc]

You're dead on, adelaney. I have an iMac and an ibook, use the ibook 2days/week, the imac 3days/week. Was looking for an upgrade to eMac and 700MHz iBook. But then, logic thinking kicked in (also, I always start drooling when I see a tibook :-), so I decided to go for one computer, a portable and a desktop machine at the same time: forget about eMaxc and iBook, I just ordered my tibook!

Just waiting for the tibook to be delivered.... oh my, i'm so excited, it's like looking forward to your birthday when you're young

iMarc

[adelaney]

Good for you iMarc, I'm happy for you. And yours will come with Jaguar preinstalled. And of course, welcome to MacRumors.

[Over Achiever]

Originally posted by MacArtist

The Tibook 550MHz Gb ethernet was $2199

At Apple History (http://www.apple-history.com) you see the prices for the 2001 PowerMac and PowerBook are the same as the pics state.

party pooper. I was really hoping they'd cut the prices...

*sigh*

looks like I'm waiting 'till end of Sept again...more likely 'till january...

:(

[Johnny7896]

Apple is updating the store right now.

[Over Achiever]

Originally posted by Johnny7896
Apple is updating the store right now.

Yup.

Here are my last minute predictions...i'll prob be wrong.

For sure:
new powermacs up to 1.4 GHz (screw 1.25!!!):D
edit: oh yeah, dual of course!

Might be:
one new cinema display...possibly a widescreen 17"
superdrive emac

my surprise "sleeper" pick:
faster iBooks, or a price drop on them

no show:
powerbook, imac update :(

Like I said, there is no basis for this prediction, so I will mostly be wrong.

[cb911]

is January a good estimate for the new TiBooks? what do all you think? is this a certain thing?

[Over Achiever]

Originally posted by Over Achiever
Like I said, there is no basis for this prediction, so I will mostly be wrong.

lol...i should have just predicted the predictable...sigh.

Apple is falling behind, and they're not that surprising anymore.

[Over Achiever]

Originally posted by cb911
is January a good estimate for the new TiBooks? what do all you think? is this a certain thing?

If they don't update before then, I'll be pi$$ed. If thats the case, January is perfectly reasonable...it'll be 8 months since the last rev, and apple likes to work it that time scale. Also, he might focus on the tibook at MWSF...can't see any new innovative, surprising things Steve will have in store for us...

Just think.

MWSF -- Presenting the First ever Superdrive Powerbook, now with DDR Ram! Burn DVDs and upgrade your Ram to 2GB. Oh, and one more ^little^ thing. This baby will run G5s! :D

That would be a awesome headline...prob won't happen though :(

[topicolo]

Originally posted by goobus
Woulodn't u think that they woudl update teh pb with the pm it woudl maek sence. I would liek a 1.25ghz dual laptop.

I'll have what he's smoking:D

[merman637]

Has Anyone noticed thart the powerbooks arent listed when u go to the hardware section ????Hmmmm

[latestmonkey]

I found the link but it just takes me to the regular apple store.


Also, does anyone run Virtual PC on their pb? how is it?

[topicolo]

It's the educational pricing. Just get someone who works at/goes to college to buy one for ya

[saabmp3]

The powerbooks havn't been in the graphic section of the Apple hardware section for about a month now. It is odd, but I don't think that it indicates much at the moment.


BEN

[bousozoku]

Originally posted by Over Achiever


You're joking right? Well, since you took the time to post, I'll post a reply. No way they'll make the powerbook as fast as the top of the line powermac, and dual? sheesh. Thats not gonna happen in a while.

Otherwise, its a nice dream...

Really, a hot dream...ouch! I wouldn't call that a laptop computer, I'd call it a hot plate. :D

[RDC]

Hi. 1) This is my first posting. Apologies if I'm violating rules!
2) I called Apple about the $2199. The worker told me that it was a typo. He said that the lowest price was actually $2249.
3) I've seen the rumors about the superdrive being put into the Powerbook and I've seen the rumors about bluetooth being "standard" in January. Can we assume that Powerbooks purchased before January can be retrofitted without any difficulty? I'm concerned that if I bought a Powerbook now that I couldn't get an internal superdrive in January.

[Over Achiever]

Originally posted by RDC
Hi. 1) This is my first posting. Apologies if I'm violating rules!
2) I called Apple about the $2199. The worker told me that it was a typo. He said that the lowest price was actually $2249.
3) I've seen the rumors about the superdrive being put into the Powerbook and I've seen the rumors about bluetooth being "standard" in January. Can we assume that Powerbooks purchased before January can be retrofitted without any difficulty? I'm concerned that if I bought a Powerbook now that I couldn't get an internal superdrive in January.

Remember, $2249 is the edu. price...actual lowest apple store price is $2499.

Welcome to Macrumors RDC. Hey! A fellow Minnesotan! It's a bit cooler this august than i'm used to...not complaining though! I hear their going to open an apple store in southdale. I'm a bit mad...rosedale, ridgedale, brookdale, or a stand-alone store in maple grove is better options...ok i'm off topic.:D

As for your question, if the superdrive is the same slot loading drive, and the powerbook formfactor isn't changed, I don't see why not. Didn't people buy upgrades for the combo drive? As for the bluetooth, it prob will be soldered into the motherboard or something like it, if so i'll be impossible to upgrade. Don't forget, they will upgrade the processor and graphics card by then, and it's impossible to upgrade those.

Hope that helped

Again, welcome.

[cb911]

January will be awhile since the last TiBook update, so looks like i'll start saving and planning to get my new TiBook!!:D

[mdntcallr]

Hey everyone:

Well, I am hoping for a new powerbook soon so I can have a desktop replacement and a powerful laptop.

My needs:

Great CPU (obviously a fast one)
DDR RAM (need fast ram)
good system bus (faster than what it has now)
Bluetooth (to connect with new devices)
Fast Graphics chip with 64 mb ddr ram (VIP!! need this to be a good gaming machine on the go)

With this, count me in.

I want a laptop which has a fast & large ram graphics. this will enable us graphics people and gamers to do more.

Apple people should consider putting more vram in the upscale model. People like me would pay for it!

[Over Achiever]

I have a hunch that many are waiting for the powerbook to pass the 1 GHz barrier, DDR ram, and superdrive in order to buy...
...maybe bluetooth, new video card, G5 perhaps...

am I right? am I right?:D
These are very possible for january.
(Well, except maybe for the superdrive and G5)

What else are ya'll waiting for?
(do not say dual processors...:mad: )

[jg3]

Aside from waiting to have the cash, I have these requirements for the powerbook I would like to buy in the next 9 months:

Powerbook requirements:
o 800MHz G4
o 512MB DDR RAM
o DVD/CD-RW
o 40GB storage
o AirPort
o >1024x768
o Mac OS 10.2
o 2 batteries
o Affordable!

Some are already available, some are upgrades. Here are my notes, starting from the current developer prices on the day I jotted down these specs:

4/24/02: 667MHz-G4/512MB-SDRAM/DVD/CD-RW/30GB/AirPort/2batt = $2502
133 DDR 10
4/29/02: 800MHz-G4/512MB-SDRAM/DVD/CD-RW/40GB/AirPort/2batt = $2662
DDR

Next refresh, October?
800MHz-G4/512MB-SDRAM/DVD/CD-RW/40GB/AirPort/2batt ~ $2200

This is basically a mechanism to keep me from thinking about it too much at least until the specs are met... all I need now is DDR and some money! :)

[iShater]

Originally posted by Over Achiever
I have a hunch that many are waiting for the powerbook to pass the 1 GHz barrier, DDR ram, and superdrive in order to buy...
...

What else are ya'll waiting for?
(do not say dual processors...:mad: )

I am waiting for Apple to include the same software package they have in the iBook in the TiPB. AppleWorks, Quicken, some games, ets.

I would love to switch from my old PC laptop to the TiPB, but to get me started, I need some software. I mean, WTH, the consumer lines all come with this software, why are the pro lines missing them? PC makers still put M$ Works on high end machines! :rolleyes:

[vixapphire]

After yesterday's underwhelming "upgrade", which someone else hilariously described as "adding hood scoops" to the Power Macs, I would no longer be surprised, but still would be very disappointed, if Apple couldn't at least get a 1Ghz CPU (and maybe another gig of L3 cache) into the current powerbook before January. But, if the current revisions to the CPU in the PowerMacs are just overclocked, then I can see why they wouldn't just pop one in a PB (the heat issue).

Maybe it's that time seems to stretch out when you're anticipating something; nonetheless, the pace of upgrades - ones that are actually significant (ie. more than 667 to 800, for instance) is mighty glacial over at Apple. And with an iBook running 700 Mhz G3's, FW, etc., and a cheapo iMac running the same 800 G4 as the current PB, can anyone be blamed for waiting Apple out for the next upgrade to the CPU? Seems like with the other products in the Apple stable being where they are, speedwise, the Powerbook is way overdue either for a significant upgrade or flat out discontinuation.

Lastly, I ran the numbers on the Apple store site comparing a powerbook 800/40gig drive versus a 1.25/120gig powermac, both with 22" cinema displays added on. I'll admit to being a little surprised that the desktop comes out a few hundred cheaper. (I don't necessarily know why I'm surprised; I just am...:-) ).

would be nice to see something to get excited about coming out of cupertino before january.

[geetoo]

Originally posted by ~/indigo
Well, take a look here (http://search.apple.com/find/results/images/) at the dates on the files for those images. I don't remember the TiBook starting at $2199 a year ago (24-Aug-2001).

Tell me what you think,
Jeff.

I found this today too



http://store.apple.com/Catalog/uk/Images/promo_powerbook_new_price.gif

A friend thought it might have been some old clearance stock.. but it's worth chucking it into the rumour mill. It's £270 cheaper than the current cheapest Powerbook in the UK Apple store.

[mberrier]

About a week ago, I ordered an 800 MHz TiBook through a reputable eBay seller for $2699. Even if there is an update looming on the horizon, I'm happy with my purchase.

Of course, if I'd paid $3000+, I might be a little more bitter about a surprise revision. ;)

[Gaz]

Originally posted by mymemory
Here in my country no ones knows what bluetooth is, so, that means that is a piece of technology not very well know yet.

I don't want to be nasty but bluetooth is extremely well known and has been around for along time but just hasn't been supported. Also you need to look at who the main consumers of these machines are. From my perspective the majority of Apple owners are American and bluetooth is one of the bigget things around interms of future developments.

In regard to sticking it machines there is little point in releasing a machine where there is no other hardware to communicate with. It would seem to be logical that Apple would tie in putting bluetooth in machines when the interference problem with other wiseless technologies is resolved to a state where it becomes usable.

I would also stretch to the point that we might see a bluetooth mouse from Apple around the same time because there is little point in releasing said product when the machines don't support the hardware without a third party adapter. Also if we were going to see this soon surely we would have bluetooth in the PowerMacs?

Anyway those are just a few thoughts

Gaz